Applejack and the Soldier.by Wolf-BaronChaptersChapter 1: The Lonely Poor Soldier. Chapter 2- Meeting the Apple family. (not one hundred percent complete but very close) Chapter 3: A lovely family meal. Chapter 1: The Lonely Poor Soldier. Chapter 1: The Lonely Poor Soldier. “Man today’s applebuck’s harvest sure was excellent!” Applejack exclaimed with excitement as she carried her saddle sacks full of her juicy sweet apples and bags of her Granny Smith’s famous home cooked apple pastries. The sacks were filled to the brim with bright shiny apples freshly bucked from the farm. Golden delicious, granny smith, red delicious, and many different types were shining and just waiting to be sold. Applejack was heading to her stand in Ponyville’s market block, arriving a little early so she could set up shop early and get ready for the customers. She just happily trotted along the path whistling a little tune to herself and admiring the beautiful early morning sights. The birds were signing their hooting songs and tweeting happily to one and other as the Pegasus ponies flew in the sky setting and rearranging clouds for today’s weather. According to the newspaper, Cloudsdale had said the weather for Ponyville was supposed to be nice and sunny with a few clouds but nice none the less. As Applejack was trotting along the path, she came across a friend of hers, Fluttershy a Pegasus, with her pet/assistant bunny Angel. “Howdy do Fluttershy?” AJ greeted with her warm smile. Fluttershy, who always had part of her face covered with her mane smiled back. “Oh, hi Applejack,” Fluttershy responded in a voice so soft she was practically whispering. Applejack nodded and asked, “So Fluttershy, where y’all off to?” “Oh um,” Fluttershy stuttered a little “I’m off to Old Mare Jenkins place. She has a family of squirrels in her attic and she wants me to talk to them.” It was Fluttershy’s job to keep peace between the ponies and the local wildlife. “Oh that’s neat. I was just on my way to the market.” AJ explained. “This year’s Applebuck season was excellent!” “Oh, that’s good to hear.” Fluttershy congratulated in her still quiet tone. Just then, Angel bunny tapped Fluttershy’s leg and stared at her angrily. “Oh my, sorry Applejack!” Fluttershy whispered with a look of worry on her face. Even when she was scared or panicked, she almost never raised her voice. “I promised I’d be at Old Mare Jenkins at 7! I’m running five minutes late!” She immediately continued to her destination trotting at a rather faster pace. “Alright then Fluttershy, see y’all later!” AJ waved backed and tilted her hat at Fluttershy. Fluttershy turn backed and waved back and continued to head towards Old Mar Jenkins while AJ continued to haul her apples to the market. When AJ finally reached Ponyville, she headed to the market block where her stand was located. Because it was still relatively early, there was hardly anyone on the streets with the exception of a few Earth ponies who were getting up to head to the field. Normally AJ’s little sister Applebloom would be helping her with the stand but she had school today. Plus it didn’t help the fact that Applebloom was a lousy salesman; AJ and Big Macintosh were still paying that fine they had to pay after Applebloom poured applesauce all over a rich business pony’s expensive coat (don’t ask why, it involved some complex scheme to get her cutie mark). AJ carefully unloaded the apples onto the stand taking great cares not to bruise any of them. Once the apples and apple pastries where carefully and neatly placed on the stand, AJ flipped the sign from “closed” to “Open.” “There we go!” she said with enthusiasm. “Open for business!” But as she was sitting at her stand waiting for the customers, she saw something out of the corner of her eye. Across from Sugarcube Corner, she saw an inn with its door open and a purple pony yelling at a human at the door. This was unusual; humans lived in a separate land and were not a common sight in Equestria, especially Ponyville. AJ herself had only seen a human once in her life when she was a very very young filly and she barely remembered him. The human was tall and appeared to be in his mid twenties and Caucasian. He had black hair which had been shaved and he was most likely in the military for he was wearing a woodland camouflage military uniform with matching cap and he had an M16 rifle and a backpack which must have been very heavy strung on his back. But what got AJ was how sad he looked, he appeared to be pleading with the innkeeper to let him in but she yelled back and refused him slamming the door on him. The human soldier then walked down the corner, appearing sad, tired, and exhausted. “Awe, poor guy,” AJ said under her breath. For a second, the soldier looked up and saw Applejack and he looked back at her and the two stared at each other face to face even though they were several meters apart. Applejack just couldn’t take her eyes off him. She couldn’t explain it but something just caught the attention of him. “Excuse me!” a voice interrupted AJ from her trance. Applejack shook her head a little and looked at who contacted her. It was a pony with spring green fur, a blue mane, and what appeared to be a cutie mark in the shape of flower pedals. “Oh sorry maim!” Applejack apologized to the pony “What can I get you?” “I’d like to buy four golden delicious apples and two granny smith apples.” The pony answered. “Yes maim.” AJ replied cheerfully and handed the customer the apples she ordered. The customer pulled out a few gold bit coins from her saddle bag and placed them on the counter and took her apples. “Have a nice day.” Applejack told the customer as she put the gold in her own saddlebag. Once the customer was gone, AJ looked back at the place where she saw the human but he was gone. But Applejack needed to focus on her customers so she continued to run the stand and tried very hard to get that human out of her head. Despite the success of the harvest, the business was very slow today. Applejack got her usual number of customers but not a whole lot. While AJ kept her smile for the customers, it was difficult to hide her disappointment. There were in fact several points during the day were she didn’t even get any customers. It was the Grand Galloping Gala all over again. Eventually nightfall came and Applejack had to close up. “Oh hay,” AJ sighed with disappointed at the slow sales. She checked and counted how much gold bits she had made during the day. Sure she had made a profit, but it was much less than it was last year. But she kept her chin up. After all, it was only the first day of business. She had learnt from past experience that you are gonna have slow business some days. Sometimes, ponies just aren’t in the mood for apples but it was no reason to give up. Applejack gathered up her surplus and put them in the cart and started to head home. As she was pulling the cart away from the stand one of the hinges broke off and caused the cart to roll out of control. Normally Applejack was strong enough to manage this, but she was tired and exhausted from bucking Apples yesterday. “Whoo whaaa!” she screamed as she struggled to maintain her balance and fell hard with a thud to the ground with the cart. The tipped cart spilled its cargo and the entire ground was covered with fallen apples. “Oh gosh durnit!” AJ grunted as she struggled to get herself up. As she was picking up her hat which had fallen off her head and facing the opposite direction trying to pick her apples up, she couldn’t see the person rushing to approach her from behind and reached out to help. “Oh my! Are you alright?” a male voice asked with sincerity “Do you need any help?” “Oh thank ya kindly dear….” Applejack began but then was silenced by what she saw. The person was the human soldier she had seen earlier. He was still carrying his rifle and backpack and was reaching out with his left hand to help as his right held onto his pack and rifle strap. “uh…dear sir.” AJ continued stuttering a little bit as she stared into the human’s crystal blue eyes. She had to admit, he was very handsome. By human standards that is. He helped her pick up her apples and other fallen supplies and got her cart back. AJ couldn’t help but look at him the entire time but she would turn away every time they faced each other eye to eye. “Hmmm, this cart is still broken.” The human said as he analyzed it. “Maybe I can help you carry this stuff back to your home?” Applejack struggled to hide the fact that she was blushing. “Well that’s awfully kind of you and all, but I don’t wish to be a burden and all,” she explained with a rather bad stutter. What’s wrong with me? She asked herself. She normally didn’t act like this. But the human soldier just smiled back. “No I insist.” He grabbed onto the broken end of the cart and held it strongly so it wouldn’t loose balance. AJ nodded back. “Okay then, but I’m just gonna warn ya my farm is quite a walks away.” The human suddenly looked up and his eyes widened with excitement. “You live on a farm?” he asked rather than with a lot of excitement. AJ nodded back. “Mmm hmmm. All my life.” She replied. “Excellent. I haven’t been to a farm since I was a kid.” He asked. “Okay let’s go.” AJ and the soldier walked and worked their way to the farm keeping the cart full of apples stable. Applejack was a little impressed by the human’s strength. Despite carrying both a heavy rifle and backpack, he was dragging a heavy cart and he never once complained. There were a few close calls but they quickly recovered and just laughed it off. “Thank ya so kindly.” AJ thanked the human as she was pulling the cart. “By the way, I never introduced myself. My name’s Applejack. What’s yours?” The human nodded back as he held onto the cart. “Ryan.” He answered by. “Ryan Winters.” Applejack laughed and nodded. “Well howdy do Mr. Winters.” She responded happily. “So what brings you here to Ponyville if ya don’t mind me asking?” “I’m a soldier in the Karelian army.” He answered. The Unites States of Karelia was where most of the humans were from. “I was on my way to the army base we have in the outskirts of the city you ponies called Fillydelphia. But I accidentally got aboard the wrong train. I ended up here. I’ve been looking for a place to stay a few days until I can contact my commander about the mix up” He continued occasionally grunting from the weight of the cart. “Ah.” AJ answered back. “In case you didn’t know, I saw you earlier this morning.” He told her. This statement caused Applejack’s eyes to widen and her cheeks to blush. Oh I hope in the name of Celestia he didn’t notice me starin at him! She screamed to herself in her head. “Uh…yeah.” She answered back nervously. “I own the stand I was selling apples.” “Ah that’s nice.” He answered very friendly. “How’s business going?” Applejack sighed at being reminded about her poor sales. “Well, it’s been better.” She answered back with a small frown. “Oh look we’re here!” she called out as soon as they reached the gates of Sweet Apple Acres. “Wow!” Ryan responded amazed. Even at night, Sweet Apple Acres looked beautiful. The farm was a great looking place with a nice little house next to a large red barn with pigs, cows, and chickens playing or sleeping in their pens. But the thing that surprised him the most was the apple trees. There had to be hundreds of them! Spread out as far as the eye could see. But he stopped his sight seeing and turned back to Applejack. “Where do you want these apples?” he asked. “Oh we have a shed we can store em in until tomorrow.” She answered back. “Okay.” He answered back and returned to helping her. Ryan helped AJ roll the cart to the shed a task which took quite some strength but to Applejack’s surprise Ryan could do it. “Is that it?” He asked while wiping the sweat off his face. AJ nodded “That should be it.” “Oh, okay then.” Ryan answered back in a rather sad mood. “I guess I’ll be on my way. Nice knowing you Applejack” He then turned away and began heading for the main gate. AJ remembered the expression he gave when the innkeeper rejected him. “Hey Ryan!” she quickly called to him. Ryan heard this and he turned out. “Yeah?” he called back with curiosity. Stuttering a bit and nervously rolling her left hoof in the ground AJ explained, “Well, if yer still looking for a place to stay, yer more than welcomed to stay here.” Ryan’s eyes widened and he stared at her almost in disbelief. “Really! Do you mean it?” he asked back both excited and nervous at the same time. Applejack cheerfully answered “Sure, we’ve got plenty of room and my granny loves having company over! You can stay for a few days.” Ryan rushed back and approached AJ with a look on his face so happy and full of gratitude. “Oh thank you Applejack. I promise I won’t be a burden!” he kept saying at a very fast pace that would give even Pinkie Pie a run for her cupcakes. “Ye won’t be. Why, you’re practically a member of the family already!” AJ kinda laughed a little when she said this. “Now com’on out of the night air. Granny’s cooking up some delicious grub.” Ryan nodded and walked besides AJ as she led him to her house where he could finally get some well needed rest. But Applejack couldn’t help but notice the conflicting feelings in her. Every time she looked at him, she felt this warm fuzziness of comfort that she had never felt before she felt like she almost had…feelings for him. No AJ! It’s not that! She shouted to herself in her head. Yer just being friendly that’s all. He’s a guest and maybe he could be a friend but he’s not…well… AJ breathed a big sigh which made Ryan look at her with concern. “You okay Applejack?” he asked her. “Oh no. Ryan. I’m fine.” She answered with a faux smile. Ryan smiled back and nodded as she led him to the house. AJ opened the door and Ryan could smell the aroma was a freshly baked stew and apple pie. It smelt so delicious his mouth began to water. “Well, go on in.” AJ giggled as she noticed this. “You must be hungry.” Ryan nodded and headed inside. “Thank you again Applejack. You’ve been so kind to me.” Then he did something Applejack didn’t expect. He leaned forward and gently kissed her on the cheek. Even though it was just a little peck similar to the ones she and Applebloom would exchange when they dropped her off at school, the warm fuzziness returned and she blushed heavily. Her heart was racing and beating faster than Rainbow Dash’s wings when she was flying at mach speed. “Oh uh I’m sorry!” Ryan apologized when he noticed AJ blushing. “It’s just that, where I’m from, it’s customary for us to kiss the cheek of whoever shows us a great act of kindness. I’m so very sorry I should have told you first!” But Applejack just nodded and giggled a little. “Oh it’s alright.” She answered back still blushing and with a smile. “It’s actually kinda sweet from you.” Ryan gave a sigh of relief. “Oh well that’s good. Again thanks.” As AJ let him in and closed the door her mind was racing. His kiss was more than just sweet. It was wonderful! AJ felt like she could fly and felt a rush that she normally only got from bucking apples from the trees. She wished it had been longer more romantic. She just wanted to reach out and…. No AJ what’s wrong with you! She screamed in her head to snap herself out of it. Take it easy there girl. He’s just a guest and you’re being friendly with him. And that’s all. Just take it one step at a time. She then led Ryan to the dining room and prepared to introduce him to her family. Author's Note If you don't like the story, that's fine with me, but please do not leave negative or angry comments on my page. Chapter 2- Meeting the Apple family. (not one hundred percent complete but very close) Chapter 2- Meeting the Apple family. (not one hundred percent complete but very close) “Applebloom, Big Macintosh, Granny Smith, I’m home!” Applejack called out to her family. “Just wait here, I’ll go fetch em.” AJ told Ryan and he nodded back. Ryan took his M16 off his shoulder and set it down carefully next to a coat rack. He then removed its magazine and bullets from the chamber so it wouldn’t accidentally go off and hurt anyone. He also took off his cap too as it was starting to make his head itch and he took some time to take a look at Applejack’s place. He had to admit AJ’s place was very home friendly. The living room was rather small and filled with apple, farm, and cowboy related items as décor. The walls were coating with pictures of the Apple family going back several generations. There was a staircase at the center which Ryan guessed led to their bedrooms. Overall, it was a nice place. He wouldn’t mind staying here for a few days if they had the room. As Applejack entered the dining room, a little filly and a tan and white border collie jumped on her. Applejack fell over laughing as the dog crawled on her chest and licked her face. “Whoah there, Winona I missed you too!” Applejack laughed as she pet the dog and carefully pushed her off her and got on her hooves again. Ryan laughed and smiled at this as he too owned a dog when he was very young and it would behave the same way. The little filly, who Ryan assumed must have been a younger sibling. She was yellow and had a red mane. However, unlike Applejack, she did not have a mark on her flank. Ryan knew a thing or two about pony culture and he did know what cutie marks were, but he didn’t really remember how they worked. “Applejack!” the filly shouted with excitement as she hugged AJ. AJ hugged the filly back with great warmth and family love. “Hey Applebloom.” She greeted her younger sibling. “How’s my lil sister doing?” Applebloom laughed with glee and happiness. “Doin’ great! Sweetie Bell came up with a plan today for us to get our cutie marks!” Applebloom explained very rapidly. AJ rolled her eyes and giggled at this. “Oh great what is it this time?” she questioned. The little filly Applebloom was about to answer her sister’s question but she stopped suddenly when she noticed Ryan standing behind Applejack. The filly’s mouth gaped open and she just stared at Ryan with a combo of curiosity and fear. “Applebloom!” AJ scolded very sternly “What did I tell you about staring?” Applebloom snapped out of it and looked at AJ. “I’m sorry sis but, who….what is this?” she asked as she raised a hoof and pointed at Ryan. Ryan laughed and knelt down so he was at her level of height. He extended his right hand as a friendly gesture. “Oh I’m terribly sorry. Allow me to introduce myself. I’m Ryan Winters.” He told the filly with a very friendly smile. Applebloom, squinting her eyes and tilting her head with curiosity, returned his handshake. “What…are you?” she questioned with as she shook his hand with her hoof. “Well, I’m a human.” Ryan answered. “Haven’t you ever heard of my kind?” The filly nodded a little but still had a look of confusion on her face. “Kinda sorta.” She answered “But I ain’t never seen yer kind around here.” Ryan smiled and nodded back. “Yeah, humans and ponies do live on opposite continents.” “What are you doing at our place anyway?” she asked walking around and examining Ryan’s body. But Applejack came and scolded her sister. “Now Applebloom, that’s no way to treat our guest. He’s gonna be staying with us.” She told her sibling with a frown. She then looked back at Ryan trying to keep a straight face. “I apologize for my sister,” she had with a slow, nervous laugh. “She can be a little nutty at times.” “Hey!” Applebloom interrupted but her cry went ignored. But Ryan shook his head and smiled as he lifted his head. “Oh it’s alright.” He said with understanding. Applejack nodded in approval and got up. As she was heading towards the kitchen, an elderly green furred pony came out from the kitchen wearing an apron and holding a wooden spoon in her mouth. “Hey there Granny Smith!” AJ greeted the old pony. It was obvious this was the grandmother Applejack was talking about earlier. The old mare took the spoon out of here mouth and placed it in her hooves. How ponies could grasp items without any fingers still baffled Ryan. “Well howdy sugar!” Granny Smith greeted her granddaughter. She then noticed Ryan. “And who is this visitor?” she asked AJ. But Ryan was the one to answer. “My name’s Ryan. Ryan Winters.” He replied bowing with a respect. Where he came from, it was always custom to bow to the elderly. Granny trotting up and squinting her old eyes at his face. “A human yeh?” she said with a bright, almost senile smile. “Well gall tootin! I ain’t seen one of yer kind in a long time!” Applejack cut in before Ryan could explain. “I hope you don’t mind Granny, but Ryan here’s a bit lost.” She explained. “He’s in the human army ya see, but he got separated from his unit by accident. He just needs a place to stay for awhile until he can get back with them.” Granny Smith nodded her head completely understanding. “Oh that’s fine with me child!” Ryan smiled heartily at her. Even though she was a very old pony, she had the energy and charisma of a high school boy! Granny Smith took Ryan’s hand by her hooves (Ryan still was shocked at how ponies could grasp objects without fingers) and led me to the kitchen. “C’mon in there human child!” she practically sang as she took him to the kitchen. Ryan nodded back with a laugh. “Oh yeah,” he spoke back with a smile. “It’s been awhile since I had a home cooked meal.” Although Ryan enjoyed hunting while he was living on his uncle’s farm and had once worked at a butcher shop, Ryan was not the best chef. Before joining the army; he lived on a diet of gas station breakfast sandwiches, cold cut meat sandwiches, and frozen pizzas. While the army kept him well fed, freeze dried rice, beef jerky, overcooked vegetables, and MRE’s were definitely not an A classed meal. “I can kill and butcher animals I just can’t cook them.” He would often tell his fellow soldiers. Granny Smith went to the fireplace which had a hot cauldron full of what appeared to be some sort of soup. Ryan couldn’t help but lift his nostrils and smell the savory aroma. “So what’s cooking?” he asked with curiosity and went to the cooking cauldron. Granny smith walked up and stirred it a little with her wooden spoon. “Oh just a little potato and vegetable stew.” She said as she took a sip of it with her spoon. “Hmmm, not quite done yet.” Applejack came from behind and tapped Ryan on his shoulder. “Hey, how’s about I show ya to yer room while Granny’s still cooking supper.” She told him. Ryan nodded and went to the front entrance to grab his rifle and backpack. Applejack escorted him to a large door that was located at the side of the stairway. “Hope you don’t mind sleeping in the basement.” She said with an earnest look. “Oh that’s fine.” He nodded in return as she led him downstairs in the basement. The basement was a little larger than Ryan thought it would be. While it was cold, it was still very friendly and was definitely a much better than the barracks he had slept in. The basement had a single window which allowed some outside light in. But other than that the basement was dependent on lantern light. There were stacks of what appeared to be empty glass jars and farming supplies. To the corner was a small bed which Ryan assumed he would be sleeping in while he stayed here. “Sure it isn’t the best place to sleep…” she started but Ryan just smiled and giggled. “Oh it’s perfect.” He laughed back. “In the army, I was trained to sleep on rocks with nothing but a sleeping bag. Compared to that, your basement is a five star hotel!” AJ gave her best smile trying to hide the fact that she was blushing, again. Ryan set down his rifle and army pack and inspected the bed. “Yeah this should work.” He approved with a nod. He then looked at Applejack and once again, Applejack got a look at Ryan’s blue eyes. “Again, thank you so much AJ.” He thanked her with a smile. “You wanna know something; you’re the first pony who didn’t treat me with disrespect because I’m a human.” Now Applejack was blushing brighter than a red delicious apple. C’mon Applejack he’s just a guest remember. AJ reminded herself when she felt the fuzziness she felt when she first met him. But she couldn’t help it. Little did she know, Ryan was feeling the same way. The two just stared at each other, neither seeming to look away. “Soups on every pony!!!” they heard Granny Smith shout which broke their silence. “Uhhhhh, we should probably go to dinner.” AJ replied with a hesitant faux smile. Ryan had the same look on his face. “Uh yeah, I’m starving.” He answered. “You can head up though; I’ll be up in a few seconds. Just, uhhh… need to unpack a few things.” AJ nodded back. “Sure.” She replied nervously. She then headed back upstairs leaving Ryan alone. He sat down on his bed shocked at himself. Why do I feel this way about her!? He thought to himself. Never had he felt this way about any of the ponies before. What was up? But he did his best to try to ignore them. He got up and headed upstairs, his head still full of conflicted emotions towards his hostess. Chapter 3: A lovely family meal. Chapter 3: A lovely family meal. Once Ryan was upstairs, the dining room was set for four. Ryan also got a chance to meet AJ’s older brother Big Macintosh. He was a large red furred pony who was very very quiet. So far the only word Ryan got to get him to say was “Eeeyup.” Ryan took his place at the table and sure enough, he was seated next to Applejack. He noticed her blushing a little when he sat next to her and he couldn’t help but blush a little too. Granny smith and Big Macintosh walked in with a pot of stew and an apple pie; it gave a visible vapor of steam which smelt very delicious. Ryan helped himself to a little bit of stew; it appeared to contain peas, corn, and potatoes. He had to admit, even though it was meatless (in the town where he came from, not putting beef in a stew was considered blasphemy), it was very delicious! The potatoes were well done and the corn and peas actually complemented each other. It was far better than the stew he was served at the army base where the cook always burnt the food and when it wasn’t burnt, it was served cold. Ryan was the only one at the table using utensils and even then, they were his, standard issue ration utensils which every soldier had. Applebloom kept staring at the way Ryan ate his food. “Applebloom what did I tell you about staring!” Applejack scolded to her sister. Applebloom pouted and folded her ears back. “I’m sorry Applejack, it’s just I ain’t never seen no human before.” She responded. Ryan smiled at the little filly’s innocence. Granny Smith seemed to agree too. “It’s true Applejack.” She said as she took a careful sip of her stew. “We ain’t seen a human in these parts since I was a teenaged filly.” “Oh really?” Ryan asked with interest as he ate a small piece of potato. Granny Smith nodded with a hum. “Oh yes! When we first started selling our famous zap apple cider, we came across an interesting human,” she explained. “His name was J.D. Fuller I think.” Ryan dropped his spoon at this statement. Granny Smith knew J.D. Fuller? The richest man in the USK? The man who founded the United Trading Corporation, the largest consumer goods corporation? “You met United Trading Corporation owner and founder, J.D. Fuller?” Ryan asked with excitement. This is incredible! He thought to himself. Granny Smith nodded as she took a bite of potato. “Darn tootin’!” she exclaimed. “But back then he was just a yerng eccentric entrepreneur. Had this crazy idea for an import/export and he loved our zap apple jam. So we sold a few jars to him and then he imported them to Karelia.” “Nice!” Ryan replied as he wiped his hands with a napkin. Applebloom suddenly raised her hoof and began jumping with excitement. “Have you ever been on a farm before?” she asked with excitement and curiosity. Ryan put down his napkin and his face kinda sunk in for a bit. Remember his life on his uncle’s farm brought back memories. Some good; others bad. “Why yes. I was raised on one actually.” He explained as he took a piece of bread and buttered it. “My parents died in a car accident when I was only a child and my uncle adopted me.” Applejack and Applebloom lowered their ears and gave a very sad expression. “Awe that’s horrible sugar cube,” AJ said with condolence in her voice. “Yeah, our mama and papa died when I was a filly too.” Applebloom said as she tapped her hoof on the table rather slowly. “N’ I don’t even remember them much because I was so little.” “Yep.” Big Mac replied in agreement. Even Granny Smith seemed as if she was upset by this story. “Oh well my condolences.” Ryan replied very respectfully. “I didn’t mean to upset you.” But Applejack returned with a smile and so did the rest of the family. “Aw it’s no problem sugarcube. Continue your story.” She said with much enthusiasm. Ryan smiled back and nodded. “Well, my uncle took me in and I was raised on his farm,” Ryan said as he dipped his bread in the stew to moisten it and then took a bite. “Of course, his farm wasn’t as big as yours.” “What kinda orchid did he grow?” Applebloom asked practically jumping up and down in her seat. Ryan laughed at this question. “Uh, my uncle didn’t have an orchid. He was a beef rancher.” He answered. The entire Apple family tilted their heads with a questioning look on their muzzles. “Uhhh… what’s beef?” Applebloom asked in confusion. Ryan looked back kinda awkward. He wasn’t sure how to explain to the vegetarian ponies how cows were raised for their meat in the human world. “Uhhh…well, cows.” He answered hoping it would just end there. But Granny Smith was the one who understood. “Ohhh, that’s right!” she exclaimed “Ya humans are omnivorous!” “What’s omnivorous?” Applebloom asked looking more confused than ever. Applejack was the one to answer. “It means they eat both meat and plants Applebloom.” Applebloom suddenly became scared by this statement. She looked at Ryan nervously. “You… don’t eat ponies don’t you?” she asked shaking in her horse shoes. “Applebloom!” Applejack yelled at her. But Ryan just laughed it off. “Don’t worry Applebloom. Ponies, aren’t really popular foods.” He said with a smile. In all honesty, he liked this family! Ryan hadn’t had a good time well, since…that day. Eventually the meal was finished and Granny Smith and Big Mac took the dishes away. Ryan helped AJ and Granny Smith with the dishes in spite of AJ’s response that he didn’t need to do such a thing (“it’s the least I can do”). Once dinner was finished, the Apple family gathered in the living room and sat down with each other. Because ponies didn’t have any TV’s or computers, they had relied on each other’s company to keep each other entertained. Applebloom was telling her family about some sort of complex plan she and her friends devised to get their cutie marks. As much as Ryan was happy to have such company, he was getting tired. “Well, I’m gonna turn in for tonight.” He said as he yawned and stretched his arms over his head. Granny Smith and AJ nodded in approval. “Alrighty then, if yer still looking for a phone sugarcube, I’ll escort you to the mayor’s office tomorrow,” AJ said with a smile “I believe she has a phone in her back office.” Ryan got up and nodded with the brightest smile. “Thank you. Again, I am so grateful you have provided me with shelter in my time of need.” Ryan practically exclaimed with happiness. “I can never repay you.” Applejack blushed again although this time she tried to hide it from her family. “Aw shucks, it was nothing sugar cube.” She said covering her blushing cheeks with her hooves. “Exactly!” Granny Smith added with compliment. “We Apples are the most loyal and honest ponies you’s ever gonna meet! We always help those in need.” Ryan closed his eyes and smiled with a hum. “Well goodnight!” he hummed happily as he turned around and headed for the basement door. “Goodnight!” All the Apples said back as he opened the basement door and then closed it behind him. Applejack couldn’t help but stare at him as he left. Hay, ever since she first laid eyes on him, she couldn’t take her eyes off him. “Hey Applejack!” Applebloom suddenly awoke AJ from her hypnotic gaze. “Huh what?” she said practically lost in confusion. But Applebloom just smiled back. “I was just about to finish ma story!” Applejack nodded with a faux smile. “Oh, alrighty then, continue little sis.” Ryan reached his crude bed and sat down on it. Pulling off his boots and hanging up his army jacket, he climbed into bed and just spent the next few minutes relaxing and staring at the ceiling. But for all the good that had came to him, something troubled him inside. It was Applejack again, there was just….something about her. Ryan had difficulty grasping this, but it was pretty clear, he was sad that he was probably gonna leave this family in a few day. But he was too tired to think right now. With a yawn, he pulled the covers over him and went to sleep, his tired head filled with thoughts of his uncle’s farm. And Applejack.
Chapter 1: The Lonely Poor Soldier. Chapter 1: The Lonely Poor Soldier. “Man today’s applebuck’s harvest sure was excellent!” Applejack exclaimed with excitement as she carried her saddle sacks full of her juicy sweet apples and bags of her Granny Smith’s famous home cooked apple pastries. The sacks were filled to the brim with bright shiny apples freshly bucked from the farm. Golden delicious, granny smith, red delicious, and many different types were shining and just waiting to be sold. Applejack was heading to her stand in Ponyville’s market block, arriving a little early so she could set up shop early and get ready for the customers. She just happily trotted along the path whistling a little tune to herself and admiring the beautiful early morning sights. The birds were signing their hooting songs and tweeting happily to one and other as the Pegasus ponies flew in the sky setting and rearranging clouds for today’s weather. According to the newspaper, Cloudsdale had said the weather for Ponyville was supposed to be nice and sunny with a few clouds but nice none the less. As Applejack was trotting along the path, she came across a friend of hers, Fluttershy a Pegasus, with her pet/assistant bunny Angel. “Howdy do Fluttershy?” AJ greeted with her warm smile. Fluttershy, who always had part of her face covered with her mane smiled back. “Oh, hi Applejack,” Fluttershy responded in a voice so soft she was practically whispering. Applejack nodded and asked, “So Fluttershy, where y’all off to?” “Oh um,” Fluttershy stuttered a little “I’m off to Old Mare Jenkins place. She has a family of squirrels in her attic and she wants me to talk to them.” It was Fluttershy’s job to keep peace between the ponies and the local wildlife. “Oh that’s neat. I was just on my way to the market.” AJ explained. “This year’s Applebuck season was excellent!” “Oh, that’s good to hear.” Fluttershy congratulated in her still quiet tone. Just then, Angel bunny tapped Fluttershy’s leg and stared at her angrily. “Oh my, sorry Applejack!” Fluttershy whispered with a look of worry on her face. Even when she was scared or panicked, she almost never raised her voice. “I promised I’d be at Old Mare Jenkins at 7! I’m running five minutes late!” She immediately continued to her destination trotting at a rather faster pace. “Alright then Fluttershy, see y’all later!” AJ waved backed and tilted her hat at Fluttershy. Fluttershy turn backed and waved back and continued to head towards Old Mar Jenkins while AJ continued to haul her apples to the market. When AJ finally reached Ponyville, she headed to the market block where her stand was located. Because it was still relatively early, there was hardly anyone on the streets with the exception of a few Earth ponies who were getting up to head to the field. Normally AJ’s little sister Applebloom would be helping her with the stand but she had school today. Plus it didn’t help the fact that Applebloom was a lousy salesman; AJ and Big Macintosh were still paying that fine they had to pay after Applebloom poured applesauce all over a rich business pony’s expensive coat (don’t ask why, it involved some complex scheme to get her cutie mark). AJ carefully unloaded the apples onto the stand taking great cares not to bruise any of them. Once the apples and apple pastries where carefully and neatly placed on the stand, AJ flipped the sign from “closed” to “Open.” “There we go!” she said with enthusiasm. “Open for business!” But as she was sitting at her stand waiting for the customers, she saw something out of the corner of her eye. Across from Sugarcube Corner, she saw an inn with its door open and a purple pony yelling at a human at the door. This was unusual; humans lived in a separate land and were not a common sight in Equestria, especially Ponyville. AJ herself had only seen a human once in her life when she was a very very young filly and she barely remembered him. The human was tall and appeared to be in his mid twenties and Caucasian. He had black hair which had been shaved and he was most likely in the military for he was wearing a woodland camouflage military uniform with matching cap and he had an M16 rifle and a backpack which must have been very heavy strung on his back. But what got AJ was how sad he looked, he appeared to be pleading with the innkeeper to let him in but she yelled back and refused him slamming the door on him. The human soldier then walked down the corner, appearing sad, tired, and exhausted. “Awe, poor guy,” AJ said under her breath. For a second, the soldier looked up and saw Applejack and he looked back at her and the two stared at each other face to face even though they were several meters apart. Applejack just couldn’t take her eyes off him. She couldn’t explain it but something just caught the attention of him. “Excuse me!” a voice interrupted AJ from her trance. Applejack shook her head a little and looked at who contacted her. It was a pony with spring green fur, a blue mane, and what appeared to be a cutie mark in the shape of flower pedals. “Oh sorry maim!” Applejack apologized to the pony “What can I get you?” “I’d like to buy four golden delicious apples and two granny smith apples.” The pony answered. “Yes maim.” AJ replied cheerfully and handed the customer the apples she ordered. The customer pulled out a few gold bit coins from her saddle bag and placed them on the counter and took her apples. “Have a nice day.” Applejack told the customer as she put the gold in her own saddlebag. Once the customer was gone, AJ looked back at the place where she saw the human but he was gone. But Applejack needed to focus on her customers so she continued to run the stand and tried very hard to get that human out of her head. Despite the success of the harvest, the business was very slow today. Applejack got her usual number of customers but not a whole lot. While AJ kept her smile for the customers, it was difficult to hide her disappointment. There were in fact several points during the day were she didn’t even get any customers. It was the Grand Galloping Gala all over again. Eventually nightfall came and Applejack had to close up. “Oh hay,” AJ sighed with disappointed at the slow sales. She checked and counted how much gold bits she had made during the day. Sure she had made a profit, but it was much less than it was last year. But she kept her chin up. After all, it was only the first day of business. She had learnt from past experience that you are gonna have slow business some days. Sometimes, ponies just aren’t in the mood for apples but it was no reason to give up. Applejack gathered up her surplus and put them in the cart and started to head home. As she was pulling the cart away from the stand one of the hinges broke off and caused the cart to roll out of control. Normally Applejack was strong enough to manage this, but she was tired and exhausted from bucking Apples yesterday. “Whoo whaaa!” she screamed as she struggled to maintain her balance and fell hard with a thud to the ground with the cart. The tipped cart spilled its cargo and the entire ground was covered with fallen apples. “Oh gosh durnit!” AJ grunted as she struggled to get herself up. As she was picking up her hat which had fallen off her head and facing the opposite direction trying to pick her apples up, she couldn’t see the person rushing to approach her from behind and reached out to help. “Oh my! Are you alright?” a male voice asked with sincerity “Do you need any help?” “Oh thank ya kindly dear….” Applejack began but then was silenced by what she saw. The person was the human soldier she had seen earlier. He was still carrying his rifle and backpack and was reaching out with his left hand to help as his right held onto his pack and rifle strap. “uh…dear sir.” AJ continued stuttering a little bit as she stared into the human’s crystal blue eyes. She had to admit, he was very handsome. By human standards that is. He helped her pick up her apples and other fallen supplies and got her cart back. AJ couldn’t help but look at him the entire time but she would turn away every time they faced each other eye to eye. “Hmmm, this cart is still broken.” The human said as he analyzed it. “Maybe I can help you carry this stuff back to your home?” Applejack struggled to hide the fact that she was blushing. “Well that’s awfully kind of you and all, but I don’t wish to be a burden and all,” she explained with a rather bad stutter. What’s wrong with me? She asked herself. She normally didn’t act like this. But the human soldier just smiled back. “No I insist.” He grabbed onto the broken end of the cart and held it strongly so it wouldn’t loose balance. AJ nodded back. “Okay then, but I’m just gonna warn ya my farm is quite a walks away.” The human suddenly looked up and his eyes widened with excitement. “You live on a farm?” he asked rather than with a lot of excitement. AJ nodded back. “Mmm hmmm. All my life.” She replied. “Excellent. I haven’t been to a farm since I was a kid.” He asked. “Okay let’s go.” AJ and the soldier walked and worked their way to the farm keeping the cart full of apples stable. Applejack was a little impressed by the human’s strength. Despite carrying both a heavy rifle and backpack, he was dragging a heavy cart and he never once complained. There were a few close calls but they quickly recovered and just laughed it off. “Thank ya so kindly.” AJ thanked the human as she was pulling the cart. “By the way, I never introduced myself. My name’s Applejack. What’s yours?” The human nodded back as he held onto the cart. “Ryan.” He answered by. “Ryan Winters.” Applejack laughed and nodded. “Well howdy do Mr. Winters.” She responded happily. “So what brings you here to Ponyville if ya don’t mind me asking?” “I’m a soldier in the Karelian army.” He answered. The Unites States of Karelia was where most of the humans were from. “I was on my way to the army base we have in the outskirts of the city you ponies called Fillydelphia. But I accidentally got aboard the wrong train. I ended up here. I’ve been looking for a place to stay a few days until I can contact my commander about the mix up” He continued occasionally grunting from the weight of the cart. “Ah.” AJ answered back. “In case you didn’t know, I saw you earlier this morning.” He told her. This statement caused Applejack’s eyes to widen and her cheeks to blush. Oh I hope in the name of Celestia he didn’t notice me starin at him! She screamed to herself in her head. “Uh…yeah.” She answered back nervously. “I own the stand I was selling apples.” “Ah that’s nice.” He answered very friendly. “How’s business going?” Applejack sighed at being reminded about her poor sales. “Well, it’s been better.” She answered back with a small frown. “Oh look we’re here!” she called out as soon as they reached the gates of Sweet Apple Acres. “Wow!” Ryan responded amazed. Even at night, Sweet Apple Acres looked beautiful. The farm was a great looking place with a nice little house next to a large red barn with pigs, cows, and chickens playing or sleeping in their pens. But the thing that surprised him the most was the apple trees. There had to be hundreds of them! Spread out as far as the eye could see. But he stopped his sight seeing and turned back to Applejack. “Where do you want these apples?” he asked. “Oh we have a shed we can store em in until tomorrow.” She answered back. “Okay.” He answered back and returned to helping her. Ryan helped AJ roll the cart to the shed a task which took quite some strength but to Applejack’s surprise Ryan could do it. “Is that it?” He asked while wiping the sweat off his face. AJ nodded “That should be it.” “Oh, okay then.” Ryan answered back in a rather sad mood. “I guess I’ll be on my way. Nice knowing you Applejack” He then turned away and began heading for the main gate. AJ remembered the expression he gave when the innkeeper rejected him. “Hey Ryan!” she quickly called to him. Ryan heard this and he turned out. “Yeah?” he called back with curiosity. Stuttering a bit and nervously rolling her left hoof in the ground AJ explained, “Well, if yer still looking for a place to stay, yer more than welcomed to stay here.” Ryan’s eyes widened and he stared at her almost in disbelief. “Really! Do you mean it?” he asked back both excited and nervous at the same time. Applejack cheerfully answered “Sure, we’ve got plenty of room and my granny loves having company over! You can stay for a few days.” Ryan rushed back and approached AJ with a look on his face so happy and full of gratitude. “Oh thank you Applejack. I promise I won’t be a burden!” he kept saying at a very fast pace that would give even Pinkie Pie a run for her cupcakes. “Ye won’t be. Why, you’re practically a member of the family already!” AJ kinda laughed a little when she said this. “Now com’on out of the night air. Granny’s cooking up some delicious grub.” Ryan nodded and walked besides AJ as she led him to her house where he could finally get some well needed rest. But Applejack couldn’t help but notice the conflicting feelings in her. Every time she looked at him, she felt this warm fuzziness of comfort that she had never felt before she felt like she almost had…feelings for him. No AJ! It’s not that! She shouted to herself in her head. Yer just being friendly that’s all. He’s a guest and maybe he could be a friend but he’s not…well… AJ breathed a big sigh which made Ryan look at her with concern. “You okay Applejack?” he asked her. “Oh no. Ryan. I’m fine.” She answered with a faux smile. Ryan smiled back and nodded as she led him to the house. AJ opened the door and Ryan could smell the aroma was a freshly baked stew and apple pie. It smelt so delicious his mouth began to water. “Well, go on in.” AJ giggled as she noticed this. “You must be hungry.” Ryan nodded and headed inside. “Thank you again Applejack. You’ve been so kind to me.” Then he did something Applejack didn’t expect. He leaned forward and gently kissed her on the cheek. Even though it was just a little peck similar to the ones she and Applebloom would exchange when they dropped her off at school, the warm fuzziness returned and she blushed heavily. Her heart was racing and beating faster than Rainbow Dash’s wings when she was flying at mach speed. “Oh uh I’m sorry!” Ryan apologized when he noticed AJ blushing. “It’s just that, where I’m from, it’s customary for us to kiss the cheek of whoever shows us a great act of kindness. I’m so very sorry I should have told you first!” But Applejack just nodded and giggled a little. “Oh it’s alright.” She answered back still blushing and with a smile. “It’s actually kinda sweet from you.” Ryan gave a sigh of relief. “Oh well that’s good. Again thanks.” As AJ let him in and closed the door her mind was racing. His kiss was more than just sweet. It was wonderful! AJ felt like she could fly and felt a rush that she normally only got from bucking apples from the trees. She wished it had been longer more romantic. She just wanted to reach out and…. No AJ what’s wrong with you! She screamed in her head to snap herself out of it. Take it easy there girl. He’s just a guest and you’re being friendly with him. And that’s all. Just take it one step at a time. She then led Ryan to the dining room and prepared to introduce him to her family. Author's Note If you don't like the story, that's fine with me, but please do not leave negative or angry comments on my page.
Chapter 2- Meeting the Apple family. (not one hundred percent complete but very close) Chapter 2- Meeting the Apple family. (not one hundred percent complete but very close) “Applebloom, Big Macintosh, Granny Smith, I’m home!” Applejack called out to her family. “Just wait here, I’ll go fetch em.” AJ told Ryan and he nodded back. Ryan took his M16 off his shoulder and set it down carefully next to a coat rack. He then removed its magazine and bullets from the chamber so it wouldn’t accidentally go off and hurt anyone. He also took off his cap too as it was starting to make his head itch and he took some time to take a look at Applejack’s place. He had to admit AJ’s place was very home friendly. The living room was rather small and filled with apple, farm, and cowboy related items as décor. The walls were coating with pictures of the Apple family going back several generations. There was a staircase at the center which Ryan guessed led to their bedrooms. Overall, it was a nice place. He wouldn’t mind staying here for a few days if they had the room. As Applejack entered the dining room, a little filly and a tan and white border collie jumped on her. Applejack fell over laughing as the dog crawled on her chest and licked her face. “Whoah there, Winona I missed you too!” Applejack laughed as she pet the dog and carefully pushed her off her and got on her hooves again. Ryan laughed and smiled at this as he too owned a dog when he was very young and it would behave the same way. The little filly, who Ryan assumed must have been a younger sibling. She was yellow and had a red mane. However, unlike Applejack, she did not have a mark on her flank. Ryan knew a thing or two about pony culture and he did know what cutie marks were, but he didn’t really remember how they worked. “Applejack!” the filly shouted with excitement as she hugged AJ. AJ hugged the filly back with great warmth and family love. “Hey Applebloom.” She greeted her younger sibling. “How’s my lil sister doing?” Applebloom laughed with glee and happiness. “Doin’ great! Sweetie Bell came up with a plan today for us to get our cutie marks!” Applebloom explained very rapidly. AJ rolled her eyes and giggled at this. “Oh great what is it this time?” she questioned. The little filly Applebloom was about to answer her sister’s question but she stopped suddenly when she noticed Ryan standing behind Applejack. The filly’s mouth gaped open and she just stared at Ryan with a combo of curiosity and fear. “Applebloom!” AJ scolded very sternly “What did I tell you about staring?” Applebloom snapped out of it and looked at AJ. “I’m sorry sis but, who….what is this?” she asked as she raised a hoof and pointed at Ryan. Ryan laughed and knelt down so he was at her level of height. He extended his right hand as a friendly gesture. “Oh I’m terribly sorry. Allow me to introduce myself. I’m Ryan Winters.” He told the filly with a very friendly smile. Applebloom, squinting her eyes and tilting her head with curiosity, returned his handshake. “What…are you?” she questioned with as she shook his hand with her hoof. “Well, I’m a human.” Ryan answered. “Haven’t you ever heard of my kind?” The filly nodded a little but still had a look of confusion on her face. “Kinda sorta.” She answered “But I ain’t never seen yer kind around here.” Ryan smiled and nodded back. “Yeah, humans and ponies do live on opposite continents.” “What are you doing at our place anyway?” she asked walking around and examining Ryan’s body. But Applejack came and scolded her sister. “Now Applebloom, that’s no way to treat our guest. He’s gonna be staying with us.” She told her sibling with a frown. She then looked back at Ryan trying to keep a straight face. “I apologize for my sister,” she had with a slow, nervous laugh. “She can be a little nutty at times.” “Hey!” Applebloom interrupted but her cry went ignored. But Ryan shook his head and smiled as he lifted his head. “Oh it’s alright.” He said with understanding. Applejack nodded in approval and got up. As she was heading towards the kitchen, an elderly green furred pony came out from the kitchen wearing an apron and holding a wooden spoon in her mouth. “Hey there Granny Smith!” AJ greeted the old pony. It was obvious this was the grandmother Applejack was talking about earlier. The old mare took the spoon out of here mouth and placed it in her hooves. How ponies could grasp items without any fingers still baffled Ryan. “Well howdy sugar!” Granny Smith greeted her granddaughter. She then noticed Ryan. “And who is this visitor?” she asked AJ. But Ryan was the one to answer. “My name’s Ryan. Ryan Winters.” He replied bowing with a respect. Where he came from, it was always custom to bow to the elderly. Granny trotting up and squinting her old eyes at his face. “A human yeh?” she said with a bright, almost senile smile. “Well gall tootin! I ain’t seen one of yer kind in a long time!” Applejack cut in before Ryan could explain. “I hope you don’t mind Granny, but Ryan here’s a bit lost.” She explained. “He’s in the human army ya see, but he got separated from his unit by accident. He just needs a place to stay for awhile until he can get back with them.” Granny Smith nodded her head completely understanding. “Oh that’s fine with me child!” Ryan smiled heartily at her. Even though she was a very old pony, she had the energy and charisma of a high school boy! Granny Smith took Ryan’s hand by her hooves (Ryan still was shocked at how ponies could grasp objects without fingers) and led me to the kitchen. “C’mon in there human child!” she practically sang as she took him to the kitchen. Ryan nodded back with a laugh. “Oh yeah,” he spoke back with a smile. “It’s been awhile since I had a home cooked meal.” Although Ryan enjoyed hunting while he was living on his uncle’s farm and had once worked at a butcher shop, Ryan was not the best chef. Before joining the army; he lived on a diet of gas station breakfast sandwiches, cold cut meat sandwiches, and frozen pizzas. While the army kept him well fed, freeze dried rice, beef jerky, overcooked vegetables, and MRE’s were definitely not an A classed meal. “I can kill and butcher animals I just can’t cook them.” He would often tell his fellow soldiers. Granny Smith went to the fireplace which had a hot cauldron full of what appeared to be some sort of soup. Ryan couldn’t help but lift his nostrils and smell the savory aroma. “So what’s cooking?” he asked with curiosity and went to the cooking cauldron. Granny smith walked up and stirred it a little with her wooden spoon. “Oh just a little potato and vegetable stew.” She said as she took a sip of it with her spoon. “Hmmm, not quite done yet.” Applejack came from behind and tapped Ryan on his shoulder. “Hey, how’s about I show ya to yer room while Granny’s still cooking supper.” She told him. Ryan nodded and went to the front entrance to grab his rifle and backpack. Applejack escorted him to a large door that was located at the side of the stairway. “Hope you don’t mind sleeping in the basement.” She said with an earnest look. “Oh that’s fine.” He nodded in return as she led him downstairs in the basement. The basement was a little larger than Ryan thought it would be. While it was cold, it was still very friendly and was definitely a much better than the barracks he had slept in. The basement had a single window which allowed some outside light in. But other than that the basement was dependent on lantern light. There were stacks of what appeared to be empty glass jars and farming supplies. To the corner was a small bed which Ryan assumed he would be sleeping in while he stayed here. “Sure it isn’t the best place to sleep…” she started but Ryan just smiled and giggled. “Oh it’s perfect.” He laughed back. “In the army, I was trained to sleep on rocks with nothing but a sleeping bag. Compared to that, your basement is a five star hotel!” AJ gave her best smile trying to hide the fact that she was blushing, again. Ryan set down his rifle and army pack and inspected the bed. “Yeah this should work.” He approved with a nod. He then looked at Applejack and once again, Applejack got a look at Ryan’s blue eyes. “Again, thank you so much AJ.” He thanked her with a smile. “You wanna know something; you’re the first pony who didn’t treat me with disrespect because I’m a human.” Now Applejack was blushing brighter than a red delicious apple. C’mon Applejack he’s just a guest remember. AJ reminded herself when she felt the fuzziness she felt when she first met him. But she couldn’t help it. Little did she know, Ryan was feeling the same way. The two just stared at each other, neither seeming to look away. “Soups on every pony!!!” they heard Granny Smith shout which broke their silence. “Uhhhhh, we should probably go to dinner.” AJ replied with a hesitant faux smile. Ryan had the same look on his face. “Uh yeah, I’m starving.” He answered. “You can head up though; I’ll be up in a few seconds. Just, uhhh… need to unpack a few things.” AJ nodded back. “Sure.” She replied nervously. She then headed back upstairs leaving Ryan alone. He sat down on his bed shocked at himself. Why do I feel this way about her!? He thought to himself. Never had he felt this way about any of the ponies before. What was up? But he did his best to try to ignore them. He got up and headed upstairs, his head still full of conflicted emotions towards his hostess.
Chapter 3: A lovely family meal. Chapter 3: A lovely family meal. Once Ryan was upstairs, the dining room was set for four. Ryan also got a chance to meet AJ’s older brother Big Macintosh. He was a large red furred pony who was very very quiet. So far the only word Ryan got to get him to say was “Eeeyup.” Ryan took his place at the table and sure enough, he was seated next to Applejack. He noticed her blushing a little when he sat next to her and he couldn’t help but blush a little too. Granny smith and Big Macintosh walked in with a pot of stew and an apple pie; it gave a visible vapor of steam which smelt very delicious. Ryan helped himself to a little bit of stew; it appeared to contain peas, corn, and potatoes. He had to admit, even though it was meatless (in the town where he came from, not putting beef in a stew was considered blasphemy), it was very delicious! The potatoes were well done and the corn and peas actually complemented each other. It was far better than the stew he was served at the army base where the cook always burnt the food and when it wasn’t burnt, it was served cold. Ryan was the only one at the table using utensils and even then, they were his, standard issue ration utensils which every soldier had. Applebloom kept staring at the way Ryan ate his food. “Applebloom what did I tell you about staring!” Applejack scolded to her sister. Applebloom pouted and folded her ears back. “I’m sorry Applejack, it’s just I ain’t never seen no human before.” She responded. Ryan smiled at the little filly’s innocence. Granny Smith seemed to agree too. “It’s true Applejack.” She said as she took a careful sip of her stew. “We ain’t seen a human in these parts since I was a teenaged filly.” “Oh really?” Ryan asked with interest as he ate a small piece of potato. Granny Smith nodded with a hum. “Oh yes! When we first started selling our famous zap apple cider, we came across an interesting human,” she explained. “His name was J.D. Fuller I think.” Ryan dropped his spoon at this statement. Granny Smith knew J.D. Fuller? The richest man in the USK? The man who founded the United Trading Corporation, the largest consumer goods corporation? “You met United Trading Corporation owner and founder, J.D. Fuller?” Ryan asked with excitement. This is incredible! He thought to himself. Granny Smith nodded as she took a bite of potato. “Darn tootin’!” she exclaimed. “But back then he was just a yerng eccentric entrepreneur. Had this crazy idea for an import/export and he loved our zap apple jam. So we sold a few jars to him and then he imported them to Karelia.” “Nice!” Ryan replied as he wiped his hands with a napkin. Applebloom suddenly raised her hoof and began jumping with excitement. “Have you ever been on a farm before?” she asked with excitement and curiosity. Ryan put down his napkin and his face kinda sunk in for a bit. Remember his life on his uncle’s farm brought back memories. Some good; others bad. “Why yes. I was raised on one actually.” He explained as he took a piece of bread and buttered it. “My parents died in a car accident when I was only a child and my uncle adopted me.” Applejack and Applebloom lowered their ears and gave a very sad expression. “Awe that’s horrible sugar cube,” AJ said with condolence in her voice. “Yeah, our mama and papa died when I was a filly too.” Applebloom said as she tapped her hoof on the table rather slowly. “N’ I don’t even remember them much because I was so little.” “Yep.” Big Mac replied in agreement. Even Granny Smith seemed as if she was upset by this story. “Oh well my condolences.” Ryan replied very respectfully. “I didn’t mean to upset you.” But Applejack returned with a smile and so did the rest of the family. “Aw it’s no problem sugarcube. Continue your story.” She said with much enthusiasm. Ryan smiled back and nodded. “Well, my uncle took me in and I was raised on his farm,” Ryan said as he dipped his bread in the stew to moisten it and then took a bite. “Of course, his farm wasn’t as big as yours.” “What kinda orchid did he grow?” Applebloom asked practically jumping up and down in her seat. Ryan laughed at this question. “Uh, my uncle didn’t have an orchid. He was a beef rancher.” He answered. The entire Apple family tilted their heads with a questioning look on their muzzles. “Uhhh… what’s beef?” Applebloom asked in confusion. Ryan looked back kinda awkward. He wasn’t sure how to explain to the vegetarian ponies how cows were raised for their meat in the human world. “Uhhh…well, cows.” He answered hoping it would just end there. But Granny Smith was the one who understood. “Ohhh, that’s right!” she exclaimed “Ya humans are omnivorous!” “What’s omnivorous?” Applebloom asked looking more confused than ever. Applejack was the one to answer. “It means they eat both meat and plants Applebloom.” Applebloom suddenly became scared by this statement. She looked at Ryan nervously. “You… don’t eat ponies don’t you?” she asked shaking in her horse shoes. “Applebloom!” Applejack yelled at her. But Ryan just laughed it off. “Don’t worry Applebloom. Ponies, aren’t really popular foods.” He said with a smile. In all honesty, he liked this family! Ryan hadn’t had a good time well, since…that day. Eventually the meal was finished and Granny Smith and Big Mac took the dishes away. Ryan helped AJ and Granny Smith with the dishes in spite of AJ’s response that he didn’t need to do such a thing (“it’s the least I can do”). Once dinner was finished, the Apple family gathered in the living room and sat down with each other. Because ponies didn’t have any TV’s or computers, they had relied on each other’s company to keep each other entertained. Applebloom was telling her family about some sort of complex plan she and her friends devised to get their cutie marks. As much as Ryan was happy to have such company, he was getting tired. “Well, I’m gonna turn in for tonight.” He said as he yawned and stretched his arms over his head. Granny Smith and AJ nodded in approval. “Alrighty then, if yer still looking for a phone sugarcube, I’ll escort you to the mayor’s office tomorrow,” AJ said with a smile “I believe she has a phone in her back office.” Ryan got up and nodded with the brightest smile. “Thank you. Again, I am so grateful you have provided me with shelter in my time of need.” Ryan practically exclaimed with happiness. “I can never repay you.” Applejack blushed again although this time she tried to hide it from her family. “Aw shucks, it was nothing sugar cube.” She said covering her blushing cheeks with her hooves. “Exactly!” Granny Smith added with compliment. “We Apples are the most loyal and honest ponies you’s ever gonna meet! We always help those in need.” Ryan closed his eyes and smiled with a hum. “Well goodnight!” he hummed happily as he turned around and headed for the basement door. “Goodnight!” All the Apples said back as he opened the basement door and then closed it behind him. Applejack couldn’t help but stare at him as he left. Hay, ever since she first laid eyes on him, she couldn’t take her eyes off him. “Hey Applejack!” Applebloom suddenly awoke AJ from her hypnotic gaze. “Huh what?” she said practically lost in confusion. But Applebloom just smiled back. “I was just about to finish ma story!” Applejack nodded with a faux smile. “Oh, alrighty then, continue little sis.” Ryan reached his crude bed and sat down on it. Pulling off his boots and hanging up his army jacket, he climbed into bed and just spent the next few minutes relaxing and staring at the ceiling. But for all the good that had came to him, something troubled him inside. It was Applejack again, there was just….something about her. Ryan had difficulty grasping this, but it was pretty clear, he was sad that he was probably gonna leave this family in a few day. But he was too tired to think right now. With a yawn, he pulled the covers over him and went to sleep, his tired head filled with thoughts of his uncle’s farm. And Applejack.
