Applejack rushed towards where she saw a pegasus crash. She was not sure if it was Rainbow or maybe Derpy who fell, the former seemingly less likely given the altitude, she did not care who. What mattered was if they were okay.

As she got closer she saw four distinct figures huddled close. The one sprawled out on the ground she figured was the crashed pegasus. The other three were a unicorn, a fellow earth pony...

Applejack skidded to a halt with eyes almost bulging out of their sockets, “... a-a dragon!?”

And they were all wearing similar vests.

The reaction took the four by surprise, oblivious as to why she took a defensive stance just now.

The white earth mare with a blue mane and black and white tail then spoke-up, “Excuse me, but is there a problem miss?” Not getting and answer right away she followed Applejack's stare to her dragon companion and nodded, finally understanding. “You don't need to worry about him, he's with us.”

Applejack glanced to the group's speaker, who she swore rivaled her elder brother's size, before relaxing. “Ah believe ya. Ah'm mighty sorry if Ah made y'all uneasy there. The last time we had dragons passin' through wasn't exactly pretty,” she idly rubbed the back of her head with a hoof. “Let's start over: name's Applejack.”

The white mare was about to reply, but hesitated. Applejack kept her friendly demeanor while inwardly wondering why it is taking her a moment just to answer. Thankfully she did not have to wait much longer.

“I am MacDougal. These are my companions Doctor Fonder, Violeta, and Tthass.”

Danny, Tthass, and Violeta were close to protesting their Captain's decision to use their real names. A quick glance from Minevera was enough to stay any grievances for another time.

Names were actually quite trivial given the situation.

“I hope we're not intruding,” Minevera said after finishing the introductions.

Applejack shook her head, “No problem, sugarcube. Given your fancy attire Ah figured you ain't from 'round here.

“Yer friend gonna be okay after that spill?”

Violeta was already up at this point, rolling her wings and trotting in place. “I've had worse; Doctor Fonder could probably tell you what I've had treated.”

Danny deadpanned, “You do realize I would need your actual log just just to refresh my memory.”

“At least you admit your memory could be fuzzy,” Tthass razzed Danny, earning him a glare from the target.

“Anyway –” Minevera began “– we were on our way to... Ponyville was it?” she looked back to her officers for confirmation. All three of them nodded before she continued. “Yes, Ponyville to find a place to stay for the evening. We're mostly just passing through while looking for leads to our investigation.”

This sounded odd to Applejack, “Investigating what?”

“I'm afraid that's confidential, Miss Applejack.”

Right there she knew Minevera was trying to hide something, but decided not to press the issue for now.

Off in the distance the ringing of a triangle and the hollering of Granny Smith could be heard: it was now dinner time.

Applejack addressed the group, “Ah'll tell you what, how about y'all come back to the house and have dinner with the family? Afterward Ah'll ask my friend Twilight to maybe let y'all crash there for the night.”

Minevera raised her brows, “Really? I wouldn't want to impose.”

“It's quite alright really. We usually end-up cooking more than we eat some nights. Come on,” she gestured the group to follow and started heading to a house off in the distance.

Tthass spoke-up after their host was out of earshot, “Captain, I think we should accept her hospitality. It would at least save us having to spend these 'bits' that Discord had given us.”

“Agreed,” said Minevera. “One can only imagine if these were ill-gotten. If they ask any questions about us try to be as vague as possible with your answers.”

Meeting the Apple Family was mostly a normal affair like one would expect. Sitting down for dinner started out slightly awkward at first for Minevera and Violeta as they were unsure how they would eat. Danny and Tthass had an easier time as they just used their unicorn telekinesis and claws respectively. Thankfully after stalling, as well as throwing anatomy logic out the window, they were well on their way to enjoying what Granny Smith had prepared for the evening.

As the meal progressed on questions began flying. The away party got a brief history lesson on the Apple Family and Ponyville; the latter including some of the adventures Applejack had with her other five friends. Hearing her calling herself the “Element of Honesty”, whatever that meant to them, made the Captain's earlier call about names a wise one.

When it came to questions directed at them Minevera did most of the talking. She did her best to remain vague and honest, but had to lie about where they all originated from.

Though it was all casual conversation it provided invaluable information.

The most troubling question came from the young filly Applebloom. “How'd you get your cutiemark?” she curiously looked at Minevera's flank.

This caused the Captain to almost lose her poker face. None of her other officers knew what a cutiemark was to begin with.

“Now Applebloom, Ah don't want ya gettin' ideas from these fine folk for your cusadin',” scolded Applejack. “Ah'm terribly sorry Ms. MacDougal, she and her friends have been tryin' so hard to earn their cutiemarks. Ah just don't want them gettin' anymore hair-brained ideas that'd get themselves hurt of worse.”

Minevera secretly thanked Applejack in her mind. “It's quite alright. I'm sure I'll be able to relay my story to young Applebloom here at a later time. Maybe even have her two friends over as well?” Applebloom beamed with excitement.

She was going to have words for Discord later.

Applejack then got up from her seat, “Ah suppose Ah better take you four over to Twilight's before it gets too dark out.”

Minevera got up, with Danny, Violeta, and Tthass following suit. “Agreed. Thank you very much for dinner, Granny Smith,” she nodded to the Apple Family Matriarch.

Granny cracked a smile, “T'weren't nuttin, sugarcube. Ah figured you lot need the best mah cookin' could provide. Don't be strangers now ya hear?”

“Ms. MacDougal, could Ah talk to you for a moment?” Applejack asked. She, Minevera, Danny, Violeta, and Tthass just entered Ponyville proper and were heading to a crystalline tree structure¹.

“Certainly,” the Captain motioned for her subordinates to follow from a distance. “What seems to be the problem?”

“Back there at the orchard Ah knew you were holding something back from me. Granted you said you couldn't tell me, but during dinner you lied to me and mah family. Why?”

Minevera met Applejack's stern gaze, “I'll be honest, Ms. Applejack: I hate lying. I wish I could tell you the amazing things we have seen on our journeys, but our line of work forbids it. I will tell you this though: the answers will still be there when everyone is good and ready.”

Author's Note

1) Twilight's Castle, Fortress of Friendship; whatever you like to call it.

I may go back and expand on the dinner scene some. I'll post a note in a future chapter if I get around to it.