Friends in Pairs

"Thanks a lot for helping me with my farmwork," Golden Harvest told Berry Punch as the two friends showed seeds into the dark brown soil. "It goes by much quicker with two pairs of hooves.

"No problem!" Berry replied cheerfully. "You've never told me much about it, Golden. What's it like?" Golden Harvest sighed.

"It's hard work," she admitted. "But it really pays off, and I love being close to the soil." Berry Punch nodded.

"You know about that feeling, right, Berry?" Golden Harvest continued. "You work in a vineyard." Berry didn't say anything as she patted dirt over a seed.

"Berry?" Golden Harvest pressed. "You know that feeling, right?"

"Actually, there's something I haven't told you," Berry said. "About my vineyard."

"What is it, Berry?" Golden Harvest asked, a knot of worry settling in her stomach.

"Piña Colada needed a vaccination shot," Berry explained, "and Ruby does that magic class, y'know, because I'm not a unicorn?"

"And what happened to your vineyard?" Golden Harvest asked, dropping her bag of seeds. Berry's expression turned sad.

"I... well, I needed the money, so I sold it to Filthy Rich," she admitted. "Two weeks ago." Immediately, Golden Harvest was shaking Berry's shoulders in exasperation.

"I'm your best friend, Berry Punch! How could you not tell me this?" She exclaimed. Berry pulled Golden Harvest's hooves off her shoulders.

"I just didn't want anypony to know, I guess. I haven't even mentioned it to Piña."

"Oh, Berry. You know you'd make more money by selling your punch, not by selling your vineyard, right?"

"But I needed the money now," Berry countered. "The grapes are ready for harvest in late summer, and it's only spring! Noi's told you about the sickness spreading around school, right? Spring Fever?" Golden Harvest frowned.

"No, she hasn't. But that's not the point. The point is, I'm your best friend, and I'm going to help you get that vineyard back!"

"But a deal's a deal!" Berry protested as Golden Harvest dragged her away.

"No, it's not! You can easily by it back!" Golden Harvest exclaimed confidently. Berry Punch smiled.

"Alright, Goldie. We can try."

~

"Excuse me!" Golden Harvest burst through the doors of Barnyard Bargains's headquarters. "Where is Filthy Rich? I need to speak to him!"

"Mr. Rich isn't here right now," a pale pink mare told them. "Can I help you?"

"Yes, please. Could I buy my vineyard back?" Berry asked. The mare looked shocked.

"Why, dear, you do know that a deal with Filthy Rich is always closed, right?" She asked. "No take backs?"

"Berry made a mistake!" Golden Harvest exclaimed. "She didn't realize she had other choices than to sell! Please give the land back to her!" The mare looked at them pitifully.

"No can do. I'm sorry. You'll just have to find some other way to conduct your work," she said. "Now, if you don't have some rational requests, can you please leave?"

Berry put a  hoof on Golden Harvest's shoulder.

"You're a great friend for trying to help me, and thanks." Then she added, "But there isn't anything we can do now."

As they left Barnyard Bargains, Golden Harvest squealed.

"Berry! I have a solution!" She exclaimed.

~

"Piña Colada! Come on!" Berry Punch called to her sister. "Noi and Golden Harvest are waiting!"

"Coming!" Piña Colada dashed down the stairs. The two ponies walked down towards Golden Harvest's farm.

"I can't believe it's been two weeks!" Piña Colada marvled. "And the crops are already growing?"

"Yeah!" Berry Punch agreed. "It's so exciting!"

When they got to the farm, Golden Harvest was waiting, watering cans in hoof. Piña Colada dashed off to find Noi.

"Thanks again for letting me set up a new vineyard here!" Berry exclaimed as she took a watering can. Golden Harvest rolled her eyes.

"It's been two weeks already, Berry!

"But you're welcome. That's what friends are for, after all," she added with a smile.