Author's Note

Sooo i tryed my best to capture the country mannerisms of applejack and her family. Hopefully when you read thier dialogue, the country accent will seem believable and not forced. Anyway please review and comment

A bushel of apples

Chapter 3
A BUSHEL OF APPLES

As we walked i noticed that in addition to a large farm house there was also an even larger barn behind.
We passed a chicken coop and a pig pen. In a field to our left sheep wandered around lazily.
In a large pecan tree there was what appeared to be a dilapidated tree house.
And trees as far as the eye could see. Apples in brilliant shades of ruby and emerald and gold hung from thier branches.
"Princess Celestia, what is this place?" I asked.
"Sweet apple acres, the best apple orchard in equestria, home to some of the nicest ponies you could meet anywhere". She replied.
I looked around, a farm of this size has to be full of workers, but i saw nobody.
"Who runs all this?" I asked
" Granny Smith, her grandson Big Mac and granddaughters Applejack and Applebloom" she replied.
I stopped in my tracks. And looked up at Celestia incredously.
"Just four people run ALL this?"
"Well three now, Applebloom is off in Baltimare at college" she replied.
At this my jaw dropped. Celestia looked down at me sheepishly.
"Remember, ponies here have magic, and Granny smith and her grandchildren are all earth ponies, thier magic is directly tied to the ground and anything that grows out of it. Farming is the Apple families passion, its hardly work to them"
I had to agree, for three people to farm this much land ,magic must be involved and no small amount of passion.
Another thought crossed my mind "wait, do they even know im coming to stay? Will they be ok with that?" I asked.
"Of course they will be, why would it be a problem" she looked nonplussed at me.
"Hell, they dont know me from Adam" i replied.
"Who?" She asked looking confused.
"Erm...nobody, i mean wont they think i look wierd or you know be scared of me?"
"Of course not your hardly the strangest or most dangerous creature to appear here out of thin air" she said resuming her walk.
Well shit i said to myself.
"The apples are known for thier hospitality, and Applejack has a special gift for telling if somepony is lying or not....if you have malicious intent you will not hide it from her". Celestia stated

So this was a test to see if i really was some sort of predator out for raw pony flesh, as much as a genuine offer of shelter and help.
"Im no threat to anyone here princess, noone here has been anything but kind to me.....kindness like this is rare where im from, damn near impossible to find, your people have done so much for me already i....i would never harm anyone ive met"
Celestia smiled "i understand Kay, and i believe you, and the aura of destiny is around you, but just the same Applejack has a magic that even i donot possess, i can hardly allow a being to live among my people without knowing without a doubt thier intentions"
Well i couldnt argue with that logic.
As we reached the porch to the farm house, Celestia turned to me
"I will speak with them first if thats alright?" She asked
"Of course" i responded. No doubt she would want to ease them into this unexpected meeting.
I sat down on the front steps and rubbed my fingers through my hair. It sure had been a long, confusing and awkward day. I took the time to look around. This place sure did give me a bad case of nostalgia.
It reminded me of my grandpas farm, minus the apple trees. I used to spend almost everyday there, helping with the animals, learning to ride the mares (no pun intended), learning to shoot, swimming in the river behind his house. Then i got older and started partying and then i went off to college and got used to the big city; the lights and crowds.
It was kinda nice being back out in the wide open outdoors, nevermind the fact i was on some alien planet.
As i daydreamed i heard a very familiar sound. Barking! In the distance i saw a small animal rushing towards the farm house. As it got closer i could clearly see it was an actual dog (go fucking figure huh?), a collie by the looks of it, a typical farmyard breed. The animal got too within about 3 feet of me when i stopped and resumed barking.

"Whoa, whoa easy boy" i said standing and approaching the small dog. The animal showed no signs of hostility so i inched closer and reached out my hand. As my hand hovered above its head it growled slightly.
"Calm down, im not gonna hurt you boy" i said as i rested my hand on his head and rubbed gently. At this he began to wag his tail and his tongue lolled out. "Whats your name? Huh boy?" His ears perked up. "Whats your name buddy?" I asked again.
"Winona" i heard a Southern sounding voice behind me. "An shes a lady not a gent". I stopped rubbing 'winona' and stood up and turned around to see Celestia standing with three ponies.
The one that had spoken was a deep yellow with emerald eyes. Under a worn out cowboy hat long blonde hair spilled out. She wore a cutoff red flannel shirt with the sleeves rolled up and the bottom tied just beneath a pair of large but perky breasts. (Seriously did all 'women' here have racks to die for?)
Her stomach was tight and toned. She wored tight blue jean daisy dukes that hugged her muscled legs and thighs. A hole was cut out at the back for her long blonde tail. Her outfit was finished off by a pair of worn out cowboy boots, styled to fit her hooves.
Beside her stood a red stallion with hair and a brown tail. He wore a whife tanktop and blue jeans. What struck me was his height (tall, but nowhere near as tall as Celestia or Luna, but a few inches taller than me, putting him somewhere around 6'2). He was huge as well like a young Arnold Shwartzeneggar. His arms were crossed in front of his massive chest.
In front of them both stood and older, light brown mare. Her white hair and tail in a bun. Smile lines framed her eyes and lips. She was not unattractive, despite her age and in her younger years had probably been quite the beauty.
I smiled sheepishly "sorry about that" i said extending my hand to the yellow mare. She took it and smiled "aww shoot, dont ye worry 'bout it none partner, names Applejack, but ya'll can just call me AJ" she said.
"Im Kay, nice to meet you as well, princess Celestia told me alot about you all" i replied
Aj rubbed the back of her neck with a goofy smile "all good things ah hope" she said flashing her perfect teeth.
"Yeah, all good" i assured her.
Next the Red stallion stepped forward extending his hand. "Mac, nice 't meetcha"
Damn he was strong, my fingers felt like twigs in his grip.
The last unknown pony (which i assumed had to be Granny smith) came forward. I automatically reached my hand out, but she suprised me by wrapping her arms around me and pulling me into a tight hug. "Ahm Granny smith, ya'll just call me Gran"

"Uhmm thanks" i said awkwardly still taken back by her show off affection.
"Ahve never seen Winona take to a stranger like that before" Aj said. "Well i grew up around dogs, i guess im just good with animals" i said smiling down at winona who was still curled up at my feet.
"So what brings ya'll all the way out here" Aj asked.

Celestia proceeded to let them all in on my arrival, including what kind of creature i was. Aj was especially interested in my tattoos and the fact that i was an omnivore; apparently something that was unheard of in Equestria. Either you were herbivore or carnivore.
They also asked; of all things, about the apples from my world and if we had something called Zap apples.
"Whoo boy ya'll sure are inerestin'" Aj said clapping me on the back.
"Ahm sure sorry ya'll are stranded so far from home, it must be awful frightenin' " Granny smith said.
"Well shoot if'n ya'll need a place to hunker down till ya'll get home we sure got space" Aj said enthusiatically. "Aint that right Mac" she said turning to her brother.
"Eeyup" he said simply nodding.
Amazing! Celestia really had them pegged. "Thats actually what i came to speak to you about" the princess said speaking to Granny smith.
"Well he seems to be a straight forward gent, ah see no reason why we cant put 'em up fer a while" Granny smith said smiling warmly at me. "Big Mac, ya'll run upstairs and set 'em up in Blooms old room" she said motioning to her huge grandson. He nodded with a "yessum" and headed into the house.

"Granny sm.....uhm Gran i appreciate this i really do but i wouldnt feel right staying here for free so im more than willing to help out on the farm"i said
"That sounds like a deal ta me" she said.
"Yessir bucking season starts tommar, ah sure could use a strong pair o' legs" Aj said eyeing my legs and thighs in a manner i hope i was only imagining was lustfully.
I wasnt sure what she meant by 'bucking season' or what that had to do with legs but i had volunteered and i wasnt gonna back out.
Celestia clapped her hands together beaming "well that worked out perfectly! Kay i promise we will talk more soon, but I must be going now Luna will throw a fit if im late lowering the sun again" and with that she simply faded out of my sight and was gone.
A small silence followed broken by Applejack.
"As tall as ya'll are and all musclely im sure bucking trees'll be a snap" she said "we do get up a mite bit early i hope it dont bother ya'll none" she said.
"No problem" i said smiling "anything i can do to help is fine"
"Are ya'll hungry dear?" Granny smith asked. As if on cue my stomach rumbled loudly and i realized i hadnt eaten all day.
"Ah'll take that as a yessum" she said. "Aj be a sweetheart and scrounge 'em some grub, ahm gonna go see whats taking Big mac so long"
"Sure thing Gran" Aj said before turning to me "Ya'll follow me sweetie" she turned with a swish of her tail and a jiggle of her well formed...flanks? Ass? Either way it was a hell of a sight.
As i stepped into the huge farm house it actually reminded me of my grandpas, rustic and homey feeling. I was suprised when we stepped into the kitchen and there were many of the same appliances we used on Earth. Microwave, a huge stove, and massive refrigerator, and 2 deep freezers side by side. The was even a coffemaker on the island in the middle of the the spacious kitchen.

"Well ah know ya'll eat meat and veggies but we sure dont have no flesh laying about, but anything else ahm sure we got somewhere or other" Applejack said.
"Anything is fine" i assured her.
She shook her head her long hair swaying, "Nossiree ya'll is company ahm gonna set ya up right nice" and at that she went to work heating up and fixing all manner of foods. I really should have just picked something but you know how it is being a stranger in somebody else's home.
I certainly had never seen so many dishes constructed around apples. Apple pie, apple fritters, apple danishe's, apple soup, sauteed apples, apple and cheese sandwiches, apple salad, in addition to a huge bowl or cornbread, mashed potatoes and gravy, sweet potatoes, sweet carrots, corn on the cob, stewed potatoes and collards. To drink there was sweat tea, a jug of cool water, orange juice, apple juice (of course) and cold milk.
There was enough to feed a small army and that had just come from the fridge.
"Theres also some homemade hard apple cider, ifn ya'll feel like catchin a buzz" she said grinning toothily.
Alchohol? Go figure i said mentally shrugging.
"No thanks, this is all fine, it all looks delicious" i said my mouth watering.
Aj looked on happily as i dug in trying to sample some of everything and it was all indeed delicious beyond anything id ever eaten on Earth.
I was soon gorged and uncomfortably full, but food in my belly was welcome regardless.
"Well damn it all, ya'll sure was hungry" Aj said a slight grin on her face. "Ah guess ya'll aint got room for desert" she said and once again i hoped i only imagined the innuendo.
"Oh no, i cant eat another bite" i said exhaling loudly.
"Too bad" i heard Aj mutter under her breath.
As i stood up to help clear the table i heard Granny smith yell from upstairs. "Applejack! Ya'll send Kay up so he can get settled!"
"Yessum Gran!" Applejack shouted back. "Ya'll go on ahead" she said. "I should help clean up" i said not moving yet.
"Dont be silly now, ya'll are company, besides Gran would tan my hide, if'n she saw me lettin company help clean" she said shooing me upstairs.
As i reached the 2nd floor there was a long hallway with doors lining both sides. The last one at the end was where Granny smith stood ushering to me.
"Ya'll come on in and get settled" she said.
As i reached the doorway i was shocked. The room was huge, much bigger than any bedroom id ever slept it. The high ceilings had a skylight where the moon shown through and the stars were visible. A queen sized bed was in one corner a dresser on its left and nightstand on its right. There was a huge walk in closet and a door that led out to a balcony.
"Sorry it took so long, Big mac figured ya'll wouldnt feel manly sleeping in a room with posters of stallions and whatnot so he was just taking all Appleblooms old pictures down" Granny smith explained.
"Thanks Mac" i said to the red stallion. That really had been thoughtful.
"Eeyup" he replied heading out the door.
"Now i know Celestia said you didnt have no belongings with ya'll, so after work tommorow we'll head on into town and get ya'll some more threads, and while were gone ill have Mac see if'n he can find Appleblooms old tv to bring up" Granny smith said.
I had never witnessed such genuine hospitality before. And i soon found myself hugging Granny smith around the neck and thanking her thoroughly.
"Dont ya'll mention it" she replied. "Now heres a towel and a wash rag, the washrooms the third door on ya'lls right, im gonna call it a night, ah hope ya'll sleep well and we'll see ya'll tommar" she said walking out.
"Thank you again, and goodnight" i said as she smiled and walked back down stairs.
After a good long hot shower i dryed off and looked at my reflection in the mirror. Id have to pick up some razors tommorow, if they sold such a thing here. After going back to my room i laid across the soft mattress and stared up at the skylight.
I wondered if maybe one of those stars was my star, if Earth was revolving around it. If it was night back home. If my family was asleep so they wouldnt be worrying about me. I found myself unable to get comfortable in the extremely comfortable bed i was laying on and knew i was the sleeplessness that comes from an unfamiliar house and an unfamiliar bed.
Eventually though my tired body and overexerted mind demanded rest and i slowly and reluctantly drifted off and thought no more.....