If nothing else, the weather was exactly what Applejack hoped for whenever she and her family were out working in their orchards. The skies were utterly cloudless, revealing the brilliant blue above. The sun was shining down brightly, giving warmth and light to the land. And to top everything off, there was a nice cool breeze, which gently rustled the leaves of the trees they were all working on. Applejack herself had a wide smile upon her face as she set to work, kicking the trees with her usual amount of force. The apples all fell into their assigned baskets, and Big Mac and Apple Bloom weren't far off. They were all doing their own chores right now, like carting bundles of hay or carrying the fully-laden apple baskets. As for Granny Smith, she was sound asleep in her rocking chair, well within sight of her grandchildren. All-in-all, it was a good regular day for the Apple family, and one that brought nothing but smiles to all of them. But, as this day wore on, Applejack was growing increasingly tired from her efforts, which was to be expected. But even so, she was not so tired as to be unable to let out a chuckle when she finally surveyed her work.
"Hehe...not bad."
Her ears twitched as she heard her sister trot over, and she turned to greet her.
"Is that all today, sis?"
The older mare smiled, reaching down and giving a quick pat on the little filly's head.
"You betcha, Bloom. All we gotta do now is...erm...Bloom?"
She had noticed that her sister was starting to look worried about something, to the point of raising her hoof and pointing to something straight behind Applejack. The latter turned, and soon afterwards, her eyes widened. For there, just stepping through the gate of Sweet Apple Acres, was Ambassador Rarity. The Lunar unicorn was, at this moment, accompanied by a pair of her nation's soldiers, bodyguards most likely, both of whom were clad in their all-covering armour. Frowning slightly, Applejack turned to her younger sibling.
"Bloom...get home."
Apple Bloom didn't need to be told twice, and so began to head on towards the house. Applejack, still standing there, let out a long sigh, before turning and finally heading towards her unexpected guest. Rarity soon spotted her, though her expression did not change because of it. Within only a minute, the two mares were only a few feet from one another, wherein they finally stopped walking. There was a silence for a time, which was eventually broken by the Ambassador herself.
"Miss Apples."
Applejack tipped her hat.
"Ambassador."
Another long and uncomfortable period of quiet hung over them, and Applejack, not wanting things to go this way forever, cleared her throat in an obviously nervous way.
"So...um...pretty decent weather today...right?"
Rarity looked upwards, raising an eyebrow.
"Yes...I suppose."
Naturally, this did little to truly break the ice, and both mares eventually ended up returning to their other silence. But, to Applejack's surprise, she soon noticed that, in addition to the guards, Rarity had also arrived here with another pony. For just then, a tiny unicorn head poked out from behind the Ambassador; Sweetie Belle. Seeing her, Applejack put on a more genuine smile.
"Well hey there, Sweetie Belle! How ya been?"
Though a little hesitant, the young unicorn eventually walked out, standing right next to her Mother before answering the older mare.
"Oh, um...hello, Miss Applejack. I've been...good?"
Applejack opened her mouth to speak, only to stop when, just then, another familiar voice called out.
"Sweetie Belle!"
All eyes turned to see Apple Bloom running over, wearing a wide smile as she did so. Sweetie Belle, for her part, seemed equally happy, and ran off past both her Mother and Applejack to greet her friend.
"Hiya, Apple Bloom!"
Though a little irritated that her younger sister had disobeyed her instructions to go home, Applejack nevertheless seemed pleased at this friendly little interaction between her and Sweetie. Before long, the small earth pony looked up to her elder sibling.
"Hey, AJ? Can me an' Sweetie head on over to the pond fer some swimmin'?"
Applejack considered that, then looked over to the Ambassador.
"Wadda ya think, Rarity?"
Rarity sighed, then put on a small smile for her daughter's benefit.
"Of course. Have fun, Sweetie."
Sweetie Belle's smile widened, and she and Apple Bloom began to run off together, no doubt heading for that aforementioned pond. Now out of earshot of their respective younger accomplices, the two mares regarded each other once again.
"How...how has she been?" Applejack asked.
Rarity considered that, her expression making it clear that she was restraining a degree of irritation.
"She has been...well. Obviously, having flaming bricks thrown through your window would upset any young filly. But Sweetie is coping. Honestly, part of the reason I came here is because I felt it would be best for her to spend more time with her friend."
Applejack smiled to that, then gained a look of curiosity.
"Then...what else did ya come here fer?"
To that, Rarity took a deep inhale, then let it all out, maintaining her composed look all the while.
"The Embassy will be holding a celebration in about a week's time. And for that I've decided to procure some additional food for the staff and soldiers there. In particular..."
She gestured to the nearby trees.
"...I wish to ask you...to provide some of your goods."
Applejack blinked, clearly taken aback by that.
"Y'all...wanna buy mah apples?"
Rarity looked back to her.
"Yes...that about sums it up."
Applejack considered that, and while it was obvious to anypony that this was the absolute last thing she was expecting to hear today, she soon shook herself out of that shocked state.
"Well...er...y'all ain't really mah usual type o' customers."
Rarity arched another eyebrow.
"If you don't wish to sell, then we'll..."
But Applejack responded pre-emptively.
"Now hold on there! Ah never said that! It's jus'...well...ah weren't expecting y'all ta really want anythin' from us after...ya know..."
Rarity frowned.
"In spite of your people's...past errors...I am still an Ambassador. My role is to help bridge gaps. I supposed...perhaps attempting to trade with you might aid that goal...if you're willing."
Though still unsure, Applejack was soon distracted. For she had just heard the distinct sound of Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle laughing and playing together in the distance. With that, her demeanour relaxed, and she once more looked to her guest.
"Ah'll send ya a few carts o' the best we have."
Rarity nodded.
"Very good. We'll discuss payment when they arrive."
Applejack nodded back, and after having done so, she sighed, Slowly, she took off her hat, holding it to her chest, before speaking in a genuinely apologetic way.
"Ambassador...ah can't tell ya how sorry we are that...that y'all were attacked like that. It weren't right, mah people stoopin' ta that kinda thing. Ah know y'all have yer problems with us...an' truth be told...we have some problems with y’all too. But ah hope... even with all that...things can be good between us."
Hearing that, Rarity regarded her carefully. There was no falsehood in those words. As such, she too began to look to her Equestrian counterpart with a somewhat more relaxed stance.
"Well...since you put it that way...thank you, Miss Apples. With everything that’s happened...it’s...nice...to have a little cordiality."
Putting her hat back on, Applejack let out a hearty chuckle.
"Shucks, don’t go with all that Miss stuff! Call me Applejack!"
Rarity nodded, but stayed silent as the farmer continued.
"Say...mah Granny brewed up a fine cider earlier. How bout y'all come over and have a glass?"
At first, the Ambassador didn't seem to really look forward to such a prospect. But, she the glanced to the side, in the direction her daughter had run off with Apple Bloom, and shortly afterwards, she let out a long sigh.
"I suppose...it wouldn't hurt to give Sweetie more time with her friend."
Applejack's wide smile returned.
"Sounds good ta me!"
She turned, heading for her home, with Rarity and her bodyguard close behind.
"Just so you know, Applejack...I fully expect the apples we've procured from you to be of a good quality, you do understand that, yes?"
Hearing that, Applejack looked over to her, bearing a knowing smirk.
"Trust me, Ambassador...y'all are in fer the taste of yer life with that one!"
