Harvest Moon

"I can't rightly say I understand why Princess Celestia sent her to stay with me of all ponies, but I ain't gonna be the one ta ask," Applejack and Twilight sat at a table outside of a popular Ponyville restaurant, starting a discussion now after having just placed their orders. Twilight, just as puzzled by Celestia's decision as her friend, looked at Applejack with wide eyes, intrigued to hear if she had even the shred of an idea as to why. "Ah mean, she didn't give even a couple'a details in that letter she sent with her-- I just think it's mighty ridiculous of her ta spring this on me with no warnin'."

"I suppose Celestia isn't always one for details, but I'm positive she has her reasons. Can I take a look at the letter again?" Twilight had looked down towards the table in thought for a second as she spoke, but looked back up at Applejack now with inquiring eyes.

Twilight had gone over to Sweet Apple Acres the previous day to greet whatever important visitor Celestia had asked Applejack to meet at the train station, and was just as surprised as Applejack was to find out that the "important visitor" was actually Princess Luna. She thought it best for them to meet up again early the next day-- or, now, rather-- to try and make sense of the whole situation.

"Sure thing, Twi," Applejack leaned down to search her saddlebag for a second, quickly producing the letter that Luna gave to her yesterday and handing it over to Twilight. "Doesn't really explain a whole heck of a lot though, does it. All it says is that she's been sent to me to learn how to be a "normal pony". Heh, "normal pony".. what does she mean by that? I sure ain't the most normal pony round these parts, lessin' you consider savin' the world and bein' an element a' harmony "normal".

Twilight rolled her eyes and grinned at Applejack's boast before continuing to feverishly read through the letter. She couldn't dispute her logic; Applejack was certainly no Canterlot elite, but she wasn't exactly a regular pony either. She'd been through more life-or-death experiences in the past few years than most ponies had been in their whole lives.

"True," Twilight spoke up, sighing as she levitated the letter back over to Applejack. It, of course, contained no more details than she already had. "But I suppose you're still the most logical choice for this.. uh.. task?"

"Care to explain why, sugarcube?" Applejack had an inquisitive look on her face, but it only really served to (poorly) mask her annoyance. Twilight didn't take it personally, though. Of all her friends, Applejack definitely had the best reason to look annoyed right now.

"I think Celestia must have been looking for someone to teach Luna to be a bit less formal," Twilight paused for a second as a waiter set down a plate in front of her, quickly thanking him before turning back to Applejack. "And I'm sure that spending just a few days at Sweet Apple Acres could help her to loosen up a lot! Farm work isn't exactly the cleanest pastime, and Canterlot nobles don't typically go around with dirt on their hooves."

There was a short lull in conversation as Applejack thought about what Twilight had said. While she got the feeling that Twilight was mostly grasping at straws, she supposed it was true that farm work was messy .That being said, it certainly wasn't for someone who wanted to loosen up.

It takes discipline and respect for the earth to nurture and grow things, and even harvesting requires that discipline. But even then, something as simple as apple-bucking would be no work at all for an alicorn if she used her magic. She wouldn't have to get her hooves dirty at all if she didn't so please. Any way she looked at it, it just wasn't adding up for Applejack.

"I can't say I agree with that sentiment Twilight, though I suppose if you can come up with a reason like that then so can Princess Celestia. I guess I'll just have to try my best to do what she's asked, even if I don't quite understand why she's asked." AJ couldn't help but feel a little defeated as she spoke, her shoulders slumping down slightly. "I'm just.. not sure 'bout this whole thing. I wouldn't mind puttin' her up for a few days, heck I wouldn't even mind a couple'a weeks, but who knows how long she'll be around. I have so much to do round the farm, it's the middle of the harvest season for Celestia's sake. I can't be babysittin' the princess all the time."

Twilight could see how tired her friend's eyes were, and she certainly sympathized with her. A lot of ponies often forget how stressful hosting somepony can be, especially when you have so much work to do. She was ready to do just about anything she could to help AJ out right now, but she herself was already busy with preparations for Nightmare Night on top of her normal royal duties. She wasn't exactly sure how much she could actually offer to do.

"Well, just remember that you have me and all of the girls to depend on if you ever need help. I'd be more than happy to take her off your hooves for a day if it gets to be too much. I'm sure she'd love to review Nightmare Night plans with me sometimes." Twilight gave her friend a gentle smile, trying her best to be encouraging even though she could barely hide her own excitement at the idea of planning Nightmare Night celebrations with the princess of the night herself.

"That's mighty kind a' you, Twilight," The purple pony had managed to get AJ to crack a smile, happy to see her friend excited, and she sat up just a bit taller in her seat. "I really appreciate the offer. I'll be sure to keep you an' the girls in mind, can't believe I'd ever forget that y'all have always got my back."

"Of course, Applejack. We're all gonna figure this out together," Twilight stood up and walked over the where AJ still sat, having finished her meal. "After all, what are friends for?"

Twilight leaned in an gave Applejack a quick hug, before calling the waiter back over for the bill. Applejack stood up as well, stretching out a bit after sitting for what felt like forever, even though it was a relatively short amount of time. She told herself that talking to Twilight had made her feel better, but she wasn't sure that it actually had. It just felt like there was something off about the whole situation, but she tried her best to shrug off the feeling.

As much she tried to, though, there was one question she just couldn't shrug off; just why had Celestia sent her here?