3 - Lunch*

The trio eventually went into a tavern (one of few that would actually serve Demi-Humans willingly) and seated themselves at a table.

Applejack had volunteered to pay for lunch, as was her wont, and Naofumi needed to hold onto the few coins that he'd been given. Apparently, the Shield Hero figure... wasn't exactly a well-liked one around that country in general. Even before the royal scandal.

She'd also clocked one of the barkeep types in town for trying to manhandle her. Presumably he'd had a bit of what's on tap and clean forgotten that Melromarc was a matriarchal country.

Needless to say, they'd moved on after that one too.

'Serves that jerk right.', she thought, huffily.

At this point, they were at their... fifth pick? Sixth? One or the other. Naofumi had ordered the soup of the day, and a sample platter for Raphtalia, who ate like she hadn't eaten anything for the past month or so. Which was likely closer to the truth than any of them liked to think about.

Applejack, herself, ordered a salad and a couple of slices of the local apple pie -which, one might add, she rolled her eyes at when she was told it was the best she'd find in the country. 'Just as likely that they ALL say that.' she thought to herself.-

Upon tasting the local fare, she wasn't awfully impressed. "This's what passes fer apple pah 'round these parts, huh?" she said loud enough for the owner of the establshment to hear, "Good thang Ah keep summa these on me, fer jus' such an occasion." she added, bringing out a handful of seeds from one of her pockets. Selecting an impressively large apple seed, she stowed the rest away and went into the (relative) back yard of the tavern. Feeling the earth there, she nodded and said, "Perfectly loamy deep down. This ought'a do."

Naofumi raised one eyebrow, but otherwise kept silent. One thing was for sure: Whatever was about to happen, it was gonna be good.

Applejack sowed the seed, then mustered some of her magic and raised one leg, which then had a slight green sheen to it. Slamming it down, the not-yet sprouted plant did so and shot up by about four feet.

Applejack frowned. "Magic here mus' not be strong's it is back home." she thought* aloud, then shrugged. "Oh well. Nothin' fer it but ta give it 'nother try."

Doing just that, she had the tree grow another two feet, quickly beginning to sprout apple flowers, which just as quickly became apples before she had the tree slow its growth. Taking her hat off, she knocked on the wood seven times. Sure enough, seven perfectly shaped -and ripened- apples fell into her hat. They were each about twice the size of those on the nearby tree, which looked... fine, but not exactly A-Grade.

Strutting casually back into the tavern, she looked at the barkeep, who was, naturally, absolutely thunderstruck. Applejack smiled smugly and said, "Try these ones, pardner. Yer gonna like the difference. Mebbe ya won't need ta put all that mullin' spice in th' pah."

Turning back to her party, Applejack said, "Ah think that ought ta cover our 'spenses."

Naofumi blinked twice. That was all the surprise he showed. He then shrugged, making to walk out the door. "Coming, Raphtalia?" he queried before following after Applejack.

Raphtalia was quick to follow.

The barkeep was still at a loss for words. He looked down at the hat that was left behind, apples still within.

As if on cue, Applejack poked her head back in the doorway. "Ah'm gonna need that thar hat back, sugar-cube. Mind givin' that a toss o'er thisaway?" she requested.

The barkeep upended the hat, not expecting that the apples would form a pyramid shape. He shook that off, then tosed the hat back to Applejack, who caught it deftly before winking and giving a salute, disappearing a second or so thereafter.

Looking skeptically at the apples, maintaining the pyramid-like structure, he took the top-most one. Biting into it resulted in a pleasant crunch and a fair bit of juice. He was quite delighted. "Hmm! Now THAT is an apple!" he commented appreciatively.

That demi-human had just given him a gift nearly beyond price. He was glad that he'd reconsidered the policy that he'd had before that day.