When did she awake? Try as she might to sleep through the depths of night, Adagio found herself constantly awakening at the edge of a pleasurable dream. Too many moments were spent at Applejack’s side in some manner or another, whether it be in sexual intimacy or something far gentler. No matter how she awoke the memories would not fade, leaving the luscious Siren struggling for further slumber when the cockerel’s crow threatened to break the placidity of the early morning. The call to rise and be active was so close now, waiting for her to come and see duties done; why bother going back to sleep now when there would be so much more to do? Adagio took in the scenery of her quiet room that was so delicately lit and tried not to fantasize of the beautiful girl just next door.

You could go downstairs and start getting breakfast ready, you know, she told herself, the wholesome thought rather unwelcome for one who wanted little more than to sleep on. You know how she likes it, and you didn’t do too bad a job yesterday. Why not give it a go? The thought was an appealing one, really; Applejack and Sugar Belle seemed so certain that she could be good and kind without having to struggle for it, surely it wouldn’t be so difficult to prove that true. Really, why not get up a little earlier and see her girl fed? Maybe it could help convince herself that all of this fear and worry about being worthwhile was little more than nonsense.

Just when she’d managed to convince herself to get up and be adorned in the day’s attire, the sound of the rooster’s shrill crow met Adagio’s ears and set the Siren to grumbling. So much for a little spontaneity! Now the whole Apple family would be awake and ready to see the day’s work begin. Maybe if she rushed down now before Sugar Belle and Granny were set to go, she could get things started…

But then again, you needed help with the whole freaking meal, didn’t you? Adagio reminded herself, the thought like cold water on her spirit. If she went down there and screwed up something so simple as breakfast, heaven knew how that would go down. Applejack needed a good meal, something hearty and filling so that she’d have enough energy for the rest of the day. Perhaps, despite her initial eagerness, she would be better off not taking such initiative.

“Yeugh… Oh, morning.” Applejack was there at the threshold of the bathroom and yawning up a storm when Adagio made her first appearance, the sleepy-eyed blonde suddenly alight at the sight of her. “Surprised to see you up so early, I was gonna go get ya after I’d gotten ready.”

“Didn’t sleep so great,” Adagio muttered. “How about you?”

“Like a rock, thanks to you,” came the answer. “You look real pretty, by the way. That dress looks nice on you.”

Whether it had been an assumption of her day’s duties or something else entirely, Adagio found herself adorned with the fabric of a soft-brown dress, eyelet lace falling to just above the knee and giving her a far more country air than she’d ever possessed. To think that it had once been Applejack’s clothing was a shocking concept to her. “Is it nice for today? I don’t really know what I’m going to-”

“It fits you perfectly, honestly,” Applejack continued, all smiles and speaking as though she hadn’t heard the interruption. “About as pretty a girl as I’ve ever seen, for sure.”

It was too early for such friendly compliments and Adagio found herself dazzled by the warmth of the young woman’s words, slightly pink and all smiles. “Thanks to you,” she muttered, “But I’m glad you think so.”

“Wait, really?” The beautiful farmgirl remarked. “I didn’t think you’d actually agree with me or nothing-”

The warmth of affection hadn’t dimmed beneath the coolness of the night, Adagio leaning up and meeting her darling halfway with a kiss on the lips. So what that they both carried a tinge of morning breath, body and emotion not quite up to snuff for the romanticism of the moment? It was still her farmgirl, her rescuer; maybe she should start getting used to little unions like this, small kisses that made sure Applejack knew just how desperately she was loved-

The bathroom door opened and out from the pale light came Apple Bloom, the youthful redhead given a front-row seat to the meeting of lips between her sister and the Siren she despised. Both their eyes closed, hands coming together and locking together as they cherished a simple time together in the dawn’s early light-

“Oh god…damn it,” Apple Bloom growled, her raspy snarl sending the two older woman into the air with a start. Pushing past them both and back into her room did she go, the heavy door pushed close with a slam.

Broken away from one another did they find themselves in the aftermath, Adagio and Applejack still bound together by the hand and staring at the trail of their accuser. Siren looked away from it and struggled to recompose herself; Apple Bloom was the constant reminder, unpleasant as it were, of what she truly was. To be so romantic with Applejack was not something that would benefit them both. After all, do you really want more misery for your conscience to carry?

“I’ll talk to her,” Applejack said softly, seeing her beloved’s retreat as one of fear rather than truthful condemnation. “She’s been like this ever since she knew you were coming back and it ain’t right. I’ll see if I can get her to see some sense-”

“And if she’s right?” Adagio swiftly countered. “That I really am something bad for you?”

“Then she doesn’t know what you can be,” the lovely farmgirl replied, added emphasis coming about with a kiss upon Adagio’s forehead. “Come on, then. Time for something to eat. Mind if I fix you some breakfast?”

“What- no, you can’t!” Adagio didn’t know if she could bear the shame of such a thing; such a wonderful lady making her morning meal and then carrying off into the orchard to perform burdensome work? “I was gonna get up early and get you- please don’t…”

“Uh… you sure?” Applejack inquired. “You’ve never had my flapjacks, have you? What’s your favorite kind?”

In the end would be a concession between the two, blonde and ginger hair side-by-side as they saw the stovetop put to good use. Sugar Belle arrived to the kitchen and found herself pleasantly surprised by an early relief of duty, a rarity when those about her had so many duties to attend to. She could spend her morning beside her husband and relax, the young couple preferring to sit outside and take in the misty dawn in solitude together.

“This was a good idea,” Applejack said. The pancakes she made looked especially heavy, their scent dangerously enticing to the hungry Siren. “Sugar Belle and Big Mac never get to spend mornings together. I should’ve done this for them a long while ago.”

“Thanks for… letting me be a part of it, I guess,” Adagio added. She hadn’t considered such things- but then again, when was marriage ever something she’d considered? It’s not like the thought had ever entered her brain until perhaps just the other day, or maybe it was the first time she and Applejack had ever spent a night together-

Oh for heaven’s sake.

“Here. Mind taking this outside to them?”

The moment she opened the door to the outside world, Adagio was met with the pristine beauty of a glorious dawn. On the far corner of the farm did the first rays of stellar gold shine, prisms of light working their way across the skyscape and leaving behind gleaming trails of pink and gold as it went. Though so much of the sky still remained clouded and grey, the damp masses of droplets that hung above were tinged by the beauty and could only illuminate the beauty even further. For a time, all she could be was starstruck.

“Oh, is that for us?” Sugar Belle asked, taking note of the plates in the young woman’s hand. “Thank you so much, that’s wonderful of you!”

“Thanks, Adagio,” Big Mac said as he accepted the stacked plate offered to him. “Tell AJ thanks for the flapjacks, too.”

“You’re- welcome,” the beautiful Siren stammered, her smile genuine even if it was still uncertain. It was nice to do something like this for someone even if it wasn’t Applejack- but then again, she’d seen it done with Applejack’s help. That made it rather special, especially since it was for her family. “… Need anything else?”

“Hmm? No, not right now, thanks,” Sugar Belle replied.

“Mind giving me a refill?” Big Mac gave his emptied mug of coffee a pitiful shake. “I’m a little dry.”

Truth be told, she actually hadn’t expected a response at all. “Oh! Uh, sure, coming right up,” Adagio said, back into the house and towards the percolator that held the glorious juice of the bean. As the sound of the screen door’s creaking came to a halt, somewhere in the house she could hear the sound of raised voices- and by her estimation, not much of it was very pleasant. A few steps closer to the kitchen and the young beauty could hear it all in full detail, Applejack and Granny Smith in a rather heated conversation with the youngest of their family, and Apple Bloom in no mood to listen to whatever it was they had to say.

“I don’t care if you want her to get used to it! I’m not going to have her helping me with my animals!” The young girl said hotly, the sound of a foot being stomped arriving soon after.

“First off, they’re not your animals,” Applejack replied, sounding as though her patience was being put under serious strain. “And secondly, she needs to know how everything’s done here. We all know how to do each other’s jobs around here, and she’s gonna be the same way-”

“She’s not staying here, AJ. You’re out of your mind if you think she’s actually gonna stick around. Why would she? What on earth are you gonna offer that she’d even want?”

The remark was so intentionally cruel that the hidden Siren almost revealed herself from her hiding place in the dining room and confronted the young Apple. How dare she say something so awful about Applejack! Yes, this farm life was rustic and simple- but Applejack was everything a girl could want and not anything could persuade her otherwise. She was peaceful, caring, loving, romantic, beautiful, strong, generous, tender, and so many other superlatives that listing them all might take forever. If Apple Bloom had any issue with her sister, then she’d better take it up with her right now-

But it’s not really Applejack she’s mad about, is it?

“Applejack’s right. If she’s gonna stay, then she needs to know how to help run the place,” Granny Smith said, her words far less heated and more measured than that of her hot-blooded kin. “Taking care of the animals is part of that. You know ‘em best, you work with them the most. Show her the basics and let her help out for the day.”

“But why? She’s not gonna stay!” Apple Bloom insisted. “You know she’s not!”

“Until she proves otherwise, we’re gonna act like she will,” Granny said. “What we believe doesn’t matter. It’s up to her to make that choice. Now stop being a brat and accept it.”

“That’s not even-”

“Accept it.” The first tinge of heat in her voice was enough to radiate through the air and burn even her concealed frame, Adagio glad she wasn’t in the room to see it firsthand. Granny Smith’s temper was beginning to boil, her family knowing better than to be so openly mutinous. “It ain’t our job to condemn anyone for their past. Anyone who wants to be here can call this home. We build them up, we help them be good, but we don’t tear them down. Is that understood?”

Adagio swore she could hear the sparks in Apple Bloom’s brain. Fiery spray as she so desperately wanted to continue in her rebellion even if the fear told her to comply. For a while, all that could be found was a charged silence. And then-

“She better not try anything stupid,” Apple Bloom said, her words followed by footfalls as she trod out of sight and up the stairs.

“Well, that… wasn’t good,” Applejack said, more than a tinge of fury in her voice. “She ain’t ever gonna be OK with it, is she?”

Granny sighed. “No one’s gonna convince her of it ‘cept for herself, at least,” she admitted. “Up to her. And Adagio actually proving her wrong, of course.”

“And she will. You know she will,” Applejack said.

“I don’t know if she knows what she wants yet. One day she’s got all the fury of a storm in her- and all of it directed at you. The next day, she’s… right as rain, sort of.”

“She won’t let me convince her of anything yet. Just keeps believing that she’s awful.” Adagio could hear the morose in Applejack’s voice, enough to wrend her own heart and make her yearn to be at her side. “What she says and… and what she does are just-

“Like I said. She doesn’t know what she wants yet,” Granny echoed. “Shes gonna have to decide if she wants to be your girl or keep herself shut away. And that’s a hard thing for anyone to decide- it’ll be just the same for her.”

For a moment, only silence. “Granny,” Applejack began, sounding hesitant as though fearful of continuing on, “When you- when Adagio was talking with you the first day she got back…”

“You know better than to snoop,” Granny remarked. “Ask her yourself sometime. But that girl’s gone through things I don’t think you or I can really imagine. So be gentle with her, and treat her right. It’s all you can do.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Nestled in the corner of the dining room and hearing the footfalls of this wise matriarch as she left the scene, Adagio wished she hadn’t heard any of it at all. This was an altercation between family that was of her own making, whether she’d intended it or not. This sort of hurt and distrust shouldn’t be happening at all, not in the midst of such a good family. Should she just tell Applejack to throw her out and hold fast to her family instead? Surely it would be better than having her presence around to consistently make things worse. Especially since she was just being a snoop and listening in when she shouldn’t be at all…

She couldn’t remain in hiding forever. Turning the corner and heading into the kitchen, Adagio found Applejack in the corner of the countertops with her face turned away from sight; muscles of the shoulder remained taut, body tensed as she continued on in her thought. The sound of footsteps alerted the beautiful woman to the presence of another and she turned to meet Adagio with a melancholy smile.

“Oh- hey,” she said, trying to sound bracing and failing miserably. “How… you heard a lot of that, didn’t you?” Of course she said so, how could one so honest pretend to think otherwise?

“I’m sorry. I thought it’d… that I should stay out of the way.” She felt her heart twist, if not curl somewhere in her chest. The actions she’d taken felt so much worse now than before…

“I’m sorry about Apple Bloom. Really, I am,” Applejack said. “She- I don’t know why she seems to hate you so much, but it’s-”

“It’s OK,” Adagio cut through. “Really, she can hate me if she wants to. She’s not the first.”

“But it’s not OK…”

She shrugged. “It doesn’t matter, if that’s what she believes of me.” A quick visit to the percolator to at last see her duty done before turning back to the entrance- only to pause as she stood beside her beloved. Applejack seemed so morose, far too sad for so early in the morning. How was she supposed to work if she was in a state such as this? It was too much to ask that she spend the day in a state of melancholy. On tiptoes and hesitating even as she summoned the thought, Adagio leaned up and saw those soft lips caressed by a kiss. “And for the record, you’re better than any girl I’ve ever met.”

Applejack promptly flushed a glorious shade of scarlet and hurried over to the stovetop, desperate for her wide smile not to be seen by anyone alive.

The morning carried on peacefully enough, though the early spat between family was enough to dilute the tranquility that had settled on them; Adagio tried to carry on as though the incident hadn’t transpired at all, at least for Applejack’s sake, but found herself disquieted by the event all the same. Her rescuer was intent upon her remaining on this farm as a permanent fixture, an eventual member of the family- yet her sister was absolutely insistent that she could not be part of their world and seemed willing to ignite real discord to ensure it. If Apple Bloom was that vehement in her arguments, and Applejack was just as unwilling to cede ground, then her presence might cause a genuine problem. Was it good that she even be here, if that were so? Were it right? The two were bonded by blood and genuinely cared about one another. Should her being in their midst cause that to sever…

“You should probably put on some boots before you go on out,” Applejack counseled her beloved as they quickly made their way through breakfast. With the rest of the family fed and already out the door, the two had been graciously allowed a little more time to see their morning end with a full stomach. “Might be messy being out there, especially with the cows. Stalls need cleaning every day.”

“Umm, where would I get some..?”

“Oh, yeah, you don’t have any. Let me ask Sugar Belle if she’s got something you can borrow, her shoe size ain’t that big,” Applejack said. “Might be the only person who’d have something that’ll fit you for being in the pasture all day-”

“Don’t feel any rush,” Adagio said quickly. “If that doesn’t work, I can just- you know, help elsewhere. It’s alright.”

Freckled features were left befuddled by the seeming hesitancy to work. Adagio had been –for the most part- a good sport about their little arrangement. She hadn’t bucked or been unwilling to do any work asked of her before now. Then realization clicked in and Applejack bit back a frown. “If she gives you any grief, let me know. Don’t even engage with her, just let me or Granny deal with it. She’s a grown adult and she’s not supposed to be acting like a child-”

“I’m not worried about how she treats me.” Dare she admit her concerns aloud? The thought of potential repercussions might not have even occurred to the farmgirl just yet.

“Then what’s the matter?” The question was offered in earnest, she wanting a genuine answer to help allay the beautiful Siren’s fears. If it wasn’t Apple Bloom’s foul mood that worried her, then only the truth spoken aloud would be enough to illuminate the mystery.

Adagio felt half-tempted to actually comply, but decided that it would be better not to say. It was an issue she’d helped to cause and the only person who should have to see it resolved was herself. Apple Bloom despised her? Fine, let her do so. But she would not let the two sisters be at one another’s throat while she remained her, even if it meant allowing herself to be subjected to the full force of the youngest farmgirl’s wrath. “Never mind. It’s not a big deal, anyway,” she finally muttered.

The sun was well on its way to the high point of the sky when the beautiful Siren joined in with the rest of the farm’s morning ordeal; adorned in a knee-high, clay-colored dress and –per Applejack’s suggestion- a pair of worn-down boots that were a bit unstable beneath feet that were more used to heels than attire of such a kind. Goodness, look at me now, she found herself thinking, a smile of humor on her lips as she imagined her reflection in the mirror. You’re like a regular country girl now, aren’t you? If it didn’t feel so much like a façade, she might actually enjoy the sensation.

Out in the farmyard and just at the threshold of the wire fencing stood Apple Bloom awaiting her newest charge, a potent sour look upon her still-youthful features and holding a pair of baskets in her hand. Clearly in no mood for additional hands beneath her care, the young girl looked keener on sending one of the baskets in her hand flying into human flesh than being put to use elsewhere. Adagio felt her stomach twist and forced instinct back, lest her more natural self come to life to and begin prodding the younger woman’s fury to life. She’s Applejack’s sister. You will be nice, or so help me.

“You should have worn something different than a dress. We’ll be around crap all day,” Apple Bloom remarked, eyes and voice as cold as the winds of winter. “You sure you wanna do this?”

“No. But Applejack asked me to help,” Adagio admitted. Perhaps a little honesty would help the poor girl ease up? It wasn’t like she could blame her for the attitude.

“Yeah, and she made me take you along,” Apple Bloom said as she was left entirely unfazed. “Come on, we’re gonna spend most of our time in the henhouse today.”

Following her leader into the man-sized doors of the chicken coop, Adagio’s senses were immediately assaulted by a cacophony of smells that were almost potent enough to see the beautiful Siren knocked flat off her feet. Goodness, these animals smelled! There were more pleasant odors than just the scent of feces to be found, but the entirety of them all at once was overwhelming. Bedding and straw, feathers and food, aged water, chicken feed, and heaven knew whatever else was in here. Adagio felt like she’d entered into an entire ecosystem all of its own.

“Good morning, everyone!” To hear Apple Bloom speaking aloud in a cheerful voice was enough to make the gingerhaired girl take pause, turning to see the young woman be swiftly surrounded by a herd of clucking poultry. “It’s lovely to see you! I hope you slept well. Did you leave a bunch of good eggs for us to take care of?”

The gathering of chickens seemed eager to investigate their human arrivals, Apple Bloom arousing particular interest as the group of hens greeted their longtime caretaker. A rather robust-looking rooster slowly trod through the crowd of feathers to keep them in line, but all seemed to be rather gregarious and in good cheer. Though they belonged to the Apple family as a whole, it was clear the animals held special affection for the youngest of the clan.

Though their newest arrival was intriguing all its own. Unsure what to do next, Adagio remained still as some of the crowd began to come about at her feet and give her a slow, thorough investigation as though judging her capabilities- if not more. The quiet clucking and noises of the birds gave her the impression of aged humans, a group of old women talking amongst themselves of a brand new thing. Though uncertain, the chickens seemed rather eager to get to know their newest companion even if they maintained a respectful distance.

“They’re not shy, are they?” Adagio asked, wondering if it would be rude to laugh as the local rooster took a standing position atop her boot, his own scrutiny of her physique beginning. They seemed so thoroughly sure of themselves that she couldn’t help but feel charmed. They continuously clucked and made noises of all kinds, as though they were actually speaking and talking amongst themselves! She felt rather sure they had opinions of her to share and couldn’t help but have a good conversation about it. Though maybe the smell of their abode was not superbly wonderful, these lovely little animals were quite wonderful.

“They’re always on the lookout for potential threats,” Apple Bloom remarked. “Come on, get your basket filled up. Look in the nests and grab the eggs.”

The first surprise Adagio found was the warmth of the eggs within her palm. Goodness, how could they be like this? Still fresh, right from the depths of the chicken and likely delectable if any of the past couple days had anything to say about it. If this was where Applejack and her family got their eggs, it was no wonder they consumed them from nowhere else. The great number of them that awaited her hand were more than she expected.

“Do- do we need to look at any of these?” Adagio asked. “You know… if they’ve got chicks?”

“We don’t. Not anymore, Apple Bloom said. “Abbot stopped mating with the hens a while back and we don’t need to worry. He’s about the best rooster we’ve ever had, keeps all his girls in line and don’t allow them to do something stupid.” She couldn’t help but feel that was directed at her, but was it worth enough effort to start a fight? Adagio enjoyed the work with these inquisitive, rather genial animals and said nothing in response. If Apple Bloom was to keep this fight up, she would have to be honest and tell the Siren the truth; Adagio felt no desire to help her.

The work within the henhouse was filthy and dirty, but Adagio didn’t find herself irritated or unhappy about it in the slightest. These chickens seemed so pleasant and friendly that, despite her instinctive fears of repercussions from such an action, she couldn’t help but reach down and try for a quick stroke of feathers. These animals were just so genial! Water was refreshed, feed as ensured as full, bedding was replaced and made new, and throughout it all did the gaggle of good-natured hens keep to their human caretakers. It were as though there was a constant critique of their work that had to be continued, the chickens needing to comment on and criticize every aspect of her performance. Keeping these animals in good spirits was lovely; it was little wonder that Apple Bloom enjoyed her duties so greatly.

“Are all chickens like that?” Adagio asked as they exited the miniature house, her basket filled with eggs that were primed for many a wondrous breakfast; she could even still feel the warmth of them. “They all seem super sweet around people.”

“Huh? Like, are they all friendly?” Apple Bloom seemed stunned that her aide had come away from the work in such a good mood- if not outright displeased in the outcome. Their work had been foul and dirty, straw and bedding covered in feces that had required their efforts to see dispelled. It was not something that one would expect to find charming.

“Yes! They seem like a bunch of old girls talking together,” Adagio remarked. She hadn’t minded her work in the slightest, completely comfortable in her adoration of such a genial group of animals. “How long have you had them all? Do you breed them here of buy them instead?”

The young farmgirl appeared thoroughly disquieted by the remark, no desire to answer -apparent in her. Perhaps she had hoped that this foul-smelling duty and its work would be enough to wear out her hated foe; had she been foolish to think it was enough? Perhaps so, but there was still more to be done. The chickens had only been the morning, and there was plenty of sunlight left in the day.

“They- come on, help me get their yard cleaned up- we’ve had a continuous group for long as my folks have been here,” Apple Bloom explained. Tossing a rake to her counterpart, the two took to the dirt outside the henhouse and began to see it made purified of the filth that so often contaminated the dust. “Abbot’s a new rooster, so this group is a bit different. The rooster always dictates how the rest of the group acts.”

“Like an alpha male, or something?”

The younger girl paused; there was a shrivel to her lip that seemed eager to curl into a sneer. “Yeah, like an alpha male. Keeps them all in line.”

“Well, he’s done a great job,” Adagio said. “You’ve got a bunch of nice chickens.”

“We do,” Apple Bloom said curtly. “Come on, the cows are in the barn. Don’t complain if it smells.”

A strange warning by the Siren’s judgment; it didn’t seem like it was a building in need of dire aid, nor did it appear particularly unclean on the outside. And if the chicken coop was anything to go by, Apple Bloom likely cared for the Apple family’s cows just as tenderly as she did their feathered friends. What could this spacious abode of crimson possess that could make it so difficult to endure?

The answer came soon when the barn door was cast open and air flowed outward from within the shaded realms inside, a pungent reek so potent that Adagio felt tears try to form in her eyes. Goodness, what on earth was that? Surely a bunch of animals couldn’t produce an odor so foul, it was enough to knock one senseless. She’d never conceived of a stench so bad even during her days in the realms of the aquatic; the henhouse had been nothing compared to this. “Oh wow,” she spluttered, the Siren taking a step back so as to deal with the bile that burned against her throat. “That is ba-a-ad…”

“Don’t you start complaining, we’ve got a lot of work to do,” Apple Bloom said fiercely, eyes afire even though she appeared pleased to have evoked a negative reaction at last. “Come on, you need to know how to do the basics, so follow me and just suck it up.”

There wasn’t much choice in the matter as far as Adagio could see. Though still a relentless reek of foul air and feces, a shake of her beautiful head and into the barn did she stride, finding Apple Bloom already attending to one of the stalls- and the resident therein, a sizeable heifer a lovely shade of clay-brown and eagerly enjoying the affection the young girl graced upon it. With her knowledge of cows more accustomed to their culinary potential than the behavior of the animal itself, Adagio was surprised to see the beast acting so… well, docile.

“Yes, it’s lovely to see you, too,” Apple Bloom said as she continued with her scratching of the animal’s ears. Her voice was chipper and bright, the effect of this little moment a boon for her countenance, something immediately evident. In one simple action the farmgirl had been transported away from her anger and taken to a gentler place, just she and her beloved animals in a content little world. “I hope you’re feeling better, I know you’ve had it rough this week. Did you sleep well tonight?”

The young cow blinked and gave a slow, quiet moo before trying to give her caretaker’s face a lick.

The farmgirl laughed, her good cheer elevated by the seemingly sentient response. “I’m glad to hear it, you sound a lot better, too. Did Miss Elvira keep you company last night? I know you always sleep better when you can talk to your friends…”

Watching the scene unfold, Adagio had meant to keep herself at something of a distance. The younger girl was clearly well-bonded with her animals and deserved some time with them that would not be blemished by her presence. But the sight of such a joy was difficult to stay away from! Even as Apple Bloom continued in her tender care of her favorite cow, so many other horned heads appeared from nearby stalls at the sound of her voice; the barn came alive with lowing cattle calling for their beloved person, eager for a little bit of affection of their very own.

“Yes, I’ll see you all, don’t worry!” Apple Bloom called out, her voice warm with laughter as she took in her dear companions. “Goodness, you’re all being so needy lately!”

She doubted the smell had faded much, especially when a quick peek over one of the stall doors revealed a sizeable mound of cowpies, freshly made, lying in the middle of the floor. But for one who possessed little knowledge on the world’s animals and had never even given much attention to even a housecat, Adagio found herself unable to resist the allure of these crying animals that so obviously wished for attention from a human spirit.

Standing before her and eyeing her with a darkened stare was a rather sizeable animal, a traditionally colored cow of black-and-white that stood just as tall as she did. For a moment, the Siren hesitated; those horns were likely not just for show, and this animal was big enough to be able to deal legitimate damage if it wished. Would it be hostile to her simply because their favorite person was, also? Maybe I shouldn’t do anything at all, she thought even as a trembling hand reached out to press it against living flesh. A gentle touch across the nose at first, just the slightest gesture- but then the animal leaned forward, following her fingers as they tried to fall back!

Her heart melted and the beautiful woman took it upon herself to greet the lovely animal properly, lathering it in what affection she could offer and left warmed when the cow was left seemingly delighted! Oh, what a sweet thing it was! Those soft, dark eyes that gazed up at her beneath those lush eyelashes, how it leaned in against her hand as if begging for more, more, more! Adagio had never been one for animals, even possessing a slight fear of dogs, but these cows were some of the sweetest-looking things she’d ever known in her life. No wonder Apple Bloom enjoyed spending so much of her time amongst these wonderful creatures, both cattle and chicken alike, when they could be so soothing to one’s soul.

“Oh, you’re just so hungry for attention, aren’t you?” Adagio whispered, so intent on her thorough scratching of the cow’s chin that she didn’t notice the smile she now wore. “I know, you’ve spent an entire night and morning all alone-”

“Wait, are you serious?!” The sharp voice of Apple Bloom’s displeasure was enough to shatter the miniscule moment of joy and drag Adagio back into the real world. Whipping around, she found the young farmgirl standing behind her with a pail in hand and an expression that would have curdled milk.

“What? What’d I say?” Adagio ran her words through her mind once more, trying to find out what she’d done wrong. What had been said that would run afoul of the youngest Apple so deeply? Was she not supposed to be friendly with these creatures?

“They already like you! They never do that with anyone!” Apple Bloom cried, her voice swiftly rising in strength and beginning to echo across the spacious abode. “It took me months with each one for them to be comfortable with me, they don’t ever trust strangers! Why are they so desperate for your attention?”

“I was just-” She’d been legitimately interested in meeting these animals, she’d been enjoying this quiet interlude between duties. “They’re not like this with everybody? But they seem so sweet!”

A half-choked scream of displeasure and the pail flew from Apple Bloom’s hands and slammed into the wall, the clanging ring of metal giving the host of cows a start and setting them on edge. The young girl ran fingers across her scalp with a violence, bent over and bursting with fury as she let loose a violent stream of curses. “Goddammit, it’s just not right!” She roared, “Everyone likes you and it’s like they don’t care what you even are! It’s like everyone and everything is just suddenly OK that you’re a horrible person and everything you’ve ever done to hurt people doesn’t matter! Why is the whole world ready to fall at your feet?! What’s the reason?! Because I feel like I’m the only person who doesn’t want you here before you ruin everything again!”

The pause for breath was a pregnant thing, Adagio wondering if this was a summons for her to speak or that it would be better if she remained silent. Apple Bloom clearly had been needing to spill this diatribe for a while, this one last incident enough to send her over the edge. Her grandmother had given Adagio permission to stay, Sugar Belle was glad to call her a friend, and the elder sister she’d always adored was infatuated with one who she’d once called enemy. It was hardly surprising that at least one of the family had an objection to the matter.

“You ruined her life!” Apple Bloom snarled, eyes locking onto her prey as her teeth lay bared; in those eyes was a hatred that burned like fire, barely concealed beneath the waters of a sorrow only she could name. “She was fine before you got here, she was happy! All you did was come in and make her lose every bit of sense she had and make her miserable- for –years! Our parents are gone- dead! Applejack’s been getting hurt by everything and everyone for too long now! She’s had to give up way too much for the sorry of excuse of a person that you are- she’s lost almost every single one of her friends! She gave up college! She worked as an actual stripper, for God’s sake! And the whole time you’ve been here all you’ve worried about is yourself! It’s like I’m the only one who knows you just hurt her! And I know you’re not going to stay. You’re going to leave again! Sometime, someday! You’re going to leave and crush my sister all over again just because the only thing you’ve ever really cared about is yourself! You won’t even care how much it hurts her to see you leave because you won’t ever even think about it!”

The absolute avalanche of accusations she faced was more than even her negative outlook had been able to conceive of. Apple Bloom had looked for every knife in the drawer and seen it thrown, deeply imbedded in the skin and made to bleed; how on earth was she supposed to respond to such vehement hatred, especially when there was so much that she agreed with herself? Applejack deserved better than she, Applejack had sacrificed far too much to rescue her-

She would hurt Applejack again someday when she eventually left. Wouldn’t she?

“Say something!” Apple Bloom raged, so deep in her anger that no scenery or concerns of others would be enough to make the young girl forgo the depths of her emotion. “Well? Aren’t you going to apologize? Do something, say something! Say anything!”

“Why? What can I say that’ll make you happy?” Adagio fired back. Was it anger that made her counter this righteous fury? “What do you want me to do? You haven’t said anything I don't already know!”

So you are going to leave her again!” Apple Bloom seethed. “What, is making her fall in love with your sorry self not good enough?”

“I know she deserves better than me! God, you little brat!” Adagio simply had no other means at her disposal to counter this rage beyond fire of her own. “You think I haven’t tried to tell her to let me go? I’ve done everything I can think of to make her choose someone better- she deserves the best person in the world, of course that’s not what I am! What am I supposed to say when nothing works?!”

If Apple Bloom had something to say in response to such vehemence, she couldn’t find the words to speak it. Much to the relief of the cattle, the violent argument appeared to have come to a standstill and offered no more shouting that could be heard. Adagio remained rigid, awaiting a response that she herself could react to; Apple Bloom stood still as a statue, trying to decide what to do next.

“Open the stalls so they can go on out to the field,” Apple Bloom eventually remarked. “They need some sunshine.”

All but one of the cattle stalls was flung open and its inhabitants was granted brilliant life, the happy beasts trotting through knee-high grass and out into the depths of the open world that was free for them to explore. Perhaps it was simple, animalistic joy that made them so eager to frolic- perhaps it was the desire to be far away from the anger of their human caretakers that drove them instead.

Apple Bloom spent further time attending to her favorite young heifer, a thorough check of hooves and whatever else she could bring her hands to before letting the young animal loose. As she watched the beautiful creature gallivant off with the rest of her awaiting companions, so Adagio did wait outside the stall for the young girl’s judgment. What could she say that would appease such anger, especially when it was justified? There were no words that would heal such a wound.

“She had a crush on a couple of her friends before you came around,” Apple Bloom sighed. Leaning against the gate, her sad eyes watched as the silhouettes of her favorite animals crawled slowly away in the open sunlight. “One or two seemed like a good match. But then you came along and actually had sex with her. So of course she decided she needed to fall in love with you.”

An accusation, and a just one; Adagio knew full well that Applejack’s initial attractions had been solely because of carnal passion rather than any good sense. That problem seemed unavoidable now. “What happened to her friends?” Adagio asked. “Rainbow Dash was the one who reached out to me way back then; what are they up to now?”

Apple Bloom merely shrugged. “Who knows. That’s how life is, right? They were all dating at the time, and when they fell apart, well… you know how it gets. Twilight and Rainbow wouldn’t even talk to each other, Sunset and Rares couldn’t be in the same room together without being embarrassed- Fluttershy and Pinkie were alright, but…”

“But it wasn’t the same.”

The young girl nodded. “And through it all, she still loved you. Even when she had so many examples of how bad it could get. A couple of her friends kinda- resented her for that, I guess. And they- we tried to tell her to drop you, but she just- no one could tell her no.”

“Not even me,” Adagio murmured sadly. “What am I supposed to do now?”

“I- I don’t know. Hell, what am I supposed to say when you agree with me?” The young girl inquired, frustrated by this lack of objections that continued on. “I mean- you love her, right? What’s supposed to be best for her?”

“That I’m not here. But… that means she shouldn’t have ever loved me in the first place,” the gorgeous Siren said. “I don’t really know how to put a stop to that.” She regarded the young girl and found her to be, in a strange way, an unusual sort of equal. Both of them valued Applejack more than themselves, more than their very lives; they admired her, wanted to be like her, and wished for nothing more than her happiness. Of course it was a difficult thing to figure out how. “I want her to be happy. But she’s made up her mind that she’s only going to be happy with me.”

“… Which means you have to stay. Or else she’ll only ever end up miserable,” Apple Bloom murmured. “But you don’t want to stay, do you? Because you think you’re not good enough for her, since all you ever think about is you.”

A cruel, yet apt, observation that was unable to be overcome. With little reason to say much of anything else, Adagio did only what she must to aid the young girl in her tasks for the rest of the day, saying what little she could manage all the while. What words she had to say would offer nothing good any longer, not here; there was too much for her to consider now.

But- perhaps not quite. It was the burning question in her mind that had been present ever since her first foray into the gorgeous farmgirl’s world, unable to be shaken off and ever-demanding of an answer. Was it tactless for her to inquire? Likely so, but she had to say something. As the sun began to crawl down towards the edge of the horizon, she found that escaping its maw was something of an impossible task. “Apple Bloom, where- where are your parents?” She asked softly.

The young girl acted as though she’d expected the inquiry, only a small sigh escaping her lithe frame. “Not far from where they got married, she said, pointing out into the orchards as though she could see clearly where they lay. “Died a bit after I was born.”

Oh God. “Apple Bloom, I’m sor-”

“You’re not the first who’s asked. Why should that matter?” Such an accusation for her to deliver!

“That doesn’t make it right,” she said in the hopes of backtracking. “Is… I- I bet they’re proud of her, aren’t they?”

“Of course they are,” Apple Bloom said, and the tears that cut at her throat could not be mistaken any longer, even as she shifted about the hay on the ground and kept her eyes hidden from view. “Who wouldn’t be proud of Applejack?”

“No one. I’m- she’s wonderful.” Adagio said it and meant it; Applejack was the best person she’d ever met, enticed her to leave behind her old life more than anything else in the world could possible hope to equal. That golden girl was more beautiful and precious than riches or power- and all she could think about was how unworthy she was of even holding the farmgirl’s hand. Did Applejack think about her in the same way, a similar vein? That she was unworthy for someone she loved, or that she was too good for one who had sunk so low? The idea was one to consider, but only for a moment. No, Applejack was not one to dwell upon such matters; she simply loved Adagio with all her heart and said as much.

Quite the difficult example to follow.

The silence lingered on within the barn too long, no longer interrupted by the sounds of livestock and their shuffling. What hurt that lay between the two women had only just been revealed and had yet to find any healing quite yet. For now, mere agreement on Applejack’s excellence –and Adagio’s failings- was to be their first unified conclusion.

“We should get these stalls cleaned out. And see if we need to bring in new bedding,” Apple Bloom sniffed, an ungloved hand brushing aside the wetness that stained her youthful features. “Come on, grab a pitchfork or a shovel, I’ll grab the wheelbarrow. And hold your breath, a couple of them have been a little sick lately. Might be bad.”

“OK.” Adagio turned to the corner of the barn and put her hands upon farmtools even as her eyes remained on the young woman for a time longer. Apple Bloom wasn’t a bad person by any means, nor unfair. She’d judged her sister’s beloved with extraordinary accuracy, combining present examination with past behavior and found the unhappy Siren to be a poor match for her older sister; seeing as no one else in the family had been willing to state the obvious, the youngest Apple was allowing herself to be considered unpleasant so as to protect her older sibling from a potentially disastrous error. Who could fault her for that? The only way her line of thought could be proven wrong would be if Adagio actually started to believe she was everything Applejack believed she could be. “Apple Bloom?”

The crimson-haired girl, wheelbarrow in hand, eyed the older woman with a glance that suggested she expected trouble, a tinge of bitten lip as she prepared for some form of rebuttal to their current deeds.

“Thank you for being honest with me,” Adagio said, at first struggling to put her words into form. “And I… I do love your sister. And I’m not going to hurt her. If I can help it.”

It was a first step, nor did it allay any of the fears that still lay within her mind- but it was something, the first and fleeting glimpse of something more than the misshapen character she’d once been that was still so obvious to all. Apple Bloom gave a nod and continued on her way towards the stalls with wheelbarrow in hand, ready to move forward with her duties rather than spend more time amidst unhappy speech.

The work of the day was dirty, Adagio wondering if she’d ever be able to scrub her hands clean enough to eat without worry again. The cows were lovely beings, all of them, but animals they were all the same and that meant mess. Hooves were checked for issues, recovering cattle were given meds alongside what treatment Apple Bloom could prescribe, and a rather sizeable bucket was made full with white milk for later care. Adagio did her best to aid the younger Apple in what ways she could, speaking little and allowing more room for listening instead. It was her chance to get to know this fiery girl a little better, understand her strengths and motivations; more hot-blooded than even her sister and perhaps more cantankerous, but caring deeply for the creatures of the world.

“We had a dog for a good long while,” Apple Bloom said as they walked back to the house, pail in her hand and doing what she could not to spill. “Winona died a bit before I graduated and we haven’t gotten one since. I think Applejack didn’t wanna get a new puppy since she’d just have to feel sad all over again.”

“Would- would you want another dog?” Adagio asked.

“It’s a farm. We need a dog around,” said Apple Bloom. “Besides, if Big Mac and Sugar Belle end up having kids after all, they should grow up with a dog around. Every kid should.”

“Yeah…” Her words drifted away as the sound of an engine’s high-pitched whine came into range. A small kickstart of her heartbeat and Adagio turned to see the headlights of the four-wheeler off in the distance, bright and coming ever closer to where the tranquil farm awaited. Applejack would be here soon, tired and worn down from a miserable day’s work in the orchards beneath the heat and haze that came from above. She deserved a reward for all that effort; would a kiss be too simple, or be something that the beautiful farmgirl would appreciate? I hope I don’t smell too bad- or look too bad, actually. She should get greeted by a pretty girl like her brother does.

Apple Bloom squinted out towards the light and whining sound that grew closer as though her instincts found something amiss. “Is- I only see one of them,” she remarked. “Look, it’s just my brother driving. Where’s Applejack?”

The fluttering in her stomach came to a standstill- and quickly replaced by a dread. What would make Applejack not come back with her brother? Surely she hadn’t decided to walk back; had they argued about something and Big Mac had left her behind? Also unlikely, he didn’t seem anywhere near that kind of person-

Rather than make the turn into the nearby shed and see the vehicle parked, Big Mac roared right towards the edge of the farmhouse and came to a swift halt, killing the engine as he leapt out and turned to the back of the vehicle where a darkened figure lay motionless and awaiting his care.

Her heart sank. “Applejack!”

“AB, get over here. Take her other arm,” Big Mac commanded, his voice a deep rumble that emanated across the yard as he spoke with the authority of urgency. “Help me get her up, come on now.”

“Big Mac, I can walk myself from here,” Applejack protested, trying to wave away her younger sibling before any further aid could be provided.

Immediate relief and Adagio felt a stinging in her eyes. She was alright! The sight of he leaning back in the bed of the four-wheeler, all dark and featureless beneath the shadows of the encroaching night, had been something out of an unimaginable nightmare. Applejack was still alive, even though her voice sounded strained by the weight of pain. She was OK- well, not OK, but alive!

“Quiet. You’re going to get looked at before you do anything,” Big Mac snapped. Perhaps this argument was one that had played out a thousand times in countless ways, leading him to be finite in patience. “End of story. Accept it.”

“What happened?” Apple Bloom asked as she slid beneath her sister’s weight, the two siblings helping the middle Apple to her feet and up towards the porch.

“Broke her foot,” Big Mac grunted. “Slipped on mud and caught it on a root, bad luck is all. Come on.”

As the trio of kin made their way up miniature stairs and into the living room, Adagio followed just behind and remained silent to that she might hear every spoken word. Applejack was hurt and she had no clue how she could help, but she was going to listen. She watched as the blonde beauty was lain upon the couch, watched as Sugar Belle and Granny did what they could to ease the pain, watched as they diagnosed the fracture with a swiftness that could only come from years of experience. Though she could offer no assistance herself and dare not get in the way, Adagio watched and listened all the same; they knew just what to do to help with the pain and stem the discomfort until tomorrow morning arose, allowing a doctor to dispense further wisdom. So swift and sure, not to mention capable of keeping Applejack’s protests to a minimum. They knew just what to do to care for her, and the Siren could only watch as she wished the role was one she knew how to play.

Author's Note

I liked this one. I think.

Tomorrow. Enjoy, I guess.