“Do I really have to go with y’all dam?” Applejack complained to Pear Butter for the umpteenth time. I had lost count after she complained for the fifth time, starting from when the herd received an official invitation a few days ago.

“Yes AJ, you are going, so stop fidgeting in your dress and let me finish touching up your mane.” Pear shot her a look while putting the last few pins into her daughter’s mane. “The Rich family members have been our business partners ever since Ponyville was founded and they were kind enough to invite us. There, you look wonderful.” She stepped back to admirer her hoof work. The two then left the bathroom and stepped into the living room where we had all been waiting.

“Aww hogwash. You youngsters have fun with all that fancy stuff.” Granny Smith said from her rocking chair once she spotted them. Granny was staying home as she refused to go to the party. “Unfettered and I will have a lovely evening here at home.” She had originally tried using the excuse of watching Applebloom however, even she had been invited since Diamond Tiara would also be in attendance with other young foals their age. AJ and I would also be on the foals side since neither of us were independent yet. Unfettered had simply decided not to go and nopony was going to force her.I just have to keep my cool and remember Diamond isn’t a brat, yet.

“Granny please don’t encourage her. Also, Applejack you don’t hear your brothers complaining.” Mac and I shared a look then posed dramatically for our mothers, both of us were in new suits compliments of Rarity. Rarity had been extremely grateful to receive business from the whole family even if she hadn’t been invited to the ‘soirée of the year’.

“Yeah but they’re both colts and Mac has a date.” Aj huffed. Moms Forest Breeze and Morning Dew had been abstaining from the argument so far.

“I have to agree with our daughter, why force her if she doesn’t want to go?” Forest spoke up then immediately regretted it. Ouch, bad call mom. I could tell my dam felt the same as she shook her head. Both of them were also dressed up in Rarity made dresses.

“Because sugar.” Pear started with a steely voice while starting daggers at Forest, “our herd needs to show that we are business partners and not just simple farmers to be taken advantage of.”

Forest gulped a bit then nodded, I could also see her wings rise a bit at Pears assertive attitude which caused me to giggle and Mac blush at his mother’s… reaction.

“AJ your dam is correct, while the Rich family is nice enough, they have been taking some~,” Dew paused and circled her hoof, “liberties with the herd’s trade agreements these last few years by not accounting for inflation and such.” She had been helping with the finances so made double sure to agree with Pear. This earned a smile for Pear and a pout from Forest that Dew dispelled with a kiss on her cheek. Sadly that’s probably why AJ was struggling so much in the original timeline.

“Fine.” AJ dipped her head as she let her dam finished getting Bloom ready with a ruby red bow.

“Wow, big house.” I had seen bigger in Canterlot but this one’s size stuck out, being the only mansion in Ponyville, It was also currently surrounded by dozens of ponies arriving for the party making it look packed. The party was starting just after lunch and would last until the evening, giving out of town guests a chance to come and leave at various times. Smart business decision I guess.

“Eeyup.” Mac nodded then smiled when he noticed his date, Cheerilee, had also just arrived.

“Go get her son we can catch up inside.” Forest nudged him with a wing and he trotted off to nuzzle his filly friend. The two then made their way into the estate.

“Alright you two.” Dew stopped us before we went inside, Pear and forest at her sides. “We want you on your best behavior. I know we don’t really have to worry but it just needed saying.”

“According to the invitation the foals will all be in the smaller ball room so watch over your sister.” Pear lifted a sleepy Bloom off her back and the filly stretched to wake up properly for the coming excitement. She was the only one of us not in clothing, instead she just had her fancy bow with her mane done up.

“But also have fun.” Forest finished and led her herd mates inside under her wings.

AJ looked at me before pleading. “Do I really have to go? Y’all could say I went inside then had to leave for some reason.”

“Our moms will be really upset if you don’t go, also that would be a lie.” I playfully nudged Bloom as I spoke. The filly fell into place at my side, skipping excitedly as we walked towards the mansion.

“But it wouldn’t be me lying.” Aj mumbled and dragged her hooves as she followed behind us.

“So pretty.” Bloom’s eyes twinkled as she looked around the mansion’s interior.

“Thank you young miss, master Rich shall appreciate the compliment.” The three of us were being led towards the foals area by a stallion servant.

“It’s alright.” AJ commented sourly, fiddling with her dress a bit as she also looked around. It still surprises me that the Apples are nobles, granted so was my family… are we double nobles now? Although I’m ‘technically’ royalty. I shuddered and shook off the random thought.

I got close to AJ and whispered. “Don’t be like that Applejack, let Bloom have her fun.”

Her ears splayed back. “You’re right, I shouldn’t ruin it for y’all even if I may not like being fancy.”

When we arrived in the ballroom the servant returned to his post in the hallway however there were a few others standing around the room waiting to assist. There were also plenty of other young fillies and colts in attendance, probably the offspring of older guests, making idle chatter around the room.

Bloom was the first to trot off when she noticed Diamond Tiara and I followed behind her while Aj broke off towards the snack table.

“Hi Diamond, Hi Silver, I like your house.” Bloom beamed at her classmates. I hadn’t noticed the other filly standing next to her sister. It oddly makes sense the two are sisters.

“Hi.” The two said in unison. “Who’s that?” Dimond finished.

“This is my big brother.” Bloom hugged my leg.

“Nuh hu. You’re brother is a red Earth pony not a blue Unicorn.” Diamond huffed. Looks like her mother already started ‘educating’ her.

“I have two big brothers.” Bloom proudly announced like it was her crowning achievement.

“Aww, no fair I want a brother.” Silver kicked the ground.

“Hey, maybe daddy will get one for us.” Dimond quickly ran off with Silver, Bloom followed after them leaving me alone to shake my head. That won’t get awkward.

“Daddy we want a brother.” Filthy Rich spat out his drink when his daughters spoke as a few other guests laughed or blushed.

Finding myself suddenly alone in the crowd I made my way back over to Aj to share in the snacks.

“At least the grub is good.” She spoke up as I joined her at one of the many small tables placed around the room.

I levitated a cracker with cheese into my mouth and nodded my agreement.

As the afternoon wore on Applejack and I eventually began to mingle with some of the other foals. None of the guests were as stuck up as we feared so the conversations were actually going well.

I had a few awkward moments with older fillies, asking for a dance or even a date, but luckily my sister was available to keep them at bay. They really want to lock down a colt early.

Mac or one of the Moms would check on us every so often and about halfway through the party Applejack got her wish of leaving by offering to take a tired Applebloom back home. Can’t believe she ditched me like that, well it’s not like she’s ‘loyalty’. I chuckled to myself.

Some of the other young fillies who couldn’t leave had even formed a nap pile in the corner with Diamond Tiara in the middle as if it was a normal occurrence for a party. Just glad the few colts were offered another room.

“Dawn, is that you.” I turned around and was surprised to find Rarity standing behind me. “Oh it is you, you look wonderful in your suit darling.”

“Rarity? What are you doing here, I thought you didn’t receive an invite.” She joined me at my table. She was wearing one of her own dresses, a blue one that matched her eyes and strangely my coat.

“I received one just yesterday.” She beamed. “After I helping mend young Diamond’s dress her sire was kind enough to add me onto the guest list as a promising business partner. When I noticed you weren’t in the adults area I came looking for you here.” She had sat done right next to me while speaking and fluttered her eyelashes a bit.

“Well I’m glad you got invited.” I playfully bumped her which surprised her.

“So, where is your sister? You really shouldn’t be without an escort.” She bumped me back.

“She took Bloom home. And why is that?” I rolled my eyes.

“Darling.” She paused and glanced around. “You really haven’t noticed?”

When I looked around I finally noticed quite a few other fillies had formed a circle around my table and were either looking at me or giving a stink eye towards rarity. “Huh.”

“Yes well, I’m just glad none of them worked up the courage to come talk to you before I found you. Lest you get mobbed.” She tittered.

“Rarity can I ask you a question?” I tilted my head ad she smiled my way.

“You just did Dawn but you may of course ask another.” She joked.

“Why are they looking at me like that?” She paused and her eyes went wide for a moment.

“Do you… of course you wouldn’t have noticed if you’re not looking.” She sighed. “Dawn you are one of the only unicorn colts our age at this party and to be at this party you must have some connections. Yet ironically, most ponies with said connections would be up at Canterlot or another major city, so those fillies see it as an opportunity.”

It was my turn to go wide eyed. Somehow I kept forgetting about just how bad the gender imbalance really was or that I was at the age where ponies started dating and forming platonic Herds.

“Now then Dawn, would you like to dance with me?” Rarity held out a hoof. I hadn’t expected her to be so forward but took it anyway. Sure there was a physical age gap but I was technically older.

“So sport how was the party?” Mom Forest had come and gotten me just before sunset saying it was time to go home. Dew and Pear were sticking around for a while longer to secure some business deals, according to mom.

“It was actually really nice. After AJ left Rarity and I danced and spent time together. She’s a bit starry eyed for Canterlot but otherwise really nice.” I yawned. The party had taken more out of me then expected.

“Glad you had fun.” She picked me up by my scruff and placed me on her back before taking to the air. I fell asleep before we even made it home.

Applejack’s ears perked up, from her spot in the living room, as she heard somepony come home.

“Well hey there AJ how are you doing.” Forest walked over and gave her daughter a nuzzle.

“I’m alright mom, party was a bit much.” She sunk back into her cushion. “Looks like Dawn is already asleep.”

“Yeah. Found him dancing and hanging out with Rarity at the party.” Forest chuckled and laid down next to her daughter before embracing her in a wing. She liked having more family to look over.

“Isn’t she a bit old for Dawn.” She scrunched up her nose.

“Probably but I think they were just being friendly. Even if I did tease him about it.” They both shared a laugh. “It’s funny you know. I never expected to move out of Sires Hollow after everything that happened or that I would get such a great daughter.” Forest Nuzzled AJs head. I had woken up from all the movement but remained silent to listen in.

“I’ll be honest. I was a bit upset when dam said she was adding you to the herd so soon after dad passed.” Applejack lowered her head. “But now I couldn’t be happier y’all joined the family.”

I smiled at that and fell back asleep as the two shared some idle conversation.

Author's Note

World building;

Granny Smith is the current matriarch for the noble clan of Apple. The Apples have been a noble earth pony line since before unification that keep well away from social circles so other nobles don’t even recognize them these days. (Ironically most Apples don’t even know they are part of a noble herd.)

Another little known fact that the Apples are actually one of the largest clans with significant private land holdings around Equestria (in regards to farming) and even own land beyond. This fact means that even though the Apples are not wealthy in bits they do have more influence than most ponies realize.

Also, contrary to the name they do not just grow apples but a variety of food stuff including corn, wheat, sugar, and, more recently, pears.