Dawn's new day.

“Should we wake them?” I couldn’t tell who’s voice it was as the sound was muffled by something, or rather somepony, pinning my ears. It also didn’t help that I was still half asleep since I was feeling more comfortable than ever before so didn’t want to move. The sun isn’t even up.

“But they all look so cute.” Another voice that sounded like Pear.

“How did they all even end up in Dawn’s room?” A voice that was definitely Night Light since it was a stallion’s.

“Probably snuck in while we were all busy last night.” Velvet chimed in cheekily. From the context I really didn’t want to think about what the adults might have gotten up to after a night of drinking. Two small herds rutting out of season wasn’t unusual and more considered a social norm for very close friend groups with good compatibility.

“Well at least it doesn’t smell like anything happened. Not that I would expect it.” My dam had given a sniff of the air and I could feel Twilight nervously heat up and shift a bit. Oh she’s definitely also awake.

“What are y’all standing around for?” Grannie’s voice wasn’t easily mistaken as she poked her head into the doorway. “Yes, the young ones are cute but we all have breakfast to eat and work to do.” She huffed and entered my room. “Up and up and at ‘‘em little ones, it’s the start of cider season!”

The entire bed began to shift as six fillies, a drake, and myself began to properly wake up. Wait six? I checked and spotted that Applejack had joined our pile at some point. She went a bit nervous when I spotted her but I wasn’t going to tease her. Pony cuddle piles were super comfortable.

“Cider season!” The future CMC shouted and ran off downstairs with Spike following along.

“Do they even know what Cider season is?” Velvet tittered.

“Doubtful.” Pear giggled and they all followed the young ones downstairs leaving Twilight, Trixie, AJ, and I stretching and getting ready for the day.

“Um Dawn, need help?” Twilight blushed as she motioned to my ruffled feathers. Applejack shot her a look but wasn’t about to stick around for the intimate moment so walked out to get ready for breakfast.

“Um sure.” I blushed as only mom had helped with my wings before and only when I was first learning. After showing her what to do she helped fix my feathers that were out of place. She was awkward at first but after slowing down and letting me guide her it was much easier.

Trixie watched though her tail swished with contained intrigue. “Dawn, when did you get those by the way? Trixie thinks they look good on you.”

“Thanks, I’m surprised you weren’t freaking out like the others were when they first found out.” I shivered as Twilight helped get a feather back into place as Trixie came over and gave me a nuzzle.

“Your tribe doesn’t matter to Trixie, to me.” She corrected. “Only that you’re my biggest and best supporting colt.”

Twilight shot her a smile as we finished up.

“That all good?” She asked while keeping one of the old feathers she had plucked.

I gave my wings a few light flaps and nodded. “Perfect.” We shared a nuzzle and I have her then Trixie a kiss on the cheek. I noticed Twilight looking at the feather as she hid it away before we made our way downstairs.

“I was just about to come get ya.” Dam gave me a look that said ‘good thing ya weren’t slower’. The sun definitely wasn’t up yet as the house was lit with a combination of crystals and candles.

As I took my spot at the table I spotted Scoots nuzzled between Forest’s hooves. “Who on Equis has been preening you little one?” Forest sounded a bit upset as she helped the little filly with her wings. Something like preening another herds foal would have normally been frowned upon but her wings were so unkempt even I had thought about correcting them.

“Um, nopony. Why?” The combination of such an innocent question mixed with an upsetting answer provided by the tiny filly threw anyone old enough to understand for a loop. All ponies were taught about the importance of Preening, basic horn care, and basic hoof care in ‘Herd Hygiene’ class. This encouraged ponies to go out and learn more in case another tribe member joined your herd.

“Sugarcube. Have you never had them preened before?” Pear looked her way as we all sat around the breakfast table quietly, aside from Granny who was still loading it with food, if a bit slower.

She shook her head sadly. “Not that I can remember. I was never taught how either.”

Forest gave Scootaloo a hug while also growling a bit. “What are your parents thinking? Preening is essential for growing fillies to ensure proper wing growth and health.”

Scootaloo sniffed sadly and what she said next made Mom pause. “I don’t have any.” The show was always a bit unclear about her parents and even the fans were split on the family that was added later.

The three mares of herd Apple shared a few looks and a conversation passed between them in moments as their ears and eyes said everything that was needed.

As lead mare my dam was the one who shared with the rest of us. “Well you do now sweetie. We can handle all the specifics later but welcome to the family.”

Everypony else looked surprised. I knew our moms had been talking about having another foal so adoption just made sense.

“Re-really?” Scoots tilted her head up to look at Forest who gave her a nuzzle in response.

“Yep. Now let’s finish preening those wings.” Forest gently pulled out another bad feather as Scoots literally sat on cloud nine between her future mother’s legs.

The rest of breakfast was spent in happy conversation about Scoots joining the family. Not everypony quite understood what was going on but Bloom, Sweetie, and Spike were happy their new friend was happy.

“Alright listen up.” Granny Smith had lined up everypony staying at the house in the front yard Velvet and Night were surprised at being included but Velvet looked excited at a new challenge. “Today is the first day of Cider season and we will have lots of thirsty ponies waiting in line even now.” She marched back and forth like a drill sergeant. The sun still wasn’t even up yet and Trixie was still sleepy on her hooves. The four youngest were back in the house sleeping comfortably, as they were too small to help much yet. They would be helpful later when it was time to start selling.

“Unicorns. Remember not to touch the apples directly with magic lest it change the taste. Baskets only or use your hooves.” We all nodded. “Good. Pear, Trixie you’re with me on appraisal duty. I can tell you have a keen eye.” Trixie puffed up as Granny looked her over, she was happy to be included.

“Mac and Aj you’re on bucking duty. Dawn you and your dam are going to keep our cider machine running and the rest of you are on Apple moving duties or helping the others as needed. Let’s trot to it y’all.”

As we all got working dam and I didn’t have much to do after cleaning up and setting up the press near the barn. We had to wait for a few bushels to be sorted before we could really get moving.

“So how have you been lately sweetheart?” Morning Dew gave me a loving nuzzle and pulled me against her side.

“Really good dam. School is fun and I’m learning a lot from the Princess, You and Mom got us a nice herd with some good siblings for me, and I have a couple of great fillies with potentially more for my own future herd.” My tail idly wagged as I rested against her. “So yeah, life is good.”

She breathed a sigh of relief. “That’s good. I was really worried after what happened with Starlight. Are you two talking again?”

I nodded. “Yeah her and Sunburst finally talked out their feelings so are together now. I was upset at first but I get it. I still consider him a good friend but it’s… odd.”

She hummed in understanding just in time for Mom Forest to come over with a loaded cart of sorted apples. “Here you two go. Fresh and ready to be pressed.” Forest unhooked herself and stretched before trotting off for the next load.

Dam and I shared a look and I hopped up into the walking wheel. As she began loading up the machine with empty barrels and fresh apples I started moving causing the machine to begin processing the apples into fresh cider.

First they were washed with magical water then thrown into chopping blades and finally pulped into juice. We didn’t bother removing the cores like human cider since the extra fiber was good for ponies.

Falling into a steady pace I hummed happily as dam and I worked.

Powering the cider machine wasn’t difficult just a bit boring as I was literally trotting in place.

“Doing alright there colt?” Mom looked a bit concerned as I had been going for an hour already and the sun had just risen. We had also already finished quite a few barrels that mom had come and collected to sell over to the stand. “Need me to take over?”

“Nah I’m good. Alicorn strength.” I fluffed my wings. “Just a bit bored trotting in place.” I chuckled.

“Well you’re doing great Sweetheart keep it up.” She loaded up more apples as pear came over.

“He been going this whole time?” She whistled.

“Yep.” Dew shook her head. “He won’t let me take over.”

“Hey I’m right here.” I kept trotting. “And I’m fine mom. See.” I speed up a bit.

Pear laughed. “Go take a break anyway some of your friends are in line and we have enough for now.”

I slowed back down then stopped. Oh maybe I did need a break. My legs still wanted to move after so much power trotting. “Thanks mom I’ll go say hi.”

As I ran off Pear took up my place in the wheel to get the machine running again. Maybe when Flim and Flam stop by I’ll offer to buy their machine and just use the good parts.

“I’m telling ya Rarity you missed out last year while stuck working. The Apple’s make the best fresh cider ever.” I could hear Dash even before I could see the line.

“I know darling. You kept bragging last year.” I spotted Rarity just as she gave Rainbow a frustrated nip on the neck.

“Well I can’t say she’s wrong.” I trotted over and joined them in Line. I got a few annoyed looks until they realized I was an Apple member so didn’t have to wait.

“Dawn!” Dash practically tackled me as she laid herself over my withers. “Please tell me you came to let us skip the line.”

“Sorry Dash no cuts.” She let out a frustrated snort.

“But. I. Cider~.” She was being almost as dramatic as Rarity and I told her as much.

“Darling I’m not that bad.” She flipped her mane which even got looks from some of the others in line including Lyra and Bon Bon who were right behind us. “Humph, fine then.”

I laughed as Rainbow still practically rode on my back. “Never change Rares.” She blushed at the nickname and looked away. I gave the other fillies nod since they were happily chatting about something else.

By the time we got to the front of the line we were greeted by three energetic fillies. “Hi, how many?”

“Sweetie what are you doing here?” Rarity gave her sister a nuzzle.

“Helping.” Sweetie smiled happily. “Now, how many?” The little filly was all business after another pep talk from Granny.

Dash slammed down some bits. “Four.”

Rarity was a bit more reserved and just bought two mugs. Sweetie then looked at me and I whispered in her ear. “Since we helped we get the good chilled stuff tonight.” I winked at her and her eyes lit up.

It wasn’t long before Bloom and Scootaloo came over with six mugs and passed them over. Scoots took one look at Dash and her four mugs and looked impressed. And so it begins.

“Ahh, that’s the stuff.” Dash set her first finished mug aside and gave a loud belch once we had found a good spot to sit away from the stall.

“Darling. Mind your manners in front of a colt.” Rarity let out her own dainty burp and an ‘excuse me’.

I just laughed then licked the suds from Rainbows cheek. The action turned her cheeks red and her wings and body went so stiff she couldn’t pick up the next mug. This got me to laugh harder and roll onto my side.

Rarity rolled her eyes playfully and muttered. “So uncouth, the both of them.”

“And you do this every year?” Twilight was a bit out of breath as everypony rested on the large porch for a late lunch/ early dinner.

“Eeyup.” Mac replied as Cheerilee rested against his side.

“Sorry I couldn’t help today love. School might be out but that doesn’t mean work at the schoolhouse stops.” Mac gave her a loving nuzzle.

“Nope, nothing to apologize for.” The two kissed earning an ‘eww’ from Bloom and Scoots.

“Tired Twi?” I nuzzled her as Trixie rested against my side. “You wouldn’t be the only one.” I yawned.

“Well it should all be worth it.” Pear came outside with a load of chilled cider mugs on her back. “You’re all getting a reward for a hard day’s work.”

Using magic dam and I lifted the mugs off her back and gave one to everypony. Cheerilee looked a little guilty but Pear just nodded that she was fine to take one.

“Finally, some famous Fresh Apple family cider.” Velvet hugged her large mug in her forehooves.

“Oh this? It is even better than the public stuff.” Pear winked and laid down with us on the porch once everypony had a serving. “Go on, give it a sip.”

Taking a sip from my own mug my eyes went wide in delight. The cider was crisp, cool and had a hint of pear flavor blended into it to celebrate the dual heritage of the family.

“This is wonderful!” Velvet smacked her lips and everypony else agreed.

“Dam did you add pear to it?” Applejack asked.

“Of course,” she puffed up and winked. “Everything’s better with a touch of Pear.”

We all groaned at the joke but couldn’t disagree that the cider was amazing.

AJ looked back at her cutie mark with a proud smile and then stuck her tongue out at Pear.

Imago looked at the large tankard that was sitting in front of her at the dinner table. As a changeling queen she did need to eat more physical food than her children so always joined Tia at the table.

“What’s this Tia?” Imago was picking up traces of love from the drink.

“Apple family cider. Special blend for family members. I always get some of the first batch delivered via my guards.” She sniffed her own mug and hummed with delight. “Try it.”

Imagos eyes went wide. Not only was it delicious but the drink was infused with enough love for a proper meal. Setting the mug back down she purred happily, mildly love drunk.

“Good?” Celestia sipped on her own tankard.

Imago nodded and began nuzzling Celestia.