Apple Hospitality

As it turns out, you'd run deeper into the forest and had nearly made it to the fork in the path where the Running of the Leaves goes one way, and Applejack likes going the other way. Of course, that means you missed more than a third of the trail while running in a blind rage, but at least you can enjoy the rest of it.

Occasionally, Applejack would stop and point out a certain tree or clearing, talking about its history, or about something that happened when she was a foal.

Your hand almost never leaves her, whether it was scratching behind her ears, resting lightly on her withers... or making her jump as it explored other areas. More than once, you'd be swatted away by her tail and you'd laugh and return your hand to higher ground. Similarly, she'd tease you with calculated tail flicks when she knew you were looking, or with surprise nuzzles to your groin when she knew you weren't.

But mostly, you just silently walked and enjoyed the view together, so you were understandably surprised when she broke the silence with a sudden question.

"What about foals, Anon?"

"...What, huh?"

Your hand lifts from her rump in surprise and she gives you an apologetic look, "I know, I know, I'm sorry. We ain't hardly been together a day an' here I am jumpin' straight to the big questios, but... I just can't stop thinkin' about it."

"About foals?"

She grimaces and nods, "Ever since it came up with Fluttershy it's been buggin' at my mind."

"What about them, though?"

"Well... I ain't no medical pony, but you're a monkey an' I'm a horse. Pretty sure that don't add up."

You grunt in comprehension and rub your chin thoughtfully, "Man, you weren't kidding about jumping straight to the big questions..."

She groans and slaps a hoof to her muzzle, "I know, sorry! Look, just forget it. We can figure out stuff like that later."

You chuckle and kneel, rubbing a comforting hand on her neck, "Nah, I don't mind. It's probably a good idea to consider our future since we're such an odd couple." She gives you a sheepish grin and you smile reassuringly, "I guess... we could adopt?"

"Well... sure it's possible, but abandoned foals are pretty rare even in big cities like Baltimare and Fillidelphia, an' there're so many sterile or lonely mares out there seeking foals, it's hard as hay to find any foals that ain't adopted already."

"I guess that makes sense with how... well, nice this world is. Back on Earth, there are so many abandoned children, orphanages are practically begging people to adopt."

You both continue walking as you ponder the issue, then Applejack abruptly says, "An' before ya think about it, no I ain't gonna let some stallion 'donate' to me while I'm in heat."

"Uh, I wasn't... okay, well maybe I would have thought about it, but hang on--when you say 'donate,' do you mean ponies handle that by literally just... letting a stallion breed you?"

"Eyup."

"You can't... I dunno, magically inseminate?"

"Not that I know of, but even if ya could, it'd likely cost way too much. Remember what I told you 'bout Medicorns? Expensive-as-hay medical unicorns trained in Manehatten?"

"Still, I'd talk to Twilight about it. Hell, maybe there's even a spell that'd make us fertile together."

She hesitates, then nuzzles your hand affectionately, "I hope so. I know it's early, but... I'd really like that."

You hope so too, if only because you'd feel guilty if a relationship with you meant she could never have foals. More than that, however, you're surprised yourself liking the idea too. You'd never wanted kids back home--didn't want to raise children in such a terrible place--but if it was here and with her...

You stop and kneel next to her, setting a hand on her cheek, "Maybe you're right and it's too early to be talking like this, but... AJ, I'd love to raise a family with you."

Her face lights up and her eyes glisten before she lurches forward and thuds into your chest. You chuckle and wrap your arms around her, gently stroking her mane. You hold each other for a long time, the leaves rustling around you in the light breeze. Finally, she pulls back and looks at you, smiling and seeming oddly thoughtful.

"...What?"

She doesn't reply. Instead she sets a hoof on your cheek and pulls your head down. Bemused, you bow your head obediently.

With one quick motion, she flips her hat up and tucks it down over your head.

Your eyes widen and you fall back, sitting down heavily. As if afraid you might damage it, you gingerly reach a hand up in front of you and gently touch the brim of the hat between your eyes.

"Applejack..."

Smiling broadly, she sits in front of you and nods once, "Reckon it suits ya."

You recall a conversation from what feels like ages ago with Big Mac about a picture of Pear Butter and Bright Mac.

"B-But... your father--"

"Ain't here, is he now?"

You carefully reach up with both hands and shift the hat slightly, settling it more firmly on your head. It smells just like her.

Your awed whisper can barely be heard, "Has... anyone ever worn...?"

"Just lil' Bloom."

You pinch the brim of the hat between thumb and forefinger and pull it just a tiny bit further down.

Finally, you tilt your head up and meet Applejack's gaze. She smiles and nods, "Lookin' mighty fine there."

At a total loss for words, you simply reach forward and pull her into a tight embrace.

"Alright, well, we're nearly at the end of the trail, now."

"Aw, already?"

"Pff, already? We been walkin' for hours!"

"Oh. Time flies, I guess."

"Anywho, ya might'a noticed the trail never strayed far from Ponyville an' just circled round the side of the town."

You scoff and she chuckles.

"Right, well maybe ya ain't quite familiar enough with the land to notice that, but I'm tellin' ya, that's what it did. The end of the trail'll actually spit us out right near the school an' your home on the path that leads to the farm."

"Oh, that's convenient."

She nods happily, "Eyup. That's how I found the trail in the first place as a foal--finish class, got some time to kill, look around for somethin' to do, an' what do I find? Why, a path right off the side of school that goes all the way round town."

"Why didn't we just enter from this side, then?"

"Figured by the time we finished the trail, you'd rather be almost home 'stead of havin' to walk clear across town to get back."

"Ah, good thinking."

You walk on in silence, then a sour thought crosses your mind--one you hate to bring up at all, but it's probably important.

"Well... seeing me like this, ponies are probably gonna realize we're more than just friends, so... do you, uh... I guess want your hat back?"

"Nope."

You look down, surprised, and she nickers contentedly, "I've decided I don't care to hide it anymore. Dammit Anon, I love you, an' buck anypony who thinks you're anythin' but a boon to this world." You smile and rub her neck appreciatively as she continues, "What're they even gonna do? All six Elements of Harmony like you and approve of you livin' here, an' I'm pretty sure both Princess Celestia an' Princess Luna do too." She scoffs dismissively, "If anypony has a problem with you or with us, I reckon it's their problem, not ours."

You think for a moment, then smirk, pinch the brim of her hat, and tip your head, "Well thank you, m'lady."

Applejack clicks her tongue and holds out a hoof, "Alright, nope, nevermind. Give it back."

You laugh, grab her hoof, and pull her up to stand on her hind legs in front of you, "Alright alright, I'm sorry. I won't embarrass myself in your hat, I promise."

She snorts in your face, pretending to be angry for just a moment, then she breaks into a grin and says, "It really does look good on you, y'know."

"Thanks, but you look incomplete with out."

"Well that just means y'all complete me."

You roll your eyes but can't resist smiling, "How come you're allowed to be cheesy but I'm not?"

She winks at you and drops back to the ground, "It's the hat, Anon. Respect the hat."

"What, hats and cheese don't go together?"

"Well 'course! Ain't that culinary 101?"

"Mmm, think I failed that class."

"That explains a lot, actually."

"Hey!" You smack her rump playfully, making her whinny and she trots away as fast as her injured leg will allow. You growl playfully, then jog lightly after her, "Git back 'ere! I ain't done with you yet!"

She looks over her shoulder in mock terror of the predator chasing her. Then her cast catches on a vine and she slams to the ground with a sharp cry.

With a cry of your own, you break into a full sprint and drop to her side in seconds. She's curled up on her side, forehoof cradling her injured foreleg.

"Shit, AJ, that looked bad. You didn't hit your head, did you?" She opens a teary eye and gives a tiny shake of her head. "Alright, lemme see your cast."

Gingerly, she releases her injured leg and slowly straightens her shoulder. She seems to be able to fully extend her leg, but you see the vine left a noticeable impression on the cast where it caught and you suck in your breath.

"Damn... this cast took a lot of force when it caught on that vine. She takes a deep breath and shakes her head, as if to clear it, "I really hope that didn't worsen your injury... we should get you back to the farm and bring the doctor in to look at you again."

She grunts and rolls onto her belly, "I'm... I'm fine."

"Oh for the love of... Applejack, everypony already knows you're tough, you don't have to prove yourself! There's no sense in making things worse to try and act even tougher!"

She growls and stands up, "I said I'm fine! I just landed hard on my shoulder is all, my leg is fine."

"There's a fucking dent where that vine caught your cast. How much force does it even take to dent a cast!?"

She snorts and starts walking away evenly without even a trace of a limp. "I guess not enough force to hurt me, 'cause I ain't buckin' hurt."

You hesitate when you see her walk away so normally, "...We should still probably have the doctor double check--"

"Ponyfeathers," she says, interrupting you with a wave of a hoof, "No sense payin' for another doctor's visit when I ain't hurt."

You sigh heavily and stand to follow her, "Fine... fine. Can you please just promise me you'll tell me if that leg starts hurting? Even a little bit?"

"Yeah yeah, alright. Yeesh."

The two of you walk on in stony silence for a few minutes, then you gently rest your hand on her withers and her ear flicks as if in annoyance.

"Look, I'm sorry, okay? You know I only worry because I care about you, right? I know how important it is that you can gallop and buck and all that, so I'd hate to see you with a permanent limp or something."

She sighs and relaxes slightly, "I know... an' I'm sorry too. I think my heat's makin' it harder to control my temper just like other emotions."

"Yeah... I didn't want to say anything but I was kinda wondering about that."

"It's just..." She lets out a frustrated sigh, "Part of the problem with being tough like this is if somepony thinks somethin's wrong when it ain't, they'll insist I'm just acting tough and try to fix a problem that ain't there."

You grimace, "Well... please just be careful okay? I know ponies aren't exactly the same as horses back on Earth, but from what I remember a leg injury on an Earth horse is bad news. Like, almost always permanently crippling kind of bad."

Applejack nods and even smiles a bit, but just as she's opening her mouth to respond, you hear a familiar filly's soft voice, "Anon? Applejack!?"

You look up and realize you'd been so focused on talking with Applejack you hadn't even noticed you left the trail and were now approaching the Ponyville School. Sweetie Belle is waving at you from near the entrance of the school and she trots up, looking relieved.

"There you are! Scootaloo and I have been wondering where any of you have been!"

"What'd'ya mean, any of us? Any of who?"

"Well, anyone from the Apple Family, really. We haven't seen Apple Bloom since the day before yesterday, and Scoot said she saw Granny yesterday, but she was moving faster than she'd ever seen and looked worn to, uh... w-well, she said a bad word."

Applejack's ears fold down, "Sweet Celestia, they must be workin' themselves to the bone!" She looks up at you, worry etched into her face, "We'd best get back there right quick! Both of us are healed enough to help with at least some of the minor work. Can't believe I spent so much time doin' nothing, an' during the harvest of all times!"

She prances nervously in place, then winces and stops suddenly, shifting weight off her cast. You scowl, but don't comment on it.

She turns and starts trotting toward the farm and you crouch in front of Sweetie Belle, "We both hurt our legs and were taking time off to recover. Thanks for letting us know what's going on."

"You're welcome, Anon! I hope I see you and Apple Bloom again soon."

You nod and turn away, lengthening your stride to catch up with Applejack and saying, "You'd better not be blaming yourself, AJ. You didn't choose to relax, they ordered you to take time off."

"Ah could'a stayed an' helped with somethin' though!"

"You know as well as I they'd have refused to let you help and force you to stay in bed."

"I'd like to see 'em try!"

You chuckle grimly, "You just might, when we get back there... Don't think I didn't see you wince a moment ago--I know that leg is hurting you, Applejack. You have got to take it easy and let it heal, and I bet they'll tell you the same thing."

"Tartarus! Would y'all drop it already!?"

"Dammit girl, don't you get it? You won't be ANY help if you permanently damage that leg! It's better to rest a couple of days then help once you're back to normal than to push yourself for a couple of days and wind up crippled for the rest of your life!"

"I ain't gonna permanently damage it 'cause it ain't buckin' hurt!"

You scowl and fall silent, hoping her family will be better at getting through to her.

Just a few minutes later, the two of you enter the farm and Applejack immediately turns to trot off down one of the rows of the orchard.

"Wait, where are you going?"

"Harvestin' this field over here next was the plan, so they oughta be over yonder."

Sure enough, the two of you soon find a sweaty Big Mac and a sleepy looking Apple Bloom working to collect some apples. Applejack trots right up toe Big Mac just as he walks over to another tree. His head is hanging low and he doesn't even seem to notice her until she's standing right in front of him, then his head jerks up and he looks concerned.

"AJ? Somethin' wrong?"

"Buck yeah, somethin's wrong! Y'all're workin' yourselves near to death while I sit around an' do nothin'!"

He relaxes and shrugs, "S'okay."

"What!? No it ain't! I'm plenty healed enough to help now."

Big Mac rolls his eyes and Applejack snorts angrily, "Look, I ain't sayin' I'll be buckin' any trees, but I oughta at least be able to carry some baskets around an' give lil' Bloom a break."

Apple Bloom scowls and points a hoof at Applejack, "Ah ain't a foal, Applejack! Ah can do this myself! ...Well, myself an' Big Mac, o'course."

Applejack's gaze softens, "I know ya can, sugarcube. I ain't sayin' you can't. But you'd be so plum tuckered out by the time ya finished you wouldn't hardly be able to stand tomorrow. Let me take a bit of the load off an' you'll be more useful tomorrow."

Apple Bloom hesitates, opens her mouth to respond, then is interrupted by a huge yawn.

Applejack smirks, "Bloom, ya need a break. Your friends miss you an' you're obviously tired. Get home an' rest up a bit. I can handle this."

The filly looks uncertainly up at Big Mac but he just shrugs impassively.

"Well... alright, sis. Just... don't push yerself too hard, y'hear?"

Applejack grunts an affirmative and picks up a basket. She nods at Big Mac to continue but he hesitates and asks, "You... sure you're alright?"

"Darn tootin! Now get buckin'."

He glances at you and you can only grimace. You'd hope he and Apple Bloom would put up more of a fight, but they both seem too tired to make a real effort.

As the older ponies get started, Apple Bloom trots up to you and you squat to hear her whisper, "Is she really alright?"

You rub your temples in frustration, "No, she's not. Her leg is obviously hurting her, but she won't fuc... uh, she won't admit it. Send Granny over here on your way back to the farm, please. Maybe she can smack some sense into her."

She stifles another yawn, then nods and trots away slowly. You stand and fetch a basket from the cart, then approach the ponies as they work.

"Look, Applejack--"

"I'm buckin' fine, Anon!"

You jerk back, hurt by the way she snaps without even looking at you.

"I... I was just gonna say at least let me help too. No point stressing your leg while I just sit here and do nothing, right?"

She shuffles another basket around just in time for Big Mac's kick before turning to you. Her eyes linger on the basket in your arms and she raises an eyebrow at you.

"Ain't you supposed to be takin' it easy too?"

"I was just sore from working too hard, not actually injured. I'm more than capable of picking up some slack."

Applejack thinks for a second, then grins and nods, "Hey Big Mac!"

The stallion halts and slowly turns to look at his little sister. Her smile twists, becoming a mocking sneer.

"Betcha can't buck enough trees to keep up with both of us!"

His eyes narrow and he snorts defiantly. He looks straight up to stretch his neck, shakes his head, then arches his back and stretches one hind leg, then the other. Finally he looks down at Applejack again, his head held high and proud, a corner of his mouth quirked up in a smug grin.

"Shore can."

"N-No wait--" you start.

He twirls on his forehooves and bucks a nearby tree and Applejack dashes under it, smirking at you. Abruptly Big Mac is beside you and his hooves thump powerfully into the tree you were standing beside. You scramble to lift the basket and barely catch half the falling apples.

Applejack trots past you, "C'mon Anon, on yer hooves, now!"

The stallion hops to another tree and bucks it almost before Applejack has time to scoot under it and you rush to pick up your fallen apples. You toss the last apple into the basket then stand and turn around.

"Applejack--"

You flinch as Big Mac's hooves slam into another tree just in front of you, and again, you miss several apples.

She chuckles, carrying a fresh basket from the cart across her back, "Didn't y'all say you were more'n capable?"

You swear under your breath and rush to pick up the fallen apples, then fetch a new basket from the cart, already panting. "This is... too much... dammit!"

You jog back just in time for another pair of hoof blows and this time you only miss a couple of apples.

"Aww, y'ain't gettin' tired already, are ya!?" Applejack says mockingly, "Wanna follow Bloom an' rest up some more?"

"I mean... too much for--"

Your words are cut off by another loud thump and Applejack deftly catches every apple, "Yee-haw! Now this is more like it! I been sittin' still for way too long!"

Big Mac pauses and looks over your shoulder at something behind you, his sides heaving. Applejack laughs, trotting back from the cart, "Don't stop now! Can't have Anon sittin' still now, can we?"

With an excited whoop, she dashes over to the tree beside you and whirls. Her hind hooves strike the tree with a surprisingly underwhelming 'whomp.' She yelps and instinctively raises her injured foreleg, causing her to lose her balance and fall sideways. She gasps, then bites her tongue and glares are you furiously as if daring you to say something.

"An' jus' WUT in tarnation ya think yer doin' there, little missy!?"

Applejack's angry glare melts away as Granny Smith steps up from behind you. You barely stifle a gasp at the sight of the old mare. Her mane is haggard and wild, there's an obvious limp in her gait, and the bags under her eyes are so pronounced they look almost sickly.

Still, even in this condition, her anger is a fearsome sight as she walks up to scold Applejack. "Ah thought ah dun told ya t'stay off o'that there hoof! Ain't ya got a brain or d'ya jus' got oats in yer noggin?"

Applejack scrambles to her hooves and stands up straight and tall. "Granny, it's fine. It don't hurt, promise. I was just runnin' around with all them baskets an' ain't hardly felt a tickle."

The old mare walks up and glares at Applejack suspiciously, then, quicker than you thought the old mare was capable, a forehoof lashes out and thumps down on Applejack's shoulder right above her cast, pressing her hoof down into the dirt.

To her credit, Applejack barely even twitches an ear.

Granny stares a moment longer, then her expression softens and she relaxes, slumping tiredly. "Weeell, I 'spose if yer really feelin' alright, we could shore use the extra hooves, that's for dang sure."

You rub your eyes tiredly and sigh in frustration, "Granny, please tell me you can see she's only pretending it doesn't hurt."

She looks over her shoulder and shrugs, "Ah dunno, dearie. Mostly she ain't nearly that good at fakin' it."

"But the doctor--"

Applejack cuts you off with a hoof stomp, walking angrily up to you, "Sour Apples, Anon! Do ya want me to be bored all day?"

"What? No, of course not, I just--"

"Then why can't ya just let me buckin' work!? For Celestia's sake, do ya even see the condition these two are in?"

"It's just... Applejack, if that leg doesn't heal right, you'd be--"

"It's obviously healin' just fine! Look at me!"

She whirls around on the spot and bucks a nearby tree, striking much harder this time, and apples fall to the ground around you. However, you watch her forelegs as she kicks and you notice her good hoof digs deep into the dirt while her cast barely even bends the grass.

"See!?" she says triumphantly.

"But you just put all your weight on your good hoof!"

She hesitates, ears perking up in clear surprise that you caught that, then her ears fold back angrily again, "So what? I can buck just as good on one hoof, so I ain't gotta risk the injury at all!"

You look pleadingly at Granny, but she only languidly shrugs her shoulders, "Ain't gonna lie to ya, Anon. We're mighty hard pressed 'ere with no hooves from Appaloosa. If'n she can do all that, I ain't really seein' a problem."

You gape at her, "But--she... you're just gonna let her strain that injury?"

Applejack steps in front of you and shouts in your face, "Quit tryin' to buckin' baby me, Anon! I know my body, I know my limits, an' I know I can buckin' do this!"

You're starting to get desperate now, "Didn't you just tell Apple Bloom not to push herself?"

"Yeah, so?"

"This is exactly the same, only for you, pushing too hard could leave you crippled for life!"

Applejack just stares at you and several emotions flash across her face. Then she grimaces and drops her head.

"I see how it is," she says quietly. When she looks up again, her face is grim and her eyes smolder with anger and hurt, "You're so caught up thinkin' what if I push too hard 'cause ya just plain don't trust me, do ya?"

Your eyes widen, "What? N-No, I do, I only mean--"

She jabs a hoof at you, almost spitting her words, "Don't you buckin' lie to me, Anon! If ya trusted me, ya wouldn't be so damn convinced I'll hurt myself worse!"

You cringe from the sudden vehemence in her voice and back away, but she just follows you, still shouting, "Ya don't trust me to take care o' myself, think ya can control me, do things how y'all want!"

"P-Please, that's not what--"

"An' if ya can't trust me to do even this little thing, how else're you gonna try an' coddle me!?"

Your back presses up against the trunk of a tree.

Applejack rears and slams her forehooves into the tree on either side of your head, her face only inches from yours, angry tears welling in her eyes, "Well if that's how it's gon' be, then buck you, buck yer help, an' buck off outta this farm!"

"Wait! Applejack I-I never meant--"

She pulls back a hoof and you flinch, raising an arm to try and block the blow. Her foreleg whips out, yanks her hat away, and slams it back onto her own head.

Your throat tightens with emotion.

Her face leans close, eyes narrow, voice a harsh whisper.

"Don't. Come. Back."

Your heart thunders in your chest. She turns away and walks slowly toward the cart.

"A-Applejack, please, I j-just--"

She spins around and screams, "GET THE BUCK OFF'A MY FARM!"

You recoil so hard you fall over backwards and without another word she turns and walks away.

Big Mac and Granny are saying something, but it doesn't matter now.

The world begins to blur as you choke on a sob.

You scramble to your feet and start to run.

You hear shouts behind you.

They don't matter either.

Nothing matters now.