Apple Hospitality

As you follow her out your door, you hear a mare murmur faintly, "Oh my, Applejack!" and you turn to see Rarity smirking, a hoof raised to her muzzle.

Applejack's ears flick nervously, "Now don't you go gettin' any ideas. We only been in there a couple o' minutes. I just wanted to look around."

Rarity only grins and winks, then turns to you, "Good morning, Anon!"

"Hello, Rarity. I really appreciate the discount on the clothes, I can't thank--"

"Nonsense! I told you before, think nothing of it. Besides, putting together such unique shapes for your attire was truly inspiring. You should really visit Coco some day, she has been especially fascinated with the designs."

"Uh, I'll try."

"But anyway, I am not simply passing by. Twilight mentioned you were having some trouble making friends and I thought I would see if I could help... but I've tried stopping by several times and you're never here!"

"Oh, uh... I leave early to work on the farm with Applejack. Usually don't get back until after sundown."

She turns to face Applejack, "I do hope you aren't overworking him, darling."

Applejack chuckles, "If anythin' he's overworkin' himself! Why, the only reason we're here is 'cause he's gotta recover from pushin' himself too hard yesterday."

"Oh? Did something happen?"

"Nothin' serious, just he an' Big Mac were out collecting apples all day an' I think Anon had somethin' to prove. Must've worked eight hours straight out in the orchard."

Rarity gasps, "I can see why he needs to recover! Trying to out-work Big McIntosh? Bulk Biceps is likely the only pony who could feasibly give Big Mac a run for his money."

"He did pretty well, bein' honest. Big Mac was definitely sweaty an' tired when they came in."

"Really? That's quite impressive, actually."

"Yeah, according to Apple Bloom they was both lyin' on the ground sweatin' like they'd just ran a marathon when she found 'em."

"Uh..." Both girls turn to you and you feel uncomfortably like you're interrupting rather than participating, "D-Don't give me too much credit for that... All I did was carry baskets of apples around. He did all the real work... y'know, bucking the trees and pulling that giant cart around."

Applejack gives Rarity a sidelong grin, "See that? Told ya he's anythin' but a bragger." Rarity giggles again and Applejack turns to smile at you, "I know he did most of the work, sugarcube, but I ain't exaggeratin' when I say y'all did plenty a work yourself. Y'all went longer'n any of us expected an' the two of y'all went through twice the trees he an' Apple Bloom usually do." Her smile fades and she sighs, "Just... don't do it again, y'hear? Can't have ya so sore ya can't hardly move again."

Rarity grins wickedly, "Oh no, Applejack needs you good and limber!"

Applejack snorts and stomps her forehoof, "Shut yer snout!"

"For clean, honest work on the farm, of course! Nothing more!"

Applejack glares at her like she's trying to set her ablaze with her mind. You shuffle awkwardly, your ears burning.

Rarity only giggles, "But as I was saying, Twilight was worried you were having trouble making friends. Since my work is unseasonably slow at the moment, I thought I might come over and see if I can help."

"I'm already doin' that, Rare. I got it covered."

"Ooh, really? Well, we can work together! I can't imagine anypony would argue with both of us."

Applejack's ears twitch and she opens her mouth but Rarity turns to you before she can speak.

"What do you think, Anon? I know we haven't spent much time together but I think the three of us together could have quite an enjoyable day."

You look to Applejack, whose tail flicks but she doesn't say anything, "Well, I would appreciate some help getting Applejack to relax--'

"Lovely! Applejack, was there somewhere specific you planned to go? If not, I already have several ideas."

Applejack tries to look annoyed but you see the faint blush around her muzzle. "Thought we were here to help you, Anon. Didn't think ya might try an' help me instead."

You smirk and shrug your shoulders and she sighs, "I did have a plan, but let's hear yours, Rarity. Is it the spa again?"

"Well, that would indeed be very relaxing and I'm sure Anon would appreciate a massage, but I think we could help both of you by having a nice lunch together. How does the Caffhay sound?"

"Aw, Rare, ya know I hate it there. Always feel so outta place. Can't we just go to the Hayburger?"

Rarity turns to you, "Which would you prefer, Anon?"

"Um... well, do you like the Hayburger, Rarity?"

"I can't quite say I enjoy someplace so uncouth, but the food is quite good, if a touch greasy."

"So you just kinda don't like the Hayburger whereas Applejack straight up hates the Caffhay? Sounds like an easy choice to me."

Applejack grins and turns away, "Alrighty, sounds good to me!"

Rarity sighs, "Oh alright, I suppose that is a reasonable decision."

The three of you begin walking down the street and Rarity looks up at you, "You and I should really go to the Caffhay one day, though. I'm sure you would appreciate it--the cuisine is just divine!"

Applejack snorts, "Just make sure ya wear the fanciest clothes bits can buy..."

"Oh come now, it isn't nearly as formal as all that."

"The waiters wear tuxes, Rarity! How much more formal can ya get?"

Rarity's mouth drops open in disbelief, then she scoffs, "How... How much more formal? Applejack, please, have you even been to Manehatten? Why, the most casual of diners there would make the Caffhay look like the kitchen in your barn!"

Applejack's ears flip straight back as she shoots Rarity a harsh glare, "An' just what in tarnation is THAT 'sposed to mean!?"

Rarity huffs and opens her mouth to respond, then pauses. After a few seconds, she looks down, her ears drooping. "I'm sorry, Applejack. I didn't mean to offend. I only meant that your family kitchen is likely to most homely and down-to-earth place to eat in... well, probably all of Equestria. It's the polar opposite of a Manehatten high-society restaurant with three hooves from Zesty Gourmand."

Applejack relaxes and smiles apologetically, "Guess I'm sorry too. I shouldn't a snapped like that. I oughta know by now ya ain't tryin' to get under my skin on purpose."

You chuckle quietly and both ponies turn to look at you.

"Somethin' funny, Anon?"

"Yes, I'm not sure what you could be laughing about."

"It's just... watching you two interact. You're both so ridiculously different, yet here you are, best friends, deeply caring for each other, apologizing at the drop of a hat..." You shake your head, "Humans back on Earth could learn a lot from you two."

Rarity tilts her head inquisitively, "Do humans not usually get along?"

You laugh grimly, "I hear it's possible, but not with any of the humans I knew. Right bunch of shitheads they were." Rarity gasps, her ears dropping back, but you wave a hand dismissively, "Nah, fuck 'em, they deserve it. Seriously, everyone I knew was an asshole, even my family. Twilight always felt terrible about bringing me here and was trying to figure out how to send me back... Few days ago I told her I didn't want to go back. Never want to see any of them again."

Applejack jerks to a halt.

With a soft, "Ooh..." You suddenly remember that although you've told Big Mac and Apple Bloom about your family, you'd never gotten around to telling Applejack yet. Very few things are more important to her than family--maybe no things.

You turn to look at her and wince. You could almost see her thoughts on her face, her inner turmoil of emotions fighting for control. Disgust, horror, pity... then surprisingly, relief, and even affection.

"Y-You... never want to see yer f-family again? They... They were that bad?"

You nod solemnly, "I'm sorry, AJ. I meant to tell you, I just... I was pretty nervous about bringing it up."

Applejack's muzzle quivers.

The three of you are standing in the middle of the street, ponies occasionally walking around your little group, most looking concerned for Applejack and some casting suspicious glares at you, the human. Rarity looks around, then points to an empty bench a short distance, speaking quietly but with a firm and commanding voice.

"Come, you two. Go over there and sit. Now."

She bumps your hip with her head to get you moving, then pushes Applejack with a hoof similarly. You walk to the bench and sit down in silence and Applejack sits directly beside you. Rarity stands and strokes your knee, giving you a reassuring smile, then turns to nuzzle Applejack's cheek.

"I'll give you two some time alone. I'll be just over there."

She walks across the street and into what looks like a smoothie shop. Applejack takes a slow, deep breath and then you sigh.

"I really am sorry, Applejack. I didn't mean to just drop that on you all of the sudden. I know how important family is to you, so I was worried about upsetting you... I just never got up the courage to tell you."

She shakes her head slowly and mumbles, "I... I can't even imagine it."

"Imagine what?"

"Hating... well, hating anypony really, but... yer own family?"

She slowly turns to look at you, her eyes damp, "How terrible ya gotta be to get hated by your own kin?"

You grimace and mutter darkly, "You really want to know?"

She hesitates, looking uncertain, then nods, "I th-think I need to... so I can understand."

You nod, look down at your hands in your lap, and begin to speak; no emotion or expression, just a dull, matter-of-fact tone. You describe your father's alcohol fueled rage. How he basically killed your mother. Finding your sister's used heroin needles in the bathroom and hearing her with a new guy in bed every other night. You talk about getting ridiculed every time you actually tried at anything, about your first love--only for her to cheat on you just four days later. And that fucking asshole Kevin. Your best friend, Kevin, who dumped the blame on you, got you expelled, then got you beat half to death.

Overall, you keep it pretty concise and to the point, with almost no elaboration. In fact, you manage to summarize the first twenty years of your miserable life on Earth in less than five minutes. You'd expected to get more emotional. Last time you talked about this, you bawled like a little girl. You expected to feel... something.

You just feel cold.

You calmly look up to meet her gaze again, and Applejack just stares at you with those big green eyes glistening in the sunlight. You can see faint dark lines in her fur where tears have rolled down her muzzle. She takes a shuddering breath, then she lurches forward and hugs your side, tucking her snoot into the crook of your neck. Her stetson hat bumps into the side of your head and slides down her neck. You wrap your arms around her and lay your head on hers.

She feels warm.