Familiar Skies: Part 1

Applejack

The sun was barely peeking its way past distant hills and yet, Applejack lay awake in bed. She'd awoken early, too early. An instinct left over from living and working on her family's Apple farm. The noise of the big city was still difficult for her to get used to, making it even harder to fall asleep in an already unfamiliar setting.

The early morning was one of the few, slightly quieter moments of the day- though not by much. The covers were still warm, and Applejack was tempted to simply try and fall back asleep. But, she didn't want to. So, she arose and pushed the covers off, facing the chilling cool-ness of the air around her.

She brushed her mane and tied her golden locks into two small ponytails. She stepped quietly out of her room and stopped just outside her Aunt and Uncle's bedroom. Their door was shut, and notably she could still hear the gentle sound of snores and rustling bedding.

Applejack made her way to the small kitchen, tucked away in a corner of the home. The dining area was far larger than the kitchen, and separate from it... unlike the conjoined one in her family's home. There were many small details like this that Applejack didn't understand about fancy livin'.

The filly looked around the cabinets and pantry, trying to decide what she could make for breakfast. She knew her Aunt and Uncle wouldn't be asleep for long, and she desperately wanted to lend a hoof in hospitality. If she was going to stay there, she might as well make herself useful.

She gathered eggs, flour, sugar and milk and began mixing together a simple pancake mix. Normally she'd be inclined to mix in applesauce, or serve them with apple slices. But, there were none here, and she wasn't sure how well oranges would go with pancakes.

Half an hour later, Aunt and Uncle Orange had risen and were getting ready for their day. Uncle Orange stopped brushing his mane into place and made a curious expression. He looked to his wife who was comparing different extravagant necklaces in front of a mirror.

"Do you smell that?" He asked, setting down the brush and walking towards their bedroom door.

"Hm?" Aunt Orange hummed, not noticing as her husband walked away.

Uncle Orange opened the door and the sweet, homely smell wafted into the room. Pancakes... he hadn't had such a simple food in a long time. He peered down the hall and heard the gentle clanging of someone working in the kitchen. He leaned back in the bedroom and looked towards his wife.

"I believe someone is treating us to breakfast." He called back, a cheeky grin spread across his face.

Aunt Orange finally tuned into what her husband was talking about, and she set down her necklaces on the dresser.

"What?" She asked, turning and looking puzzled. She stepped towards the bedroom door and also peered down the hall.

The sweet, alluring scent of pancakes enveloped Aunt Orange, and she felt a swell of emotions. The recipe she was sure her niece was using... she hadn't had it in so long, but the memories of family and days gone by flooded into her mind.

Compelled by memories, Aunt Orange rushed out of her room and down the hall. She stood staring for a moment, watching as her niece rushed around the kitchen. Applejack flipped the pancakes with professional ease, and quickly plated them in a pleasingly golden-brown stack. She had only been cooking for a short time, but the single plate she was using to store them was stacked considerably high.

Aunt Orange shook herself out of her shocked state, and quickly rushed over to her niece.

"Applejack dear- what is all this?" She asked, still bewildered by her niece's quick cooking skills.

Applejack twitched at her Aunt's sudden appearance, but quickly maintained her previous composure. She didn't even look over at her Aunt as she continued cooking.

"Sorry Auntie Orange- I'll clean all this up!" She replied, pouring the last of the batter onto a skillet.

"I jus' thought it'd be nice if I... well since y'all... you and Uncle have been so welcoming to me- I thought I should make some breakfast... as a thank you, I guess." The filly trailed off as she flipped and plated the last pancakes. She gave a weary glance to her Aunt.

Aunt Orange blinked and gave a small smile. "Well, that was very kind of you, dear." She replied. "I'm sure they'd go well with some fresh orange juice- or slices. Here, let me help you take them to the table."

Aunt Orange carried the plate with a practiced grace, the considerable stack didn't sway or wobble once as she set it down on the neat white table cloth. Applejack couldn't wait to dig in- all that work had made her hungry. Though she knew her Aunt and Uncle had a certain etiquette when eating their meals, even if there weren't any other guests around.

Uncle Orange appeared in the dining room not long after, and together the three had a nice, albeit quiet meal. Applejack thought of striking up a conversation many times. But in between her actively trying to remember her manners, and actually eating the food, she couldn't find a good time to break the ice.

Sometime after breakfast, Applejack sat alone in the living room of her Aunt and Uncle's home. Her Uncle had gone out to the market, and she was sure he'd be gone for quite some time. Everything seemed to take longer here, in the big city- and yet move at a rapid pace. She wondered how her family ever got used to it... she wasn't sure she ever would.

She sat staring at the various strange decor pieces and professionally done photographs of her Aunt and Uncle scattered about the walls. Well, scattered wasn't entirely the best word- everything was truly organized and thoroughly thought out.

Every decoration precisely placed, down to the color coordination of the entire room. The rest of their home was much in the same way, though to Applejack, was far more noticeable in the living room. She rubbed her leg nervously as she gazed around the room. She'd already helped out with chores and cleaned the dishes she'd used. Now... well she wasn't sure what to do, except take in the pretty- but odd scenery.

She heard a sudden clatter in the next room, and she quickly turned her attention to the noise. Glad to finally have something other than her surroundings to focus on. She promptly got up and headed towards the origin of the sound. The room just past the living room was a small washing room, of which the door was usually kept shut.

As Applejack rounded the corner she saw her Aunt hauling a basketful of fresh, shiny oranges in from a screen door. Applejack stole a glance behind her Aunt, and, for somehow the first time since being there- saw the green and luscious backyard just beyond the screen door.

She was curious about the yard beyond, but quickly drew her attention back to her Aunt. Aunt Orange was struggling with the basket strapped to her back as she moved past the washing bins. Her Aunts usually perfect mane was bundled into a tight braid that was propped up high. Her neck was twisted to look back at where the basket had been caught. She grunted as she scrapped it along the wall, trying to pry it free.

With the jerky motion, the oranges piled into the basket began to shake and roll. Applejack jumped forward as a single, stray orange fell out of the basket.

She quickly swiped the fruit before it fell onto the floor. She held it gently in her hoofs and looked up at her Aunt. Apparently her Aunt hadn't noticed her until that moment.

"Oh, thank you." She huffed, twisting her legs as she clambered out of the room and into the small hallway. Aunt Orange wiped a hoof across her forehead and sighed.

"It's such a pain to get this darned basket through here!" She huffed. She glanced back at the wall, thankful that the paint hadn't been scrapped off in the struggle. Though she was sure it was only a matter of time before that might happen.

"Why don't ya use a smaller basket?" Applejack asked, placing the runaway orange back in with the rest.

Aunt Orange began making her way towards the kitchen, replying as she walked. "I would love to, but unfortunately-" She gently tilted her hips and slid the basket onto the countertop.

"It is the only basket that will fit a full harvest of oranges from the trees." She stated. Aunt Orange began inspecting the oranges, ensuring nothing was rotten or damaged.

"Well, if ya need help bringin' them in... I can help with that." Applejack stepped forward. She wasn't sure how different harvesting oranges would be, compared to apples. But, she was more than sure she was capable of it. She might even enjoy it. It'd be one more step to this place feeling like home.

Aunt Orange stopped her inspection and looked to her niece. She could see the hope in her shimmering green eyes, and Aunt Orange knew that even at this young age, Applejack was well versed in harvesting and preserving fruit.

In many ways, and in ways she wouldn't ever admit, the home that Aunt Orange forged for herself was incredibly similar to the life she'd left behind in Ponyville.

Aunt Orange sighed, and carefully considered her words as she spoke.

"Alright Applejack, I suppose that would be fine. The next time I need to harvest some oranges, I will enlist your help." Aunt Orange felt a small swell of pride as she saw her niece's eyes light up at her response. She supposed that if Applejack was to truly stay here long-term, that she ought to learn the tricks of the trade. She had much to learn about business in the big city.

Applejack leaned up and looked at the oranges, and the many supplies her Aunt had out to begin work.

"So... what do ya make with oranges, anyhow?" She asked. Applejack was sure that her Aunt had a similar gig that her own Apple family did back home- selling fruity goods to the local stores. She was sure of the WHY but not the HOW. She had never heard of an orange pie- or orange cider, or anything of the like.

In her mind, oranges were a more limiting fruit. But, it was her Aunt AND Uncle's talent... and they were related to her, so there must be SOME use these fruits had.

Aunt Orange replied, and began flipping through the pages of a recipe book she'd made herself.

"You're Uncle and I sell many treats and specialty foods at our store, most of which you can ONLY find in our store- that's the key to drawing ponies in." She replied, feeling herself become enthused with explaining her business practice.

"Treats?" Applejack questioned. "Like, candy?"

"Sometimes yes," Aunt Orange replied, flipping through the pages of her recipe book. "Although we make a lot more than that."

"We make cakes and preserves. If it's a very hot summer we sell popsicles and ice-cream. Ponies around here especially enjoy our marmalades and of course, candied peels."

Aunt Orange carried on for some time, telling her niece not only of recipes, but also new food ideas she'd been having, and thought of selling in their store. Applejack listened with great interest, gradually becoming interested in trying these foods, and wanting to learn to make them herself.

The day drifted by and Applejack had helped- though mostly watched- as her Aunt worked at making new treats to bring into the store. After many hours of hard and dedicated work, Aunt Orange packed up the supplies and left to drop off the goods. Though she had left Applejack with one of the chocolate-orange muffins she'd just baked.

Applejack had been put off by the flavor concept, but found it to be one of the best muffins she'd ever had. Still not as great as her Granny's apple-cinnamon muffins- but still good. Her Uncle had come home from the market not long after, and he began preparing dinner. Thankfully, no-one was expected to show up for the evening, so the meal would be considerably better than a pathetically small appetizer.

With her Aunt and Uncle preoccupied, Applejack found herself sitting alone in the living room once more. This time she took in more of the details of her surroundings. She noticed a large binder stuffed at the bottom of a nearby dresser.

The side exposed looked much like the many family albums back home, though considerably faded. Applejack quickly pulled the binder out of its spot, and laid on her stomach on the floor as she looked it over.

It was a family album, as she'd expected. Though the album was unlabeled, she was sure it held many great memories from her Aunt's life- probably some from her Uncle's side as well.

Applejack hadn't asked about her Aunts previous life when she'd arrived. She hadn't thought it right to ask, though she was immensely curious about it.

Applejack slowly opened the book, gently flipping the cover open, as if the book would crumble into dust if she was too rough with it.

Her eyes drew in the captured moments before her. Her Aunt and Mother as small foals, playing, hiding under covers, running through green fields and flower beds. Moments from their early life held still in a single frame. Applejack felt her eyes well up as she flipped through the pages, and took in the scenes before her. But one image made her pause, and the tears as well stood still, refusing to fall from her eyes.

She took a closer look, and was confused. She flipped back through the previous pages and took in more details she hadn't noticed before. She had only been focused on seeing her mother, and she had seen her- and her aunt at early stages of their life. But, a now glaring detail she'd at first missed was the scenery around the two fillies- and she had only noticed it when looking at the cutiemark of a stallion she didn't recognize.

Her Mother and Aunt were in an orchard, but NOT of Apples. Not a single apple tree- nor orange tree- were around either mare in any picture. And, prominently, any extra family member had a PEAR cutiemark. Applejack rapidly flipped through the previous pages- and the realization hit her like a fully-loaded apple cart.

It shouldn't be possible- heck she didn't even entirely believe it- but, it HAD to be true. Her Mother had been a pear?! The sudden realization ripped Applejack out of her melancholy.

How come she'd never been told this? How come Granny always showed such hatred for pears- knowing her Mother was one! Her parents could have told her- they'd had so much time to. But now they never could... she wondered if Big Mac knew. Would Granny even say anything? She'd been so distant since Ma and Pa were... gone.

Applejack rubbed her head and folded the book shut. She placed one hoof over the cover and sighed. The realization was a shocker to her, though it hadn't changed how she'd felt about her Mother.... though she certainly had questions.

Her Aunt wasn't a pear either though, Applejack noted. She was an Orange, and she had such a passion for the fruit. Yet how could she have gotten a different cutiemark? Did her family disapprove? So many questions filled Applejack's mind, and many of which she wasn't sure it was her place to ask.

Applejack turned her head to the doorway as she heard hoove-steps approaching. Her Uncle walked into the living room and smiled at her.

"Dinner is in the oven, it should be ready in about an hour." He announced, clearly proud of the meal he'd spent the last few hours making.

He noticed the binder Applejack held under her hooves and his body suddenly stiffened. "Oh..." he said, unsure of what he should say.

He slowly walked over to where Applejack sat and looked down at the dusty album. "You're um... thinking of your parents, right?" He asked, his tone hesitant.

Applejack nodded, and glanced at the binder beneath her. She slid it towards her Uncle and stood up from the floor.

"Yeah..." she replied. "I just... I didn't know my Momma... I didn't know she was a pear- or Auntie Orange." Applejack concluded, still feeling confused and a little betrayed.

"OH." Uncle Orange said, now feeling even more put on the spot. His wife's past wasn't something she liked to speak on- and he knew she only kept those pictures for the sake of her sister.

"Well... your Aunt doesn't really like to talk about... that. It wasn't a good life for her. Well, not towards the end anyway..." He trailed off. This entire scenario was incredibly uncomfortable for him. He could only imagine how Applejack must feel. Clearly the Apples hadn't talked about the past either.

From what he'd heard from his wife, he didn't hold it against them. That entire time the pear farm neighbored the apples... It wasn't fun for anyone involved.

"I'm sure your parents had good reason to not tell you." He still wasn't sure what to say- or if he even should. He had never met his wife's sister- or her family until Applejack had come knocking at their door. Though he had consoled his wife when her sister was gone. That was what sent Applejack here, after all.

"Their time at the Pear farm," Uncle Orange continued, "Your mother and your aunt- it was not an easy time for them. Circumstances... certain circumstances made their lives very difficult. For one reason or another." He wasn't sure this was going anywhere, or if it was bringing any solace to his niece.

Applejack stared at the carpet as her Uncle spoke. She was still confused... but if it was something painful for her Mother and Aunt to remember... maybe it was best she didn't know about it. Or ask.

Uncle Orange rubbed his foreleg nervously and looked at the album again. It was probably only a matter of time before Applejack would've learned about her messy family history. And maybe it was a good thing his wife wasn't here to deal with it on her own. Though he wasn't faring much better in comforting his niece.

As he stared at the cover though, an idea struck him. He promptly picked up the binder and began making his way towards the bedroom hallway.

"Hold on- I have an idea. Just wait here." He called back.

Applejack looked up as he left and watched him rush out of the living room. She was even more confused by this action, but she promptly took a seat on the couch again.

Ten minutes later, her Uncle re-emerged from the bedroom hall, carrying a shiny golden chain in one of his hooves. Applejack sat upright, and stared with intense curiosity as her Uncle walked over and presented the chain to her.

The chain was attached to a small love-heart shaped locket. Applejack gently took the necklace and held it in her hooves, inspecting it closely.

"I know you don't have much here left from your Mother or Father." Uncle Orange began. "But we did get a photo in the mail, not long after they got married. Your Aunt made several copies- she was so happy for them."

Applejack noticed a small groove in one of the sides of the locked, and gently popped it open. Inside, on either side contained a picture of her mother and father. They looked as happy and in love as they ever had. Her Father's mane shined a brilliant red... so close to the mane of her baby sister back home. And her mother was covered in the pretty yellow flowers that always seemed to be around her.

"It's not much, and anyway that locket needed to be used." Uncle Orange commented. "But, I suppose it wouldn't hurt to have a little piece of your home to keep here with you."

Applejack's eyes welled with tears as she stared at the images, and she promptly slid the chain around her neck. It was cold, but a stark reminder of something near and dear to her.

"Thank you." She replied, looking up at her Uncle. He smiled back, his smile hiding the worry that his wife might be upset at him cutting one of the pictures she'd been storing. He'd explain it to her, and he was sure she'd understand. Although he knew Applejack would likely have many questions when Aunt Orange returned home.

With that, her Uncle made his way back into the kitchen and began setting the dining table for dinner. Applejack gently shut the locket closed, and looked down at it as she held it in her hooves. Now her parents would be there for her, no matter where she was, or what she was going through.

Leaving home was hard... but maybe this new place- with all of its flashing lights and loud noises could be a new home, just as loving and caring as her previous one.