Far From the Tree

Chapters

Chapter 4
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 5

Chapter 4

In the predawn darkness, a little filly awoke. In what was becoming a familiar routine, she stretched her limbs and rubbed her sleepy eyes before silently climbing out of her sleeping bag and slipping out of the bedroom, gently closing the door behind her. She quietly trotted down the hall and descended the stairs. Upon entering the kitchen, she came to a dead halt. “Joy!?”

The aforementioned little filly sat at the kitchen table wrapped in her luxurious red bathrobe with a cup in her right hoof and a saucer in the other. “Good morning Apple Bloom,” she greeted.

Rubbing her eyes again, her twin repeated, “Joy?”

Joy smiled and nodded, “I was so excited about working with Miss Rarity today that I could hardly sleep. MacIntosh was kind enough to brew a pot of tea when he made his coffee. Would you care for a cup?”

Apple bloom hesitated, “Uh, sure.”

Joy set her cup and saucer to the side and went to the stove, while her twin examined the magazine her sister had been reading. It was filled with colorful photos of mares dressed in lavish gowns, bedecked with necklaces of glistening gems, and sporting elegant manes that likely took hours to style. A moment later Joy presented Apple Bloom with a cup and a saucer of her own. “Do not worry, the tea has been properly steeped,” she assured.

Confused, she looked down into the unanswering liquid before asking, “Steeped?”

“Letting the tea leaves soak in the boiled water so that the flavors come out,” Joy explained.

“Oh.” Apple Bloom took a seat across from her sister.

“Do you take your tea with something?”

Apple Bloom cocked her head, “What do ya mean?”

“There are many things ponies put into their tea. Sugar, milk, and honey are some of the more popular items,” Joy elaborated. “There is even this scientist that claims a little salt added to the brew makes for the best tea. Can you imagine? Salt!”

“Oh,” she responded noncommittally. Apple Bloom glanced at her own cup for a moment before motioning to the magazine on the table, asking, “What’cha got there?”

“It is the latest issue of Vanity Mare. I wanted to brush up on this year’s summer fashions before going to Carousel Boutique.”

“Y’all really like that stuff?” she asked, lifting her teacup.

Joy nodded, “Definitely. The fashions, the balls, the high society. It is all so fabulous.” She let out a wistful sigh as she seemingly drifted off to some exclusive soiree.

“Bleah!” Nearly dropping her teacup, Apple Bloom stuck out her tongue in utter disgust.

“You do not regularly drink tea?”

Shaking her head, Apple Bloom said, “Not really.” She stared down at the offending fluid, “You like this stuff?”

“Oh, yes. It is one of my favorite drinks.” She thought for a moment, “Well, do not take it too hard, tea is more of an acquired taste, especially without anything else added to the brew.”

“Apple juice is what Ah drink,” her sister proclaimed. Apple Bloom went to the cabinet and retrieved a glass, and then filled it with a familiar amber liquid from the icebox. Returning to her seat, she took a large gulp and smiled happily.

Taking a sip of her tea, Joy asked, “What about you? Do you like fashion?”

Apple Bloom scrunched her nose. “Nah. Ah’m like Applejack. Ah ain’t got time fer any of that fancy stuff.”

Looking pointedly at her sister, Joy observed, “And yet, unlike your friends, you wear a bow in your mane everyday.”

Apple Bloom unconsciously reached up to touch the trademark red bow adorning her mane. “Well, it’s... it’s important....”

“How so?” Joy pressed, leaning over the table as if her twin was going to reveal a closely guarded secret.

“Well, ya see....” Apple Bloom looked down at her apple juice, swishing the glass a little. “Mama used to put a bow in mah mane when Ah was a foal.... Ah... Ah guess Ah wear it fer her.”

Joy leaned back and her ears pressed down on her head. “Oh, I see. I am very sorry I asked.”

“It’s okay.”

“You really miss her?”

Apple Bloom nodded, “Yeah.” Looking up, she asked, “Don’t you?”

Joy took a sip of her tea then sighed, “Not really.”

Apple Bloom’s jaw dropped and her wide eyes teared a little at the words.

Quickly Joy clarified, “I did not even know she was my mother until a few weeks ago. For all of my life, I thought mo... well, I thought my aunt was my mother. I had seen a picture of Pear Butter once, but nopony in the family really wanted to talk about her.”

“Ah... Ah can kinda see that,” she said, gazing back down into her apple juice.

The two sat quietly for a few moments, sipping their tea and drinking their juice.

The door opened and Applejack walked into the room. “Mornin’ everypony. My Joy, yer up early t’day.”

“Yes, Applejack.”

“Bloom, got yer chores dun?”

“Not yet.”

“Well, git out there,” she said, prodding her little sister.

Apple Bloom went outside and visited the outhouse before completing her chores and washing up. Coming into the kitchen, she was again dumbstruck by what she saw. The normal wooden table had been covered with a fine white tablecloth and in the center was a vase with fresh flowers. Around the edge were laid five place settings. On the left sat two forks and a small plate with a knife and to the right sat a knife and spoon, along with a cup and saucer and a tall glass. In the center sat a small stack, with a plate on the bottom, a bowl in the middle, and finally a napkin on top. But these weren’t any old napkins; they had been folded into different shapes including an apple, a bow tie, a bunny, a flower, and a swan.

“What the hay is this?” asked Apple Bloom.

Looking over from the stove, Applejack said, “Joy offered to set the table, though Ah think she might have gone a little overboard.”

“It is a proper place setting, much like you would find in a three hoof dining establishment,” explained Joy matter-of-factly.

“Well, Apple Bloom, go grab yer brother. Joy, go let Granny Smith know we’re ’bout ready to chow down.”

A short time later Joy and Granny Smith came from downstairs while Big Mac entered from outside followed by Apple Bloom. The two newcomers blinked at the kitchen table, but quickly everypony found their place. Granny Smith sat at the head of the table, Apple Bloom took the seat with the flower, Big Mac sat down with the bow tie, Applejack with the bunny, and Joy seated herself at the place setting with the swan.

In short order everypony was eating. Well, most of them were. Once again the family listened to Joy’s talk of fashion and her excitement at visiting Carousel Boutique, and once again Applejack had to prod her into eating the meal. Meanwhile, Apple Bloom remained unusually quiet.

As soon as breakfast was over, Joy disappeared upstairs. Applejack and Granny Smith cleaned up while Big Mac went to work the fields. After a few minutes Joy returned, wearing a purple dress.

“You sure do like that dress,” commented Apple Bloom.

“What do you mean?” questioned Joy.

“Ah think she means that y’all wore that purple dress when we picked you up at the train station,” explained Applejack.

Joy shook her head, “Oh no. That dress was lavender. This dress is violet. And the two are of completely different styles and fabrics.”

“Uh, they look the same,” complained Apple Bloom.

“No point in arguing with her Bloom. Ah ’ad a similar conversation with Rares back at the Traders Exchange. Even though Ah was right, she wouldn’t admit it.”

“Come on Apple Bloom,” said Joy as she pulled her twin towards the door, “let’s get down to Rarity’s.”

Applejack watched the fillies trot down the old country lane to town.

“Ah’ll see ya later,” said Apple Bloom as she departed the boutique, leaving her sister alone with Rarity.

Joy turned to the fashionista, “So, what are we going to do today, Miss Rarity?”

Looking down at the admiring filly, the unicorn smiled, “First of all, I want you to call me ‘Rarity’. I believe we are at the point where etiquette allows us to be informal with each other.”

“Yes – Rarity,” Joy said giggling.

Rarity nodded approvingly, “That’s better. Now, I have a special project that I think would be perfect for you.” She turned and led the filly from the showroom deeper into the boutique. Reaching a door, Rarity dramatically flung it open and with a sweep of her foreleg proclaimed, “Welcome, darling, to my ‘Inspiration Room’.”

Joy stood in awe. The cluttered room seemed to be the very embodiment of a fashion designer’s mind. Everywhere were tools of the craft. There were towering stacks of thick books documenting fabrics and gems and patterns. Past editions of Vanity Mare, Cosmare, Clothes Horse, and Fashion! were scattered about haphazardly. Several poniquins stood ready, the brilliant sunlight poring forth from the windows giving them a noble bearing. A table at the far end featured a deluxe sewing machine, while a promotional poster for the Manehattan Fashion Week hung on the wall above it. Tacked and taped everywhere were sketches and notes for new designs. And all around lay balls of yarn, pieces of lace, bobbins of colorful thread, rolls of ribbons, and bolts and scraps of fabric.

“Wow,” Joy murmured at last.

“Yes...,” Rarity sighed, “wow.”

“So, what do you need me to do?” asked the eager filly.

“Some may call this ‘organized chaos.’ But a cluttered room is a sign of a cluttered mind, dear. It does a designer absolutely no good if she can’t locate the things she desperately needs, especially when under a strict deadline. So, I would like you to organize this room. You should ensure tools are stored, the completed sketches filed away, and fabrics sorted according to material, color, and pattern. Any salvageable scraps should also be retained, as they could still be used in later projects.”

Joy continued to stare at the room Discord would feel right at home in.

Looking down at the filly, Rarity offered a way out. “It’s not too late to go play with your friends outside if you’d like.”

Joy shook her head. “Oh no. There’s no place I would rather be than here.”

Rarity eyed the filly for a moment. “Very well. Are there any questions?”

“No, Rarity.”

Rarity beamed, “Excellent. I’ll be working down the hall on the dresses for the Canterlot Royal Fashion Show. If you need help or have questions, don’t hesitate to come get me.”

Joy nodded.

Rarity smiled and left the filly alone in the room.

“...Rarity was quite impressed with how I organized the bolts of fabric. She said that I had quite the discerning eye when it came to sorting them by shades. She says having a good eye for color is essential for any fashion designer.”

As the filly took a moment to take a bite of food, Applejack asked, “So, basically ya spent the day cleaning Rarity’s workroom?”

Joy paused for a moment in thought, began to say something but quickly swallowed and wiped her mouth. “Most of the day. She did show me her sketch for the ‘pièce de résistance’ of her line for the Canterlot Royal Fashion Show. And she did make an absolutely divine soufflé for lunch.”

“Mmm-hmm,” responded her older sister.

Author's Note

Kind of strange that I'm not publishing this from a convention, as the past three chapters were all posted during one (Whinny City PonyCon, Trotcon, Everfree Northwest). But I'm trying to post a new chapter every month. I hope the wait was worth it.

Keep Writing,

Dreadnought

Chapter 1

“Where is it! Where is it! It’s late! Wait! Is that it???” Apple Bloom teetered over the edge of the platform to scan the empty railroad tracks that led into town.

Applejack yanked the filly back by her tail. “Relax Apple Bloom, the five o’clock train from Vanhoover don’t arrive ’til five o’clock.” She motioned off to the town clock tower, never known for being off, which clearly read 4:50. “Ain’t that right, Big Mac?” When he didn’t respond, she prompted again, “Ain’t that right, Big Mac?”

“Eer – come again?”

Even the normally stoic stallion was distracted by the moment, glancing back and forth between the horizon and the clock. Thus it fell to the middle sibling to keep the situation from getting out of hoof. “The five o’clock train from Vanhoover don’t arrive ’til five o’clock, right?”

“Eeyup,” he nodded, before glancing back up to the clock.

“Maybe it broke down! Maybe it ain’t coming!” despaired the filly.

Applejack rolled her eyes. “Don’cha fret, Apple Bloom. The train hasn’t broken down. It’ll be here.”

“Maybe she missed the train! Maybe she got on the wrong one!”

“Don’t worry. If she couldn’t come we’d have heard by now. An’ there’ll be plenty of time over the next four weeks to get to know your twin sister.”

“Ah know. It’s just – Ah cain’t wait to meet her!”

She chuckled, “Y’all spent eleven months together already.”

Apple Bloom shot her older sister an irritated look. “That was b’fore we were born. An’ Ah ’aven’t seen her since.”

Applejack couldn’t argue with the logic. Honestly, she could understand her little sister’s excitement. Under her calm exterior, even Applejack was full of butterflies in anticipation at the arrival. Just three weeks ago, they had thought the family was complete with three Apple siblings. But thanks to the letter their parents had left for them, they knew there was one more out there. The three siblings were regaining an important piece of their family that had been lost long ago. But it was more than that. Since their parents had passed, there had been a gaping hole tearing at the heart of the family. And while that wound would always be there, getting to know their long-lost sister might make the situation a little less painful.

“What is that?” asked Apple Bloom, pointing a hoof toward the horizon. A faint haze rose above the hill in the distance, growing thicker with each passing second.

Wheeeeeeeeeee!

“The train! The train!” Apple Bloom bounced up and down. “The train! The train!”

Applejack let out a sigh of relief. Though she knew the train was coming, Apple Bloom’s incessant pessimism had started to rub off.

A moment later the train crested the hill and came into view. The locomotive was well-known, as much for its distinctive gold-trimmed purple paint job and heart-decorated cowcatcher as for pulling trainloads of ponies across Equestria and beyond.

The train slowed as it approached the rural station, coming to a crawl as it pulled up to the platform. Finally it stopped and, with a loud Hiss,released excess steam from the engine, creating cloudy wisps about the gathered ponies that only added to the tension. For a moment, nothing happened. Then, suddenly, the doors slid open and passengers spilled out onto the platform. Friends excitedly exchanged greetings, parents and foals reunited in tight hugs, and wives met husbands with kisses.

Meanwhile, the Apple siblings looked about expectantly for their younger sister. Applejack silently vetted each passenger that disembarked. Nope, not that stallion... not her, she’s way too old... not that colt... nor that unicorn... that filly’s a pegasus....

As fewer and fewer ponies disembarked the train, eagerness turned to anxiousness. When it appeared that the last passenger had exited, anxiousness turned to worry. The three siblings caught sight of the conductor and hurried over.

“Sir,” began Applejack, “is anypony still on the train?”

He peered over his glasses at the three worried ponies standing before him, then let out a long sigh, “I’m afraid everypony has already gotten off.”

Instantly gloom spread across the three, as Applejack murmured, “Thank you, though.”

For a moment, the Apples simply stood there. All around were scenes of overwhelming happiness that contrasted sharply with the bitter dispair the three shared.

Apple Bloom hung her head low, then meekly suggested, “Maybe she’s takin’ a later train?” Everyone could detect the small note of hope in her voice.

Glumly Big Mac tried, “Eeyup,” but even he was beginning to choke up.

Applejack reached out with a foreleg and brought her sister close in for a hug, holding the filly tight as she worked to hold back her own tears. As the ponies around them departed, she finally said, “Come on Sugarcube, let’s go home.”

As the three headed for the stairs, Applejack saw something out of the corner of her eye. She almost continued on, but something made her turn her head and look. On the far end of the platform was a mound of luggage. Out of nowhere a hat box was pushed to the top, teetering for a moment on its high perch. Applejack stopped and the others looked in the same direction. The small mound lay there, motionless. Then, from around the pile of baggage, stepped a little filly wearing a cute lavender dress. Applejack gasped, taking in the sight of the small yellow earth pony. She and Big Mac broke forward in a gallop, but even they were no match for the speed of Apple Bloom, who sprinted across the platform, finally skidding to a halt until she was nose-to-nose with the startled filly.

Silently Apple Bloom studied the pony before her. She observed the bright yellow coat, the same as hers. She examined the same fiery red mane and tail, though the other pony’s was carefully coiffed into a fashionable style and lacked a large bow. She scrutinized the same small, round face and the same short snout. She stared deep into the big, orange eyes full of nervousness.

“Joy?” she whispered.

The filly nodded.

“Joy!” cried Apple Bloom as she wrapped her sister in a bone-crushing hug.

Joy went stiff, her eyes wide with shock. She looked up to the two older ponies, as if pleading for help.

Finally, Apple Bloom released her sister to once again examine her twin while Joy took a step back.

Joy stood there for a moment, before briefly closing her eyes and taking a deep, calming breath. Opening them, she nodded and held out a hoof, “It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”

Apple Bloom grabbed the proffered hoof and shook vigorously. “Ah’m so happy to see ya! Ah cain’t believe yer finally here! We’re gonna have so much fun!”

Apple Bloom released her sister’s hoof, which continued to shake up and down several more seconds. Joy looked up to the smiling stetson-wearing mare. Reaching out her hoof, she politely greeted, “How do you do?”

“Howdy there, Joy.” Applejack took her hoof, but conspicuously chose to give it a gentle shake.

Finally, she turned to the large red stallion, “Pleased to meet you.”

“Eeyup.” He gently shook her hoof as well.

Apple Bloom bounced in place, her energy dialed to eleven. “Come on Joy! We’ve got to git home so you can meet Granny Smith! An’ we’ve got to show you Sweet Apple Acres! An’ Ah cain’t wait to show you mah room where you’ll be stayin’ while yer here! Ah’m so excited! We’re goanna have so much fun!”

Joy turned to the mountain of suitcases behind her. “I brought a few pieces of luggage with me,” she dryly noted.

Applejack smiled, “That ain’t no problem.” Shortly, the suitcases were distributed between everypony, with the bulk taken by Applejack and Big Mac.

The four ponies walked along the old, dusty country lane that led from town. The whole way Apple Bloom failed to contain her excitement, breathlessly telling Joy of working on the farm or her adventures with the Cutie Mark Crusaders or life in Ponyville or asking questions about her twin’s time in Vanhoover. Joy nodded as her sister spoke and politely answered each question with a “Yes” or “No”, but said very little else. She would stop occasionally to brush the dust from her dress or adjust the suitcase on her back.

Rounding a bend in the road, Applejack swept her foreleg out wide and proudly proclaimed, “Welcome to Sweet Apple Acres.”

Wide-eyed, Joy took in the scene before her. Off to one side was a vast field, with rows of green corn stalks emerging from the brown dirt. To her right were several small buildings, including chicken coops and pig pens, both emitting a cacophony of loud barnyard noises to accompany their distinct odors. Beyond them lay a sea of trees, most likely the apple orchards suggested by the title of the property. And directly in from of her stood a large, red barn.

“What do you think! What do you think!” pressed Apple Bloom, her enthusiasm somehow dialed to twelve.

Joy pointed to the strange orange building in the distance. “Is that your house?” she asked demurely.

“Shucks no,” chuckled Applejack, “that’s Golden Harvest’s place. We live there,” Applejack motioned off to the building before them.

Joy followed to where the mare was indicating. Realization suddenly dawning, “You live in a barn!” she barely managed to get out.

“Yeah! Yeah!” cried Apple Bloom.

“No,” corrected Applejack. “Well, actually,” she rubbed her chin, “yah see it used tah be our barn. We converted it to the farmhouse back ages ago.”

“Eeyup,” added Big Mac.

“You three were raised in a barn!”she softly gasped.

“Yeah! Yeah!” bounced Apple Bloom.

“Ah... guess yah could look at it that way,” conceded Applejack.

“Eeyup.”

Apple Bloom cried, “Come on! We’ve got to intraduce yah tah Granny Smith.” She tugged on her twin, who stumbled slightly as she was pulled along by the filly who had incredibly hit thirteen.

The four ponies reached the barn-turned-farmhouse. Without a moment’s hesitation, Apple Bloom kicked in the door with a Bam! and dragged her sister inside. “Granny! Granny! We’re back!” she yelled.

Emerging from the kitchen, Granny Smith admonished, “What in tarnation was that racket?” She looked at the four ponies standing in the parlor before finally fixing her orange eyes on the new one, who began shifting uneasily under her gaze. “My, you must be Joy.” Her eyes teared a little. “Ah haven’t seen yah since you were a foal.”

Setting her suitcase aside, Joy stood straight and reached out a forehoof. “It is a pleasure to make your aquaintance, Ma’am.”

Shaking the hoof, she exclaimed, “Land sakes, Ah’m yer grandmare. Y’all don’t have tah be so formal with your Granny Smith.”

“Yes, Mrs. Smith.”

Granny Smith eyed the filly for a moment. “Supper’s ’bout ready.” Turning to the twin, she said, “Apple Bloom, why don’t ’cha take Joy to where she can wash up.”

“Okay!” exclaimed Apple Bloom, pushing fourteen.

She pulled Joy back across the room. Reaching the front door, Joy asked, “You don’t have indoor plumbing?”

“Heck no!”

A short while later Granny Smith sat at the head of the table. To her left were Applejack and Big Mac. Finally, the two youngest grandchildren entered the kitchen. Sitting down, the three older ponies had to do double takes to ensure their eyes weren’t deceiving them. The two fillies looked so much alike, though one wore a stylish mane and dress while the other was happy wearing nothing but a big crimson bow and a face-cracking smile that threatened to become permanent.

“Ah hope yah like Apple hash,” said Granny Smith as she began eating.

Apple Bloom spoke up, “Of course she does! Joy is an Apple to the core!”

Joy warily looked at the plate of food before reflecting, “I have never had apples before.”

Clunk! Clang! Crash! All the flatware fell to the table and Big Mac dropped the mug from which he had been sipping apple juice, splashing some onto himself. Four ponies gawked at Joy, who appeared shocked at their reaction. After a long, strained silence, Apple Bloom asked, “Y’all never had apples before?”

Joy shuffled uneasily in her chair and looked down to her plate. “The Pear family does not consume apples,” she murmured.

Following an uncomfortable pause, Applejack finally said, “Well, with how are families been fightin’, Ah can understand.”

“Eeyup,” concurred Big Mac.

“Well, go on, try it,” urged Apple Bloom.

Everypony stared at Joy expectantly. She picked up the fork in her left hoof and knife in the right, carefully cut a piece of hash, then set the knife aside and transferred the fork to the right hoof. She took a small bite, slowly chewing the food with an indiscernible look on her face.

“Well?” prodded Apple Bloom.

Joy swallowed and meticulously wiped her mouth with her napkin. Pausing in thought, she said, “It is... interesting.”

Still the unwanted center of attention, Joy quickly took another bite and gradually everypony resumed eating. Granny Smith turned to the family, “So, what are y’all’s plans fer tomorrow?”

“Furst, we’re gonna show Joy round the farm,” Applejack said. Looking over to the filly, she explained, “Ah think she should know ’bout the family business an’ what our parents worked so hard to maintain.”

Joy nodded, “Yes, Miss Applejack.”

Applejack snorted, “Ah’m yer older sister, y’all can call me ‘Applejack’ or like a lot o’ folks, ‘AJ’.”

Nodding, Joy said, “Yes... Applejack.”

Apple Bloom, dialed back up to eleven, exclaimed, “In the afternoon Ah’m gonna introduce Joy to Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo! We’re gonna show Joy the Crusader Clubhouse and maybe do some crusadin’!”

The rest of dinner passed with Apple Bloom rambling on and on about crusading or other plans for the coming weeks. Her twin meanwhile ensured she ate all the the food on her plate, but politely declined seconds. When it came time for apple pie, Joy demurred, raising eyebrows from the rest of the family....

Upstairs in the bedroom, Apple Bloom excitedly adjusted her sleeping bag. Of course she had had ponies sleep over in her room before. Most of the time it had been Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo. On occasion, it had been somepony else, such as Twist or Dinky. Then there was that time Babs stayed for a week. And once in a while Applejack would sleep in her room, sometimes falling asleep when tucking her in or other times drifting off while watching when her little sister had come down with an illness. But this was different and – dare she admit it? – better than any of those! This was her twin sister whom she hadn’t seen since they were newborns. She once again shuffled, making sure everything was ready.

Finally Joy walked into the room wearing a fluffy red bathrobe that matched her mane.

Apple Bloom practically pranced in place. “So, what do you want to do? Play some games? Tell ghost stories? Raid the icebox for some ice cream?”

Joy disrobed, revealing a luxurious set of pajamas. Donning a sleeping mask, she said, “I am really fatigued from the train journey.” Seeing her sister deflate, Joy quickly suggested, “Perhaps tomorrow?”

Apple Bloom perked up a little, “That’ll be alright.” She turned off the light before snuggling down into her sleeping bag. “Good night, sister.”

Pulling the mask over her eyes, Joy awkwardly said, “Good night, Apple Bloom.”

Author's Note

It's my birthday, so I'm giving you the readers a present. Enjoy this chapter that I worked so hard to write.

I'm also celebrating by attending Whinny City Pony Con for the first time. It's an awesome convention!

Expect the next chapter to be published on July 12th!

V/R,

Dreadnought

Chapter 2

Slowly, reluctantly, a little yellow snout pushed out from under the flap of the sleeping bag. Apple Bloom opened her eyes, but instantly snapped them shut again. The first rays of the bright morning sun fell through her window, making the scene harsh and a little painful for those unprepared. Quickly she buried herself deeper into her sleeping bag. It was cozy and warm and beckoned her to fall back asleep. She had slept in past dawn, something extremely rare for her. Even on the odd day when she didn’t have school or early-morning chores, she was usually up well before Celestia’s sun by force of habit.

Groggily, her mind stumbled about in the shadows trying to make sense of the situation. She was awfully tired. She felt like drifting off for another hour or two. But that wasn’t quite right. Why was she so tired? Her mind tried to assemble the pieces together into a coherent picture. She apparently didn’t get enough sleep. What could have caused that? Was she up late? No, she had gone to bed at her normal bedtime. Yes, she remembered. She had lain awake last night and woke frequently throughout the night. But why? Something must have been on her mind. She snuggled deeper into the sleeping bag. Sleeping bag? Well, yes, she was sleeping on the floor becasue her bed was occupied by –

Apple Bloom bolted upright, completely awake. With wide eyes she looked up from the floor, seeing a mass hidden by a blanket. Her sister was here. Oh the joy!

In a soft voice, Apple Bloom said, “Joy?” When no response came, she tried again a little louder, “Joy?”

Apple Bloom worked her way out of the sleeping bag and approached the bed. Upon close inspection, she could see an ever so faint rising and falling of the blanket and could hear a soft inhale and exhale. Joy was still peacefully asleep. Apple Bloom reached out to wake her sister. With her hoof nearly on the blanket, she suddenly pulled back. It seemed a wrong way to start things off, no matter how much she wanted to begin their first full day together.

With a sigh, she turned and walked to the other side of the bedroom, quietly opening the door. She peered back and smiled before carefully closing the door behind her. Forcing herself to walk – not skip – down the hall, she reached the stairs and descended. She turned and entered the kitchen to find her older sister coming in with a load of firewood.

“Well, it’s about time you got up,” greeted Applejack.

Rubbing her orange eyes, she explained, “Ah didn’t mean tah sleep in.”

Applejack closed the door behind her and said, “We were goanna let y’all sleep in this mornin’. Afta all, Ah’m sure y’all were up late last night gettin’ tah know one ’nother.”

Apple Bloom yawned. “Actually, no. Joy was tired from the train ride, so we hit the hay early.”

“Still, you look tired Sugarcube,” noted the older sister as she threw some logs into the firebox of the stove.

“Ah didn’t get much sleep. Ah was just so excited about Joy bein’ here that Ah couldn’t sleep.” She made her way to the icebox and pulled out a pitcher of apple juice.

“Ah can understand that. Honestly, Ah ’ad a hard time sleepin’ too.” As Apple Bloom poured herself a glass, Applejack looked around, “Where’s Joy?”

“Still sleepin’,” replied her younger sister as she took a sip of juice.

“Well, best tah let her sleep in. In the meantime, yah can help us get the chores done.”

Apple Bloom whined a little in response.

“Best tah go ahead and get it dun. Y’all don’t want us tah be busy doin’ them when yer sister’s up, do yah?”

Apple Bloom shook her head.

“Good. Now get goin’,” encouraged her older sister.

Apple Bloom put away the juice and headed out the back door. With it being Saturday, she had more chores to take care of than on a school day. A few trips to the pump and the kitchen had all the water it would need for cooking and washing that day. Soon thereafter the pigs were pushing each other out of the way as they competed for breakfast. The cows had already been milked, so Apple Bloom turned to the chicken coop. It was time for their feeding and collecting freshly laid eggs.

A short time later Apple Bloom trotted into the kitchen with a full basket of eggs held by her mouth. Big Mac stood at the stove flipping fresh golden-brown pancakes, filling the room a wonderful and tantalizing aroma. Granny Smith sat at the kitchen table with the morning paper while a mug of hot coffee stood at the ready.

Looking up from the story she was reading, the old mare greeted, “Well, good mornin’.”

She put the basket of eggs down. “Good mornin’, Granny.”

“Apple Bloom, go git Joy. Breakfast is ’bout ready.”

“Eeyup,” confirmed Big Mac as he piled pancakes onto a platter.

Apple Bloom trotted out the kitchen and went upstairs to her bedroom. Opening the door, she still found a motionless mass nestled beneath the blanket. She trotted across to the bed, but it appeared that her twin was still asleep. Reaching out, she gently began shaking, “Joy, it’s time tah git up.”

The mound groaned, then from beneath the blanket came a hoof that pushed her away.

Apple Bloom approached the bed and again started shaking, “It’s time tah get up. Breakfast is almost ready.”

Again, the foreleg reached out, this time batting her away.

Frustrated, Apple Bloom turned and left the room. Halfway down the hall, Applejack emerged from her bedroom. “Breakfast is ready, AJ.”

“Is Joy downstairs already?”

“No. She won’t get up.”

Shaking her head, Applejack muttered, “Well, that won’t do.” She headed down the hall towards her younger sister’s bedroom, with Apple Bloom in toe.

From the doorway, Apple Bloom watched the unfolding drama.

Applejack approached the bed without any hesitation and shook the mound. “Joy.” Once more, a hoof started to wave. Applejack continued shaking as she tried again, “If’n yah want breakfast, yah’ need tah get up.” The hoof swatted about and knocked the Stetson from her head. “Come on Joy, yah need tah get up now,” she said firmly. This time the flailing hoof hit the older sister in the snout. Taken aback, Applejack snorted, “That’s it.” Grabbing the blanket in her mouth, she ripped it clean off the bed, revealing a little yellow filly wrapped in a bedsheet.

Joy mumbled something, probably “Five more minutes,” and attempted to bury her head in the pillow.

Applejack yanked back the sheet. “Nope. We’ve got a big day ahead of us. Time tah rise ’n shine!”

Slowly Joy sat upright and removed her mask. Opening her orange eyes, she looked around uncertainly, as if she were trying to get her bearings.

“Come on, we’re gonna git sum food in yah,” said Applejack.

Joy merely nodded before climbing off the bed and donning her fluffy red bathrobe. She followed her two sisters down the hall and to the kitchen.

As the three entered, the elderly green grandmare observed, “Good mornin’, youngin’.”

“Good morning, Mrs. Smith,” responded Joy, her eyes toward the floor. She turned and said quietly, “Good morning, MacIntosh.”

“Come on Joy. Yah better hurry up an’ eat while it’s hot,” said Applejack, as she loaded up Joy’s plate.

Joy took a seat next to her older sister. Before her was a plate laden with pancakes, probably apple pancakes, along with hash browns, hay sausage, eggs and a muffin, again most likely an apple muffin. And of course there was a big glass of apple juice.

Quickly the five began eating. Once again, the newcomer was dressed, even for an informal meal with family. Sitting in her chair, she assumed an upright, proper posture and ate carefully, with an apparent accustomed grace. Everything was cut into small, even-sized pieces and each item was eaten separately. Before taking a bite, she would always place her knife to the side before switching her fork to her right hoof. She chewed slowly and thoroughly. Never did she speak with her mouth full, and she always swallowed before she spoke, even if her mouth was empty. She would only take small, occasional sips from her glass. Whenever somepony asked for butter or syrup, or salt or pepper, she ensured that they were always passed in pairs, whether asked for or not. The occassional embarrassing burp or hiccup was followed by a polite, “Please excuse me.”

Across the table, her twin provided quite the contrast. The resident was stark naked, save for her trademark red bow. She leaned down to the plate and ate her meal without restraint, using her fork or spoon or knife to shovel the food directly into her gaping mouth. She inhaled her meal at a frightening, though somehow familiar, pace. It all went down together into the bottomless pit of her stomach, be it the eggs, pancakes, sausage, hash browns, or muffins. Apple juice was guzzled by the glassful. She belched without consciousness, then she would speak of the things they would do that day while crumbs spouted from her mouth.

With only half the contents of her plate consumed, Joy leaned back in her chair.

Licking her plate clean, Apple Bloom asked, “Yah gonna eat that?”

Joy shook her head then pushed the plate across the table. Her twin began ravenously devouring the leftovers.

“Y’all done?” asked a skeptical Applejack.

In a soft voice, Joy responded, “Yes. Thank you for breakfast, MacIntosh.”

“Eeyup,” replied the stallion, a small smile on his face.

When Apple Bloom had finished her second plate, heralded by another loud belch, Applejack said, “Well, we’ve got some things tah do. Joy, yah wanna go git ready?”

Joy nodded her head, “Of course, Applejack.” She glanced around the table, “If you will excuse me.” She slid off her chair and left the kitchen.

Applejack shot glances at Granny Smith and Big Mac.

Half an hour later Joy trotted back into the kitchen. Her mane and tail had been meticulously groomed and she sported a fine white blouse complemented by a stylish pair of designer jeans. The Apple siblings were gathered around the table.

“Y’all ready?” asked Applejack, sipping a glass of apple juice at the clean table.

Looking around warily, she said, “I would like to visit the bathroom to freshen up, if that is acceptable?”

“Of course.”

Joy departed the kitchen and a short time later reappeared.

Looking about the room, Applejack opined, “Ah reckon it’s time tah show y’all ’round the farm.”

“Eeyup,” affirmed Big Mac.

“Come on! Let’s go!” cried Apple Bloom, bouncing up and down after rediscovering her excitement from the day before. She practically dragged her twin out the door.

The four Apple siblings left the farmhouse and began their tour of Sweet Apple Acres. The first stop was the barn – the actual barn. The residents showed Joy the interior, where they kept bales of hay and an assortment of farm equipment and tools. Then they led her down into the apple cellar. It was dark and cool, perfect for storing crates of harvested apples along with a few sequestered barrels of the family’s renowned cider. It was also dusty and grimy, and as the four emerged outside from the rear cellar door, Joy took a moment to brush the filth from her outfit.

After they inspected the chicken coops and the shed where the cows were milked, the four headed to the pig pens. Standing around watching the hogs wallow in the mud, Applejack mused, “Ah bet y’all’ve seen this before.”

Joy shook her head, “No.”

Apple Bloom, leaning against the fence post, looked over and asked, “Yah mean yah don’t have pigs at your farm in Vanhoover?”

Joy shook her head, “We do not live on the farm.”

“Yah don’t?” asked Apple Bloom wide-eyed.

Even Applejack and Big Mac were carefully studying their new sister.

“No.”

“Where do y’all live, then?”

“Downtown Vanhoover.”

“They don’t work on tha farm?”

“Mother manages the family business while father runs the store.”

“So, this is your first visit to a real farm?” asked Applejack.

Again Joy shook her head. “I have accompanied mother when she inspects operations at the Pear estate.”

The three Apple siblings pondered what they had heard. Joy gazed back at the animals in the enclosure. “Why do you have pigs, anyways?” she wondered, more to herself than anypony else.

After the pig pen, Joy followed her siblings over to the vegetable garden where they showed her all the cabbages, carrots, turnips, onions and lettuce they grew. It was a small part of their farm, mainly for subsistence, but they occasionally sold some of the crops at the local market, they explained. No use in letting surplus produce go to waste when it could bring in some extra bits for the farm. Next came the vast fields of wheat, barely, corn and hops. They explained some was for their own dinner table and some was feed for the animals. When asked what they did with the extra produce, the older siblings demurely changed the subject.

Finally, the residents took Joy to the orchards. For almost as far as the eye could see lay an endless rolling sea of trees. Most trees had a score of big, juicy red apples on them, though a few bore green and fewer still sported yellow.

“These here are our apple orchards. Apples, of course, are our family’s specialty,” explained Applejack with a chuckle.

“Eeyup.”

“Yer great grandpa –”

“Pokey Oats,” interrupted Apple Bloom.

“Yes, Pokey Oats, was sent to settle this land by Princess Celestia herself. He planted the very first apple trees of the orchard. Now look at this place.” She smiled with pride as she swept a foreleg at the surrounding orchards.

Joy gazed at the trees all about her.

“Our grandparents worked hard tah build up this farm, and our ma an’ pa poured their sweat ’n blood to maintain it.” Applejack trotted over to a nearby tree and gave it a light buck. An apple snapped free from its branch and fell to the ground. Picking it up, she offered it to Joy. “Now it’s our responsibility tah keep it goin’.”

Joy took the apple uneasily.

After a moment to let it sink in, Applejack continued, “Now then, we grow –”

“Six different types of apples,” interrupted Apple Bloom again. “They are red delicious, golden delicious, granny smith, macintosh, braeburn, and cider apples.”

“Actually seven,” corrected Applejack. “We also harvest zap apples.”

“Eeyup.”

Apple Bloom looked abashed and kicked a pebble on the ground. “Ah fergot ’bout the zap apples,” she muttered.

Joy looked confused but didn’t press the issue.

Looking down her new sister, Applejack asked, “Y’all know what zap apples are, right?”

The little filly shook her head.

“It’s them trees over yonder,” said Applejack, pointing to the dead-looking trees off in the distance. “They don’t produce every year.”

“Cause they’re magical,” came Apple Bloom.

“Eeyup.”

Applejack continued, “They’re a mite unpredictable. But we know it’s zap apple season when the first sign –”

“Timberwolves!” cried Apple Bloom.

Joy let out a frightened squeak and jumped behind the older ponies, frantically scanning the surroundings for the vicious beasts.

“Ain’t nothing tah be scared of, Bloom was just saying that the first sign is the howlin’ of the timberwolves.”

“Don’t yah have ’em up in Vanhoover?” asked Apple Bloom.

“’Course not,” said Applejack. “Them varmints are only found in the Everfree.” Turning to her new sister, she assured her, “They mostly stick to tha Forest. Hardly ever come ’round here.”

“Eeyup.”

“But they do come around here?” asked Joy.

Rubbing the back of her neck awkwardly, Applejack admitted, “Well, there was that one time when my friends lured some Timberwolves to Sweet Apple Acres, but that was an accident. Afta’ we busted them critters up they pretty much leave us alone.”

“But the timberwolves come here for the zap apples?” pressed a still shaking Joy.

“Nah. We hear ’em howl from the Forest, that’s the first sign.”

“Are the next signs as dangerous?” Joy asked, glancing around nervously.

“Well –”

“The zap apple trees get leaves, then the trees get flowers, then a meteor shower and finally an unscheduled lightning storm,” interrupted Apple Bloom.

“Eeyup.”

“And these zap apples are good to eat?” asked Joy.

“We don’t eat ’em.”

“You turn them into cider then?”

Applejack rubbed her chin in thought, “Zap apple cider, that there’s an idea.”

“We make jam!” cried Apple Bloom.

“Eeyup.”

“We’ll have tah get yah some when we have lunch,” Applejack thought aloud.

“Eeyup.”

“Though there’s a bit of a – unusual – process fer makin’ it. Yah see –”

“We gotta paint the house in pink polka dots, hop over waterin’ cans in bunny suits while singin’ the alphabet, talk tah the glass jars, an’ be nice with the bees fer extra sweet honey,” interrupted Apple Bloom again.

Joy stared at her twin disbelievingly.

“Really,” confirmed her twin with a nod.

“It’s magic,” said Applejack with a shrug, “so it don’t always make sense.”

“Eeyup.”

They took the long way back to the farmhouse, stopping by the stream that bisected the farm, the pond on the perimeter of the property, and hilltop for the amazing view of Ponyville below them. Along the way the three Apple siblings discussed further details of the estate’s history and the family business. Overall, they’d spent a couple of hours touring the farm.

Upon reaching home, the four found Granny Smith baking some fresh apple pies. Applejack began preparing lunch for the family. Big Mac headed outside to get the apple cart ready for some deliveries. Joy took the time to wash up as Apple Bloom retreated to her room to prepare for the afternoon.

Lunch was served. Included among the selections were slices of crisp, buttered toast with the aforementioned zap apple jam. When asked, Joy admitted that she had never tasted anything like it, which pleased the family. Except Apple Bloom, who was so wrapped up with her plans for the afternoon that she hardly took notice.

With lunch complete, Granny Smith retired upstairs for an early afternoon nap, or as she called it “restin’ mah eyes.” Applejack cleaned up the kitchen before attending to some chores. Big Mac headed out to load the wagon and make some apple pie deliveries. That left Apple Bloom and Joy free for the afternoon.

A short time later, Apple Bloom was leading her twin down a dusty path through the farm. She trotted faster than her sister, and frequently had to stop and wait for her. “Come on Joy, hurry up! They’re waitin’ on us,” Apple Bloom insisted.

Continuing their trek, they finally came upon a secluded clearing on the edge of the property. Perched in – what else? – an apple tree, was a small building. It looked like a one-room home, not like a typical treehouse at all. It sat on a platform buttressed by load-bearing beams anchored directly to the trunk while a large branch to provide further support. Surprisingly it featured glass windows with shutters and a small porch. Leading up to the front door stood a two-tier ramp. Overall, it appeared to be a bit old-fashioned, but recently updated with loving care.

Apple Bloom practically dragged her twin up the ramp. With a loud Bam! Apple Bloom threw the door wide open and hustled Joy inside. Waiting for them were two fillies. One was an orange pegasus with a wind-swept purple mane. The other was a little white unicorn with a pinkish-purplish mane and tail and welcoming green eyes.

They looked back at the newcomers wide eyed, and exclaimed simultaneously:
“You two look so much alike!”
“You two look so different!”

The two exchange confused glances as Apple Bloom and Joy looked at each other uncertainly.

The pegasus said, “Of course they look alike. They’re both yellow earth ponies with red manes and tails.”

“But one is wearing a nice outfit with carefully styled mane and tail,” shot back the unicorn.

“But Apple Bloom could look like that if she wanted to.”

“But she doesn’t.”

“But she could.”

“But she doesn’t.”

“But she could.”

“But she –”

“Uh, girls?” interrupted Apple Bloom.

They looked back at her.

“Ah’d like to introduce you tah my twin sister, Joy.”

They trotted over to greet her.

“I’m Scootaloo.” She grabbed Joy’s hoof and began shaking it.

“Nice to meet you,” responded Joy.

The unicorn introduced herself next. “I’m Sweetie Belle.”

Joy held out her hoof, “A pleasure to make your acquaintance.”

Apple Bloom wrapped her forelegs around the two other fillies and said, “Together we make up the Cutie Mark Crusaders!”

“Also Babs Seed,” observed Sweetie Belle.

Joy tilted her head.

“You know, our cousin in Manehattan,” explained Apple Bloom. “I mentioned her yesterday when we were coming back from the train station.”

“Oh, right.”

“And Gabby isn’t here,” Scootaloo pointed out.

“She’s a griffon,” added Sweetie Belle.

Joy looked confused.

“Since griffons can’t really get cutie marks, we gave her one we designed especially for her,” clarified Scootaloo.

“Anyways, the Cutie Mark Crusaders is an organization dedicated to helping ponies find their cutie marks,” said Apple Bloom proudly.

“Or reconnect with their cutie marks,” added Sweetie Belle. “Would you like to join?”

“Wait,” interrupted Scootaloo, eyeing their guest’s flank. “Do you have a cutie mark?”

Joy nodded then said quietly, “Yes, I do.”

“Let’s see it!”

“Yeah!” cried Apple Bloom.

“Uh,” said Joy as she looked between the three eager fillies. “I’d have to take my jeans off.”

“You could just pull them down,” noted Scootaloo.

“Perhaps I can show you another time?” suggested Joy.

“Sure,” said Sweetie Belle. “You’ll be here for a couple of weeks. We’ve got time.” Though it was obvious that all three Crusaders were disappointed by the looks on their faces.

Apple Bloom spoke up, “So, since you got your cutie mark already, we can go out an’ help other ponies with cutie mark problems. We’ve got a waiting list, especially after all our success.” She motioned to the wall covered in framed pictures of smiling colts and fillies along with a hooful of adults.

“You mean go meet a lot of new ponies?” asked Joy.

“Yeah.”

“I don’t have any experience like you three,” protested Joy.

“We could always use the extra help.”

“And you could help us see things in a new light,” Scootaloo pointed out.

“I would just be in your way. You three go on without me,” insisted Joy.

Apple Bloom looked at her twin, “Really?”

“I will go back to the farmhouse. I need to write a letter to mother to let her know I arrived safely at Sweet Apple Acres.”

“You sure you don’t want to stay? We could do somethin’ else ’sides crusadin’?” offered Apple Bloom.

Joy shook her head, “You go ahead and have fun. I will see you when you return.”

“Okay,” said a hurt Apple Bloom.

Joy turned to the others, “Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle, it was a pleasure to meet you.” She shook their hooves before departing.

The three Crusaders stood there while a deafening silence hung over the clubhouse.

“Wow, I guess you two really are different,” said Scootaloo. “Hey!” she cried when Sweetie Belle poked her in the side.

“Ah was just hoping we could spend time doin’ things together,” lamented Apple Bloom.

Sweetie Belle put a hoof on her friend’s shoulder. “She’s new here. I’m sure she’s feeling a little overwhelmed. You know, leaving her friends and family behind, going to a new town, spending time with family that she’s never met before, and meeting her sister’s friends as well.”

“Ah guess your right,” conceded Apple Bloom.

“Maybe we should take it slow. How about you bring her over to my house tomorrow morning? We could spend some time there and then show her around town. And since it’s Sunday, there won’t be many ponies out.”

“That sounds like a great idea!” said Scootaloo.

And so the three made plans for the next day before doing some crusading.

Dinner was another delicious meal, this time prepared by Granny Smith and Applejack. The five gathered around the kitchen table, talking about what they’d done that day. Apple Bloom seemed a bit subdued, but eagerly announced that the twins would be meeting up with Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo for a tour of the town the next morning. Joy seemed apprehensive but nodded in agreement.

After dinner, the twins headed upstairs. Apple Bloom wanted to do something fun, so her sister suggested cards. She had played a few games before, but Joy taught her how to play double solitaire. Apple Bloom wasn’t very good, losing every time, but caught on quickly and enjoyed her time with her sister. After a few rounds Joy wanted to get some “beauty rest”, so they retired to bed. As she lay in her sleeping bag, Apple Bloom couldn’t wait for the morning to come.

Author's Note

Hello everyone!

Thanks for checking out the new chapter. I hope you enjoyed it. As for me, I'm having a blast at TrotCon here in Dayton, OH. Look for the next chapter 24 August, live from Everfree Northwest!

Dreadnought

Chapter 3

In the predawn darkness, there was a soft unzipping sound and a figure slowly sat upright. She stretched her forelegs and rubbed her orange eyes. A glance out the window to the starry sky confirmed that Celestia wouldn’t raise the sun for nearly an hour. She slipped quietly out of the sleeping bag and carefully crept to the door, pausing momentarily to gaze back through the shadows to the motionless mound upon the bed. Closing the door silently behind her, she made her way down the hall and descended the stairs.

Opening the kitchen door, she smiled, “Mornin’ Big Mac.”

The stallion set his coffee mug down. “Mornin’ Apple Bloom.”

She headed for the back door. “Thought Ah’d get a start on today’s chores. Sooner they’re done, the sooner me and Joy can go down tah Ponyville.”

Chuckling, he replied, “Eeyup.”

After a quick stop at the family outhouse, Apple Bloom hurried to get the morning chores done. She ensured the kitchen was fully stocked on water for the day and fed the pigs without incident. It being her turn, she milked the cows, with a full milk can to show for her efforts. In short order the chores were done and she trotted back into the kitchen triumphantly.

Standing at the stove preparing breakfast, Granny Smith looked up, “My, you’re up earlier than yesterday.”

“Want tah get down tah Ponyville an’ meet Scootaloo an’ Sweetie Belle,” Apple Bloom explained.

“Well, we’re almost ready tah eat. Go git Joy.”

Apple Bloom rushed upstairs to her bedroom. The mound on her bed lay as motionless as when she had left. “Joy, it’s time for breakfast,” she said while giving a gentle shake. To her immense relief, it appeared that her twin was more receptive this morning to being woken.

Joy sat upright and removed her sleeping mask.

“Best hurry up, we’ll be eatin’ soon,” her sister advised.

With a distant gaze in her eyes, Joy merely nodded.

Returning to the kitchen, Granny Smith said to her, “Would’yah set the table?”

Apple Bloom went to the cupboard and retrieved the flatware and plates. She ensured everypony had a juice glass and also placed Big Mac and Granny Smith’s coffee cups by their seats. Finally she got out the butter, jam, and juice and set them in the middle of the table.

Big Mac entered the kitchen followed quickly by Applejack.

“Get to tha table, we’re ready tah eat,” commanded Granny Smith. “Apple Bloom, where’s Joy?”

“Here, Mrs. Smith,” said the filly as she entered the room, wearing her usual red bathrobe. Reaching the table, she hesitated a moment until her twin indicated where she was to sit this morning. Joy sat down at the table next to Apple Bloom and directly across from her brother.

Granny Smith loaded everypony’s plate with a fluffy biscuit covered with steaming hot sawmill gravy before taking her seat.

Joy looked uncertainly at the food before her.

“Yah don’t like biscuits an’ gravy?”

Shaking her head, she replied, “I have never had it before, Mrs. Smith.”

“Really?” asked an astonished Apple Bloom.

“Yes,” confirmed Joy, still gazing downwards. “Father is not a fan, so mother never makes it.” As everypony continued to stare at her, she reached with her left hoof for her fork, only to discover it was where it should not be, but rather on the right side of her plate.

The rest of breakfast passed quickly. Apple Bloom again talked about meeting up with Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo and the tour they were going to give. Applejack suggested they take Joy to meet Twilight at her castle. Granny Smith reminded them to be home in time for dinner. Joy remained quiet and surreptitiously used the pear jam on her toast when nopony was looking. And Big Mac remained as talkative as ever.

Forty-five minutes later found the twins on the old, dusty country lane that led to town. Apple Bloom was in the lead, constantly talking about the fun they’d have or the ponies they might encounter throughout the day. She frequently stopped and urged her twin to keep pace. Joy, meanwhile, walked slowly and often would pause to brush the dust from her orange dress with lavender trim.

Reaching Ponyville, Apple Bloom turned right and led Joy down a street lined with houses, eventually stopping before one of them. It was a nice house that was not too large and not too small. Like all its neighbors, it exhibited timber-framed construction and featured a pitched thatch roof. However, unlike its neighbors, squat Tuscan columns stood at each end supporting an overhanging second floor with a large green garden overflowing the planters.

Apple Bloom trotted up to the front door as Joy waited patiently on the street. Knock! Knock! A moment later it opened to reveal a plump earth pony mare, with a scarlet mane and a sky-blue scarf wrapped around her neck.

Looking up at the mare, Apple Bloom greeted, “Good morning Miss Holiday.”

She smiled sweetly. “Good Morning Apple Bloom. Looking for Scootaloo?”

“Yeah, we are showing my twin sister around Ponyville,” she explained as she swept her foreleg back towards the filly in the street.

With Holiday’s eyes on her, Joy waved awkwardly.

The mare chuckled, “Yes, Scootaloo has been excited to meet your sister. She’s been talking about it the past few days.” She turned and yelled, “Scootaloo, your friends are here!”

A moment later an orange filly squeezed by the mare. Bounding down the front steps, she shouted, “Bye Aunt Holiday!” As she reached the end of the yard, she smiled, “Morning Joy!”

The mare waved from the front door, “You three have fun!”

The fillies went down the street in the other direction, with Scootaloo and Apple Bloom trotting out in front and Joy quietly walking behind them. At last Scootaloo asked, “Something a matter, Joy?”

Blinking as she was suddenly snapped out of her thoughts, she responded quietly, “Oh, so that was your aunt?”

Scootaloo slowed down so she could walk beside Joy. “Yes,” she confirmed.

Joy opened her mouth, but then gazed off in the other direction.

Cocking her head, the pegasus prompted, “Something you want to ask?”

Joy looked embarrassed as she gazed down towards the street. She began, barely above a whisper, “Oh... I was... I was merely wondering where....”

“Where my parents are?” finished Scootaloo.

Nodding her head, Joy again looked away.

Scootaloo hung her head low, “My parents are away. They study rare creatures and are on an expedition. It’s too dangerous for me to go with them, so while they’re gone some of the ponies in town watch me. This week Aunt Holiday and Aunt Lofty are looking after me.”

“Oh, that’s... nice of them.”

Scootaloo sighed, “Yeah, I really miss my parents. They’ve been gone a while.” After a few moments she suddenly brightened up, “But this way I can stay in Ponyville with my fellow Crusaders and I get to know a bunch of the townsponies really well. Last week Rainbow Dash spent the night at my house!”

Joy nodded but returned to being quiet.

A minute passed then Scootaloo asked, “So what about your parents?”

Joy looked up, “My parents?”

“Yeah, what about them?”

She glanced away again and murmured, “I thought you knew. They are dead.”

Apple Bloom’s ears twitched and her back straightened, but she didn’t say anything.

Scootaloo, wide-eyed, quickly explained, “I meant your family in Vanhoover. I heard you have family up there.”

“Oh.... Mother and father.... Actually, they are my aunt and uncle.... They raised me as their own foal. It... it was quite a shock when I learned they were not my real parents.” An awkward silence followed until Joy continued, “Father runs the store in Vanhoover while mother is in charge of the family business.”

“That’s cool. I’ve had some of their pear jam, it’s really good. Not as good as zap apple jam, but still pretty good.”

Joy merely nodded.

“So, do you have any brothers or sisters?”

Joy nodded, “Apple Bloom, Applejack and MacIntosh.”

“I mean in Vanhoover?”

Joy shook her head.

“You’re an only foal like me?” Apple Bloom shot her an angry glance. Scootaloo quickly amended, “I mean, you’ve still got your sisters and brother here, but in Vanhoover you’re like an only foal.”

After a few more minutes the trio approached a small pond on the edge of town. The far end was dominated by an unusual combination wind-and-watermill. Nearer to them stood a small timber-framed house that was oddly taller than it was wide, reaching three stories in height. They approached the door of the home. Knock! Knock! A moment later the door opened to a small white unicorn filly.

“Good mornin’ Sweetie Belle,” said Apple Bloom.

“Good morning everypony. Come on in!” She waved the three inside then closed the door behind them. “I can show you my room before we go.”

“Sweetie Belle, have your guests arrived?” came a refined voice from the kitchen.

“Yes.”

A moment later a beautiful white unicorn mare gracefully swept into the room.

“EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!”

The mare stared dumbly at the little earth pony dressed in an orange dress while the three other fillies stood slack jawed. For such a small pony, she had a remarkable set of lungs.

Recovering, the mare asked, “Are you okay, dear?”

Joy stared wide-eyed at the unicorn.

When there was no response, she turned to her sister, “Sweetie Belle, would you care to introduce me to your friend?”

“This is Joy, Apple Bloom’s sister.”

Said earth pony stood perfectly still with her unblinking eyes fixed squarely upon the unicorn.

“And this is my sister Rarity.”

“EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!”

The four gazed astonished at the filly as they pulled their hooves from their ears.

Taken aback, Rarity opened her mouth but was interrupted –

“OhMyGosh!OhMyGosh!OhMyGosh!” The filly began bouncing up and down. “OhMyGosh!OhMyGosh!OhMyGosh!”

Rarity tried again, “Joy – ”

“I can’t believe it’s you!” She began prancing in place. “I can’t believe it’s you! This is the greatest thing ever!”

The three fillies continued to look on in shock. Their new friend had completed leapfrogged one through ten and was now dialed to eleven.

“Rarity!” gasped Joy.

Before anypony knew it, Joy was vigorously shaking Rarity’s hoof.

“Joy?” began Apple Bloom.

Joy turned to her sister. “Apple Bloom, do you know who this is!?”

Confused, she said, “Uh – Rarity?”

“Rarity!” exclaimed Joy, the word having a complete different meaning than to her twin. “The fashion designer! The pony whose dress made the cover of Cosmare! The designer who won Manehattan Fashion Week! The mare featured on the cover of Vanity Mare magazine!” She continued vigorously shaking Rarity’s hoof.

Suddenly understanding, Rarity said, “I see you’re a fan of my work.”

Turning back to the mare, Joy said, “Oh yes! I absolutely adore your gowns! They’re fabulous! It’s an honor to meet you!”

Rarity smiled graciously, “The honor is mine.”

Joy glanced down and saw she was still shaking Rarity’s hoof. She let go and stood back, blushing in embarrassment before explaining, “I’ve seen your dresses for sale in the finest boutique in Vanhoover. They are absolutely fabulous! I ever so wanted to meet you. When mother went to Canterlot on business, I pleaded to go along so I could visit your boutique, but you were at your Manehattan location that day. We spent hours at Canterlot Carousel and... it was divine! I knew you had a boutique in Ponyville, but I didn’t realize you still lived here. If I had known that, I would have been more excited about coming here.”

“I do spend time in Manehattan and Canterlot,” Rarity conceded, “but Ponyville will always be my home. In fact, it is where I design and sew most of my outfits.”

Her eyes going wider, Joy asked, “It is?”

“Yes, dear. Would you like to see it?”

Joy inhaled deeply and everypony covered their ears, but she displayed incredible self control. Joy nodded enthusiastically, “Yes.” She pranced in place. “Yes! Yes! Yes!”

“Well, perhaps you could come by after your tour?”

Joy’s enthusiasm tempered. “Yes... our tour.”

The three fillies exchanged glances. With ears laid back on her skull, Apple Bloom stepped forward and said, “Maybe we could give you the tour after lunch?”

Joy looked hopeful. “Really?”

Apple Bloom nodded, “Yeah.”

Joy turned back to Rarity with wide, pleading eyes.

The mare smiled again, “Well, if your friends are acceptable to it, we could go see Carousel Boutique now if you would like?”

Joy smiled widely, “Oh yes!”

Turning to the other three, Rarity said, “I will see you three at Carousel Boutique at say, one o’clock?” She was met with three nods. “Excellent!” She addressed Joy, “If you will follow me?” Rarity stepped out the door with Joy in toe, leaving the other fillies alone in the house.

The three stood there, speechless. Finally, Sweetie Belle broke the silence. “That was unexpected.”

“Yeah. But hey, at least she’s not mean like Babs Seed was,” added Scootaloo, only to receive a poke in the ribs from Sweetie Belle.

It being a lazy Sunday afternoon, and a summer one at that, most of the shops of Ponyville were closed for the day and the streets lacked the normal hustle and bustle seen during regular business hours. That’s not to say it was completely deserted. There were still a few townponies out, tending to their gardens, sharing a picnic, or playing a game with friends. In particular, three little fillies trotted down the main thoroughfare in Ponyville towards a well-known landmark, one whose richly decorated exterior seemed out of place in a town dominated by simple timber-framed and thatched-roof buildings.

“Yeah, who knew your sister was into fashion?” said Scootaloo.

“Or she was such a big fan of Rarity?” added Sweetie Belle.

With a sigh, Apple Bloom shook her head, “Ah sure didn’t, that’s fer sure.”

“I wonder if they’ve had a good time,” remarked Sweetie Belle as she turned the handle to the back door.

The three entered the kitchen to find the fashionista and her awe-struck admirer sitting at the table. Rarity levitated at cup of tea in front of her while Joy sat captivated, munching on one of the hors d’oeuvres her host had generously offered.

“...it was a truly stunning gown, though she did have to have it thoroughly cleaned afterwards,” Rarity shuddered. She looked at the new arrivals and smiled, “Hello girls.”

Joy turned to Apple Bloom, “Rarity was telling me of the Grand Galloping Gala dress she designed for Princess Celestia.”

“Oh, yeah, the Smooze covered her in ooze at the Gala,” remembered Sweetie Belle.

“You were there?” gasped Joy. “How did you get a ticket?”

“She was my date,” explained a smiling Rarity with a nod of her head. “In fact,” she said, sweeping a foreleg towards the three, “Apple Bloom was Applejack’s date and Scootaloo was Rainbow Dash’s date.”

“All three of you went!”

The fillies nodded.

“I even made a darling dress for each of them,” added Rarity.

Joy glared at Apple Bloom. “You have a Rarity original! When were you planning on telling me about it?”

The twin rubbed her chin. “Actually, Ah think Ah have two of her dresses – ”

“Two!”

“Well, the Gala an’ the one fer Princess Cadence’s wedding.”

“And don’t forget the costumes that she made for Sweetie Belle’s play,” reminded Scootaloo.

“Three!”

“Ah reckon it’s three.”

Joy declared with no room for argument, “You are showing me those dresses when we get back to the farm house.”

Apple Bloom shrugged, “Sure. Why not. You can even try them on.”

Joy squealed with glee.

“Ooh,” remembered Rarity, “you should also have Applejack show you the dresses I made for her. Let me think... I made two Gala gowns... a dress for Princess Cadence’s wedding... one for Twilight’s coronation... and she has one from the Ponyville Days town festival.”

“Applejack has five of your gowns!”

“And I also made her a wonderful cape that goes ever so well with her hat.”

“Applejack is so lucky,” Joy said with an obvious longing in her voice.

Rarity thought for a moment, “You know, while you’re here, I could make you a dress.”

Joy sucked in her breath while the others covered their ears. Seeing everypony’s reaction, she exhaled and stated formally, “I would be ever so grateful, Miss Rarity.”

Rarity tsked, “Think nothing of it dear.”

“Oh no, to have a true Rarity original – it would be a dream come true.”

Rarity smiled and giggled, “Nothing would give me greater joy than creating a dress for somepony who so appreciates my work.”

Joy blushed a deep red.

“So, are y’all ready to see Ponyville?” asked Apple Bloom.

Joy looked to her twin. “Actually, I was hoping to spend a little more time here,” she said, then turned back to Rarity for a moment, “if that is acceptable to you?”

Rarity glanced over to the fillies before addressing Joy. “Wouldn’t you like to spend time with your friends?”

“Well,” Joy demurred. “I would really like to learn more about fashion. There are some good designers in Vanhoover, but none of them can match your talent.”

Apple Bloom took a breath as she stepped forward, “Go ahead then, ’sis. We can do the tour tomorrow.”

“Oh, thank you Apple Bloom.”

“Just remember, Granny wanted ya home fer supper.”

“Don’t worry girls,” reassured Rarity. “I will ensure Joy returns to Sweet Apple Acres in time for your family dinner.”

With that, the three fillies headed towards the door. “Ah’ll see ya back at the farm,” said Apple Bloom.

“Bye, Apple Bloom,” said Joy.

“See you later, Rarity,” said Sweetie Belle.

“Bye,” called Scootaloo over her shoulder as she left the boutique and pulled the door closed behind her.

The old hinges on the kitchen door groaned. Applejack looked up from the pie she was making to see the door swing open, revealing her little sister. “Apple Bloom, what’cha doin’ home so soon? An’ where’s Joy?”

Sighing, she said, “Joy’s at Rarity’s.”

“She is?” asked a surprised Applejack.

“Turns out she’s real into fashion and is a big fan of Rarity’s.”

“So she stayed with Rarity after your tour?”

Looking down at the floor, Apple Bloom muttered, “We didn’t go on the tour. We went to Sweetie Belle’s an’ when Joy saw Rarity, she went all crazy. She’s spending the whole day with her.”

“Ah can only imagine how ya feel.” Applejack came over to nuzzle her sister. “But ya did somethin’ nice fer yer sister. Ah’m sure they’ll be plenty of time fer ya tah spend together.”

“Yeah,” said Apple Bloom, not entirely convinced.

“How ’bout a slice of apple pie? Baked fresh this mornin’ an’ still coolin’ on tha window sill.”

“No thanks. Ah... Ah think Ah’ll go to my room.”

Applejack watched her sister slowly walk out of the kitchen.

“...and then Miss Rarity let me see the gowns she is currently working on for the Canterlot Royal Fashion Show, and then she showed me her designs for the upcoming fall season, and she explained her plans for her Manehattan boutique....” Joy was, well, overjoyed at dinner, breathlessly recounting her time spent with Rarity at Carousel Boutique.

An amused Applejack watched as her new sister said more in the first ten minutes of dinner than the entire time since she’d arrived in town. Still, she managed to interrupt her sister, “Sugarcube, Ah know yer all excited ’bout meetin’ Rares an’ all, but ya should eat yer supper ’fore it gets cold.”

Joy looked down at her plate of food which she hadn’t touched since it had been placed before her. “Yes, Applejack.” Quickly she began devouring her food, though it seemed her appetite had less to do with the cuisine and more to her distracted mind. With mechanical precision, Joy would carefully cut her food, take a dainty bite, chew thoroughly, swallow, wipe her mouth, give another explanation about a fashion lesson she’d learned from Rarity, then repeat the process.

While Joy was going on and on, Applejack looked over at her other sister, “You want seconds, Bloom?”

The filly shook her head, “Naw, Ah’m not hungry.”

Applejack quirked an eyebrow, “Ya sure?”

“Yeah.”

As Joy finished another bite, Applejack said, “So, what’s on y’all’s docket for tomorrow?”

Joy wiped her mouth, “Tomorrow Miss Rarity is going to teach me the basics of fabrics and how they are used in fashion.”

“Tomorrow?” questioned Apple Bloom. “Ah thought we were goin’ tah show yah ’round town.”

“I am sure there will be plenty of time to explore Ponyville later,” dismissed Joy.

After supper Joy dragged Apple Bloom upstairs, intent on seeing the dresses Rarity had made for the filly. Applejack busied herself with cleaning up, then relaxed in the living room with a good book. That is until Joy came downstairs wearing the pink gown from the last Gala and politely requested that Applejack show her the dresses Rarity had made for her. And so Applejack went to her closet and pulled out all the clothes Rarity had so generously provided. She even showed her sister Rarity’s first attempt at her Grand Galloping Gala dress. Joy was horrified, claiming that gorgeous fabrics and utilitarian galoshes went beyond a fashion faux pas. It was a crime against fabulosity!

Author's Note

Hello everyone! Here's this month's chapter. I hope you enjoyed it.

I'm having a blast at Everfree Northwest. I've just finished Iron Author competition. I plan on publishing my story when I return home. Until then, have a good weekend!

V/R,

Dreadnought

Chapter 5

Rarity stood deep in thought, scrutinizing the ponyquin gracing the back corner of her showroom. It modeled a lovely yellow sundress trimmed in lavender, paired with a matching sunhat. Even though the ponyquin and its ensemble made a striking pose, a natural draw for every customer’s eyes, Rarity wasn’t quite satisfied.

Ding-a-Ling!

Without glancing to the front door, Rarity greeted, “Welcome to Carousel Boutique, where every garment is chic, unique, and magnifique!” She paused for a moment before floating over a piece of matching fabric and tying it loosely around the neck, forming an airy scarf. “Perfect!” Returning her attention to her guest, a smile grew on her face as she saw a familiar yellow filly in a red blouse and blue jeans patiently waiting. “Good morning, Joy.”

“Good morning, Rarity,” responded the filly, though her eyes were upon something behind the older mare.

Rarity giggled, “Ah, you have noticed the latest piece of my summer collection. What do you think?”

“Oh, it... it is nice.”

Rarity cocked an eyebrow at the filly’s hesitation.

Joy quickly amended, “I mean, it’s absolutely fabulous!” as a forced extra-large grin claimed her face.

Rarity laughed, “Darling, I am a professional, I expect honest criticism of my work. Please tell me what you really think.”

“Oh, well, it’s nice. It’s just that....” Joy’s eyes wandered over to the glittering gowns filling the showroom.

Rarity followed the filly’s gaze. “I understand. It is quite different compared to many of my other couture. But you know something Joy? This dress has a secret.”

“Really?”

A mischievous smile grew on her face as her eyes twinkled. “Would you like to know?”

“Yes,” said Joy eagerly as she stepped forward, closing the distance to her idol.

“This dress,” she began, leaning down so the two were nearly cheek-to-cheek as they gazed upon the outfit in question. “Some may call understated, even plain. But for this dress, the secret is,” Rarity paused for dramatic effect before saying in a stage whisper, “less is more.”

“Less is more?” repeated the disbelieving filly in a hushed whisper.

Rarity stood upright and beamed. “Oh, I could add gems or more layers of fabric to make this dress another one of my dazzling creations, but that would ruin it. You see Joy, the beauty of this dress is its simplicity. By using less, the exquisite fabric, bold color and loving care stand out. This dress has a true timeless elegance, an elegance that seems to be going out of vogue these days.” The last wistful words trailed off with a hint of longing as her smile ever so slightly faded.

Joy stared up at the dress with newfound appreciation.

After a pause, Rarity continued, “Well, perhaps it is time that we continue with your training. I have a very special project planned for you today.”

Turning to her idol, Joy asked eagerly, “What is it?”

“Follow me.” She led Joy from the showroom deeper into the boutique. Shortly the two found themselves standing in the newly-organized and clutter-free inspiration room. Rarity trotted over to the corner and opened a large chest.

“Ooh,” cooed Joy at the mesmerizing sight before her. The chest was overflowing with diamonds, emeralds, rubies, and saphires, all glittering in the sunlight pouring through the window.

“Yes,” Rarity beamed. “Spikey-Wikey was ever so helpful with collecting these gemstones.”

“‘Spikey-Wikey?’”

“Oh, you haven’t met Spike yet? He’s a dragon and –”

“Dragon!?” squeaked the wide-eyed filly, the fear evident in her voice as her eyes darted about the room looking for the terrifying, ferocious beast.

“You needn’t worry, dear,” Rarity reassured. “He’s a baby dragon and Princess Twilight’s number one assistant. He also spends time helping me with various projects.”

“Oh,” said an unconvinced Joy as she continued to search the room with her eyes.

“The little darling is a real sweetheart. I’ll have to introduce you to him at some point.” Her brow furrowed. “Now, where was I? Oh, yes! Spike helped me collect these gemstones last week, but I simply haven’t had the time to properly organize them. I would like you to sort and classify all the gems in this chest. You are familiar with the Four C’s, aren’t you Joy?”

Finally giving Rarity her full attention, Joy scrunched her muzzle, “The ‘Four C’s’?”

She nodded, “Yes: Cut, Color, Clarity and Carat weight. Those are the standard metrics by which all diamonds are appraised, but the technique can be generally applied to any gemstone. These particular gems are uncut, but you can still sort them based on the other three.” She turned and trotted over to a bookshelf, scrutinizing the titles until her horn glowed and levitated a book from the middle shelf. “This is Beryl’s Complete Guide to Gemstones. It is the go-to reference on the topic.” Rarity flipped through the book until she found a particular entry. “For example, this section will have everything you need to know about the properties of sapphires.” She passed the volume over to Joy before pulling another book. “And this is Rating Gems by Multi Facet. It helps one appraise the value of gemstones.” She pointed to the other side of the room. “Over on the desk are the scale and weights to weigh the gems.”

Joy nodded.

“Any questions, dear?”

The filly shook her head.

“I’ll be down in the showroom catching up on some paperwork. Running a boutique isn’t just designing, sewing and catering to the customers. There’s unfortunately an inordinate amount of tedious paperwork that goes along with it as well,” she sighed. “Well, if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask.”

“Yes, Rarity.”

The unicorn smiled as she trotted out the door, leaving Joy to attend to the task at hoof.

“Yah gonna read that or are yah just gonna stare at it all day?”

“Huh?” Apple Bloom looked up.

“Y’all’ve been staring at the same page for the last five minutes,” noted Applejack standing in the doorframe.

“Oh, Ah guess Ah don’t feel like readin’.” She sat up on her bed and cast the book aside.

“Ah thought on a fine day like t’day, yah would be out with Sweetie Belle an’ Scootaloo.”

“Guess Ah didn’t feel like crusadin’ neither,” Apple Bloom hung her head and stared at the floor.

After a moment, Applejack offered, “Want to talk about it, sugarcube?”

Apple Bloom hesitated, then quietly shook her head, “No.”

“It’s Joy, isn’t it?” pressed the older sister as she entered the bedroom..

“It’s just that....” she trailed off.

Applejack sat down next to her sister. “Y’all wanted to spend time with her?”

Apple Bloom nodded, “Yeah. I mean, we’re sisters, an’ we haven’t seen each other since we were newborns. She comes all the way from Vanhoover, an’ Ah had so many plans for things we could do together, an’ all she wants to do is spend time with Rarity. Ah mean, Ah guess she likes that stuff, but we’re sisters an’ we’ve missed so much together. Ah just want to spend time together. Ah thought she’d want to spend time with me too but....” She wiped her eyes before hopping off the bed and trotting to the door.

“Apple Bloom....”

Without turning around she said, “Ah need tah use the outhouse.” Apple Bloom left Applejack sitting alone on the bed.

“...I had no idea of the variety of colors diamonds exhibited until today. You have, of course, your white diamonds which is what everypony naturally thinks of first. They are rated on a scale of D to Z, with D being the best. But then you have your yellow diamonds, not quite as desirable as your white diamonds but far more plentiful. And brown diamonds, though they are marketed by the fashion industry as ‘chocolate.’ And then you have blue diamonds, which are a beautiful deep shade. Rarity had several of those. And then there are red diamonds – ”

“Yah better eat yer supper b’fore it gets cold.”

She looked down at her untouched bowl of soup. “Of course, Mrs. Smith.”

She looked over at her other grandfilly, “And that goes fer you too, Apple Bloom.”

“Yes, Granny,” she sighed.

“Maybe you should let Rares have some peace an’ spend time with yer sister explorin’ Ponyville,” Applejack suggested.

“Oh, Rarity said I am a big help and she’s even invited me to attend the Canterlot Royal Fashion Show next weekend.”

Author's Note

I was shooting for a monthly release date, but I missed my self-imposed deadline. Well, I hope it was worth the wait.

V/R,

Dreadnought