Chapters "HMPF!"
Applejack grunted as she bucked the last apple tree of the forest. "T-that..." She panted heavily as she got the cart around her waist, letting out another grunt as she did so. "-should do it."
The country pony then gave a small sigh and began to take the long walk back to the farm. Sure, she hadn't been doing the applebucking all on her own this time, but it was still a tiring job.
However, she could smile with the knowledge that it was her talent; where she belonged.
The reason that the orange mare had been so exhausted lately had been due to the fact of Granny Smith being unable to work as much. Being old like she was, Applejack and Big Macintosh had to start pulling all the weight around the farm. Apple Bloom was a bit of help as well, but the yellow filly was simply too young to do the heavy work just yet.
Applejack then huffed a bit as she thought back on the past week. It was tiring, yes. She always had to collapse for a nap right afterwards, yes. And there was always that bit of soreness that never quite went away when she got up, yes. However, she felt that it was worth it, and that it'd be selfish to let her big brother do all the heavy stuff by himself. So, she dealt with it, as any hard-working pony should.
"Ah'm back everypony!" the orange mare called as she entered her home.
Then, less than a split-second later, a certain yellow filly came charging down the stairs, nearly knocking the hat off of Applejack's head as she gave her a tight hug.
"Big sis, you're back!" the red-maned pony cheered, wiggling her legs joyfully as her big sister wrapped a loving hoof around her, returning the hug.
"Yup. Just finished all mah work for the day." Applejack explained, looking out the window to see a sunset, indicating that it was late-afternoon; Pinkie Pie had been hosting a party that started a few hours ago, but the orange mare had told her how she'd be too busy to make it. The deflated expression on the pink pony's face in that moment had tugged at her heart.
"You're always too busy to come to my parties...it's not fair Applejack!"
The country pony frowned a bit as she reflected on those words.
...Maybe it ain't...but that's what ah gotta do.
Turning her attention back to the filly who still had her in a tight hug, she smiled and patted at her little sister's red mane.
"Ya seem excited Apple Bloom." she said plainly.
"A'course ah am! After all, ya promised me just last week that we'd hang out today, remember?" the yellow filly asked, grinning innocently.
Instantly, Applejack felt a weight hit her heart. It was true; she had promised that. She had told Apple Bloom that they'd hang out together; just the two of them.
"Ya said that ya'd take me anywhere ah wanted to go! Don't tell me ya forgot!"
"A-ah... n-no... ah didn't..."
She was exhausted, wanting nothing more than to pass out on the couch and sleep. She couldn't break her promise to her little sister though, could she?
"...A-Apple Bloom... ah-"
"Applejack ."
The country pony flinched at the firm voice, then turned to see Granny Smith standing at the kitchen doorway; probably having been listening in.
"Y-yeah Granny?" the orange mare asked, putting her little sister down and focusing on the elderly mare.
"Why don't cha come and talk to me for a little bit?"
"U-uh... a-alright."
After taking one last look at Apple Bloom, the tired earth pony followed her grandmother into the kitchen, then closed the door behind her for privacy.
"What is it Granny? Did ah do somethin' wrong?" Applejack asked, puzzled as she wondered about what the green mare had wanted to tell her.
"'Course not deary." the elderly earth pony assured, smiling an odd smile as she gazed at her granddaughter.
"Oh... then what'd ya wanna talk to me about?" the orange mare questioned, staring curiously at her grandmother's face. Her smile seemed... a bit sad; as if she felt that she was going to make somepony upset.
Ah'd never be upset with ya Granny Smith...
"Well... ah'm gettin' old ya know," the green pony began, her smile fading as she took a small glance towards the door; which led to the outside. "...and ah just can't help you an' Big Macintosh as much as ah'd like to-"
"-A-ah don't mind Granny, really!" Applejack interjected, feeling as though her grandmother felt guilty.
The elderly mare paused for a moment to gaze at her, then just smiled and patted the country pony's head.
"Ah know... ah know..." she said softly, knowing how lucky she was to have such an understanding granddaughter. "But as much as ya think that the three of ya can handle it on your own, that ain't the case."
Applejack stiffened at those words, her eyes shrinking a bit as she stared her grandmother down. "G-Granny... ya didn't! Tell me ya didn't! This... this is a family busine-"
"Ah know; but you, Apple Bloom, and Big Macintosh could all use some he-"
"We can handle it all on our own Granny!"
"Without collaspin' at the end of the day?"
The orange mare grunted a bit. It was true. She was always exhausted...
After giving the older mare a brief stare, Applejack then looked away, getting the feeling that she had failed as a granddaughter for being unable to perform her duties in top condition.
"Now... don't you worry dear... you'll have plenty more time to relax once he starts helpin' out." Granny Smith told her with a wide grin.
"...He?"
Only one pony?
Applejack looked back up as she wondered about her grandmother's words. "...Who is it Granny? Who'd ya get?" she asked, skeptical of this 'new helper'.
"He's right here." the elderly green pony told her, staring over at the door she had been looking at earlier. "C'mon in Caramel!"
"B-beg pardon?" the orange mare questioned with a huff.
She couldn't mean... THAT Caramel... could she?
Sure enough though, the door opened and in trotted a familiar-looking amber earth pony, who stared at Granny Smith with a big smile. "Hey there!"
"...Beg pardon?" Applejack repeated with a grunt.
"Applejack, meet Caramel. He'll be helpin' ya out from here on out."
...
"...BEG PARDON!?"
"Applejack..." Granny Smith muttered, raising a brow as she stared at her granddaughter. "What's wrong?"
"What's wrong?" the orange mare repeated, glaring over at Caramel with an annoyed expression. "Ah..."
Applejack paused, then sighed and backed away from the two.
"...Sorry, Granny Smith. You're right. Ah'll... show Caramel around tomorrow," she replied, trying to hold in a bit of a grudge against the amber stallion.
"...Applejack...?"
The orange mare turned as she heard the voice of her younger sibling on the other side of the door; sounding as if she was longing for something.
"...For now... ah gotta be goin'," Applejack huffed, opening the door and passing the yellow filly on her way outside. "Let's go, Apple Bloom."
The red-maned earth pony was quiet for a moment, then quickly became ecstatic as she galloped after her older sister.
"Alright!"
Applejack knew full-well that she had been tired earlier, but she would've done anything to get some away time from...him .
"...So... who were you and Granny talkin' to?"
The orange mare snapped out of her thoughts as she turned her attention to her little sister, who looked up at her with big innocent eyes.
"Huh?"
"Back at the house; ah didn't hear much, but ah did hear another pony's voice."
Applejack, quickly reminded of the event, looked away and sighed a bit. "Oh... right... him."
"Who, sis?" Apple Bloom asked.
"Caramel." the orange mare responded.
"...Ya sound angry..." the yellow filly muttered, shuddering slightly. Her sister rarely sounded like that.
Applejack stopped for a moment, then smiled slightly and sat down, sitting her little sister down with her as she patted her sibling's red mane.
"Don't ya worry now; ah ain't mad. Pinkie Pie Promise," she said, trying to reassure the young earth pony. "...And speakin' of promises, ah promised to do somethin' with ya today, right? So where do ya wanna go?"
Apple Bloom's face quickly lit up at the question, making her jump up and turn back towards the distant Ponyville. "Ah know exactly where! Follow me!" she exclaimed, trotting off towards the town.
Applejack smiled at her sister's excitement, then stood up and followed.
"...Apple Bloom..."
"Yeah?"
"...This is just a plain ol' pastry place, ain't it? Why not somewhere else?"
Applejack stared up at the sign of sweets that hung on the building; brownies, muffins, shortcakes...all kinds of baked desserts. Why wouldn't her little sister rather go to Sugarcube Corner? They could probably even get things for free there if they really wanted, considering that they were friends with Pinkie Pie.
...Not that she would've asked to though, of course.
"Oh, no way, Applejack!" Apple Bloom replied, her eyes going a bit wide. "It's gotta be this place!"
"Ur..." The orange mare became skeptical as she gazed inside the small shop, quickly noticing that there was no one in it besides a young female pony working the counter.
This place is anythin' but busy. What's so special about it?
"Just trust me, sis!" the yellow filly exclaimed, promptly bounding inside.
Applejack just stood there for a moment to ponder over her little sister's joy, then shrugged it off and trotted inside...
...where she was quickly met with the most delectable scent in the history of delectable scents.
Seriously... it smelled wonderful in there.
"Mmm..." she moaned, sniffing the air with a great sense of bliss.
It was an average-sized place for sure, with only a few tables and chairs lined up against the wall. The floors were tiled with pretty blue and white swirls which, admittedly, looked rather delicious by themselves; or maybe that was just because the delightful fumes were getting to her... she wasn't sure.
At the edge of the white path that stretched from the door, the two siblings were met with a glistening white counter that was lined with cute confections at the edges.
The young pony that the orange mare had seen earlier still stood at the counter, smiling at her. Her mane was a dark chocolate-brown, while her fur contrasted it by being a light milky-brown. Her mocha-colored eyes were big, yet gentle, and her attire was a simple fluffy hat; appropriate, given her job.
Apple Bloom was not shy in approaching the mare, hopping onto a stool and sitting right in front of her.
"Oh! Apple Bloom!" the brown pony exclaimed, smiling wide at the sight of the yellow filly.
"Ya know my little sis?" Applejack asked, raising a brow as she sat next to her little sister, having finally gotten over the intense atmosphere of the simple shop.
The mare merely nodded as Apple Bloom turned to her older sister and directed her hoof towards the mocha-eyed pony.
"This is Cocoa Cookie. She's a friend of mine that ah made recently." she explained.
"Mmhm. We met over some business." the brown mare added, smiling over at Applejack once more.
Met over some business? What's that supposed to mean?
"So then? What would you like?" Cocoa Cookie questioned, pulling out a small notepad to write down orders.
"Hot chocolate with lots of marshmallows please!" Apple Bloom said quickly as she flailed a hoof, knowing immediately what she wanted.
Applejack scrunched her nose as she thought about something to order, then looked up at the menu and let out a firm, "Sweet-apple cobbler, if ya don't mind."
"Oh, of course I don't mind!" Cocoa Cookie cheered, quickly writing down the orders and trotting off for the kitchen.
"..."
"...So..."
Applejack's ear twitched as she heard her little sister's sudden unsureness.
"...If ya ain't mad... then why'd ya say his name like that? And who is he?"
This conversation again?
The orange mare sighed at first, then gave in to the yellow filly and rested her front hooves on the counter, thus allowing her to relax somewhat.
"Honestly, I wouldn't say that ah'm mad at him. Just a little..." She paused to word her sentence, then adjusted her hat slightly. "...annoyed."
"Annoyed? Why's that?" Apple Bloom asked. After a short pause though, the yellow filly leaned towards her older sister and tilted her head. "Ohhh, ah remember now. Caramel, that pony who lost the seeds on Winter Wrap Up day. That right?"
Applejack gave a small grunt and nodded in reply.
However...the red-maned filly didn't seem so convinced of the orange mare's reasoning. "He rode ya to the Gala though, didn't he?" she questioned.
Applejack didn't respond for a moment, then sighed and stood up straight, adjusting her hat once more.
"Apple Bloom, that just ain't the-"
"Are ya mad that he's workin' at the farm now?"
The orange mare stared over at her little sister, then simply frowned and looked away.
Getting the feeling that she was digging too deep, Apple Bloom turned her attention to the kitchen door that her friend had gone through.
"...K-know what's funny?" she asked.
Applejack looked back over at the yellow filly and raised a brow.
"Cocoa Cookie told me that her family got part of her name from Smart Cookie."
"...Oh yeah?" the orange mare asked, managing a bit of a smile. "Well... how about that, huh?"
"That's what ah said!" Apple Bloom exclaimed, giggling a bit as she recalled Applejack's role in the Hearth's Warming Eve play.
The two then turned their attention back to Cocoa Cookie as the brown mare came out of the kitchen, placing a hot cup of cocoa by Apple Bloom and a slice of sweet-apple cobbler by Applejack. She then dumped a few marshmallows in the yellow filly's warm drink and smiled. "Is that alright?"
Apple Bloom took a quick sip of her cocoa, then grinned wide. "It's more than alright! It's-"
"Amazin'!" Applejack interrupted, a piece of the cobbler still in her mouth. After swallowing, the orange mare regained her composure and smiled. "Ah mean... sorry... ah guess ah misjudged ya. Didn't see many ponies here and wondered why Apple Bloom wanted to come. Now ah see why!"
The country pony then went to take another bite of her cobbler, but paused as she realized something. "O-oh right! Ah forgot to pay!"
Alright, now all of mah bits should be-
clink
Applejack paused at the noise, then turned her head to see a few bits laying on the counter. She certainly hadn't put them there, so...
"...Apple Bloom... those're your bits..." the orange pony muttered, looking over at her little sister with a confused expression.
"Ah know. Ah... ah wanted to pay this time," Apple Bloom said shyly, smiling innocently at her older sibling.
Applejack examined the golden coins once more, then frowned. "Those're the bits we gave ya for cleanin' the barn, ain't they? ...Is that why ya did it?" she asked.
"You're lucky to have her as a little sister," Cocoa Cookie interrupted, smiling over at the orange mare as the yellow filly sheepishly drank her hot cocoa while blushing slightly.
"She helped me clean up this place after it was built. Didn't ask for pay or anything; only that, for today, I would keep the shop a secret so that she could take her 'wonderful sister Applejack' out to eat," the brown mare explained, her smile softening as she remembered the moment.
"Apple Bloom..." Applejack started, staring over at her little sister. "...ya did that for me?"
The yellow filly set her cup down, then looked up at the orange mare and nodded. "Ah... ah saw how stressed ya were, and ah just wanted to-" She was quickly cut off as Applejack gave her a gentle hug.
"...Thanks, lil' sis."
Apple Bloom blinked in response at first, then giggled and hugged her older sister back.
"...So... you're not annoyed anymore?" she asked quietly.
"Heh..." Applejack simply smiled and rubbed the yellow filly's mane. "Hey, he ain't here, is he? So let's just enjoy this while it lasts, alright?"
Apple Bloom stared into the orange mare's eyes for a moment, not completely satisfied with her answer, but smiled nonetheless. At least she was happy for now.
"Alright!"
Patching Things Up...Kinda
"Nnnn...huh?"
Applejack stirred slightly as a pleasant scent entered her snout. After sniffing the air a bit, she recognized the smell of blueberries, cherries, and bananas.
It was odd really, as she was used to the aroma of apples; and besides that, why was she smelling these things in her room anyway?
Shifting positions, the orange mare opened her eyes and sat up; greeted with a breakfast tray sitting right in front of her. On it laid a cherry smoothie and a generous slice of banana bread that was topped with a blueberry jelly.
After taking a moment to look around for whoever made this for her, Applejack merely shrugged and slowly ate at the meal.
While doing so though, she was sure of one thing; it was not a perfect meal.
The banana bread was burnt slightly, the jelly was a bit thin, and the smoothie had way too many chunks still inside it. However, it was clear that much effort that had been put into it, so the orange mare couldn't complain.
Besides, she was probably just comparing it to that delicious meal that she had last night. Mmm...
Finishing up after a few minutes, Applejack slowly got up and put her hat on, adjusting it at first until it was to her liking. She then trotted out into the hallway, where she was quickly met with Apple Bloom.
"Sis, why is Caramel sleepin' in our kitchen?" she asked.
"Eh?" the older sister asked, blinking as she wondered why Caramel would be in the kitchen.
"C'mon! I'll show ya!"
Applejack followed hastily as her little sister led her downstairs and through the living room, heading into the kitchen where, sure enough, a certain amber stallion slept. His front hooves were covered in flour, and he was panting slightly in his sleep; probably being exhausted.
"Uh..." the orange mare muttered as she got closer to the stallion.
Did he really...?
She took a moment to sniff the air around the amber earth pony, then flinched in surprise.
Sure enough; he smelt of blueberries, cherries, and bananas.
"Y-yeah... that's him." she told her younger sibling.
"Well, he made a mess of our kitchen," Apple Bloom pointed out, pouting slightly.
"...Yeah... ah guess..."
Applejack got closer to the stallion before her, then gently shook him. "Hey 'Mel. C'mon. Wake up," she ordered firmly.
"Ungh..."
Caramel took a moment to stretch out his legs, then stood up and looked over at Applejack. After a bit of silence though, his cheeks went slightly pink as he backed away. "A-aw geez, did I collapse or something?" he asked, clearly embarrassed.
"Eeyup," Apple Bloom stated with a bit of a grin.
"Eheh...sorry about that. I meant to clean up the kitchen after I was done with it, but...ah...yeah." The stallion took a moment to laugh awkwardly, then quickly cheered back up as he smiled over at the two. "So, we're workin' today, right?"
"So you made me that breakfast then, right?" Applejack asked, completely ignoring Caramel's question.
"Uh... yeah. T...that's right." the amber stallion admitted, being a mix between happy and awkward. "I might be a little forgetful, but I still remember how I almost screwed up Winter Wrap Up. So... I just wanted to... make it up to you?"
The orange mare was quiet for a moment, contemplating his words.
Well, he does seem sorry...
"...Alright. Ah forgive ya," she said, though Apple Bloom gave her a questionable look. Didn't her older sister say earlier that she wasn't mad at him? And if that was true, then why was she telling him that she forgave him just now?
"...Sis?" the yellow filly began to ask, wanting to question Applejack's words.
"Hm?"
"Um... w-why..." Apple Bloom glanced over at Caramel for a moment, then grew nervous. She couldn't just ask that in front of him, could she?
So... she quickly hid her question with another.
"W-why'd ya call him 'Mel?"
"Why?" Applejack asked. After a moment of thought, the orange mare snickered. "Well, ya see... everypony got into this habit of callin' him that. See... this one time, we told Pinkie Pie that she needed some caramel on her cupcakes, and-"
"Aw, c'mon! That wasn't funny!" Caramel interjected, though his tone and teasing grin said otherwise. "I was washing frosting outta my tail for days!"
Apple Bloom giggled at the amber stallion, then turned away and headed out of the house without another word.
Applejack followed closely behind, and Caramel chased after her, looking excited to start working.
Ah got mah eye on you 'Mel...
After getting outside, the orange mare raised a brow at her grandmother, who had apparently been standing there for a while to wait for them.
"Somethin' wrong Granny Smith?" Applejack asked.
The green earth pony didn't respond for a moment, her gaze shifting from Apple Bloom to Caramel, then back again.
After a while though, she trotted up to Apple Bloom and smiled. "Alright Apple Bloom. Now, I want you to show Caramel how to do Big Macintosh's job, okay?"
"Huh?" the yellow filly asked. "B-but... what's wrong with mah big brother?"
Applejack could've sworn that she saw a brief grin come from the elderly mare, but just pretended as though she didn't. Maybe she was just seeing things.
"He went and strained himself yesterday; too sick to work." Granny Smith told them.
Apple Bloom stared skeptically at her grandmother at first, but promptly put a smile on her face and nodded, choosing not to question it.
"Alright! C'mon then Mister 'Mel!" she exclaimed, gesturing to the stallion before trotting towards the barn.
The amber pony nodded, then took a quick glance at Applejack before following.
"Ah...nnn..." the orange mare stuttered before staring her grandmother down. "G-Granny! Big Macintosh's job is-"
"-being takin' care of by Caramel today." Granny Smith interjected, putting a hoof to her granddaughter's mouth.
"B-but... but..." Applejack paused, then simply huffed and stormed off to do her own job.
How am ah supposed to keep an eye on him if we're on separate parts of the farm?
As suspicious as she was, the orange mare chose to have faith in her little sister and tried to focus on her task.
Trotting over to the Apple Family garden, Applejack took her time and began to examine each and every plant.
"You guys look about right." she muttered to a row of carrots, whipping out a basket and picking them out carefully.
Though knowing that the plants were unable to talk back to her... or even listen to her, for that matter, the orange mare still got a good distraction out of speaking to them.
So, she continued doing just that.
"There we go. All plucked an' picked." she said, surveying the picked carrots before putting them aside.
Why'd Granny make Caramel do Big Macintosh's job anyway?
"Now, we can't let y'all get dry and thirsty, so ah best water ya." Picking up a nearby water can, the mare went about her duties by traveling to each section of the garden to water the plants; being extra careful not to over-water any.
Ah mean...even Apple Bloom by herself would probably be a better choice!
"None of y'all seem too dirty or anythin', so ah guess ah can just get to plantin' new carrots."
Even with as small as she is... she's still capable!
After placing special shades over some lettuce and cabbage plants, Applejack began to dig small holes for the seeds, once again being careful not to give them too much or too little space.
She might not be strong as Big Macintosh, but with simple jobs like-
The orange mare promptly stopped a hoof to the ground, growing infuriated by her once-ignored thoughts. She was just so curious!
Looking up at the sky to get a good idea of the time, Applejack tilted her head and thought about her big brother's schedule.
"If ah remember right, he should be wakin' up the-"
RUMBLE RUMBLE
Blinking in surprise for a moment, the orange mare promptly turned her head to see a herd of-
"-COWS!"
Jumping back so she wouldn't get run over, Applejack could only watch as the cattle trampled the plants in front of her, barely leaving any untouched.
At the end of the stampede was Caramel and Apple Bloom, who stopped as they reached the orange mare.
"S-sorry sis!" the yellow filly said over the loud noises. "Caramel and ah were just wakin' up the cows so they could walk around a bit!"
"Ya yelled at them, didn't ya!?" Applejack asked, glaring at the amber stallion suddenly with much aggression.
"W-well, I-"
"You're not supposed to do that 'Mel! It startles ;em! Ya gotta go to each one gently , or THIS happens!"
Quickly directing her attention towards the stampede, Applejack reeled back and charged for the front of them, determined to stop them before they caused any more chaos.
After making it to the lead cow, Applejack jumped in front of the cows and halted, causing them to either screech to a halt or jump back in surprise.
"A-Applejack?" one of the cows muttered, seeming to have just now regained her sense.
"It's alright everyone. Just get on back to your nappin' ground," the orange mare told them.
After a moment of silence, the cows nodded and began walking back, with a few of them giving out short apologies when seeing the destroyed plants.
"Alright... that was the easy part." Applejack muttered. She then galloped back towards Caramel and glared at him angrily. "Now for you ."
"Look Applejack, I'm sorry, really! I just-"
"Sorry ain't gonna cut it 'Mel!" the orange mare yelled, earning a twitch of annoyance from the apologetic stallion. "The cows aren't the ones to blame at all either! It was all because you had to come in and-"
"I said I was sorry Applejack!" Caramel yelled back, suddenly looking very frustrated. "You try doing a job for the first time and tell me how it goes!"
"And ah told you that sorry ain't gonna fix anythin'!" Applejack told him. "Besides, why'd ya take the job in the first place if ya didn't know how to handle it!?"
"BECAUSE I-"
A pause...
"...I..."
The short-tempered stallion was quiet for a moment, then lowered his head with a mixture of anger and hesitance in his eyes.
"...WELL!?" Applejack asked, demanding an explanation for the earth pony's incompetence.
"...Because I like you..."
The orange mare blinked...
...then blinked again.
"Beg pardon?" she asked, staring skeptically at Caramel while still being very much angry.
"You heard me," the stallion huffed, still a bit testy.
Applejack felt her rage build before she took a intimidating step towards him.
"Don't you lie to me 'Mel! Ah know that ain't the truth! Ah told Apple Bloom what ya looked like yesterday, and she told me that she saw ya with your special somepony on Hearts and Hooves Day! Remember? Sassaflash!?"
Caramel's demeanor shifted back to anger again as he stared down the orange mare's unbelieving gaze. "What do you have against me anyway Applejack!? I lost the seeds on Winter Wrap Up day! That's all! What about giving second chances!?"
"Ah did give ya a second chance, an' look what happened!" Applejack yelled, directing a hoof towards the crushed plants. "Ya want another chance, Mister Chance-A-Lot? Well that ain't happenin'! Ah ain't risking you messing up again and doin' somethin' worse, like hurting mah sister or-"
"Alright Applejack! I get the picture!" Caramel interrupted. "I... I'll do better next time, oka-"
"There won't be a next time if ah have anythin' to say about it!" the orange mare told him. "Don't ya get it 'Mel!? AH DON'T WANT YA HERE! "
Those words seem to hit the stallion like a ton of bricks, and he took a moment to stare at Applejack before slowly trotting off.
"S-sis..." Apple Bloom whimpered, looking up at her older sister with sad eyes.
The orange mare looked back, then turned away and trotted off as well.
Hmph. Who does he think he is... lyin' to me like that...
Applejack grunted as she walked along the path to Ponyville. She knew she had been a bit out of line, but she was too stubborn to admit it right out-front.
Besides that, she was still very frustrated. The nerve of that stallion...
"HEY APPLEJACK!"
The orange mare jumped back as a certain pink pony leaped in front of her. Though breathing heavy for a moment, the country pony quickly calmed down as she realized that it was just her friend.
"O-oh... it's only you Pinkie Pie," she said, adjusting her hat and focusing on the pink mare.
"Yep! Just me!" the hyperactive pony exclaimed. "Buuuuuut~"
Taking hold of Applejack's face, she pulled the orange mare close and tilted her head. "What about just you ?" she asked, promptly releasing her friend.
"Did Apple Bloom come with you? Where is she? Or Granny Smith? Big Macintosh can't be around 'cause he's out with-" the pink pony paused for a moment, then put a hoof to her mouth. "-oops..."
Applejack raised a brow at her friend, but Pinkie Pie quickly recovered and continued speaking. "Ooo! I know! What about Caramel? He's working on the farm with you now, right? How is he? Did he-" She stopped her sentence once more as she noticed Applejack's sudden shift in demeanor.
"...Something wrong Applejack?" she asked, pouting a bit. She didn't like to see her friends look so angry.
"Ah..." The orange mare paused to choose her words, then shrugged and trotted past the pink pony. "Nothin' that concerns ya Pinkie Pie."
"Why not?" her pink friend asked, jumping in front of her again and giving her a bit of a glare.
Applejack simply huffed, in no mood for Pinkie's hyperactive ways.
"Ah... well..."
"Oh! Oh!" Pinkie Pie exclaimed. "I know what'll cheer you up!"
The orange mare tilted her head and stared obliviously.
She just doesn't give up, does she...?
"A trip to Sugarcube Corner! I know you love love LOVE our apple desserts!" the pink pony cheered.
"P-Pinkie Pie... ah really don't thi-WHOA!" Applejack flailed a bit as she was roughly pushed towards the decorative bakery.
"That'll make ya smile! Let's go!"
"Ah said-" The orange mare paused as she was shoved through the door, where she was met with a room devoid of any other ponies.
"...Nopony's here Pinkie Pie." she stated plainly.
"Oh! I know!" the pink pony said, rushing behind the counter and directing a hoof towards the 'CLOSED' sign on the window.
"Mister and Missis Cake went out to a convection-"
"Convention."
"Yeah, that! They went to this convention-thingy and asked me to watch the twins again. They thought I couldn't handle both the store and the babies, so we're closed for a bit!" she explained. "They're sleeping right now though, so when I saw you I just HAD to come say hi!"
"Ah, alright then."
"ANYWAY THOUGH!" Pinkie Pie suddenly shouted, making Applejack flinch slightly. "Whadda ya want?"
"Uh..." Not wanting to be rude, as the pink pony seemed so insistent on baking something for her, Applejack hesitantly took a seat and shrugged. "Ah... surprise me..."
"Yoooou got it!" Then, with a hop, skip, and jump, Pinkie Pie rushed off for the kitchen to start baking.
Waiting until she was completely gone, Applejack promptly and practically collapsed on the counter.
She was still angry at Caramel of course, but she couldn't help but feel bad. She did just snap at him after all.
Did he deserve it?
She didn't know.
She wasn't even sure of her own emotions, much less the answer.
Sighing again and slamming her hat onto the counter, Applejack ran a hoof through her mane and gave it a rough tap.
"Horseapples Applejack. Ya know darn well that you were outta line." she muttered.
"And Granny Smith wouldn't be very happy with ya either..."
"You're darn right I wouldn't."
Applejack practically scrambled out of her seat as she heard her grandmother's voice. Nervously turning around, the orange mare took notice of the elderly mare standing at the door.
"G-Granny..." she said fearfully, backing up until she hit the counter. She did not want to face her grandmother, especially not now.
The green earth pony shot her a glare at first, then walked up to her granddaughter and huffed. "Ya chased him off the farm on his first day Applejack. His first day. "
Immediately going on the defensive, the orange mare stared back at her grandmother and frowned. "Y-ya don't understand Granny Smith! He let the cows break free and they trampled most of our crops!"
"Applejack-"
"No Granny! It ain't okay for him to do that! Ah don't want him ruining all of our hard work! He'd just keep on doing it!"
"Appleja- "
"Ah don't trust him one bit, ah'll tell ya that right now! What if he had hurt Apple Bloom, huh!?" The orange mare's voice was starting to strain as her tone increased in frustration.
"APPLEJACK!"
Shaking her head, Applejack stomped her hooves on the ground, hoping that her grandmother would take her more seriously.
"Granny Smith! Why'd ya have to go and hire him! Ya DIDN'T! Big Macintosh, Apple Bloom, and ah can handle it ALL BY OURSELVES . YA DON'T HAVE TO PUT YOUR FAITH IN SOME OTHER PONY JUST SO WE DON'T HAVE TO-"
"-Is that what this is all about...?" Granny Smith suddenly asked, her expression softening.
"Ah-" Applejack froze for a moment, then quickly lowered her head and went silent.
"...Applejack."
"..."
"...Applejack. "
Grabbing her hat off the counter as quick as she could, the orange mare donned the stetson and used it to hide her face.
"Ah... ah'm... mighty sorry Granny Smith..."
"Deary-"
"Ah let ya down... ah couldn't..." Applejack began as she stiffened, trying desperately to hold back her emotions long enough to explain herself. "...ah couldn't hold up all our work. Ah tried... and ah failed ya..."
"Applejack! " Granny Smith said sternly, putting a hoof to the orange mare's face and lifting it up, making direct eye contact with the teary-eyed Applejack.
"Listen here. Ya never failed me. Ever. Don't ya ever go sayin' that."
"But..." Applejack told her timidly, lowering her gaze. "Ya had to go and hire somepony, then pay him just so we didn't have to-"
"Ah don't paid him."
The orange mare paused, then looked back at her grandmother in confusion. "H-huh? But you-"
"Caramel came to me. He didn't ask for pay. He didn't ask me to go easy on him. He just wanted to work hard for free ."
"W-why would he-"
"Work hard... with you , for free."
Applejack's ears perked at that. "W-wha? Me , Granny?"
The green earth pony smiled a bit, then gently stroked her granddaughter's cheek with a hoof.
"He's mighty fond of ya deary."
"F-fond... of me ?"
"Yup. He was too nervous to talk to ya about it after the Winter Wrap Up incident, so he asked me if he could come work on the farm; so he could get more comfortable with ya, and hope that you'd forgive him," Granny Smith explained.
Applejack just deadpanned, searching her grandmother's eyes for any sign of lying. "S-so... ya weren't lookin' to hire somepony?"
"Nope," the elderly mare replied plainly. "Ah just wanted to help him out, but ah couldn't tell ya why." Chuckling a bit, the green pony grinned sheepishly. "So ah... fibbed , a little."
The orange mare was quiet for a moment, then frowned once more. "But... Sassaflash... Apple Bloom told me-"
"Caramel's old girlfriend?"
The two mares turned their heads to see Pinkie Pie standing at the counter, a plate of two large Apple Dumplings in front of her. Her smile was flat, and she had a... somewhat serious expression on her face.
"U-uh... yeah." Applejack replied, suddenly feeling uncomfortable from the intrusion.
"She told me that he broke up with her," the pink pony stated. "Said that there was... somepony else ..."
The orange mare stiffened, only able to mutter, "...oh..."
Granny Smith stared over at her granddaughter for a moment, then put a hoof around her.
"The crops'll grow back dear. Hearts..." She paused, directing her hoof towards Applejack's chest. "...not always."
Applejack looked between her grandmother and Pinkie Pie, then turned and started heading for the door. "A-ah gotta go."
"Wait Applejack!"
Applejack paused, then turned towards the pink pony behind the counter, who was wrapping up the dumplings with great speed and care. "P-Pinkie Pie, ah don't think-" Her words were ignored as Pinkie Pie gave her the wrapped-up dumplings, which the orange mare held in her mouth.
"Share 'em with him," she said, her happy tone softened to match her small smile.
Applejack didn't respond for a moment, then smiled back and rushed out the door.
She had to find him...
"Caramel? I haven't seen him. Sorry..."
Ugh. That's the eighteenth pony ah've asked...
Applejack lowered her head as she continued her search for the amber stallion. Guilt was weighing heavy on her heart, and she wanted so badly to apologize; even if it'd be a little harder than she'd like.
"'Scuse me!" she called out to a pony at random.
...Though, her jaw admittedly dropped a little as she realized who she had called out to.
"O-oh! Uh... sis!"
Her big brother walked up to her awkwardly, blushing pink and being followed by Fluttershy, who shared his embarrassed expression.
"Big Macintosh? Ah thought-" After pausing for a moment, the mare shook her head. "N-nevermind. That ain't important right now," she insisted.
"Somethin' wrong?" the crimson stallion asked, eyes suddenly full of concern; Applejack rarely looked so upset.
"Have ya seen 'Mel anywhere?" she questioned.
"Nnnope. Not at all," Big Macintosh replied, shaking his head with a frown.
"...Oh...ah see." Lowering her head again, Applejack turned to walk off.
She was ready to give up...
"..."
But...
"...'M-Mel? You mean...Caramel?"
The orange mare's ears perked as she turned towards Fluttershy, who timidly looked over to her with a tilted head.
"Y-yeah! That's him!" Applejack said quickly, staring hopefully at the yellow pegasus.
"W-well...u-um...a little while ago, I saw an amber earth pony with a brown mane go..." Fluttershy paused to familiarize herself with her surroundings, then lifted a hoof up to point.
"...that way, I think," she finished.
Applejack turned her head towards the given direction, then frowned.
So he went... there?
"Thanks Fluttershy." the orange mare said before galloping off.
"Y-you're welcome! A-and good luck!"
...
...Alright.
Here we are...
Applejack stared down at the soil in front of her with a sad expression.
The place where we planted the seeds on Winter Wrap Up...
The orange mare sighed a bit as she lightly patted one of the plants.
But... why would he come here?
Lifting her head and looking around, Applejack managed to spot her target sitting a few yards away from her.
"...'Mel ..." she muttered, though not really meaning to.
Despite her quiet tone, it seemed to be enough to get the Caramel's attention. His ears perked as he turned his head to her, but upon seeing her, he quickly winced and looked away, seeming to be both sad and frustrated.
"What?" he spat, having a very mixed tone.
Feeling the awkwardness of the situation, Applejack slowly and quietly made her way towards him, promptly sitting down only a few inches away from the amber stallion.
"..."
"..."
...Here goes nothin'...
Taking a breath, the orange mare readied her apology.
"...I'm sorry."
Applejack paused. Those words hadn't come from her mouth.
"...'Mel?"
The amber stallion looked over at her apologetically, though his frustration was rather clear.
"I-I'm sorry. I... I never should've come to work for you, okay? All I wanted was to-"
"Ah know," the orange mare interrupted.
Caramel froze and quickly blushed pink. "H-huh? You... you what ?"
"Granny Smith told me everything after... after ah went and yelled at ya," Applejack explained.
"..."
"And ah'm the one who should be sorry," she added.
"You? Why? You never-"
"-Ah had no right to yell at ya like that. Ah was outta line." The orange mare took a moment to sigh, tilting her hat downwards as she let the guilt soak in.
"But I-"
"Geez 'Mel! Why can't ya just let me take the blame here?" Applejack interrupted, jabbing at the stallion's front leg.
The two suddenly went silent for a few seconds, then gave out soft chuckles.
"Don't tell me that we're really arguing about who gets the blame here," Caramel told her.
"Seems like it," the orange mare said softly, tilting her hat back up as the awkward tension died down a bit.
"...How about this?"
Applejack turned her head as the amber stallion took a bit of soil from the ground in front of them, then separated it into two sections.
"We both messed up, alright? We'll take equal blame," he explained.
"Sounds fair to me," the orange mare agreed.
The two earth ponies then nodded to each other and stared out at the field in front of them.
"..."
"...Ya know...ah'm surprised at ya," Applejack said, cutting through the silence.
"Why's that?"
"Ah thought ya'd be mighty upset with me," the orange mare admitted, suddenly looking a bit sad again. "Ah did snap at ya pretty hard back there after all..."
"Eheh..." Caramel laughed softly, then sheepishly rubbed the back of his head.
"I-I guess I just can't stay mad at you," he said nervously.
"..."
"Because...well..."
"..."
"...you know. "
Applejack was quiet for a moment, then simply nodded.
"Y-yeah..." the orange mare went silent again before turning to the amber stallion. "...so...why'd you come here anyway 'Mel?"
"Huh? Well, I was just kinda... upset, and I-"
"No. Ah mean... why here ?"
The amber stallion took a second to think about Applejack's question, then chuckled softly. "Eheh... actually, I come here often."
"Ya do?" the orange mare questioned, raising a brow.
"I know we still finished Winter Wrap Up on time, but I couldn't help feeling real guilty over what happened," Caramel explained.
"...'M-Mel-"
"No, no. It's okay," the amber stallion insisted. "That's... how I got caught by Sassaflash anyway. She got suspicious when I accidentally skipped out on a date to come here."
"...Ya forgot, didn't ya?"
Caramel smirked a bit. "A little..."
"So ya come here all the time 'cause ya felt guilty about me?" Applejack asked.
"...Kinda."
"Kinda?"
The amber stallion nodded. "I come here to... think about you too," he began. "I know we weren't on friend-to-friend terms, but... when we met, I really wanted to be."
"...R-really?"
"Ahuh. You had such a... drive. Such determination." Looking over at her, he smiled a bit, making Applejack feel warm for a split second. "You were really cool, ya know?"
The orange mare suddenly felt heat rush to her face, but she merely ignored it and pushed on. "S-so... that's when ya broke up with Sassaflash?" she asked, doing her best to keep cool.
"Yeah, that's right," Caramel replied. "I just... couldn't stay with her when all I thought about... was you," he added as his cheeks flushed red.
Applejack was quiet again, then placed a hoof on his and smiled.
"Tell ya what...let's go back to the farm and talk more about this," she said, shifting positions and standing up. "Ah'll even make ya a 'Sorry-for-ruining-your-first-day' apple pie."
The amber stallion stared at the orange mare in confusion for a moment, then smiled wide and stood up too. "How can I say no to that?"
Applejack smiled back at him, then turned away and began to walk.
"O-oh! And... Applejack?" Caramel asked as he followed closely behind.
"Hm? What is it?" the orange mare asked.
"...If you can call me 'Mel..." the amber stallion began. "...Can I call you 'Jack?"
"Pft! Ya better not!"
The two then laughed and raced each other to the farm; that warm feeling never quite going away.
Author's Note
Made you all wait an extra day for the last chapter because I'm evil like that. :P
See y'all in the next story!
