>With the Apple clan's massive surplus of wealth they amassed over the years,Applejack proposed to extend their ventures a bit and invest in a small warehouse tucked away down the south end of Ponyville.
>They talked it through amongst themselves and agreed that it would be converted into their first Apple family sanctioned bar and grill.
>It was lucky for them their kids were used to putting in a lot of grit in their work.
>The place was practically falling apart when they got it. 
>Many afternoons were spent lifting up old derbris from the caved roof, sweeping and mopping the caked on dust on the concrete, yada yada.
>By the time they were done the family had a respectable looking place waiting to be flipped, stocked, and decorated for a profitable business.
>The only matter at hoof was to bequeath the future establishment to someone.
>Now Applejack and Big Mac are farmer stock born and bred.
>They'd much rather be closer to the produce itself than anything else.
>Their spouses weren't any different, with Big Mac's wife love for landscaping their home and filling the backyard with all sorts of flowers, and Applejack's husband helping out with the early day farm work.
>But they always wanted something better for their children and had hopes they's branch out from just the typical pastoral work of apple farmers.
>Whether or not they wanted to, however, was another matter entirely.
>Gala had her own heart set on building a general store closer to Sweet Apple Acres that'd sure to thrive with her impeccable business sense.
>Cider and Lil Mac had an affinity towards working in the fresh air, caking their hands in warm freshly upturned soil, and were content to work the fields like their parents.
>Bucky, of course, was the family slouch, and though prone to brilliance at time to time would decline on the grounds of his relationship with Sapphire would probably get him a better opportunity than owning something in the family business.
>Utah's miles away in Dodge Junction doing Celestia knows what.
>And Applebloom's twins were just starting high school.
>It started to look like the idea of running their own bar was slipping further and further away from them.
>The only satyr who was free to shoulder the responsibility was Darcy.
>Lucky for them she was more than willing to cooperate.
>You see, although Darcy lacked the mind for economics like her sister Gala, or the sheer talent for farmwork like her youngers Mac Jr. And Cider, she envisioned this empty space where a resident would unload all their troubles at the door and settle into a neck of the woods where they know they'd be cared for.
>After hearing what Darcy had in mind for the bar, they all unanimously decided she'd be name the manager of the future bar.
>Her mother was practically in tears seeing how the little girl she raised was turning into a responsible woman in her own right.
>When asked on what the bar should be called, she answered on the spot and christened the place as The Lady Apple.
>Darcy knew, however, that this wasn't her solo rodeo, and that this was a family backed endeavor more than anything.
>Development on The Lady Apple started immediately. Darcy knew her mother's knack for design would help her immensely, being the first person she went to when asking how to still keep a semblance of a farmstead in the orchards feel.
>Her mother picked out a beautiful dark red planks of cocobolo wood from her home country for front bar.
>Seating arrangements such as chairs and wide tables were stationed in the middle of the floor while slew of curved leather couches around a table hung around the back area. 
>The overhead globe lights casted a warm glow on the umber stained concrete floor.
>And the back bar was stocked with a variety of beers and spirits, not shying away from the nature of the establiment (and simultaneously holding some of the soft stuff for the youngin's).
>Further down the warehouse was a bar stage for future performances.
>Menus and food choices were simple and tasty hayburgers and fries, with the addition of some more bolder flavored foods like chorizo sandwiches, roasted veggie empanadas, and cheese and chicken chimichangas.
>But, the prime attraction, the surefire attention of all her would be patrons, was the three large tapped barrels on stocks with the tri apple logo over the script of Sweet Apple Acres burned into the wood.
>Inside the caskets was the liquid gold itself, Sweet Apple Acres cider, a bonafide experience of oral ecstacy for any drinker.
>On the side of the bar was the entrance of the kitchen stacked with nearly all the appliances and fixtures they needed.
>To crown it off, the outside of the bar had a wooden rectangle sign on top illuminated by the five lamps hanging over it.
>The Lady Apple font was lit up next to a large apple graphic dyed into the grain.
>After a couple of months had passed The Lady Apple was almost completed.
>Meanwhile, Gala was off busy spreading the word of the opening of their new bar.
>She made sure that fliers were posted all over town heralding the clan's new endeavor.
>Gala scoured Ponyville in search of some talent on opening weekend in the hopes of to liven up the venue.
>Not a day passed after she got the word out when Clef and Treble scrambled up to her and insisted she put their father's jazz band in on opening night.
>It was surprising to them that 'Persistent Experience', the name was, hadn't hit its stride at all despite having a reputation of being an exceptional band to those who heard them.
>Gala, of course, accepted this offer gratefully, having her Friday night music. 
>The second weekend event was planned when Gala had to pick up Cider and Lil Mac from school.
>Cider had mentioned Glimmer's friend Starburst and her magic act alongside her brother Presto and friend Clockwork.
>A quick reach out to them asking if they would like to perform sometime on a Saturday coming up sealed the deal.
>That Sunday night, she decided, would be an open night mic and talent show after a surge of Darcy's friends clamoured to her to get the spot.
>With almost eveything settled, the opening night came upon them.
>Family members donned maroon button downs with green apple collar pins and black slacks for the evening.
>Even Peach and Pear were excited to wait the tables.
>They could hear the crowd outside anxious to enter the establishment.
>Darcy had a jitter of nerves, but was calmed down by the support of all her kin surrounding her.
>It cost them a hefty amount of gold and supplies, but nothing they weren't confident they couldn't make up.
>Sink or swim, this was a learning experience for all of them that they'd take with pride.
>With a deep breath, Darcy opened the doors and ushered the people inside the bar.
>To say it was packed was an understatement.
>Ponies and satyrs alike couldn't wait to get a taste of their prime brand cider and chow down on some fatty hayburgurs alongside it.
>The seats were all filled at the bar and bits were fervently slammed on the table demanding their fill of the drink.
>Foamy mugs slid down the bar en masse; orders of fries and burgers flew out from the kitchen.
>Everyone kept on bustling on their hooves and feet making sure customers were kept happy.
>Not everything went accordingly though, as her Applejack's husband was rather clumsy with a few drinks and Peach and Pear mixed up orders on occasions.
>Heck, Bucky's aunt threatened him with a shoe upside his nogging if he hadn't picked up his sloth like pace and helped her cook the orders.
>With all the chaos going about a good number of patrons were becoming aggrivated and threatened to leave if they didn't get their sustenance.
>Applejack had to resort to ask the Elements for help, which they never hesitated to accept.
>But once the band showed up (along with the Octavia family in tow seated in the front), the energetic medley of sax, keys, strings, and drums from the Persistent Experience mellowed down their customers just enough to allow the Apples their second wind.
>Pinkie's positive energy and expertise in cooking, as well as Rarity and Twilight's meticulous attention to detail (and their incredibly handy levitation), coupled with Rainbow's speedy disposition and Fluttershy's happy and charming personality had swept away any unpleasant experience people and ponies might have had.
>The band played all through the night, encores abound, until the last of the patrons trickle away.
>Luckily the first crowd of customers were the lighter sort and started leaving around 10:30.
>With the ordeal over, the family breathed a collective sigh of relief and chuckled at the sheer contrast of the line of work this took.
>Gala thanked Octavia and his husband for opening up with them and handed them a check, and maybe wondered if they wanted to come back on another weekend as well.
>Applejack thanked her friends, really just her extended family, profusely for their help tonight and apologized if it inconvenienced them.
>The mares were understandably glad to help and told her not to hesitate on to call on them again (she did the next day much to no one's chagrin except Dash's).
>Once Applejack was in the middle of giving them their customary group hug, Applebloom jumped in the moment and shouted everyone to bring it on in.
>Soon everyone was packed together in a swarm of hands and hooves which was only slightly uncomfortable to be in the middle of.
>Before they left, Pinkie shouted that they had to commemorate this occasion for the scrapbook she's making.
>She produced a stand-up camera from who knows where and quickly joined the group of peers once she put it on a timer.
>With a flash, the first opening night at The Lady Apple was frozen in place, leaving the way for the next two days.
>Both of Darcy's parents gave her a kiss on the cheek and eagerly pestered her to get behind the bar so they could take a picture of her at work in the uniform.
>Darcy rolled her eyes and complied with a smile.
>With a clap of her hands, she thanked everybody for their work and insisted that they get the place tidied up as quick as they can for tomorrow.
>The next two days were of a similiar sort of energy level.
>The Lady Apple opened her doors at 1 PM with her impromptu staff bright eyed and only a little bushy tailed.
>It started off as a regular lunch day with average servings of finger foods.
>Waiters, waitresses, and bartender alike greeted each one with a smile, the majority of the work done by maintaining the cleanliness of the establishment.
>Business didn't truly pick up until around 6 o clock, where the social stigma being seen drinking all but dissapeared.
>This time, though, the Apples had a little more help with the Elements and knew what to expect from yesterday.
>Ciders were still the hot drink of the bar, but some patrons switched up the usual by ordering some bourbon or some ale.
>A ton of satyrs were even seen that day, but tragically couldn't get any of that sweet cider they longed for no matter how bad they pleaded.
>Bucky switched out with Pinkie over to bussing tables, which he tried to use to sneak out for break time but was dragged out by the ear by his mother.
>Starburst, Presto, and Clockwork arrived on stage and did an array of tricks where a mischievous Clockwork mimed whatever she wanted and the invisible object appeared to actually materialize.
>She bounced a ball off of the space facing towards the audience, Stardust magiced up a boquet to give her that she cut with pretend sheers, and Presto was hoisted up by an invisible pulley system she made.
>The audience even participated when she went inside a phone booth and made a prank call that instantaneously set off all the cell phones inside the bar at the same time.
>The bit ended when Presto and Starburst shot her with pretend finger guns and punctured holes that squirted the glass of water she was drinking at that time.
>They were met with a set of laughs and applause and left the stage with a bow.
>Following Saturday, satyrs practically filled The Lady Apple shortly after its opening time, seeing how it offers a different choice to meet up other than the bright pastels of Sugarcube Corner and the hayburger joint devoid of class and style.
>She laughed and gave the younger ones all a one-time freebie of Shirley Temples and Arnold Palmers if they wanted.
>The older ones had the misfortune to actually be an adult and pay for their drinks.
>Many sat in the couches and chowed on the chorizo sandwiches voraciously. 
>Being one of the few places that actually sells real meat really gave this place a good standing with the abominations that preferred to delight in it.
>Some were content with chatting on the bar stool with their satyr companions in uniform how it was really cool Darcy owned a swanky bar like this, though she was quick to refute that and said she only managed the place as the bar was owned by the whole Apple family.
>When Darcy asked if any of them were entering in the open mic that night, the majority actually answered yes.
>Once the night came she saw just what a nice variety of shows they came up with.
>Pogo and Reuben opened up as a comedy duo paying homage to old school prop humor with their own act.
>Ponyville still eats that sort of stuff up, thank goodness, and they gained a significant number of laughs from that.
>Mumble sang a heart warming rendition of Fade Into You with her soft ephemeral voice and bright acoustic guitar.
>Asha followed up by a surprisingly passionate spoken word that dealt with the various form a mother's love can take, accompanied by some blues licks thrown in here and there.
>Lyra and Hope did a mother daughter duet on their lyres, opting for one classical composition and one original one with harmonious voices.
>Trimmings did a gut busting stand-up comedy routine, Mudpie juggled, like, 20 balls, and Rory, Thistle, and Glimmer did an uninterpretable dance revolving around whales maybe.
>In any case, the people there were well entertained and the night flew by with the clanking of glasses, satisfied stomachs, and warm hearts.
>Darcy, in the midst of all this, was beginning to see the glimpses of what she planned to turn The Lady Apple into.
>A place where hearts would grow out in the good company of people and share in a sense of comfort of camaraderie.
>Whether a person was coming or going, a taste of trademark Apple hospitality would be the first thing they get when they enter and the last thing they'd come to when heading out.
>Treat The Lady Apple right and she'll be good to you, Darcy thought.
>And so the night shift ended when the final patrons left around 11. 
>Gala counted the bits and stored them with the rest of the profits in the safe under the bar.
>Once again they all thanked the other Mane Six members for their help and left off to get a headstart sleep on the work week.
>Darcy couldn't express the gratitude she had for her family adequately, she thought, and told them that she'd always fely immensely blessed having kin like them. 
>Though still far too early to tell whether or not this was a success or not, atleast she say The Lady Apple had a great opening, all thanks to the efforts of family and kin.
>Earning another group hug from them only for everyone to topple over was both a pain and a pleasure to experience.
>A short talk later after the clean up, they agreed to let Darcy handle the hiring for potential roles to fill given that the family can't be there all the time. 
>She put a Help Wanted hastily drawn with a marker at the window and repeated that whenever they have time or feel like stepping in to help, they're welcomed to since The Lady Apple is everyone's bar.
>Hopefully she'd carry that belief with her during her time running it.
>For now though, it sure did feel that way.
>At least to her.