Autumn Leaves: Chapter 1 -Let Them Talk-

                                        Autumn Leaves

                                          Chapter 1

                                       "Let them Talk"

Two Years After Prologue

Ages:

Anon-16

AJ-16

Big Mac-18

Applebloom-5

 

>You sat underneath a tree littered with Fuji Apples, the shade from the leaves cascading over you and shielding you from the rays of Celestia's bright sun.

>Big Macintosh sat next to you, both of you with an apple in hand. An apple in hoof in Mac's case.

>It was a particularly warm day today, and you were enjoying your small break with Mac, savoring the fruit you were eating.

>You raised your gaze to the valley of trees below you, taking in the sight of all the blends of red and yellow.

"Lot of apples out there."

>"Eeyup."

"Still have to buck most of 'em, though."

>"Eeyup."

>...

"We should probably get out there, start bucking them early."

>"Eeyup."

>...

>Big Mac speaks up.

>"Or."

"Or?"

>"Or we could keep eating apples in the shade."

>...

"Eeyup."

>You raise your apple to Mac's, tapping them together and each take a bite.

>Work could wait for now, or at least until Applejack showed up.

>You and Mac had gotten the South field bucked earlier than you had expected, and Applejack was carryin' on with the Eastern Field.

>She was supposed to only do half of it, and then all three of you would work on a majority of the Northern field until around sunset.

>That meant about three more hours of work, and then dinner.

>Tonight was your night to cook, after all.

>You leaned your head back onto the tree, breathing in deep as you relished the shade.

>The tree shudders suddenly, and you and Big Mac are pelted by apples from above.

>One lands right on your face.

"Ow! What the-... Applejack's here isn't she?"

>"Eeyup."

>AJ: "Eeyup, indeed."

>Rubbing your nose in pain, you see that Applejack has arrived to break up your lazy session with Mac, baskets at her side.

>AJ: "What're y'all doin' jus sittin' there in th'shade?"

"Hanging out."

>AJ: "Hangin' out?"

>MAC: "Eeyup."

>AJ: "Well, maybe ah should jus stay here, sittin in the shade while you two go buckin' in the North field all by yerselves."

>...

MAC: "Nope."

"Nope."

AJ: "Good. C'mon y'all, we're nearly done as it is."

>You get to your feet, dusting yourself off as you do, and pick up the baskets you brought with you, Bic Macintosh doing the same.

>All three of you made your way into the Northern fields, you stretching your arms for the ordeal they were about to go through.

>Applejack gives you a cocky grin.

>AJ: "Ya sure those delicate little fingers of yers can go fer another three hours?"

>You throw a grin of your own her way.

"Applejack, I could do a lot more with these hands of mine in under three hours."

>You waggle your eyebrows, and Applejack blushes deeply when she finally gets the joke.

>Big Mac just laughs.

>AJ: "Aw just shut it, Big Mac. You to Anon, ya know what I meant!"

"Hey, hey, just messing with you AJ, no need to get your panties in a twist."

>AJ: "No need t'get mah... WHAT, in a twist? Is that one of them funny sayings you got from Earth?"

"Yeah I guess you could say that. Lemme put it another way: 'No need to tangle your riding crop.' There, that work?"

>AJ: "Oh hush up. Let's just get all this over with before you two drive me bonkers."

>You had a tendency to mess with Applejack like this from time to time.

>It was all in good fun. Hell, sometimes she was quick to the trigger and was able to get out a burn of her own.

>Today wasn't one of those days it seemed, ha!

>You and Applejack take to one portion of the field, Big Mac taking the opposite, and you all get to work.

>AJ trots up to trees, knocking all of the apples from them with a swift buck of her hind legs.

>You take a couple of swings at their trunks, and are able to get down all of the apples with two or three punches.

>Since you're able to keep up with Applejack fairly well, the two of you often chat while you work.

"So Aj, what's on your mind lately?"

>AJ: "Aw not much. Just enjoyin' the days as they go by is all. What about you, Anon, you have anythin' comin' up soon?"

"Well, if my math is correct, and I know just how much you hate math-"

>Applejack lets out a quick laugh.

"-then it seems my birthday is coming up fairly soon."

>AJ: "Again?"

"Happens every year, Applejack."

>AJ: "Hahaha, ah know, ah know. But ah was actually thinkin' about that other special day that comes around BEFORE yer birthday."

>Ah yes, that day.

>Hearts and Hooves Day.

>Seems like AJ would get in some burns after all.

"What about it?"

>AJ's smirk returns as she bucks yet another tree.

>AJ: "Just a tad curious as to what yer plans may have been is all. You got yerself a special somepony t'spend the evenin' with?"

>Well dammit here it comes I guess.

>Since you got here, you had gotten to know the pony's of Ponyville very well.

>Hell, you even became close friends with Applejack's buddies.

>Being the only human in town, or in Equestria, you didn't know for sure, some of them didn't really... receive you well.

>And after all, you were getting older. You began to see some of the mares in town as quite... attractive.

>You even had a small crush on one of Applejack's friends, Rarity.

>Last Hearts and Hooves Day you asked her if she wanted to go on a picnic, but she declined.

>Something about being allergic to "country."

"...No, not this year. Just like always. What about you, you have anypony special in mind?"

>AJ: "As a matter of fact, ah DO!"

>Her smile lights up her face.

"Wait, you? A special somepony? Okay, who'd you blackmail in order to agree to that?"

>AJ: "Oh har har, very funny. It's not like ah'm serious about it at the moment, he just asked me out t'dinner is all."

"Dinner eh? And who's 'he'?"

>You send a right hook at another tree, more than half of its apples tumbling to the ground and into your basket.

>AJ: "Son of the local watch-maker. His name's Clockwork."

"The town watch-maker had a kid and he named him 'Clockwork'? That's almost as bad as some ponies who work in an apple orchard naming their kids after apples."

>You smirk at Applejack, who rolls her eyes and bucks another tree.

>You'd have to do better than that to rile her up you suppose.

>AJ: "Clockwork happens t'be a very hard workin', upstandin' colt. Besides, he's takin' me to the Gilded Carafe fer dinner."

>The Gilded Carafe? Wow just... wow.

>That place was one of the fanciest places in Canterlot. Just getting a reservation took months to get, let alone one on Hearts and Hooves Day.

>Clockwork must have had a lot riding on this dinner.

>But more importantly, maybe you could finally get a good dig into AJ now.

"Gilded Carafe huh? Isn't that supposed to be for classy, elegant mares?"

>Applejack glares at you.

>AJ: "Are you sayin' ah'm not elegant?"

"Well I've never really seen you be elegant before. Unless, you know, that one time we went mud wrestling was what you call elegant. Seems to me you're too much of a tom-boy for that kind of pl-"

>Suddenly Applejack tackles you into a large pile of leaves, tussling with you as you try your best to pin her.

"Or maybe this! Maybe THIS is your definition of elegant!"

>You grab her from behind and tickle her stomach, sending her into fits of laughter.

AJ: "Hahaha, stahp! Hehehehehec'mon lay off Anon!"

"Oh wait, what's that? I can't here you over how ELEGANT you're being!"

AJ: "Stoppitstoppitstahahahahaha!"

>You ease up on your hold of her, and she takes advantage of that, spinning around and pinning you into the pile of leaves.

>She leans in close to your neck, grinning dastardly.

"Oh don't you DARE."

>AJ: "All ya gotta do is tell me ah'm a classy, elegant mare is all."

"NEVER!"

>AJ: "Then face th'consequences!"

>Applejack proceeds to nuzzle vigorously and mercilessly into your neck, sending you over the edge in laughter.

"Ohgodnopleeeheeheese! Ahahahahastoptoptop I give! I GIVE HAHAH!"

>AJ: "Say it!"

"You-haha-you're a cla-hahaha-ssy mare!"

>AJ: "Classy aaaaaaaand?"

>You're tearing up a bit from how much she's making you laugh.

"Elegant! Classy and elegant! C'mon AJ, I give!"

>You're laughing your ass off, Applejack's assault being too much for you to take.

>She's always done that to you, tickling your neck to get what she wants.

>It was your kryptonite, you had told her once before.

>She didn't know what kryptonite was, and you didn't feel like explaining it at the time.

>Applejack stops tickling you and ponders.

>AJ: "Hmmm... nah, ah'll just keep torturin' ya."

"Bu-But I said you were classy AND elegant!"

>AJ: "Yup, 'cept ah'm not classy, nor am I elegant!"

>She cackles in laughter, and proceeds to keep nuzzling you.

"Oh come on that's not fa-heeheeHA come on stoppit-pfffffffffffft"

>MAC: "Ahem."

>You and Applejack shoot up into standing positions, quickly returning to bucking apple trees.

>Big Mac lets out a quick sigh and returns to his side of the field.

>You whisper to Applejack.

"I'll get you back for all that. I SWEAR on every tree in this orchard, mark my words."

>Applejack sticks her tongue out and whispers back.

>AJ: "Good luck with that."

>Damn this mare.

 

-------

 

>The kitchen fills with the scents of fresh food, as you prepare tonight's dinner.

>You would KILL for some decent meat for once, but seeing as how almost everything in this world talks, the prospect of having beef anytime soon is extremely slim.

>So for tonight, you've made a hearty ham-bone soup.

>Minus the ham-bone.

>So, technically, just a vegetable soup.

>Granny Smith stood a few feet from you, as she took some fresh bread from the oven, beginning to slice it.

>GRAN: "Now be careful, yungin', ya don't wanna spill any o' that stew, now do ya?"

"I got it, Granny, no worries. Can you hand me some bowls?"

>GRAN: "Ya sure it's simmered all right? Ya don't wanna count yer chickens b'fore they hatch."

"Haha, yes'm, I think the stew came along nicely. Here."

>You take a scoop of the stew and hand the spoon to Granny, who takes a sip.

>GRAN: "MmmMM! Well shucks, ain't that the berries! Alrighty then, ah'll get you some bowls an' we'll go set the table."

>Ain't that the berries.

>You've gotten used to Granny Smiths sayings, and boy did she have a LOT of them.

>You filled five bowls with soup and brought them over to the table, where Applejack and Big Mac were already waiting.

>Applejack sniffs the air and smiles.

>AJ: "Boy that sure smells nice, don't it Bic Mac?"

>Mac smells the air as well.

>MAC: "Eeyup."

"Glad you like how it smells, but I'm hoping it TASTES as good as well. Lemme just stet these down and we can-... Where's Applebloom?"

>You hear a bit of snickering from underneath the table, and look down.

>Applebloom's tail was clearly sticking out from under the table, while you could hear her trying to contain her laughter as she hid from you all.

>You cocked an eyebrow at Applejack, who just smiled and nodded at you.

>Aw well, might as well just go with it.

>You put the bowls down on the table, and then dramatically proclaim, while scratching your head.

"Gosh, I wonder WHERE Applebloom could be? Applejack, have YOU seen Applebloom?"

>AJ: "Nope, can't say that ah have, Anon. Big Macintosh, have YOU seen Applebloom?"

>MAC: "Nnnope."

>AJ: "Well gol'lee, Anon. I think we may have LOST little Applebloom!"

>Applebloom's tittering can still be heard, as she tries her hardest to remain undetected.

"Well that's just a darn shame! And here I went, making a nice, hot, delicious meal for all of us to enjoy! *Sigh* Oooooh well, guess that means I get to eat Applebloom's dessert then, huh?"

>BLOOM: "Dessert!?"

>Applebloom quickly darts out from under the table and bounces in and around your legs.

>BLOOM: "Ah didn't know we was havin' dessert! Can we have it know? Huh? Can we? Ooh is it ice cream! Or maybe it's some apple pie! Or... or... there's no dessert, is there?"

>MAC: "Nope."

>You scoop Applebloom up and put her in the chair next to yours.

"'Fraid not, squirt. Nice try though, what with you hiding and all."

>BLOOM: "Did ah at least fool y'all with mah hidin' spot?"

"Yup, you sure did. I really had NO idea you were under the table, giggling the whole time."

>Applebloom's face lights up, but then realization dawns on her when you say you could hear her laughing, and pouts disappointingly instead.

>GRAN: "Oh now Applebloom, wipe that frown off yer face and dig in! Anon did a mighty fine job with this here grub t'night."

>BLOOM: "...fine."

>You ruffle the hair on her head and sit down, and begin eating your meal.

>Dinner goes by quietly, while you and the Apples make small talk around the table.

>Towards the end of dinner, Applebloom pipes up.

>BLOOM: "Hey Anon, have ya got yerself a special somepony fer Hearts an' Hooves day yet?"

>You cough up some soup in surprise, but try to cover it.

"Oh uh, well I... uhm... no, no not exactly."

>You go for another sip of stew.

>Applebloom turns her ears down in disappointment, but then they shoot up and she dawns a bright smile.

>BLOOM: "Oooh! Ah know! You an' Applejack can be special someponies with each other this year!"

>Both you and Applejack choke on your food.

>AJ: "Uh.."

"Well I don't... I mean.."

>AJ: "It's not that I.. uhm.."

"See Applebloom, me and... oh wow, uh.."

>GRAN: "Well now ah think that'd be mighty fine!"

>AJ: "WHAT."

"WHAT."

>Granny smith smiles, the wrinkles on her face scrunching up, her smile lines showing around her eyes.

>GRAN: "Oh don'tchu 'what' me. You two get along better than pigs in a mud puddle! Only makes sense fer you two t'at least spend some time together on Hearts 'n' Hooves day! Never seen two ponies... well one pony an' a person, t'be so close as you two after all."

>AJ: "Granny I don't think that'd be such a great-"

"I mean Applejack already HAS a date for Hearts and Hooves. Besides, why would I want to-"

>BLOOM: "Applejack's got herself a bonafied DATE?!"

>Aw hell.

>BLOOM: "Who's takin' ya out AJ? Huh huh huh? C'mon, sis, tell me!"

>You look to Applejack, who looks mortified now that Applebloom knows about her special somepony.

>You mouth the words, "My bad," to her, smiling weakly.

>She glares.

>Yup. All's good.

>GRAN: "Issit that "Clockwork" fella down on Cottonwood Drive? Ah've noticed the way you've been takin' to 'im."

>AJ: "Oh Granny, not you too?"

>GRAN: "Well ya can hardly blame me fer takin' an in'trist in yer suitors, now can ya?"

>BLOOM: "Is he that colt that works with his pa down by the watch shop?"

>AJ: "Ugh, YES. Can y'all drop it now, please?"

>GRAN: "Is he a nice, polite gentlecolt?"

>BLOOM: "Can he buck apples? Or cook?"

>AJ: "Yes, Granny, he's polite an' nice. Applebloom, no, he fixes clocks an' the sort."

>BLOOM: "Anon can buck apples an' cook! See? He made us stew t'night!"

>AJ: "Ah'm fixin' to make YOU into a stew if ya don't keep badgerin' me about-"

>GRAN: "How long have y'all been special someponies? Ah don't recall you invitin' him over fer supper at all.."

>AJ: "Granny we're not even datin', not really. He jus' asked me out t'dinner is all, and ah said yes. Can we drop this? Please?"

"You know what, it looks like we're all done with dinner. I should go wash these dishes. AJ, mind helping me out?"

>Applejack starts to protest, but you wink, and she gets that you're trying to get Granny Smith and Applebloom out of her hair.

>AJ: "Sure! Yes, ah'll gladly help ya."

>You snatch bowls and plates from the table and the two of you dash to the kitchen to begin cleaning up.

"Hey, sorry about letting that slip, wasn't really-"

>AJ: "No no, it's alright, really. Had to come out eventually, after all. Sure didn't need Applebloom to know though, now she won't stop talkin' 'bout it."

"Yeah, my bad."

>AJ: "Yup. Your bad."

>She splashes some bubbles from the sink at you.

"Cut it out, I said I was sorry. Besides, I think we both needed out of there."

>AJ: "Ah know what ya mean. I mean, what Granny said? 'Y'all get along better than pigs in a mud puddle.' Gol'lee, that old mare..."

"Ha, yeah. Could you imagine us, special someponies? Boy that'd be strange."

>The two of you laugh, and continue washing dishes.

>In a very

>Awkward

>Silence.

>...

"So."

>AJ: "So."

"Uh... uhm.. we had pretty good weather, huh?.."

>AJ: "Oh, yeah! Yup, mmhmm. Mighty fine weather. Yup... yup."

>...

>AJ: "I think ah'm gonna head to bed now, actually."

"Yeah, cool, yeah. Got it. Yeah."

>Applejack finishes her dishes, then trots off, a small blush on her face as she looks back at you.

>Your cheeks warm up as well, and you both dart your heads away from each other.

>You idiot, why are you embarrassed? It's Applejack we're talking about! Good 'ole Applejack, with her reliable honesty, bright green eyes, soft, blond hair... her freckles around her cheeks, orange coat that shines in the setting sun, her-

>SNAP OUT OF IT.

>You shake your head, hoping the images go away as well.

>That was... weird.

>But when you think about it, you do realize that, maybe Granny Smith had a point. You and Applejack got along amazingly well.

>Hell, you spent plenty of time with each other as well. The two of you would sometimes just sleep in the barn's loft, watching the stars.

>You'd talk all night, telling stories with each other. She'd ask you about your old life, your friends, your dad.

>You really liked nights like those.

>But you never really thought of her as a... well a potential "girlfriend."

>She was your best friend, and you hers.

>BLOOM: "Uhm, Anon?"

>Applebloom's voice breaks you out of your daydream and you turn to her.

"What's up?"

>BLOOM: "Uhm, well, ah guess ah jus' wanted to tell you ah was sorry 'bout dinner. Granny said ah made it awkward fer you and Applejack.."

>Funny, you could have sworn Granny Smith was ALSO making things weird too.

>You let out a sigh and smile at Applebloom.

"It's alright. You didn't bother us that bad, Applebloom, no need to apologize. Oh, here, I have something for you."

>She cocks her head in confusion as you walk over to the cupboard, and pull out a small tin with a napkin covering it.

>BLOOM: "What's that?"

"Your dessert."

>You whip off the napkin to reveal a tiny sweet-roll inside the tin.

>Applebloom's face lights up and she hops up and down in place.

"Shhh, I only made it for you, so don't go declaring it to the whole town, ya' hear?"

>Applebloom nods her head quickly and takes the tin on her head, bouncing out of the kitchen joyfully.

>Suddenly she's back in the kitchen.

>BLOOM: "Anon?"

"Mmhmm?"

>BLOOM: "Ah think you'd be a much better special somepony fer Applejack than that Clockwork fella any day."

>You're surprised. You weren't expecting that, not at all.

"What makes you say that?"

>BLOOM: "Cuz whenever she talks about ya, she smiles. She smiles a lot when she's around ya."

>You can feel your cheeks getting warm.

>BLOOM: "Thanks fer the sweet-roll, Anon! G'night!"

>And with that, Applebloom hops away once more.

>You don't really know how long you stood in the kitchen, dumbstruck, but it must have been for a while.

 

-------

 

Days Later

 

>You walked through Ponyville, on your way to Sugarcube corner.

>You had a simple chore today: Go buy flour from the Cakes.

>You were going to make some garlic bread in a couple of days, and you wanted to make sure you had enough flour for the job.

>This would have been an enjoyable walk on any other day.

>Except this one, of course.

>Because today was Hearts and Hooves day.

>So what would have been a quiet walk through Ponyville now turned into a walk through Lover's Lane.

>Couples roamed the streets, hanging festive decorations in the shapes of hearts littered the town.

>Seemed like everyone was paired up.

>Except you.

>Ah well, c'est la vie.

>You enter the bakery and see Mr. Cake sitting behind the counter, and he waves at you.

>"Afternoon, Anonymous! What can I do for you?"

"HI Mr. Cake. I was just wondering if you all had some sacks of flour available. I have plans to bake soon, so I was hoping to stock up."

>"Righty-O, we have plenty of flour. How many sack do you need."

"Just one, but I'll buy two. We're low on the stuff as it is."

>"Alighty then, I'll be right back."

>Mr. Cake leaves the foyer and into the kitchen, and you patiently wait by the counter, pulling out your small bag of bits.

>The sound of the front door opening grabs your attention, and you turn to see who it was.

>Oh.

>Rarity.

>"Oh, well hello there, Anonymous."

"Hey Rarity. What's up?"

>"Oh you know, Hearts and Hooves day is keeping all of us very busy, as per usual. I'm just here to pick up a small dish I ordered. I'm having dinner with a very special guest after all."

"Uh-huh. Well, congrats."

>You return to counting out your bits, hoping that you brought enough for the flour.

>"What about you, darling? Have any plans with anypony special?"

"No, not that's I'm aware of. Just working tonight."

>"What? Oh my you simply must be joking with me. You're saying you don't have a special som-"

"No, Rarity, I don't. Kay? Kay."

>You really wish she would leave you alone about this.

>Seems she still remembers how you once asked her out that one time.

>Just in time, Mr. Cake returns with two bags of flour.

>CAKE: "Alight, two flour sacks. That'll be 18 bits."

>You barely have enough, considering you only brought 20 with you.

>Lucky break.

>You hand him the money, throw the sacks over your shoulders, and head out before Rarity can make any further remarks.

>By the time you got back home to the farm, it was getting close to the start of the evening.

>You stood in the kitchen, sorting food and putting apple slices in jars of preserve.

>As you left, you saw Granny Smith helping Applejack with...

>Wow.

>Applejack was wearing a nice, modest white dress, and Granny Smith was tying her mane and tail into a braid.

>AJ: "Oh, hey Anon. How do ah look? It's not too much do ya think?"

>You're floored. You've never seen Applejack like this before.

>In a dress, all dolled up.

>She was breathtaking.

"You look... stunning, really."

>Applejack smiles brightly at the compliment.

>AJ: "Thanks. That takes a lot of the worry off ma shoulders. Ah've never been to a fancy restaurant b'fore, and Clockwork tells me that all the mares there get dressed up like. Oh, here."

>She holds out her hat to you.

"I wanted to wear it t'dinner, but apparently it's 'uncouth' to wear a hat at the table in restaurants. Mind holdin' on to it for me t'night?"

"Yeah, no problem."

>You take the hat and put it on your head.

>It had been a while since you wore it.

>Granny Smith finishes braiding Applejack's tail and smiles wide at her granddaughter.

>GRAN: "There! Now ain't she purttier than a spotted heifer in a pansy patch!"

AJ: "Granny!"

>Applejack blushes, probably at the fact that Granny referred to her as a cow more so than her remark on her state of beauty.

>GRAN: "Oh calm yer britches, y'all know what ah meant."

>She smiles to you and walks off to the living room, sitting down in her rocking chair.

>Applejack looks to you and speaks low.

>AJ: "Do... do you think he'll think ah'm pretty?"

"He'd be stupid not to. You look great, AJ. Really."

>AJ: "Ha, that means more comin' from you than Granny, in mah opinion."

>A knock on the door sounds through the room, and you go to answer it.

>Outside stands a colt, brown fur, black mane, dressed in a tuxedo.

>This must have been Clockwork.

>CLOCK: "Uh, is Applejack home?"

"Why, want to see if she can some out and play?"

>CLOCK: "Wh-.. excuse me?"

"I'll need to see if she's finished with her homework first though, she's having a hard time with math."

>CLOCK: "I'm... sorry what?"

>AJ: "Anon, quit it! Sorry Clockwork, he can be a bit of a nuisance."

"Could easily say the same about you, little miss Applejack."

>The two of you smile, while Clockwork simply stares in confusion.

>CLOCK: "Okay then... well, I got us a chariot to take us out to Canterlot tonight! Shall we?"

>Applejack nods goodbye to you and trots out of the doorway past Clockwork to the chariot in the front yard.

>Clockwork eyes Applejack as she walks down the lane, his eyes gazing towards Applejack's lower body.

"Oi."

>He whips his head over to you.

>You point two fingers at your eyes.

"Eyes up here. Got it?"

>CLOCK: "Pfft, sure whatever man."

>With that he trots off to Applejack.

>You hope she had a good time tonight.

>She never really had a special somepony before, and she seemed to like this guy a lot.

>You head back inside as the chariot takes off into the air and away for Canterlot.

 

-------

 

12:37AM

 

>The sound of the barn door opening jarred you awake from your slumber.

>You had slept in the barn loft again, Applejack's hat resting on your face as you slept.

>Peaking over the edge of the loft, you spot Applejack at the barn's entrance.

>AJ: "Anon?... You awake?"

"Yeah. How'd your night at the Gilded Carafe go?"

>You swing down off of the barn's loft and walk up to Applejack.

>AJ: "Ehh, not so great, actually."

"What happened? To fancy of a place for you?"

>AJ: "Oh what, the restaurant? Aw no, it was fine. The food was nice, bit expensive, but nice. The view of Canterlot was a might pretty as well."

"So what's the problem?"

>You sit down on a hay bale, and Applejack joins you.

>She answers you, with a twinge of disgust in her voice.

>AJ: "Clockwork."

"What, your 'hard workin', upstandin' colt'?"

>AJ: Yeah well ah THOUGHT he was all those things..."

>You raise an eyebrow at her.

"What's the matter? What happened?"

>AJ lets out a sigh and rests her head on a hoof.

>AJ: "He takes me out to the nicest place ah've ever been to, foots the bill fer the meal, and we have a nice evenin'. THEN, when we come back t'Ponyville he makes the carriage stop by his place first. Asks me if ah wanna see his house. So ah say, 'Sure, ah don't mind!'... turns out he was more interested in seein' somethin' of MINE instead."

>Your eyes widen in shock.

"...what?... WHAT?!"

>You get to your feet and pull your hat onto your head, and try to head out to town.

>Applejack stops you by grabbing your arm.

>AJ: "Now hold on a minute, where d'you think yer goin'?"

"Where else? I'm going to that colt's house to give him a piece of my mind, that's where I'm going!"

>AJ: "Anon, stop. Ah already took care of it."

"What do you mean?"

>AJ: "He made his moves on me, tried to throw some charm mah way, and ah told him I wasn't that kind'a pony. When he kept insistin', I realized he was dead set on ruttin' with me. So, I socked him in the face."

>You just stare at Applejack.

"He... he didn't... you know?..."

>AJ: "No, Anon, he didn't do anythin' to me. I punched him and then stormed out th'door. His daddy should be right 'shamed with him."

>You sit back down with Applejack, your previous temper subsiding.

"...You okay?"

>AJ: "Yeah... yeah Ah am, it's just... Ah thought he liked me, y'know? Turns out he was tryin' t'butter me up with a fancy-shmancey  dinner in order to get me in a bed with 'im... all Ah really wanted was t'spend time with someone who cared, is all."

>Applejack leans her head over onto your shoulder, and lets out a disappointed sigh.

>You think to yourself for a bit, then get an idea.

"Okay, that can work."

>AJ: "Hmm?"

"Next year. Next year, how about I take you on a picnic? No fancy restaurant, no chariots, just you, me, a basket, and the shore by the lake. How's that sound?"

>It's hard to see with the lack of light, but you could swear she blushes at you and smiles.

>AJ: "Alright, deal. You'll be mah special somepony next year."

"Haha, I'm not a pony though, Appleja-"

>You're stopped when you feel soft lips meet yours, silencing you.

>They linger on your lips for a while, then part from you.

>AJ: "Does is really matter?.."

"Uhm... no, I guess not.."

>Your cheeks are on fire.

>AJ: "Anon, do ya mind if Ah stay with you t'night? Up in the loft, Ah mean."

"...uh yeah. Yeah, sure."

>Applejack jumps onto your back and you pull the two of you up to the barn's loft, the full moon shining through the open window.

>You and Applejack rested in the hay, looking up into the sky, and you slowly but surely drifted to sleep.

>Before you nodded off, you looked down at Applejack, her head resting on your chest.

>She slept peacefully, a smile on her face.

>Huh.

>Maybe Applebloom was right.

>You take a last look to the moon, and fall asleep, a content grin spread across your face.

 

~End of Chapter One~