Title:           CanterU: 34+ Saturday
Author:          Kiyo3
Pastebin link:   http://pastebin.com/0LUVP7nr
First Edit:      Tuesday 29th of October 2013 05:19:07 PM CDT
Last Edit:       Tuesday 29th of October 2013 05:19:07 PM CDT

Welcome to CanterU: Roll in the Hay+ Edition!
 
The Story So Far: http://pastebin.com/u/Kiyo3
Yesterday with posts: >>http://archive.heinessen.com/mlp/thread/14091724
 
>Damn this bed...
>It's so soft.
>You just can't beat homemade sheets.
>And a homemade bed.
>Wait, where are you again?
"Mornin', sleepyhead."
>You open your eyes to see Applejack in the doorway.
>You look around.
>Not your regular dorm room.
>Everything looks so... farmish...
"Ya know we're on a farm, right?"
>Yeah.
>You're just messing with Applejack.
>A roll out of bed and kiss her.
"If ya hurry, Ah can introduce ya to mah folks before we get to work."
>Ok, su-
>Did she say work?
"It's what we here on the farm call, 'Applebuckin' season'."
>And you're helping because...?
"We haven't... The farm isn't turnin' out the apples like it used ta..."
>Applejack rubs her arm.
>Hey, it's okay.
>There can't be so many apples to harvest.
>You'll have it done in no time flat.
>Applejack smiles a little, but she knows you're exaggerating for her sake.
"Ah... Ah think we'll manage someth-"
"Applejack? Is'at you?"
>A feeble sounding voice from downstairs.
"Granny Smith... Ah didn't get ta see her last night."
>Applejack heads down stairs.
"If ya want'a shower, it's two doors down an' left."
>Thanks.
 
A. Shower
B. Go down stairs
C. Sleep
 
>You can't meet your girlfriend's folks smelling like an art museum.
>Because, apparently, the scent of Rarity and plaster...
>It's still on you.
>It haunts you.
>But it's nothing a shower can't fix.
>Two doors down...
>And a left...
>Here it is.
>It's small, just a tub, sink, and shower head.
>Assumed cabinet for toiletries as well.
>It's... modest...
>You deleted "poor" from your vocabulary for the span of your visit.
>There's a single towel.
>Purplish... but it will do.
>You brush your teeth and turn on the shower.
>Warm.
>You didn't plan on that.
>You probably should've skipped going to the museum.
>The traffic getting to the farm was ridiculous.
>Considering the short distance..
>You turn off the water and put on the towel.
>A knock at the door.
"Big Mac? Applejack? Are any'a in there?"
>Who's that?
>It sounds... young.
>Applejack mentioned a little sister before.
"Ah guess they ain't in there..."
>The door knob turns.
>Wait, don't come in-
"Ah! Who are ya?!"
>You'r-
>She looks down.
"Mah CMC blanket!"
>CMC?
>Is that a clothing line or something?
"Granny! Applejack! Big Mac! There's a man in 'ere!"
"A man? Big Mac, go 'n check on yer sister!"
"Eeyup!"
>This situation is spiraling out of control.
>Fast.
>Pretty soon, Big Mac, followed by Applejack helping an old woman walk, appear in the doorway.
>The girl stops screaming.
"See?! Ah told ya-"
"Anon?"
>Applejack blushes.
"Sorry ya'll. Ah fergot ta introduce ya'll last night... This is Anon... Mah boyfriend..."
>After a small discussion on bathroom etiquette, you find yourself sitting at a table downstairs.
>You find out the screaming girl's name is Applebloom.
>Freshman in high school.
>Perfect lolita candidate.
>Because everyone read the book, right?
>Makes perfect sense.
>Granny Smith and Applejack are cooking something.
>Smells delicious.
>Big Mac takes a seat next to Applebloom.
>First impressions are always wet...
 
A. Big Mac
B. Applebloom
C. Applejack
D. Granny Smith
 
>You turn to Applebloom.
>Sorry about the blanket.
"It's alright. Ah put it out in the sun ta dry."
>She moves her chair closer to yours.
"So, yer datin' mah big sister? How's that like?"
>It's... nice.
"Ain't she just amazin'? Ah wish Ah was more like her..."
>Applejack is quite amazing.
>In and out of bed.
>But mostly out of bed.
>She's great company and [insert compliments].
>Just being in college is fun.
"Ah know! Applejack writes all the time. Ah can't wait to go in a few years."
>That bubble's gonna burst.
>Hard.
>You around.
>Things can't be that bad.
>Can it?
>How's school for Young Applejack.
"High school's hard as nails. Ah don't know how ta go on..."
>And wait till she gets to college.
"Why? What's wrong with it?"
>Two words.
>Art.
>History.
>Applebloom gasps.
>Truestory.jpg
>What does she want to do in college anyway?
"Ah don't got a clue... Maybe Agricultural stuff, like Applejack!"
>Is nice to dream.
"Yeah..."
>The smile fades.
>She knows.
"Alright ya'll! Soup's on!"
>Applejack carries the food to the table and pulls a chair for Granny Smith.
"That looks amazin', Applejack!"
>Applebloom reaches over the table to grab some, but the hand meets cane.
"Applebloom, we ain't said the pr'yer yet!"
"Sorry, Granny..."
>Everyone joins hands and prays to the Almighty.
"And... fer our guest Anon. May he be welcome our house as he is in Yer kingdom."
>Amen.
>The food disappears in minutes.
"Alright Anon. Ready fer work?"
>Work?
 
A. Work
B. Sneak off upstairs
C. Help inside
 
>Yeah.
"Yah might wanna change yer clothes. It might git messy."
>Noted, Applebloom.
>But Anon doesn't wear farm clothes.
>You're as fabulous as Rarity.
>Just not Rarity yesterday.
>Be nice...
>Granny gets her cane and heads outside.
"Big Mac, there's a squeaky board out 'n' the gazebo. Would ya mind takin' a look at it later?"
"Nope."
>That can only end well...
>Applebloom follows her elders outside.
"C'mon Anon. Let's git started!"
>You turn to Applejack.
>Is her sister always this... enthusiastic?
"Yep. She likes tryin' new things. Findin' what she's good at."
>You were like that at her age.
>But clearly your talents lie in bed.
 
A. Applebloom
B. Applejack
C. Big McIntosh
D. Granny Smith
 
>You walk with Applejack and Applebloom to the field.
>So many apple trees.
>Do they grow anything else?
"Not really. Mah family's been growin' apples fer generations."
>You go back to economics class.
>Something about traditional economy comes to mind...
"Applebloom, you best stick with us."
>She whispers in your ear.
"She ain't tall enough yet ta do the pickin' by herself..."
"Hey!"
>She is pretty short...
"Hey!"
>Just messing with her.
>They lead you over to a part of the orchard that hasn't been picked.
>Which is most of it.
>You can see where the financial problems are coming from...
""Alright Anon! It's just basic pickin' and liftin'. Follow mah lead!"
>Applebloom takes your hand and starts leading you away from Applejack.
"No ya don't! C'mere."
>Tug-of-war.
"Applebloom, just stick with us over here."
"Fine..."
>Little girls like older guys.
>Basic psychology.
 
>You're dragging bushels and whatever.
>Heavy lifting like a real man.
>Lift with your back, not your legs.
>Because, that's the right way to do it.
>Picking apples from the trees, throwing away the crappy ones.
>Applejack is lifting Applebloom into the trees to grab the apples.
>Teamwork.
>Smart.
 
A. Work alone
B. Sneak off
C. Climb a tree
 
>The little girl has the right idea.
>You start climbing a tree.
"Anon, what're ya doin'?"
>Working.
>What're you doing?
"Actually doin' work."
>Touche.
>You shimmy across to a branch with a whole mess of apples.
>This should be easy.
"Careful Anon!"
>Don't worry.
>You're a champ at trees.
>Or something like that.
>You get a few of the apples into the basket.
>One more to go.
>Reach for it.
"Anon..."
>Don't worry Applejack.
>You've got th-
*Crack*
>Uh-oh...
 
>The ground tastes... dirty.
>With a hint of lemon.
>Must be the apples.
You failed bio-chem
"Anon!"
>Applejack and Little Applejack come into view.
"Anon! Are ya alright?"
>Yeah.
>You shake your limbs out.
>Perfectly intact.
"That was a nasty fall. Are ya sure yer alright?"
>Definitely.
>Just a little sore.
>You get up and start picking up the fallen apples.
>At least the fall got the rest of the apples out of the tree.
>Somehow...
>You should really pay attention in physics more.
"Ah guess that's a new way ta pick apples!"
"Applebloom..."
>Let the girl have some fun.
>After all, high school is all she has left.
>Poor family.
>Literally.
 
>And it's over!
>You saw the sunrise, fell out of a tree and worked out every muscle in your body.
>You meet Granny Smith back at the farm house, each of you carrying a basket or whatever.
>Big Mac still isn't back from... wherever.
"Ya'll want some snacks? Ah made lemonade and a pie."
>What a productive old woman.
>This family is... nice.
>It's not fair that they have so little.
>But they don't seem to mind.
>Everyone except Applejack, that is...
>You all gather around the table, say grace and dig in.
 
A. Applejack
B. Applebloom
C. Granny Smith
 
>The food is great.
>You can see where Applejack gets her skills from.
"Thank ya, young feller."
>Apple pie is always best.
>Applejack blushes and takes a sip of her lemonade.
>Granny Smith gives you an eye.
>Hopefully not literally.
"So yer the boy our Applejack's been smitten with."
>That'd be you, yes.
"Ah thought you'd be taller..."
"Granny!"
"Ah'm jokin' with the boy..."
>The old woman rubs her wrinkles and looks at you seriously.
"How do you feel about her?"
"Granny!"
"Ah've a right ta know..."
>Applejack?
>Besides being your girlfriend.
>She's... a great friend.
>Honest to a fault.
>Really athletic.
>Fun loving.
>Pretty.
>Strongwilled.
>Applejack smiles at your remarks.
>Family oriented.
>Priority driven.
>And she's a definite dreamer.
>And... you'd be crushed to see her leave Canterlot U.
"Ah reckon Applejack's told you about the sitcheation here."
>She gives Applejack a look.
"Ah... Ah thought he should know..."
>Granny nods.
"It was a good decision..."
>She turns back to you.
"Ah tell ya... the farm is goin' through a heckuva lot. Drought, dry seasons, no rain..."
>You should tell her that's the same thing.
"It's tough puttin' Applejack n' her brother through college... and ah don't think we can do it no more."
>Applejack looks like she's about to cry.
>Applebloom comes over and hugs her.
>You don't know what to say either.
>It's a lot to take in.
>Really.
"Ah... Ah need a minute. Ah'll be right back."
>She runs outside.
 
A. Applejack
B. Granny
C. Bloom
 
>Applejack...
>...Probably needs some time alone.
>Applebloom sighs and goes into the living room.
>Can you say Courage the Cowardly Dog?
>Because it looks just like it.
"Ah ain't never seen that show b'fore."
>Not being a 90s kid.
>You feel for Applebloom.
"Uh, what?"
>Nothing, nothing.
>She grabs a remote and sits on the floor.
>It's an old black-and-white antennae t.v.
>They really are poor...
"Wanna watch somethin'?"
>Sure.
>A few minutes of static and bad programming later...
"Anon, you like mah sister right?"
>Of course you do.
"An'... she means a lot to ya, right?"
>Yeah.
>Where's the Lil' Applejack going with this?
"What're ya gonna do if she can't go ta school no more? What's gonna happen to you two?"
>You... hadn't really thought about that.
>If Applejack leaves CU...
>For good...
>You'll definitely be losing a part of yourself.
>Sure, she'd only be a few minutes away...
>But not having her there...
>Not seeing her face in bed next to you every morning...
>Not watching her make breakfast for you and your friends...
>Sure, she'd only be a few minutes away.
>But that's too long.
"Ah'm... Ah'm sorry, if that counts fer anythin'..."
>It doesn't.
>But it helps a little.
>The kitchen door slams shut.
>Applejack is back.
 
A. Watch T.V.
B. Applejack
C. Go upstairs
 
>You get up and go back into the kitchen.
>Granny Smith is putting away the dishes with Applejack.
"Granny, stop... Ah-Ah can take care of these."
>Old Apple shakes her head.
"Ah've c'n get these. Ya should be out spendin' some time with Anon."
>Granny nods to you.
"Take her out, will ya?"
>Uh, sure.
>You take Applejack's hand and head outside.
>The orchard doesn't give you a lot of places to hide and talk.
>Where's the secret garden?
"Anon, let's go in there."
>She points to a tree house a ways out.
>It looks pretty old...
"Don't worry. Big Mac built it fer me. It's sturdy as iron."
>You hope so.
>Those old floorboards creak as the two of you go inside.
>Out the window, you can see over most of the farm.
"Ain't it just pretty out there?"
>Yeah.
>You turn to face Applejack.
>Her eyes are red from the tears she's trying to hide from you.
>Applejack...
>You reach out to hug her.
"Anon... Ah ain't got a clue as to what's gonna happen..."
>Neither do you...
"Ah know. This whole thing is so... so..."
>The tears start back up again.
>It really isn't fair.
>Thanks Obama.
>Her tears are getting on your shirt.
>But you don't mind.
>Your tears are coming too.
>So much for manly, Hemmingway-based Anon.
 
A. Business
B. Bizness
C. Give her some space
 
>She could try commuting to school.
>Those dorms cost money.
>Or, she could try applying for scholarship...
"Ah ain't that smart, Anon. Mah grades ain't... they ain't so good..."
>You let her lean against you.
>You... don't really know what else to do.
>Applejack, of all people, deserves to stay at CU.
>She's been working hard, and her priorities are totally in order.
>She's not going to school for herself.
>She's doing it for family.
>She's doing it to carry on a legacy.
>And that...
>That deserves a chance to go on.
 
>She's... cried herself dry.
>And you've been stroking her back for a good few minutes now.
"Ah guess... *sniff* all there's left to do is... get back ta farmwork."
>For now.
>You walk her back to the farm house.
>It's getting dark out.
>Apparently time is weird here too.
>Must be the county or something.
>You carry Applejack into her bed.
"A-Anon?"
>Yeah, Applejack?
"T-thanks, Anon... for bein' here for me."
>You pull her in for a hug, making her let out another big sigh.
>Sounds... conflicted.
"G'night, Anon."
>Goodnight, Applejack.
 
End Day 34+
 
End Day 34+
 
>You try to ignore it.
>But it's hard to ignore it.
>Her room is right next to the guest room.
>You put your pillow over your ears.
>But, you can't ignore it.
>It's seeping through the walls.
>Applejack... crying.
>It's tearing you apart.
 
Met Applebloom
Met Granny Smith
 
Apple family rapport up!
 
The financial problems...