Applejack Oneshot

>Applejack's place is busy this season. The entire town seems to be excited about something.
>By the time you're out of bed and dressed there's already a huge crowd milling through the streets of Ponyville, heading right for Sweet Apple Acres.
>You exit your new house and stretch, letting out a yawn and looking over all the gossiping ponies. It's then you remember.
>Yesterday Applejack mentioned something about Apple Cider.
>You shrug and make your way into the crowd.
>You've only been here a year, so you have yet to see what the big deal is with this cider. Supposedly it's the best thing ever, and judging by the crowd that can't be too far off the mark.
>By the time you reach Sweet Apple Acres there's already a huge line leading to the center of the west orchard. You take your place way in the back of the line while the crowd is still confused about where to go.
>It feels like the entire town is here.
>Even from way back here you can hear Applejack addressing the line and crowds.
>"Alright everypony, since we had so much trouble last time I'm gonna have to ask ya'll to stay organized. We have plenty of help this year an' I don't want anyone to miss out."
>Apparently everything is a lot more organized than it was last time. You don't know what happened, but it was enough to get Applejack to change up the entire routine.
>You think you can see some of your friends on the assembly line for the cider further up. There are tons of boxes stacked on top of each other, and Applejack is manning the stand.
>Even without the required credentials you can tell this is quite the impressive effort.
>Lines have always annoyed you, and today is no different. You end up waiting for well over twenty minutes before you reach the stand.
>Applejack tips her hat to you, "Howdy Anon. I knew ya would come to try the cider."
"Wouldn't miss it for the world."
>"Well, we got plenty to go around this time. Heck, with everypony's help there should be more 'n enough for three mugs a pony."
>You look at the orchard behind Applejack, and sure enough all of your friends are helping her out. Twilight's picking trees of apples with little to no effort using her magic, Rarity is sorting, and Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash are flying around baskets full of apples. Big Mac is on the treadmill attached to the juicer, and you can only assume he's taking turns with Applejack.
"Impressive assembly line you've got here."
>She smirks, "It ain't all that much. We're just doing what we can. One or two?"
"I'm good with one."
>"One cider comin' right up."
>Before you know it there's a fresh wooden mug of apple cider on the stand. You pick it up and get out of line, joining Applejack behind the stand.
"Need help with anything else?"
>Another pony steps forward. "Two please."
>Applejack grins, "Two ciders."
>After serving the pony she turns back to you, "Nah, I think we got things handled over here. Wehn we're all done yer welcome to join us for lunch."
"I think I'll take you up on that offer. Sounds like good times."
>For the remainder of the morning you just hang behind the stand with Applejack. There's never really a chance to talk with her about anything because she's so busy tending to the customers. The times Big Mac takes over the stand... well, he's not very talkative in the first place. It's all good, you're okay with waiting until she's finished.
>By the time the last pony is through with their cider and turns their mug in the sun is already in the middle of the sky.
>Applejack takes off her hat and wipes her brow, "Whew. Right on time. It's a lot less of a pain with ya'll helpin'." She turns around and faces her friends with a smile, and each one of them looks as tired as she does.
>Twilight steps forward, "We're glad to help Applejack. It's a lot easier when the whole town gets a drink."
>"Ain't it? I saved some cider for everypony that helped, we're gonna be havin' lunch back at the house."
>You think you see Rainbow Dash's ears perk up at that.
>Girl must really like her cider.
>All of you head back to Applejack's place, chatting about meaningless things as you go. You're in front of the group with Applejack when she starts talking to you.
>"If ya wanna help out next year you're more than welcome to, Anon."
"I don't know if I could do anything aside from haul around carts of apples for you. I'm not exactly strong enough to buck a tree or anything. Back in my world, when it was time to harvest apples, tons of people would go out to the orchard and pick them. We even invented machines that could knock them down."
>"That machine sounds a mite easier than buckin' apples all day."
"How do you guys bale your hay here?"
>"There's a baler we need to drag. Takes about two ponies."
"Hmm. Yeah, now that I think about it, there were a lot of things automated where I come from. The farmers still have to go out and drive around the tractors, but without having to do everything by hand we could have gigantic fields."
>Applejack nods, "The Apple family's always had the biggest orchards. I spent my life with apples."
>You laugh.
"I can tell, considering how much you talk about the orchard in your free time."
>She blushes and frowns, "Is it really that bad?"
"Nah. I'm not complaining or anything. It's just really noticeable."
>When you get to Applejack's house Granny Smith is waiting at the front door with Applebloom.
>Applebloom waves to the group, "Howdy!"
>"Come on in," says Granny, opening the door as you all pile inside.
>They lead you all to the dining room, and the table is literally covered top to bottom in a feast. There's barely any room to fit plates on there. Apples, salads, eggs, apple pies, apple cobbler...
>There's a lot of apples in there.
>At least you won't be short on your fruit intake this week.
>Applejack sits down on her haunches, and you take the only chair next to her. It doesn't take long for the others to follow suit.
"I don't think I've ever seen so many apples on a dinner table before."
>Applejack smirks, "Maybe I should invite ya over for dinner more often, Anon."
>You scoff.
"This is more like dessert than dinner, but at least it's not bad for me."
>The dinner is a rather loose affair. Everyone is very talkative, and when someone can't here someone talking they just talk louder. It reminds you of your own family, a bit.
>It's comfortable, and you haven't felt this way in a while. It was easy to make friends with these ponies when you got here, but the main problem had been adjusting to the differences of everything around you.
>Applejack, in particular, helped you adjust by giving you a stable source of income and a friend to confide in about your troubles.
>Honestly, if it wasn't for Applejack you're not sure what would have happened.
>In fact, you could say that you're becoming a bit TOO comfortable around her lately.
>To the point where you haven't been to Sweet Apple Acres in a few days because you're not sure what to think about that.
"I'm glad."
>Applejack turns away from Granny Smith, who's just finishing up one of her weird stories, "Hmm?"
"I said I'm glad."
>"Bout what?"
"That I came here today."
>She laughs and shakes her head, "Come to think of it, where have ya been? I been wonderin' about it these past few days."
"I just had some stuff to think about. It's nothing you need to worry about."
>She frowns, "Now Anon. I'm all about bein' honest, and I can tell when you're lyin'."
"I've been having my own little crises."
>You reach over your now empty plate and grab your cider mug, drinking down the last bit of it.
"Been thinking about how I got here, what my family has been doing. I've been here a year, they probably think I'm dead by now. It'd still be nice to see if they're doing good, though."
>Applejack leans over and sets her hoof on your shoulder, "Oh Sugercube." She steps away from the table and nudges her head to the front door.
>This you weren't expecting, and you're not exactly looking forward to it.
"Applejack."
>"Get on out before I buck ya out."
>There's no getting around this, is there?
>You stand from your seat and push your chair in.
>All the ponies are looking at the both of you.
"We're gonna go get some air."
>When they resume their conversations you follow Applejack out to the front of the house. Hopefully this isn't too painful of a process.
>"Has anything else been buggin' you?"
>You sigh and rub the back of your head.
"Well... it's stupid."
>"You're jokin', right? If it's buggin' you it's can't be that dumb."
"Alright, alright. I've just been thinking a lot lately, and that can make me remember things about my world. Things I haven't seen in a while."
>Applejack smiles, "Like?"
"Ha, you're really persistant, you know that?"
>"I get that all the time. We're all stubborn ol' goats in this family."
"Alright, but don't say I didn't warn you. My life story isn't all that impressive."
>You step back towards the house and sit on the ground, leaning against the wall. The sky is clear, but it's not that hot of a day, and for that you're grateful. It isn't long before Applejack walks to your side and sits on her haunches.
"Like a nice car, a big screen TV, a laptop... my friends and family."
>She frowns and lets out a sigh, "I'm sorry Anon. Twi tried to get ya home."
"I know, and I'll always be glad she tried."
>"As for that other stuff, from what you told Twi about that electricity stuff I won't be surprised if it ain't too far off. There's somethin' else, isn't there?"
"Yeah."
>...
>"Well?"
"Ugh, fine, but don't laugh."
>"On the honor of the Apple family, I ain't gonna laugh."
"Alright. I uh... I just never had a girlfriend."
>She smirks. Oh boy here we go. She's gonna laugh at you now. "You're pullin' my leg. A handsome fella like yourself?"
>You turn to her and raise an eyebrow.
"Handsome?"
>Her eyes widen, and she blushes, turning away. "I mean... I'm just surprised is all. Someone nice like yourself never gettin' a mare."
>You open your mouth the respond, but before you can the front door of the house slams open and Pinkie Pie is in both of your faces, "What are you silly fillies doing out here?! The party's inside the house! Come on, I've got Gummie doing tricks. You don't wanna miss it!"
>You and Applejack look at each other, then shrug at the same time. Both of you head back into the house to join the festivities, and you're left wondering just what Applejack was implying.
-----------
>Later that night you decide to head to the bar. It's crowded tonight, and you can't help but think the whole cider thing has something to do with it.
>You decide to sit at a table. You're not in the mood to get drunk tonight.
>A unicorn waitress approaches you with a smile on her face, a notepad floating next to her head, "Hey there Anon. What do you need tonight?"
"Just a beer is fine, thanks."
>"What kind."
"Surprise me."
>She nods firmly and walks back towards the bar, leaning over it to give the bar tender your order.
>A few minutes later she returns with a large mug of beer. You would have been alright with a bottle, but whatever.
>You start downing it.
>Here you are, drinking alone on a weekend night.
>You may be in Equestria, but not a single thing has changed.
>As you drink you can't help but think back to the conversation you had with Applejack earlier this morning. Not to mention the way she reacted when the conversation turned towards you having a girlfriend.
>There is one reason she would react like that, but it doesn't make any sense to you. Yeah, when you hang out with Applejack the conversation flows easily, and you can tell that the friendship is mutual.
>Then again, you could definitely do worse than Applejack. She's a hardworking girl, and you'd be lying to yourself if you say she isn't cute.
>You take another swig of beer just as the door to the bar opens.
>In trots Applejack. She orders what you got when she gets to the bar, a mug of beer. After a quick look around the place she spots you and waves with a smile. She approaches your table, "Well well well, looki what we got here."
>You lift your mug to her as she sits down, causing her to laugh.
"Looks like I'm not the only one who wants a drink."
>She scoffs as she takes the seat, "ONE drink? Partner you're talkin' to the only pony who can beat Big Mac in a drinkin' contest."
"No fucking way."
>"Yes way. Bet I could beat your skinny little butt too."
>She didn't just go there, did she?
>"Whatsa matter, Anon? Yella?"
>She definitely just went there.
>You lean forward and down the rest of your beer. Applejack just watches with a smirk. When you're done, she chugs her own.
>It doesn't take her too long to finish it off. You can tell you're in for a challenge, here. Hell, she might even beat you. The drinks here have less alcohol content than back home, presumably because the ponies are no bigger than a rather large dog.
>It's always given you an advantage, but going up against Applejack...
>You're not too sure about this one, but you raise your hand for the waitress anyways.
"We're gonna need more beer over here Miss."
------
>You think it's been about an hour, but you're not too sure anymore. Everything is doubled and your vision is waving back and forth. You'll be surprised if you remember tonight?
>Why would you forget, again...?
>Oh yeah, that's why.
>Suddenly, the table is rushing at your face... or is it the other way around.
"Uuuuuragshdkj."
>"Huh... washa say Anon?"
>Managing to pul yourself up from the table, you look around the bar, or at least what you think is the bar. You see three Applejack's, but the only other people are the two bartenders.
"I think..."
>You bring a hand to your head and groan, everything is so weird right now.
"YEAH!"
>You snap your fingers when you realize what you were trying to say.
"I think the barsh about to clos. We shoul' prbly go."
>Applejack stares at you with her narrowed eyes, trying to process what you just said. Eventually it clicks with her, too. "Thas' a gud idea. Wait... what were we doin' ta get like thish?"
>What WERE you doing? You try to remember, but you can't quite seem to recall. Finally, you shrug.
"Dunno. We should get goin' though."
>Both of you stand from the table, and almost in synch, you both stumble. You clutch onto the chair, and Applejack catches herself by letting her side fall into the table.
>She giggles.
>"Do you folks need help?" asks the bartender.
>You wave him off.
"Nah."
>The both of you, stumbling and giggling the entire way, leave the bar.
------
>Before you even open your eyes you can feel the hangover and the pain that the light causes you.
>You bring your right hand to your eyes and let out a moan of pure unbridled pain. It feels like someone invaded your skull with a jackhammer.
>Despite how drunk you got last night, you at least remember what happened... or part of it anyways.
>The drinking contests with Applejack, the both of you getting completely shitfaced, and leaving the bar like a bunch of drunk high schoolers.
>You can't remember how you got home.
>Trying to sit up yields little movement. Instead, you realize that your left arm is pinned under something.
"The fuck..."
>When you turn your head to see what's impairing your movement, your eyes widen.
>Applejack is splayed out over your arm, asleep and lightly snoring.
>Luckily you're still wearing your clothes.
>You doubt either of you were in the shape for doing anything last night.
"AJ?"
>She grumbles something, her eyes slowly opening. It takes a second for her to react, "Ah, what in tarnation? My head..." She brings a hoof to her forehead and frowns.
>Then she notices you and her face goes completely red, and she isn't the only one "A... Anon."
"Don't freak out. We didn't do anything."
>Her blush doesn't go away. "I... I was just surprised, ya don't have to cover your flank or anythin'."
"Well, uh... do you want breakfast?"
>"That would be a treat."
"Alright."
>She rolls off your arm and you both get out of bed, faces still burning.
>"Just toast an' hay is fine. Nothin' fancy."
"Right."
>You stand and walk towards your bedroom door. You're about to open it when Applejack calls out. "Anon?"
"Yeah, what's up?"
>Turning around, you're surprised when she trots right up to you, "Lean down."
"But."
>"Dangit Anon, just lean down."
>Seeing as you have a hangover and just woke up, you're not exactly sure what she's doing here, but you decide to follow her instructions.
>She jumps slightly off her front legs and pecks you on the cheek. When she's back on four hooves she gives you a sly smile, "Thanks for gettin' wasted with me."
>You stand back up and clear your throat.
"N... no problem."
>"Maybe I'll help ya out with that girlfriend problem."
>You like the sound of that.