Hard Cider, Tough Apples

>You take a swig of your cider, it tastes astonishingly fresh.
>Not bad at all, in fact this might just be the best cider you've ever had.
>A perfectly balanced taste, not too sweet yet not too sharp.
>You take another swig, you're definitely going to enjoy your stay in this town.
>It's a shame you'll only be here until the construction is complete, which shouldn't take more than a few months.
>Ah well, such is the life of a construction worker.
>A smile on your lips, you lower your pint onto the counter.
>The other bar patrons are happily drinking and delighting in modest conversation.
>In some places you've visited, ponies have been unnerved by the presence of the "hairless monkey", but this is something else.
>These ponies smiled warmly at you as they passed you in the street and some even stopped to welcome you to town.
>If you ever were to settle down somewhere, you could do worse than ending up in a place like this.
>To top it of, you stumbled upon this surprisingly cosy tavern.
>It's a small, humble establishment, its interior a charming mixture of classy elegance and warm homeliness.
>A polished mahogany bar counter, lined with richly cushioned barstools, covers one side of the room.
>A series of tables and some booths occupy the other side, aligned by stained glass windows.
>Lanterns on the walls complemented by a great, big chandelier filled the room with a mute, warm light.
>Entering this tavern was like stepping into another world; a world born from serenity and cheerfulness.
>You finish of your cider, savoring every last drop.
>You could really get used to this place.

>As you order in another pint, you hear the tavern door open.
>"...So as I was saying, Applejack, I'm gonna have to leave early tonight."
>"The competition is comming up and I really need to put in more time perfect my moves."
>Taking a sip of cider, you eye the new arrivals.
>A cyan pegasus with a rainbow colored mane followed closely by an earth pony with tan fur and blonde mane.
>RD: "You know I love hanging out with you, AJ, but this competition really means a lot."
>RD: "If I do good, I might be able to get the attention of the Wonderbolts! Wouldn't that be amazing?"
>AJ: "Aw shucks Rainbow, Ah'm sure you'll win that contest with flyin' colors."
>The two of them share a look before bursting out into laughter.
>RD: "AJ, you really crack me up sometimes."
>AJ: "Well, Ah do try ma darndest."
>The two friends take a seat at the bar counter, just a few spaces away from you, and order up two ciders.
>AJ: "And don't ya worry none about me, Ah'm sure we can spend some time tomorrow night instead."
>RD: "Actually, that was the other thing I wanted to talk to you about."
>AJ: "Huh?"
>RD: "Well I'll be busy tommorow night as well, you see... I kinda... Uh... I sorta, you know..."
>Applejack takes a drink of cider, giving her firend a quizzical look.
>AJ: "Go on, spit it out, Sugarcube."
>Visibly flustered, Rainbow Dash leans closer to her friend, obviously not wanting anyone to hear what she's saying.
>RD: "Tomorrow night, I've got a, you know... A date."
>RD leans back again, taking a sip of her cider.
>AJ: "Boy howdy RD, -YOU- got a date?"
>RD: "Well yeah... You think that's strange?
>AJ: "Nah, Ah'm just suprised you found a colt who'd willingly spend a whole evening with ya, is all."
>RD: "Hey!"
>AJ: "Hue-hue, ya know Ah'm just joshing with ya, Dash."
>Rainbow playfully throws a hoof at her friends shoulder.
>AJ: "Ah'm happy fer ya Dash, so who's the lucky colt?"
>RD: "I first met him when the pegasi in town were training our wingpower for the tornado to Cloudsdale."
>RD: "He loves speed and aerial tricks, and he even dreams of joining the Wonderbolts one day."
>AJ: "Sounds like a perfect match for ya."
>RD: "Pfft... S-shut up."
>AJ: "Nah Sugarcube, Ah'm sure you'll knock 'em dead once he sees all yer fancy flying tricks."
>RD: "That's what I was hoping for... Erm... I mean... Yeah I guess."
>The two friends share another laugh.
>RD finishes of her cider and hops down from her stool.
>RD: "Well, I had better get going now."
>AJ: "Alright, have a good one Dash."
>RD: "You too AJ, I'll see you around."
>AJ: "Yeah Ah'll see you..."
>Rainbow Dash trots out of the tavern.
>AJ: "...Ah'll be waiting fer ye."
>The tan mares cheerful demeanor seems to vanish along with her friend.
>She greedily gulps down her remaining cider.
>Sighing deeply, she orders in another pint.
>Downing your own cider, you decide to call it a night.
>Your shift starts early tomorrow.

>What a day.
>In the late afternoon, a postal delivery mare came crashing into the construction site and somehow managed to collapse the eastern foundations.
>The foreman had your whole crew working overtime to rebuild what was lost.
>At least the day is over now.
>The moon stands high in the late evening sky, and you debate wheter to go straight to bed or pay a quick visit to the tavern first.
>You decide upon the latter.
>Stepping into the tavern you breath a sigh of relief; you feel at home here.
>You take a seat by the counter and signal the barkeep.
>"Good evening Anon, good to see you again. What can I do you for?" the barkeep asks with a happy grin
"A pint of cider will do just fine."
>"Comming right up, sir."
>Before long, you're gulping down some of that divine cider.
>As you lower your pint the barkeep shoots you another smile
>"Had a rough day, huh?"
>You simply nod, not really in the mood for a long conversation.
>"Well, you're not the only one then."
>With a casual nod of his head he points over at a mare sitting a few seats away.
>It's her! That tan mare for last night... What was her name again? Applejack?
>She sits alone, sipping on a pint of cider, a gloom look about her.
>Recalling the discussion you overheard last night, you wonder what has got her so down.
>Taking another drink of your cider, you notice something glittering on her cheek. A tear?
>Is she... Crying?
>Abruptly she hops down from her seat, barely managing to not fall over as she does so.
>She staggers towards the restroom, looking close to losing her balance a number of times.
>Sweet Celestia, how much has she had to drink?

>After you've finished two more pints of cider, she comes staggering back to the counter.
>Her eyes are puffy and red, she's evidently been crying.
>Fighting to retain her balance on the barstool, she calls the barkeeper over.
>AJ: "Serve me up another ~hick~ pint."
>She slurs something terrible as she speaks.
>The barkeep shakes his head, "Sorry Applejack, I think you've had more than enough for tonight."
>She sneers at him.
>AJ: "Forget you, Ah think Ah know best ~hick~ maself when Ah've had enough."
>She picks up her empty pint and waggles it infront of the barkeep.
>AJ: "Now pour me up some more cider."
>Barkeep: "No can do, Applejack."
>Applejack slams her hoof down on the counter, sending her empty pint flying across the room.
>Rage overtakes her features.
>AJ: "BUCK YOU STUPID MOTHERBUCKER! WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?!"
>All the eyes in the room turn to witness the commotion.
>Applejack takes a drunken swing at the barkeeper, missing by a long shot.
>The force of her swing causes her to fall of her barstool, violently crashing to the floor.
>She remains in a heap on the floor, appearing barely conscious.
>"Bucking Rainbow Dash..." you hear her mumble to herself
>A few nearby bar patrons, looking shocked at her behaviour, get up from their seats.
>"This one needs a time-out."
>"Alright, let's lift her on the count of three."
>"One... Two... Three!"
>Two well-built colts work together to lift Applejack's limp body and carry her outside.
>After all the commotion has died out, the tavern returns to its normal state of tranquility.
>The barkeeper looks over at you.
>"Anon, shall I pour up another pint for you?"
"Actually, I think I'm good for tonight." you say as you get up to leave
>The barkeep shoots you a questioning glance as you walk out the door.
>Outside the tavern you find Applejack sloped against the wall, snoring softly.
>You know it doesn't really concern you, but you can't just leave her here, you wouldn't be able to get any sleep if you did.
>You gently nudge her to try and wake her up.
>Alas, she merely grunts while remaining otherwise unresponsive.
>Going on the possibility that she's a regular vistor of this tavern, you decide to check with the barkeep if he knows where she lives.
>Luckily for you, and perhaps more so for Applejack, he was more than happy to give you directions to the farm where she's staying, Sweet Apple Acres.
>Applejack, apple cutiemark, hardcore cider chugger; you guess it only makes sense she'd live at an apple orchard.
>With a sleeping mare over your shoulder you set out for Sweet Apple Acres.
>It's a genlte summers night, the air feels fresh and cool.
>Your destination lies a brisk walk out of town, but you don't mind.
>You always enjoyed walking under moonlit landscape.
>With everything alseep around you, it always feels like your own little world where you can be at peace.
>Before you know it, you're comming up on a grand farmhouse.
>As you continue up the path, you can just about make out a pony standing on the front porch, waiting for you.
>You stop at a respectable distance infront of the porch.
>A massive, red stallion stares down at you.
>You are aware of how shady you must look, caring a mare around over your shoulder as you are.
>Best to expain things quickly and be on your way.
"Hello there."
>The giant, tank of a stallion remains silent.
"I think this one had a few too many drinks tonight." you motion to the sleeping Applejack with a thumb
"Shall I just put her down here? Or should ..."
>"Eeyup."
>Woah, this guy sure doesn't play around.
>You gently lower Applejack to the ground.
"I've better get going then... Nice to meet you."
>He simply nods at you.
>And so you start your trek back into town.
>Today sure was an eventful day.

>Be Applejack.
>You're sitting at the dinner table staring blankly at a lovely, applelicious breakfast.
>The food smells divine, but you seem to have lost your appetite.
>You keep thinking about last night, and how embarrassed you are.
>To think you got thrown out of the tavern...
>And then, a complete stranger was forced to carry you home.
>What does he think of you?
>Oh bother...
>With your breakfast hardly half eaten, you leave the farm.
>You told your brother you had some business in town.
>But in truth, you really just need a moment to think.
>You walk for a while, mulling over the events of last night.
>That stupid Rainbow Dash... Leaving you to drink alone.
>The two of you used to be so close, but now it seems like you hardly spend any time together.
>She always seems to have more imporant stuff to do.
>Oh well, you guess you can't blame her.
>You doubt you make for very pleaseant company.
>You're just a simple farmhand pony after all.

>Caught up in your deeply brooding thoughts, you suddenly find yourself walking into Ponyville proper.
>You are just about to turn around and go back to the farm when you spot him in the corner of your eye.
>Him -- The strange monkey creature who carried you home last night.
>He's sitting at an outside diner, enjoying some breakfast in the early sun.
>You can't miss this opportunity to apologize to him.
>You take a deep breath and walk over to him.
>As he takes notice of you trotting towards him, he smiles and waves.
>His eyes seem to sparkle in the sun and his smile is warm and hearty.
>Oh fiddlesticks, this might be harder than you'd imagined.
>You feel your cheeks flush and redden.
"Uhh... Ahhh... Hello there."
>"Good morning, Applejack. You're feeling better today I hope?"
>His voice is deep and raspy, yet he speaks with an underlying kindess.
"Uhm... Yeah, Ah feel fine."
"Well.. Uhh... Ah mean, Ah do feel terribly embarrassed about last night..."
>"Oh, don't worry about it, we all have our bad days."
"Well, Ah would still like to apologize."
"Ah drank way too much and... Well, Ah'm sorry. Ah didn't intend on being a burden on anyp0ny."
>"Aw it's fine. I quite enjoyed the walk through the countryside you know."
>"So the way I see it, you did me a favour."
>He chuckles lightly.
>"Come to think of it, I don't think we've been properly introduced yet."
>"The name's Anon, I'm a human, the only one in Equestira."
>He extents one of his monkey, or human, hands towards you.
"Applejack, pony."
>You slip a hoof into his grip, and he shakes it gently.
"Well Ah'd better get back to the farm now."
"And again, Ah'm terribly sorry about last night."
>"It's okay. You take care now."
"You too."
>You start trotting away but come to an aburpt halt after a few steps.
>As you turn around and look at him again, your eyes meet.
>What a remarkable man.
>Carrying your drunken butt all the way home and he plays it off like it was nothing.
>You should ask him if he wants to grab something to eat tonight, maybe you could...
>You sigh.
>He probably thinks you're nothing but a crazy, drunken farmer though.
>You'd best just be on your way.
>As you turn to walk away once more, you hear him calling,
>"Hey Applejack!"
>You look over at him yet again to find him waving you over.
>You walk back towards him, giving him a questioning look.
>He smiles nervously and scratches the back of his head.
>"I was thinking... How about to make up for last night, you let me take you out for dinner tonight?"
>Even if you wanted to, you wouldn't have been able to hide your smile.
>How could he have known?
"Well uhh... That sounds only fair."
>He smiles warmly at you.
>"I'll come by the farm this evening then to pick you up then?"
"Sounds fine by me, Sugarcube."
"Ah'll be waiting fer ya."

The End