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Under the Starry Skies

by Wintergreen Diaries

Chapter 19: Late to Rise

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Chapter 19: Late to Rise

Most ponies will agree that emotional fatigue, whether from joy or grief, is far more draining than physical exhaustion. Applejack, were she conscious, would have agreed wholeheartedly with the assessment. The crow of the rooster wasn’t nearly enough to wake the slumbering mare, and as time ticked by, Big Macintosh grew impatient waiting by the cart loaded with Zap Apple juice for Silver. Making his way back inside, he gave a few solid knocks on the recently replaced door to his sister’s room but received no response. A few more knocks, and a few more moments of silence.

“Applejack, come on, you’re runnin’ late.” Ah know mah sister can sleep, but this is ridiculous. What’d she do, fill ‘er ears with cement? Turning the knob, he walked inside to find Applejack quite contentedly sleeping, snoring softly and clutching a pillow to her chest. This sleep was soon disturbed by his prodding hoof, a much less desirable way to wake than the comforting call of the rooster.

“Nnn... huh? What’re you doin’ in mah room, Big Mac?”

“Well, ah was waitin’ for somepony to deliver the Zap Apple juice to Silver. Ah could take it mahself, but ah think he’d rather see you instead.”

“Waitin’? What time is...” she mumbled, turning towards the clock and staring at it for a couple of seconds before it came into focus. “What the hay? Big Mac, why didn’t you wake me sooner?” she shouted, leaping out of bed and staggering as the blood rushed to her head.

“Ah thought you’d be ready on time. You’re normally pretty punctual.”

“Yeah, all except the one day ah need to be someplace. Now get out, ah need t’ shower.”


“I needed this,” Silver mumbled as he awoke, rolling over and staring at the clock sitting on the desk. Sure, he had slept in longer than he had meant to, never mind the fact that Applejack was supposed to be arriving any minute. “Wait, it’s ten already? Dang it, I hope she’s not waiting outside.” Not bothering to get dressed, Silver trotted down the stairs and peered out the front door. He saw a number of ponies he recognized scattered around, but no sign of Applejack. He was only late by a few minutes, so it seemed illogical to assume she had gotten fed up and left. It brought him a small amount of comfort as he returned upstairs, stepped into the shower, and let the rejuvenating cascade complete the awakening process.

Refreshed, renewed, and strangely excited about meeting Applejack’s family, Moonshine descended to the tavern with a spring in his step and smartly combed mane, along with one of his more favored pieces that Rarity had made. Stepping outside he took a deep draft of the sweet spring air before noticing Rainbow Dash, Rarity, and Storm at a distance. Seeing that his fillyfriend had yet to arrive, he approached the group and found the rainbow pegasus in a somewhat heated argument with Rarity, who was clearly not budging an inch.

“I’m telling you, Rarity, this gem is for real. There’s no way Storm would buy me something fake.”

“I understand your confidence in your stallion, but I have far more confidence in my knowledge of jewels. I have made a point to know every stone that glitters, and that is not one of them.”

“I’m afraid she’s right, Rainbow Dash. That isn’t a gem.”

“Thank you, Silver, for...”

“It’s seven gemstones combined into one.”

“I’m sorry, that simply isn’t possible. I’ve tried, you see.” Silver gave a knowing smile to the confident unicorn before turning to Storm.

“‘The Ruler of Gold’s Perfect Jewels,’ right?”

“Yeah, that’s right. How did you know?” Storm replied, shocked that anypony had heard of the admittedly obscure jeweler. “It took me forever to find somepony that could do what I was asking, most everypony just laughed at me and told me it couldn’t be done.”

“Mare that sold it to you was short, gold and silver hair with golden glasses and bracelets?” Storm nodded, matching Silver’s proud grin. “That’d be my mother, Perfect Jewel. That ring there,” he paused, motioning to Rainbow Dash’s hoof, “was one of her best creations. Took her nearly a year to perfect the process she uses to make it safely. Come a little closer, I’ll list off the jewels for the more doubtful pony in our midst.” Rainbow Dash couldn’t help but smirk as Rarity’s eyes grew wide with each extremely rare gem that was listed. “Let’s see, I spy a Fire Ruby, that’s the red one. Water Sapphire, Midnight Amethyst, Honey Citrine... ah, Sun Topaz, Forest Emerald, and a Twilight Garnet to finish it off.” About half way through the list Rarity had forgotten what her lungs were for. Just before her face began to turn blue, she remembered that breathing was indeed fashionable and allowed herself a loud gasp, taking in a deep draft and summoning a rather lavish couch from someplace, providing her a comfortable place to flop down in disbelief.

“I’m going to assume that you’ve given her reason to be impressed.”

“Impressed? Try envious! Why, any single one of those gems is worth a small fortune, let alone one of each! Exactly how much did you spend on that ring, Storm Blitz?”

“Um... a medium fortune?”

“So that’s what happened to all our money.”

“I’m sorry, would you like me to return it?”

“You’d have to pry it off my cold, dead hooves!”

“No thank you, I prefer a more lively companion. It’s much more enjoyable.”

“I can agree with that. Thanks for backing us up, Silver.”

“I suppose I must apologize for doubting you, Storm. Once again, you prove yourself the better stallion.”

“Better than who, if I may ask?”

“That vile cretin that Twilight is so enamored with. He was such a nice pony for those first two months...”

“Uh... am I right to assume she speaking about Cerulean?” Silver inquired, wondering what the amiable unicorn could possibly have done to upset Rarity to such a degree.

“Yeah, that’s the one. Rarity has kind of set up a ranking system for anypony that her friends start to date, which means you’re on the board now too,” Dash explained with a wink. Rarity noticed Silver’s concerned expression and immediately stepped off the couch.

“Do not worry yourself, Mr. Moonshine. So far you have proven yourself to be of good character, even if you do allow some rather unsavory characters into your establishment. Conduct yourself as a proper gentlecolt, and you’ll have no problems from me. If, however,” she paused, dropping her voice to a dangerous calm, “you insist on pulling Applejack into a path of filth, committing lewd acts in public and defiling the sanctity of something as pure as a tea party, then we shall have words, you and I. Oh, and treat Applejack right. Are we clear?”

“Yes ma’am.”

“I like this stallion, he’s much brighter than Cerulean.” Rarity’s blatant loathing for somepony that Silver could find little reason to fault was cause for further investigation, so he made a mental note to ask the couple about it further. Rarity didn’t strike him as the type to dislike somepony for no reason, given that she was generous enough to not only make a new banner and sign for his shop, but also several pairs of clothes free of charge.

“Well, have fun this morning, you three. I’ve got to get back to the tavern and wait for Applejack to show up.”

“Oh? Do you have something fun planned for the afternoon?”

“I don’t know that I’d call it ‘fun,’ per se. I’m supposed to meet Granny Smith, I think.”

“You’d best be on your guard, then,” Rarity warned. “That old mare is a tricky one, so watch your tongue.”


Big Macintosh stared up at the sun, which was nearly at its zenith. This marked the passage of an hour since he left Applejack to get herself ready, and his vexation only grew as he stomped back to her room only to find her frantically searching through her drawers and closet. She had seemingly forgotten to tie her hair in her haste, and given that her beloved stetson was Celestia only knows where, her behavior begged questioning.

“Applejack, what ‘n tarnation are you doin’? Yer hat ain’t around anymore, an’...”

“I’m not lookin’ for mah hat, obviously.”

“Then what are you lookin’ for?”

“Somethin’ t’ wear.”

“What for?”

“To look good fer Silver. Are ya sayin’ ah shouldn’t wear anythin’ special?” she replied, ceasing her search and staring at the contents of her closet for the third time. She had plenty of practical things, but a raincoat seemed to be the most fashionable accessory she had. “Hay, do ah even have anythin’ special t’ wear?” she groaned, slamming the door shut and resting her head against it.

“Nnnope.”

“Gee, thanks, Big Mac. You sure know how t’ cheer me up.”

“This ain’t a date, Applejack.”

“Ah could at least wear somethin’ though. Ah'm sure ah have a saddle ‘round here someplace.”

“Why, you plannin’ on bein’ ridden?”

“Big Mac! Ah’m ashamed you’d even say such a thing.”

“An’ why is that, dearie? It’s fun!” Granny Smith called out as she walked past with Applebloom perched on her back. “Oh, it’s nothin’ to be ashamed of!” she chuckled, pointing at Applejack’s cheeks which were starting to flush as a faint image of a different kind of ride invaded her otherwise tame mind.

“Sis, what’re you thinkin’ ‘bout?”

“Somethin’ I ain’t.”

“That’s got t’ be the strangest thing ah’ve ever heard you say, sis. Come on, Granny, ah want some Zap Apple toast.”

“Whatever you were thinkin’ just now better not happen for a good while yet, Applejack.”

“Me? What about you? Are you gonna be able to keep your buckin’ wild mare tame?”

“Now hold on, Applejack, that’s... ah mean...”

“Not so fun when the horseshoe is on the other hoof, now is it?”

“Just deliver the juice, Applejack.”


Seeing Applejack was worth every second of the wait, though she was an hour late at by the time she arrived, attempting to stop too suddenly only to have the cart propel her into Silver. He caught the stumbling mare, and her apology was momentarily forgotten as she took a moment to simply enjoy his presence, though she couldn’t help but think it was better without clothes.

“It’s great to see you too, Applejack.”

“Sorry fer the wait, ah woke up a little late.” Silver glanced at the sun for a moment before turning back to the mare already setting about her work, unloading the cart and rolling the casks towards the cellar. Hoisting two casks up with his magic, he followed her down and set the barrels in a neat stack, pausing to note that he was quickly running out of space. “Ah reckon yer gonna need t’ expand sooner rather than later, Silver.”

“Reading my mind already?” he laughed, following her out to grab the remaining barrels. “The tavern is doing much better than I had hoped for, so I should be able to build a proper workshop for my experiments. That would free up some space in the cellar, and allow for more exploration.”

“You got more crazy ideas bouncin’ around in yer noggin? Let’s hear one of ‘em,” she replied, hoisting a barrel onto her back while rolling one with her snout.

“Well, with as much Zap Apple juice as you’ve generously allowed me to purchase, I wager I’ll turn two-thirds of it into cider, while the remainder will be a personal favorite of mine; moonshine.”

“Doesn’t that stuff cause hallucinations?”

“If dirty equipment and untrained hooves are behind it, yes. But you don’t have to worry about either with me.”

“Ahll right, that’s all fine ‘n dandy, but what about somethin’ a little more interestin’? Ah'm sure you got all sorts of untapped crazy in there.” He was about to let her know about one of his more audacious experiments, but thought better of it and chose to reveal a more grounded aspiration.

“Well, seeing as how the Shockberry wine went over so well, I was thinking about trying something with a different element, maybe a cinnamon liqueur infused with the essence of fire. I imagine it would be especially popular in the winter months.” While the actual science behind such a feat was something Applejack doubted she could wrap her head around, she found herself feeling quite proud to be with such a creative pony, magic or not.

“Ah'm sorry I ain’t got the know how t’ help with somethin’ like that.” Silver immediately set the barrels down and made his way towards the mare who was busying herself staring intently at the last cask she had set down.

“I wouldn’t want you to help for fear of you getting hurt in the process. As you’ve seen, alchemy can be quite dangerous.”

“Ah guess.” While his first inclination was to kiss the doubtful mare, Silver couldn’t help but feel that was a little forward, especially after Big Macintosh’s warning. Yes, it’s true, they had kissed plenty their first night as a couple, but Silver didn’t want to risk pushing anything on Applejack, so he aimed for her cheek instead.

“Having a source of inspiration is the most important part, Applejack. And for me, that’s you now. So don’t sell yourself short, sweetheart.”

“Hey sugarcube? You missed,” she said softly, turning to face him and righting his mistake. He couldn’t say whether it was instinct, desire, or something else he couldn’t quite place, but it just felt right to pull the mare close, wrapping her in his forehooves and holding her tight. She offered no resistance, thinking that a warming drink wouldn’t be needed for the coming winter. Silver released his grip slightly as she pulled away, letting slip a small gasp as she attempted to begin breathing at a normal pace, slowly beginning to realize that perhaps she had been a bit too firm with Cerulean and Storm on the subject.

“Well, we’d better be on our way then. I don’t want to give your brother any more reasons not to like me.”

“Do we... ‘ave t’ go right now? Ah’d like some time with you away from mah brother.”

“Consider me sold. I’ll tell you what, if you promise to keep a safe distance, I’ll let you watch while I start on the cinnamon drink.”

“Don’t you think just straight cinnamon might be a tad strong? Ah mean, ‘ave you ever eaten plain cinnamon?”

“Hmmm, you may have a point, I hadn’t thought of that.”

“Ah know! Why not try addin’ somethin’ fruity like cherries to it? Ah met somepony awhile back that can give me a good price on ‘em, even with the transportation costs. Whether ‘e likes ya or not, the vendor here can be a right pain in the flank.”

“So that’s why you kiss so well.” While he had intended the thought to stay inside his mind, the blush that was quickly rising to Applejack’s cheeks quickly confirmed his fears that he had indeed spoken aloud.

“Ah... may have tried tyin’ the stalks, once or twice. Now, don’t give me that look,” she pleaded, turning away. “Ah wasn’t practicin’, it was somethin’ t’ do while workin’ the cherry fields, ok? I wasn’t even thinkin’ ‘bout kissin’ then.”

“I think the cherry thing is a wonderful idea, Applejack.” He draped a hoof over her shoulders to ease the mare’s worries, which he found confusing and unfounded in the first place. “And while I don’t have any cherries right now, I can still get to work. Take a seat someplace, and feel free to ask questions. Things won’t get dicey until I start trying to imbue fire into the drink.” Applejack nodded and pulled a barrel over to use as a seat while Silver started setting up various beakers and vials. The markings on the side were utterly incomprehensible to the simple farm pony, but she soon found herself engrossed in his work as he tried different combinations of various compounds and mixtures.

“So, when ‘re you gonna start workin’ with the Zap Apple juice? It probably shouldn’t set too long.”

“And why is that?” Silver asked, looking up from the beaker on the heating pad long enough to make eye contact.

“Well, Zap Apples are magical. They go bad a day after they appear if left on the tree, which is why we always turn ‘em into jam as soon as we can.”

“If that’s the case, then the juice may have started to ferment on its own. Now that you mention it, I’m pretty curious to see how the juice tastes.” He turned off the heating pad, jotting down a few more notes before approaching one of the barrels and pounding in the spigot. After firmly affixing a nozzle, he grabbed a mug and poured a small amount into the cup, swirling around before giving it a tentative taste. “Yup, that’s starting to sour all on it’s own.” He took another drink, holding it longer. “That is, quite honestly, like nothing I’ve ever tasted before. I can’t even begin to figure it out, not just by taste. Here, try some, Applejack.” She raised the glass to her lips and paused, giving it a curious sniff before tilting back the mug.

“Now that’s right strange. That tastes nothin’ like Zap Apple jam. Yer on yer own there, Silver,” she replied with a shrug and handing the glass back. “I don’t know what to tell ya. Why don’t we take a break? I think you’ll find Zap Apples a mite more confusin’ than that liqueur you’ve been workin’ on.”

“You’re probably right, and if I get too deep in I won’t want to stop. I’ve been known to stay up through till sunrise when the mood takes me. Let’s share a drink then head to your house.”

“Ah suppose ah could tolerate a cup o’ that stuff you call cider,” she replied with a wink, grabbing a cup and holding it out eagerly.


Being late wasn’t a way to make a good impression, and as Big Mac approached the tavern at around three in the afternoon, he couldn’t help but heave a sigh. It was likely not entirely the stallion’s fault, since Applejack was no doubt with him and taking part in whatever was causing the delay. The door to the tavern was unlocked, but upon entering he heard nothing but silence.

“Applejack? Silver? Y’all here?” His only answer was the echo of his own voice, and a growing sense of unease drew him up to Silver’s room. It was, fortunately, empty, though this still left the problem of figuring out where the hay they had gone. Recalling that Silver performed his experiments in the cellar, Big Macintosh made his way down the steps and towards the makeshift lab. There was a crash, followed swiftly by Silver’s voice, which froze Big Mac’s hoof a hair away from the door and caused the complete cessation of thought.

“Oh, Applejack, now look what you did! I told you that you were going to take it too far, and now it’s spraying all over the place!”

“Don’t point the hoof at me, you were enjoyin’ it plenty.”

“Yeah, but now just look at this mess!”

“Trust me, ah see. Sure is tasty, though.”

“I’m glad you think so, now help me clean up.”

“Sure thing, sugarcube. Ah’ll be back with some towels.” The door swung open and Applejack gave a cry of alarm as her brother’s mortified face appeared within inches of her own. The white foam smeared across her face and into her mane caused the gears within the mind of the crimson stallion to go from inert to overclocked within the space of a second, and Silver suddenly found himself quite deprived of oxygen as Big Macintosh’s furious eyes attempted cause some kind of spontaneous combustion in addition to the hooves crushing his wind pipe. “Big Mac, get offa him, he hasn’t done anythin’!” Applejack cried, yanking her brother back and tending to Silver, who coughed hoarsely and reached for a mug.

“Not done anythin’? Then just what the buck is all over you, AJ?”

“Cider, why?” She said, pointing to a broken barrel that was still spraying a small amount onto the ground and foaming profusely. “What ‘n tarnation did you think it was?” Big Macintosh said nothing and stalked out of the room. “Hey, where’re you goin’? I asked you a question, brother, an’ I expect an answer! Git back here!”

Next Chapter: Most Important Ingredient Estimated time remaining: 3 Hours, 49 Minutes
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