Galen wasn't sure when he finally fell asleep, but when he woke up the sun hadn't made any noticeable progress on its celestial journey. He noticed a familiar pressure along his left side and saw that Riley had made his way to him while he was sleeping and had curled up for a nap as well. Galen smiled as he pushed the sheets down and gently ran his hand over Riley's head, feeling contentment as his companion gave a low grunt of happiness and squirmed at the attention. He looked out the window and saw an errant balloon floating over the orchard (likely lost by some foal in Ponyville) when his memory suddenly came crashing back.

Two mares in maid uniforms waiting for him.

Treating him like he was their master.

The surprisingly refined tones of Applejack and the sultry voice of Pinkie Pie.

What was going on and what was he going to do about it? Knowing Applejack, she'd probably tell him straight to his face and continue on her merry way because that's how stubborn she was. Pinkie Pie, from what little he knew about her, would probably giggle and say it was all a part of the fun. He sighed and considered going back to sleep for a while longer. His rumbling stomach had other thoughts though as he had skipped lunch due to his sight seeing with Steel Heart and a drastically reduced appetite from his meaty breakfast.

So, he got up, careful to not wake Riley and made his way to the kitchen. He almost had a heart attack as he walked into the bright room and found the two troubling mares in the middle of the room but quickly recovered when he saw that they were only sleeping on the floor. In a way that he could only describe as heart meltingly adorable. And maybe a little flustering as they both were still wearing their maid uniforms.

Using his knowledge of where the squeaky floorboards were and years of woodsman skills at remaining undetected by skittish prey, he made his way to the fridge and raided it for a healthy sized wedge of cheese, a pair of apples and a bottle of alcoholic cider before settling down to eat at the table, seating himself to their rear so that he could hopefully ambush them and get the upper hand in this encounter. As he ate, his eyes couldn't help but be drawn back toward the sleeping pair. He had known for a couple weeks by now that the two were a pair, but actually seeing them together like this really drove the point home that the two really were knocking hooves together. Now that turn of phrase brought all kinds of unexpected thoughts and Galen felt his face flush at the mental images.

He finished the last bite of his second apple, the cheese long gone by now, and downed the rest of his cider. However, before he could put his bottle back down on the table, Pinkie Pie's breathing changed and she stretched like a cat. Exactly like a cat, as she reached forward with her forelegs, popped her rear way up in the air as she sensually curved her back without shifting her shoulders so she wouldn't disturb Applejack and completed the image by lifting her tail as high as it could go. Oh, by all the gods who still listened to the pleas of mortals. She was wearing black and hot pink striped panties that concealed everything and hid nothing. Galen felt his grip on his bottle slacken suddenly and couldn't do a thing as it thudded to the tabletop.

Pinkie Pie froze. She froze so completely that he was sure that if something were to touch one of her hairs, it would break from its fragility. Then she cracked an eye open and Galen watched in a mortified stupor as she slowly looked over to him. They maintained eye contact for a total of three seconds before her entire face blazed to a fiery blush so fierce that a faint cloud of steam puffed from her mane, wisps floating lazily this and that way in the subtle air currents of the room before dissipating. Galen would have marveled at the seemingly impossible thing that had just occurred if he hadn't just been caught getting an eye-full of Pinkie Pie presenting herself directly to him.

Galen struggled to say something... anything... but he simply couldn't. Pinkie Pie was in a similar predicament although she could at least make some noise as she squeaked like a chew toy being mauled by a particularly rambunctious puppy. That in turn cause Applejack to wake up. She lifted her head and blinked a few times as she took in the scene that had unfolded. She snickered suddenly, a smile lighting up her face as she hugged Pinkie Pie who squeaked an octave higher and made mock kissing motions at Galen who choked on his own tongue.

She noticed the remains of his meal and asked in a husky voice, “Lunch must have been good for your stomach, but how was the desert for your eyes?”

Galen made to get up quickly so he could about face but ended up toppling both the chair and himself as it caught on a crack in the floorboards. He landed with a loud thud and an “Oof!” Pinkie twitched in sympathy while Applejack guffawed. Big Mac was on his way to their tool shed for the plow when he heard the loud noise and made a quick detour to see if anypony needed help and stuck his head in through the back door. He took in the scene stoically, blushed and slowly withdrew his head lest he draw any unwanted attention.

As Galen lay there on the floor he could only think of that last image emblazoned in his mind. Applejack hugging an embarrassingly exposed Pinkie while she made sultry kissing motions in his direction. To say the least, he had the most awkward case of arousal he had ever known and didn't know what to make of it. His thoughts were interrupted as Applejack got up and walked over to him.

“Everything okay, big fella?” she asked in her usual tones.

He cleared his throat uncomfortably and gave her a nod. “Yeah, ev'rything's peachy,” he replied. “Ah came back ta two mares in maid uniforms, embarrassed, babied an' flashed. Ev'rything's fekkin' peachy.”

Applejack held a hoof up to her face as she snorted in laughter. “What did you expect?”

“Not this,” he answered simply. “Anythin' but this.”

“Ah told you that Ah'd make you pay for giving me so much money,” she replied smugly.

“Yeah, but Ah figured it would be yew giving me a hard time, not dressing up like a maid an' hookin' yer girlfriend inta yer schemes as well.”

“That would be marefriend, and she was the one ta join in,” she said as she tossed a grin over her shoulder at Pinkie. “Ah was ready ta do this all on mah own.”

“But that don' explain a thing.”

“You made me feel indebted ta ya, so what better way ta repay that kind personal debt than serving you until Ah feel satisfied?”

Galen looked away then back to Applejack with an expression of mild dread and confusion at how it all turned out like this. But then started wondering how far she was going to take this. His expression changed to one of devious mischief and rolled himself out of his tumbled chair and stood up with fists on his hips. “Tha' right?”

“Darn right,” she said sternly as if she thought he'd try to talk her out of it, “and you're not gonna change my mind 'bout this.”

“In tha' case, Ah've got some stuff tha' needs doin',” he said as he moved to pick the chair up and returned it to its place at the table. “An' Ah'm sure Ah'll need tha help.”

“Whatever do you need my help with, master?” she asked, returning to her refined tones and a happy expression plastering itself on her face. Despite her outward appearance, she felt a small seed of worry plant itself.

“Jus' a few things,” he replied. “If yew'd go grab mah bag from tha bedroom fer me, Ah'd like ta apologize ta Pinkie Pie fer embarrassin' 'er.” Applejack nodded and walked off. When she had gone, Galen moved over to Pinkie Pie who had moved to a sitting position and was looking off to the side, her blush having not diminished in the slightest. Her expression and demeanor almost painful for Galen to see. He knelt down and lowered his head so it was level with Pinkie's before speaking. “Ah'm really sorry fer how things turned out. Ah was only tryin' ta surprise tha two o' ya an' get some answers while ya were off guard. If Ah thought it'd turn out this way, Ah never would o' done what Ah did.”

Pinkie fidgeted and moved so that she could look Galen in the eye. Even though things turned out like they had, she really couldn't blame him either. It was an accident after all. Besides, it wasn't as though she hadn't thought about... other things involving him either. Plus there was the whole barn incident and she had certainly gotten an eyeful of her own, so she supposed fair was fair. “It's alright,” she replied quietly. “I wasn't anyponys fault, right? Plus it wasn't like you flipped my skirt or anything like that.” Galen's cheeks heated a bit at that, but he nodded with a little smile. “Thanks for apologizing,” she finished, moving suddenly and wrapping Galen up in a warm hug. He froze for a moment but quickly returned it with just enough strength to make Pinkie sigh a little.

Applejack cleared her throat politely from the doorway and they broke the hug quickly, awkward smiles on their faces. “I have your bag, master,” she said with a smile at seeing that there were no hard feelings between the two.

“Alrigh',” he said as he stood up and walked over to sling the bag over his shoulder. “In tha' case, le's get goin'.”

Applejack paled slightly. “Going? As in out?”

“O' course,” he said with a smirk. “Ah need ta head inta town an' need some help bringing stuff back. Unless yew feel you've paid me back enough.”

Applejack let loose a low growl of displeasure as she felt her face heat up at the thought of going into town like... this. Well, she thought to herself. If he wants ta play dirty, Ah'll play dirty. “How could I ever pay you back in only such a short time?” she eloquently said instead. “I'll be right by your side the whole time.”

“That's good ta hear,” Galen said with a little grin. “In tha' case, how 'bout we get goin'?”

“Of course, master,” Applejack said with a wave of her hoof. “Lead the way.”

Galen chuckled as he left the kitchen and passed Applejack. Once his back was turned, she shot him a look of pure venom. He was wily, but she would out stubborn him if she had the last say in this. He suddenly stopped as he was about to leave and headed back to the kitchen. “Hey, Pinkie, Ah've got a gift fer ya if'n yew'd be willin' ta hang 'round 'till we come back.”

Pinkie's ears sprang up and an incredibly happy expression washed over her face at his words. “You do?” she asked, just to make sure she wasn't hearing things.

“Yeah,” he said with a grin. “Figured it was tha least Ah could do fer tha mare who brought a whole town out jus' ta welcome me.”

She smiled and blushed a little at his words. “It wasn't anything special, really,” she replied demurely.

“There ya go again, downplayin' yerself like tha',” he said, the barest hint of roughness in his voice showing that he was frustrated about it. “Yer an amazin' mare, Pinkie. Don' let anyone tell ya different. Even yerself.” With that he left and walked out of the house with Applejack on his heels, leaving an incredibly happy Pinkie Pie still sitting on the kitchen floor.

“You're a good man, Galen,” Applejack said after a time.

“Ah try ta be,” he replied. “Some days it's easier than others, but Ah try.”

Applejack just smiled and kept following. Then she remembered where she was going and what she was wearing. Her smile disappeared as she glowered at his back. The trip seemed to drag on for entirely too long and ended entirely too quickly for Applejack's liking. They had passed the blissfully concealing line of tree and were now out in the open as they walked the final stretch into town. She felt like there were eyes everywhere staring at her, even though nopony was about. She was sure she should have been more confident, but the entire situation was throwing her off and she knew that she'd never be able to turn this back around on the man.

“Hey! Galen!” called an all too familiar voice from overhead. “Who's that you're with?” Rainbow Dash swooped down from just overhead and landed a few paces ahead. Applejack, wanting to prolong the inevitable for just a few more short moments, kept herself hidden behind Galen. Oh, how her face was burning.

“Hey, Dash, fancy meetin' yew out here like this,” Galen replied with an easy grin. “Jus' comin' in ta town ta drop off a couple souvenirs Ah picked up fer yew an' yers. Tha' an' pick up a thing 'r two.”

“Cool,” she replied as she craned her head side to side in an attempt to see who was hiding behind him. “But that still didn't answer my question.”

“Well, tha's a funny thing, yew see,” he said, a snicker clearly heard in his voice. “Yew already know this lovely, humble mare who's been so gracious ta me. She's even taken it on 'erself ta repay an act o' kindness in 'er own, 'unique' way.”

“Come on...” Rainbow groused. “Quit stallin' and tell me who it is.” Instead of answering, Galen grinned and did a quick hop-step to the side so that Applejack had no chance to shadow him. She froze as she looked wide eyed at Rainbow. Rainbow froze in shock at the sight. It was Applejack. AJ, her main competition in events of any athletic nature. But she was wearing a really cute maids uniform and blushing so deeply that her green eyes seemed to have a faint inner light of their own. She felt an involuntary blush come up on her cheeks a second before she completely lost it, falling over and rolling on her back because she could devote no strength to standing at the moment.

Applejack shuffled her hooves on the dusty track and looked off to the side. “Sh-shut up,” she protested weakly. Dash just kept laughing and that quickly turned her embarrassment into anger. She growled and glowered at Dash who was still rolling on the ground, trotting over to her friend and prodded her hard in her stomach. Dash twitched and grunted from it and finally stopped laughing, though she still had a few residual echoes of her mirth. “Seriously?” Dash asked squeakily as she wiped a tear from an eye.

Applejack looked briefly away before she returned her gaze back to Dash. “It... didn't work out exactly like Ah planned, but Ah'm not gonna let that stop me,” she said determinedly.

“Sounds like you're learning that not all pranks turn out how you expect, huh?” she asked with a shit eating grin. “At least you're going all the way with it and not chickening out.”

Applejack snorted and gave her a little smile as she leaned in to stage whisper with a shit eating grin of her own, “Ta say the least, it's paid off well already. You shoulda seen it earlier. Pinkie got in on this as well and accidentally flashed 'im. You had ta be there ta see it! Totally worth it when 'e toppled his chair over backwards!”

Dash's eyes widened when she heard that Applejack had convinced Pinkie Pie to join in as well and felt her stomach clench painfully as her laughter came gushing out again. Galen gave a little smile at that. Sure, it was embarrassing, but even he could appreciate something when it was funny. Dash finally began to peter out, her laughter turning light and raspy as her abdomen became uncomfortably sore from the force of her laughter. Eventually, she just lay there breathing deeply to reclaim some much needed oxygen and finally sat up with a sigh.

“'Ad enough, huh?” he asked with a grin.

“Yeah,” Dash replied in a airy voice. “I... I'm good.”

“In tha' case, le's get goin',” he said.

“Sure thing,” she said with a grin directed at Applejack. “I'm sure Lero and the others will just love to see Applejack's new look.” Applejack groaned mildly at that.

“An' whoever we meet in tha' market as well,” he added. At that, Applejack tried to lower the brim of her hat and just ruffled her bangs.

Rainbow's eyebrows shot up at that and she had to fight off another bout of laughter. “You're gonna take her through the town like that?!”

“Yeah, since she's wantin' ta be mah maid fer a while until she feels she paid me back enough,” he replied. “This is day one an' Ah gave 'er a chance ta call it good, but she seems determined ta 'pay me back.' Figured Ah'd drop by tha' brewery place yew were tellin' me 'bout tha other day an' pick up a few things ta get me by fer tha moment. Also need ta drop by tha game warden's place ta see if Ah can do a bit o' hunting.”

“Oh, cool,” she said with a wide grin as she swiveled her head back to Applejack. “I'm sure she's more than happy to lend a hoof with whatever you need to get and she knows the way to Fluttershy's place so you can head right over.”

“Tha's what Ah figured,” he replied. “Come on Dash, Ah got some stuff ta unload at yer place before Ah can do mah runnin' 'round.”

“Alright,” she said as she moved to lead the way. I need to have Lero take a picture of this, she thought with a cat like smile. They entered the town far too quickly for Applejack's liking but it seemed to be a slow time of day so only a few ponies were out and about. Still, those that were out gave her the oddest looks as they recognized her despite her best attempts at ducking her head and staying as close behind as Galen as she could. They all blushed a bit and snickered behind their hooves. She knew she'd be the talk of the town before the sun set. Thankfully, they came to Lero's house before anypony else could see her and they ducked inside.

“Lero!” Dash called out as soon as the door closed. “I'm back! Bring the camera with you too!”

“Dash! No!” Applejack practically squealed as Galen began laughing while he shared a wink with Dash.

“Oh, come on,” she said plaintively. “We gotta record this for posterity.”

“Now you're sounding like Twilight,” Applejack said grumpily. “But seriously... No cider fer a month if ya go through with this.”

“Acceptable losses,” she said with a devious smirk. “You want a copy after it gets developed, Galen?” Galen blushed and looked away guiltily as Applejack snapped her head over to him, giving him the eye.

“No thanks,” he said weakly which satisfied Applejack. When she turned her attention back to Dash, he caught her attention and mouthed, “Yes. Very much.” Dash's grin widened as she threw him a wink that Applejack missed.

“What's going on, love?” Lero asked as he walked into the living room. “Lyra and Twi are... *ahem* cleaning up right now...” He stopped as he saw Galen and Applejack, his cheeks warming as he gave a another little cough. “Wh-what's up?”

“Jus' out fer a bit o' runnin',” Galen answered with a shit eating grin. “Tha' an' Ah got yew all some souvenirs.”

“I see,” Lero replied. “So what was that about a camera?”

"I thought we should take a picture to memorialize the occasion since Applejack never dresses up like this," she said with a faint snicker. "Besides, she's just so cute with that little bonnet in her mane."

“Lero, no, please,” Applejack pleaded, blushing in humiliation.

“Love, stop teasing Applejack,” Lero chided. Rainbow pouted cutely in reply to his denial and was just laughed at by Lero. “That may work every once in a while, but not right now.”

“Tch!”

Lero laughed at his wife's antics and moved over to tousle her mane. “I've got to say though, Applejack, you're really cute in that uniform. Rarity make that for you?” She gave a tiny nod and shuffled behind Galen a little. “In that case, we'll have to see what she can whip up for us, eh?” Rainbow gave Lero a cheeky grin and a saucy wink that promised him good things to come.

Galen coughed into his fist to hide his smile. “Anyway, Ah got a few things fer each o' yew ta say thanks fer helpin' me out so much an' a gift from Celestia fer Lero. They ain't much, but they're somethin'.” He reached into his bag and retrieved the handful of ornaments and presented them to Lero who grinned and took them gratefully.

“Twilight always told me that these things were rip offs for how much they cost, but I still thought they were pretty neat,” he said.

“Heh,” Galen said with a chuckle. “Now fer yer own personal gift...” He reached back in and pulled out Lero's necklace, holding it out to him. “Tha Princess thought yew'd appreciate this since it seems as though yew've had a feathery modification ta yer herd. She said tha' since yer at tha' place where ya love each o' yer wives equally, yew migh' not wanna unintentionally put one over tha other since yew braid tha feathers in yer hair. She said tha' tha original owner had five pegasus mates an' didn't wanna do tha' ta them, so 'e made this. Tha' way 'e could show tha other ponies tha' they all had an equal share o' his love an' their feathers were always close ta his heart. Not entirely sure how it works since Ah forgot ta ask, but Ah'm sure yew'll figure it out since yer smart.”

Lero chuckled as he reached out with two hands as Galen passed it over to him. He held the necklace up and gave a very happy smile at receiving it. He settled its thick links around his neck and inspected the center medallion carefully before pulling Rainbow's feather from his hair and pressed it to it. The metal rippled and absorbed the feather, holding its quill in its entirety while leaving the vane for all to see. “This is amazing,” he finally said, almost whispering as he felt strong emotions welling up as he looked at the necklace. “I'll have to write her soon.” He looked back at Galen. “Thanks for everything, Galen. Still looking forward to our cookout later this week.”

“Ah'll get word ta ya 'bout the details,” he replied with a smile. “Ah've gotta get goin', so tell Twilight an' Lyra Ah said 'hi' an' Ah'll stick 'round longer next time.” He paused suddenly before he left the house, reached into his bag and tossed a small package wrapped in thick brown paper to Lero who caught it easily. "Almost forgot 'bout yer bacon," he said with a little grin. "Don' eat tha whole thing in one go. Bad fer yer digestion."

“I'll keep that in mind,” Lero replied with a chuckle as Galen made his way back outside with Applejack. Once they were out of the house, Rainbow ran off deeper into the house leaving Lero confused and a little bit worried. She came rushing back with their camera jostling around her neck by its strap and bolted out through the back door before he could get a word out. He sighed and planted his face into his palm with a sigh. “What am I going to do with you, Rainbow?” he asked the empty room rhetorically.

Once they had left Lero's place, they made their way to the local brewery and stopped in. Applejack had pretty much given up at being embarrassed and had progressed to a state of mild grumpiness at the world in general, paying no attention to the gawkers anymore. Berry Punch greeted them with all smiles and a lascivious eye wandering at Applejack who threw daggers back with her eyes. Galen talked for a bit about what it was he was looking for at the moment and eventually had a few small bags of grain, several dozen packets of yeast and a ten quart copper pan. He counted out the eight bits for everything and began allocating the supplies.

Galen tossed the packets of yeast into his bag carelessly and carried the large pan while Applejack took the bags of grain with a little arguing from Galen. They only weighed about ten pounds each, so it was only a modest burden for the farm mare turned maid and she carried them easily. Once they had their stuff arranged, they left the shop and made their way to the outskirts of town before turning down a well worn dirt pathway that led to Fluttershy's.

Just after they had been walking for a few minutes, a noise and sudden gust of wind kicked up and flipped Applejack's skirt up around her waist. Applejack was too busy trying to resettle her skirt, keep her load balanced and making sure Galen wasn't looking to properly pay attention, but Galen noticed a rustling noise from a nearby bush and saw a rainbow colored mane retreat back into its leafy hiding place. Galen chuckled a little and gave a thumbs up to it before he looked back at Applejack with a grin he didn't even know he was wearing. She looked back with a miffed expression and asked gruffly, “Get a good look?”

“Ah have no idea what yer talkin' about,” he replied with barely contained laughter as he refused to make eye contact.

“Yeah, yeah,” she said with a sigh. “Let's just keep it moving.” Galen chuckled and took the lead after that. After roughly five minutes of walking, they finally spotted Fluttershy's cottage and crossed a small bridge before walking the final approach to their destination. When they both stood before the door, Galen with a bit of nervousness at possibly not making a good impression on the pony who would have final say whether or not he'd be able to hunt small game and Applejack blushing faintly at yet another of her friends would be seeing her in her uniform.

Galen steeled himself and knocked firmly on the door, a soft melodic voice calling out a second later, “I'll be there in a moment.” They waited a short minute as Fluttershy finished with her current chore and the door opened to reveal the timid pegasus as she half hid behind the door, looking unsure up at the large man. “Oh. Um. Hello there. What can I help you with?”

“Hey, Fluttershy,” Applejack said as she inched out from behind Galen to put her friend more at ease. “Galen here's dropping by ta ask you about something.”

“Alright,” she replied as she took a step back and opened the door further. “Why don't you come inside so you're comfortable?”

“Thank yew very much,” he answered as he followed the mare to her living room. As he walked through the room, he noticed how her house was as much an animal sanctuary as it was a place to live. “Anyway, Ah figure it's best ta get this out o' tha way first,” he said as he settled down on the little couch with his pan on the floor underneath a modest coffee table that rested just in front of the couch. Applejack set down her bags of grain before taking a seat beside him.

Fluttershy finally turned around as she sat in a chair and froze as she finally saw what Applejack was wearing, her face burning in a brilliant blaze of bashfulness. “U-u-um... A-Applejack?!” she stuttered in a high pitched squeak as she hid half of her face behind her mane. “Wh-what're you wearing?!”

Applejack looked away a bit as she replied simply, “A maid's uniform.”

“B-but why?” Fluttershy asked as her confusion and curiosity got the better of her embarrassment.

“This big galute paid me way too much for that little hill Ah sold him and Ah felt indebted to him, so Ah thought Ah could repay him a bit at a time around the house this way,” she replied as she shuffled her hooves a bit.

“B-but you're wearing that... outside,” she said as she lowered her head so that her mane covered all but the barest sliver of her visible eye.

“Yeah, Ah am,” Applejack said roughly with an irked expression directed at Galen as he chuckled. “He told me that Ah could call my personal debt good and stay home or go into town with him ta help him with his errands. As you can see, here Ah am trying ta make good on what Ah owe.”

Fluttershy 'meeped' as she thought of herself in such a mortifying position and shivered at the thought. She would probably be so shocked at the notion that she would petrify herself if it were even suggested. “So, Ah hear yer tha game warden o' Ponyville,” Galen finally said after a few moments of embarrassed silence, shocking Fluttershy out of her fugue. She raised her head and partially uncovered her face enough that they could see half of her face before she nodded. “Well, tha thing is, Ah'd like ta get yer permission ta fish an' hunt fowl an' small game.”

“Y-you would?” she asked, slightly off kilter at the change in topic.

“Yeah,” he replied with a solemn nod. “Ah've been a hunter fer a good, long while now an' red meat's a good portion o' mah diet. Riley, mah dog, eats a lot o' fresh meat too an' Ah wouldn't want ta change 'is eating habits too much if Ah can help it. Ah've seen 'im hunting tha odd mouse 'r rat 'round tha farm, but Ah'd like somethin' more substantial fer 'im ta eat.”

“Oh!” Fluttershy said as she sat up straight. “You should have come to me sooner if that was the case. Why did you wait so long to come ask me?”

“Well... a lot's been going on since Ah've been here,” he replied a little dully. “More than Ah'd care ta go through again any time soon, but since everything's finally in motion an' can spare some time fer other things tha' need ta be dealt with. Comfort can come after tha hard work's outta tha way.”

“I see,” she said with a slow nod of her own. She spared a glance for Applejack to make sure her friend wasn't feeling left out and found that she had a very pleased look on her face as she looked back at Fluttershy. “Um, I don't see why I couldn't give you permission, but I do have a few questions before I can sign the paperwork and send it into town.” Galen nodded his agreement, so she proceeded. “Have you ever killed any animals with malicious intent?”

“No,” he replied immediately. "Never." Applejack nodded her approval on his statement which made Fluttershy feel more at ease.

“Have you ever physically abused any animals, wild or tame?”

“Never, unless it was ta punish really bad behavior, but nothin' more than a firm swat ta tha rear,” he answered as he rubbed the back of his head. “Riley had a bad habit o' chasin' chickens down an' would kill them by accident. Ah couldn't abide tha', an had ta break 'im o' tha' hard an' fast. Made sure ta teach 'im tha' it was okay fer 'im ta hunt vermin though. Couldn't stand it if 'e had ta be put down fer becomin' bloodthirsty just 'cause 'e thought 'e was havin' fun.”

Fluttershy turned a little green at that thought. She had to put down a dog before because it had gotten rabies and would quickly become a danger to everything around it. There wasn't anything that could have been done for it and it had broken her heart for weeks because there was no other way to keep it and others safe without cruelly confining it for the rest of its days. “T-that would have been absolutely horrible,” she said faintly.

“An' tha's why Ah did what Ah did,” Galen said with a slightly weary sigh.

“I understand,” she replied. “One last question and we're done here.” Galen nodded and Fluttershy smiled, happy to know that even though Galen ate other animals, he had a great love for them as well and treated them with respect. “Have you ever killed more than you could eat without it spoiling, letting the flesh go to waste?”

“No,” he answered. “Back home, Ah hunted... larger... game often enough an' would preserve tha meat Ah couldn't eat fresh through salting an' smoking, eating it when Ah run out o' fresh meat ta reduce mah need fer hunting. Ah have killed a few wolves in tha past in self defense, but tha' was a last resort. Ah did make sure ta use what Ah could, like tha pelts which were made inta cloaks fer kids by our tanner, but Ah made sure ta bury tha remains.”

Fluttershy nodded with a queasy smile. “I think that satisfies me. I'll just fill out the proper paperwork and have you sign it. I shouldn't be more than a few minutes since I always have a few copies made out in advance.”

“Thanks, Fluttershy,” Galen said as she got up and began walking off. “Glad ta know yer so understandin'.”

“Everything needs to eat,” Fluttershy simply responded, slightly somber. “I just try to make sure the little ones don't perish needlessly or cruelly.” Galen nodded with an understanding smile, keeping his peace to let Fluttershy go about her paperwork. She was true to her word and came back a few minutes later with two sheets of paper, a quill and a small brass badge. She placed them on the coffee table before she explained their purposes, “I just need you to sign these two contracts at the bottom and you're all set. These are magically binding in the extreme so that if you break any of your previously answered statements, your privileges will be revoked and restricted only to the purchasing of meat from licensed vendors. The badge is yours to prove to anypony questioning you about your activities that you've been given permission for hunting fowl and small game. Fishing is only regulated for businesses who fish in bulk.” Galen nodded and took the quill, quickly scraping out his signature before he felt a slight tingling settle on him, passing through his skin and feeling like his very bones vibrated slightly before fading. “That should be everything,” she said as she tucked the paperwork under a wing. “I'll get the second copy to the Mayor safely so you don't have to worry about anything else.”

“Thanks fer everythin',” he replied as he tucked away the badge in his bag. “So where am Ah allowed ta hunt?”

“I'll have a map made up for you, but generally it's no more than a half mile into the Everfree Forest and the wilder parts of the Whitetail Woods.”

“Ah heard 'bout Manticores an' such,” he said with a look of curiosity. “Are they considered large game at all, an' if they aren't, Ah'm allowed ta kill ta defend maself if attacked, right?”

“They are considered large game, but the hunting season for them is very limited due to their sparse numbers and only one or two are permitted to hunt a year,” she answered with an uneasy expression. “They're very territorial and tend to kill each other often in territorial disputes. That's why the general hunting grounds are where they are, so that there's less of a risk of encountering one outside of mating season. Of course you're allowed to defend yourself, but please, for my sake, try to not kill one if you're threatened. I know it's a lot to ask, but I would understand if it can't be helped.”

Galen nodded with a small smile. “Give me some time ta get used to tha area an' Ah'm sure Ah'll be able ta avoid any o' tha'.”

“That's good to hear,” Fluttershy said with a small smile. “Um... If there isn't anything else, could I interest you in anything to drink? Tea or milk maybe?”

“Ah think Ah might have ta give yew a rain check on yer offer,” he replied. “It's been a long day an' we still have ta get back ta tha farm. Maybe in a day or two?”

“Oh! Of course,” she quickly said. “That would be wonderful. Also, if it wouldn't be too much trouble, do you think you could bring Riley over as well? I'd really like to meet him and give him a check up.”

“Sure thing,” he said as he got up, idly toying with his pan as he picked it up. “Ah'm sure he'd love ta meet ya.” Fluttershy smiled warmly at that while Galen helped Applejack load back up with the grain. “Thanks again fer everythin'.”

“Yeah,” Applejack chipped in. “Good seeing you again, Fluttershy. See ya on market day.”

“I'm glad I could help and I'll see you there, Applejack,” she replied warmly. “Take care you two.” With that, they made their way outside and took off across the hills in the direction of Sweet Apple Acres so that they wouldn't have to go back through town.

“She seems nice,” Galen said offhandedly after a time.

“She is, but a might shy as Ah'm sure you noticed,” she replied.

“Yeah,” he said simply as he thought of his recent encounter. “She kinda reminds me o' yer brother.”

“Huh?” she said with an odd look at him. “How's that?”

“Well, yer brother didn't really talk ta me much until about a week after Ah got here,” he answered. “He's a bit shy too, though it's hard fer most ta tell since 'e's a stallion o' few words.”

Applejack snorted her amusement at that and grinned. “Ah suppose so, though Ah'm sure he'd look at ya funny if ya told him that.”

“Ah'm sure 'e would,” he said with a snort of his own. After that, they walked in a comfortable silence through the hills and orchard, the house eventually coming in sight which made them pick up their pace to get back and relax after their trip. Plus, Pinkie was still waiting for them which was reason enough to hurry up. Once they were on the front porch, Galen held Applejack up as he took the sacks of grain from her and placed them in a pile with his pan on top before going inside.

Pinkie was still wearing her uniform while she sat on the couch in the living room with Granny Smith while Apple Bloom occupied the small stool as they talked about the young filly's latest attempt at finding her special talent involving her pegasus friend and botched hooficures that still stained her hooves with hoof polish. “Hey guys!” Pinkie said happily as the pair walked in. “How'd everything go?”

“Could've been better,” Applejack grumbled. “Think Ah may have ta have a word or two with Berry Punch 'bout wandering eyes though.” Granny cackled along with Galen while Pinkie and Apple Bloom blushed at the mares frankness. “Dash wanted ta take pictures too...” she finished with a mumble that just made Galen laugh harder since he was the only one to hear that last bit.

“So,” Galen said with a toothy grin as he clapped his hands together. “Like Ah promised earlier, Ah have a present fer ya Pinkie.”

“Oh!” she squealed with a giddy grin. “That's right!” Galen chuckled as he moved over to the excited mare and knelt down to eye level before he reached into his bag and brought out the little figurine for her. When she saw what it was, her eyes widened greatly as she gasped, leaning back slightly with a look of ecstatic disbelief on her face. “P-Ponyacci?” she squeaked as pure happiness seemed to radiate from her.

“Ah'm not sure who tha' is,” Galen said with a lopsided smile. “But when Ah saw this, Ah knew yew'd love it.”

“It's perfect!” she practically squealed as she leaped from the couch and topple the pair over in a massive hug, Galen giving a brief yelp of surprise as they thudded to the floor as he held the wood figuring away to save it from their fall. “Thank you so so so so so so much!”

“Glad yew like it,” he said roughly as the breath was inexorably squeezed from his lungs.

“You have no idea,” she said warmly as she nuzzled the edge of his jaw. Applejack chuckled from where she stood, an incredibly wide smile of her own stretching her face at seeing Pinkie so happy.

“You should take it easy on the poor man, Pinkie,” Applejack said barely contained mirth. “Ah think Ah can hear his ribs creaking from here.”

Pinkie twitched as though she had been goosed and let go of him, though she still sat on his stomach. She reached over and took the figure between her forehooves and hugged it gently to her chest with an expression of gentle love on her face as she looked down at it. Galen felt his heart warm at seeing her so happy and smiled just as warmly at the sight. He looked back at Applejack with a rueful smile and she looked back with a warm smile of her own, nodding her great approval at his choice of gift.

“Ah've got something fer yew too, Jackie,” he said with a smile. Pinkie perked up at that and grinned widely between the two.

“Do ya now,” she said as an eyebrow lifted.

“Ah do,” he replied simply while he reached into his bag with Pinkie still on top of him and pulled out her pin, trying to keep it hidden in his palm as he offered it to her. Pinkie caught a glimpse of it, the words especially, and brought a hoof up to her mouth as she tried to hide her trembling smile. Applejack looked at her questioningly due to her reaction and turned her attention to Galen's suspended fist before putting her hoof underneath. Galen gave a little grin as he gently placed her gift in her hoof and pulled his hand back.

She looked down at it and her eyes widened as she saw the pin. It was an exact copy of the pin she had so adored growing up. The pin that still rested in Granny's little porcelain bowl of jewelry that she had accrued over the years. Applejack's gift was one of the, now very few, remaining memorial pins that had been crafted for the very same fair where Princess Celestia had granted her family the swath of land they still worked, loved and called home. She felt her chest warm up greatly and gave a smile, much the same as Pinkie's as she held it to her own chest. “Thank you, Galen,” she said in a slightly emotional voice. “How on earth did you find this?”

“Jus' lucky, Ah guess,” he replied in embarrassment as he rubbed the back of his head. “Ducked inta some gift shop near tha train station an' found these. Ah didn't think it was much, but Ah jus' 'ad this feelin' tha' it was perfect fer ya. Same fer yew, Pinkie. Ah wish Ah could've gotten yew two better gifts, since yew've both done so much fer me...”

“It's perfect,” Applejack cut in quietly but firmly. She looked at Pinkie Pie and flicked her eyes to Galen with a nod, to which Pinkie grinned nervously, before she walked up to stand beside her shoulder to shoulder. “Ah think you deserve a... personal... thank you for these gifts,” she said with a mischievous smile that had Galen slightly unsure about what was going to happen next.

Almost as one, the two mares lowered their heads, blushes rising high on their faces as they pursed their lips. Galen felt his heart thud painfully in his chest and a burning flush of his own as they closed the distance quickly and a set of lips each made contact with a cheek. His vision was filled with wheat gold, vibrant pink and red aplenty as he felt their soft, slightly moist kisses press gently but firmly to his face as he lay immobilized out of surprise. They pulled back with faint popping noises and Galen felt his heart pounding away rapidly, a blank look on his face.

“Ah think ya broke him, girls,” Apple Bloom joked with a blush of her own from her seat while Granny cackled with unrestrained laughter. Pinkie Pie looked away in slight embarrassment despite her small smile while Applejack chuckled weakly, a hoof coming bashfully to a cheek that had dimpled from her own smile. “You two go on to the kitchen and let the poor guy cool off a bit,” she chided with a little giggle.

“Ah'll say,” Granny chimed in, voice higher pitched from her mirth. “Haven't seen a stallion get that flustered in a long time. You two are dangerous fer 'is blood pressure.”

“Go on now,” Apple Bloom said with a laugh as she hopped off her seat and started pushing the two mares away. “Git!”

Applejack and Pinkie giggled as they were shuffled off and went along with the smaller filly's pushing and prodding, gently cradling their new treasures the whole while. When the three had gone, Granny Smith chuckled as she looked over at Galen. “Those two mares got their eyes set on ya, sonny,” she said with mirth silvering her words. “They're gonna chase ya ta ground an' there's not a thing you can do ta stop it. They were ready ta wait fer ya ta get settled with yer forge, but yer gifts blew those plans ta smithereens.”

“Wha?” Galen said as his wits came back. “W-why me?”

“You're gonna have ta ask those two their own reasons, sonny,” she replied with a wry smile before turning a terrifyingly serious expression on him, promising retribution if he hurt her family because he led them on. “But if you're not interested, you had better come clean right now. Ah won't stand ta see ma granddaughter an' 'er marefriend led on. If ya need some time ta think about it, Ah'll give it to ya, but Ah wanna hear yer final answer with my own two ears an' see yer sincerity with my own two eyes. Ah won't hold it against ye if ya just wanna stay friends, but Ah won't stand fer it if ya play with their hearts.”

“Ah-” his voice choked off, causing him to cough roughly to clear it enough to continue. “Ah understand, Granny. Ah'm not sure what ta make out of everythin' jus' yet, but Ah'll have yer answer as soon as Ah figure it out.”

“That's all Ah ask, youngun,” she said with a motherly smile. “Now, you look like ya could use a stiff drink or ten, so take a seat and Ah'll be right back ta set ya straight.”

Galen nodded numbly and picked himself up off of the floor, stumbling slightly as he made the short walk to the couch and sat down hard. Granny returned from wherever she had gotten herself off to and carried with her a crystal decanter filled with a deep amber liquor with a matching pair of low, wide crystal tumblers. She sat the items on the narrow end table and poured each of them a splash of drink and recapped the decanter. Granny took her glass, tilted it around and watched it make its circuit before making a little toast to herself before tossing it back without a trace of a grimace, “Ta young love an' all the craziness that come with it.” Galen grunted his agreement as he took his own tumbler and tossed it back, barely tasting the honeyed apple brandy as it made its fiery way down his throat. Granny chuckled and poured him a double shot before she took her previous seat on the other side of the end table and splashed herself another shot.

They were still there when Big Mac came back from the fields and looked around cautiously for anything he should keep his snout out of. He took a long look at Galen's slightly hunted expression and Granny's happy smile and wished the man good luck in his head. It wasn't his problem and his sister would kick his flank if he interfered in any way, so he just made his way to the kitchen where Applejack, Pinkie Pie and Apple Bloom were bustling around as they made dinner. His sister and her marefriend had changed out of their ridiculous uniforms and he was just fine with that. They all seemed in exceptionally happy moods as they went about their tasks, so he just kept quiet and took his customary seat at the table, waiting patiently for everything to happen on its own. Everything would fall where it would, so he just smiled and settled in for the dust to clear.

Author's Notes:

Smooch