August 13

Moon Dancer woke with a jolt to a very loud and noise. She panicked when she didn’t know where she was or what she was hearing.

Last night came back to her. Diving to Applejack’s farm. Meeting her family and eating the best pie she had ever had. She was on a farm. She stretched. She felt tired but figured she wasn’t going to get any more sleep.

Is that what a rooster actually sounds like? Good grief!

Moon walked down the hall to find the bathroom. She opened the door and headed for the toilet.

“Good Morning Moon Dancer!”

Moon Dancer jumped and spun. Applejack was standing in front of the sink. Applejack was completely naked.

Moon Dancer did a double take and blushed.

“I’m sorry. I didn't… I’ll go…” Moon stuttered.

“It’s fine. Stay.” Applejack turned back to the sink and turned on the water.

Moon Dancer’s eyes traced Applejack’s curves and ended up at Applejack’s hands. She realized Applejack wasn’t washing her hands but something in her hands.

“What are you washing?”

“Oh. This is my Mooncup.” Applejack said.

“Oh my wife used one before she became pregnant.”

“You don’t?”

“No… my sister wanted me to but I couldn’t do it. I am just too sensitive. I can’t use tampons either. I use a menstrual sponge.”

“Oh nice! I was considering trying that out.”

“Yeah it works well for me. It is so soft I hardly feel a thing when I put it in or take it out.”

“Nice” Applejack shook the water off the cup and then inserted it.

Moon Dancer blushed and looked away.

“What did you come in here for?” Applejack asked.

“Ah… to go pee.” Moon Dancer moved over to the toilet. She hesitated and then pulled down her pants and sat down.

“Are you all right?” Applejack asked.

“I feel a little awkward.” Moon Dancer’s blush deepened. “It’s just… I’m married and I am looking at you and feeling very attracted. I don’t know what to do about it. You have all the traits that I like in a woman. I don’t know!” Moon Dancer complained.

“To be honest you are totally my type” Applejack admitted. “I won’t do anything to make you uncomfortable and if I do let me know.” Applejack smiled.

“Your a lesbian?”

“Depends on your definition. I am asexual and homoromantic.”

“Really!? Same! Well almost. I am a more grey asexual or demisexual. I do find my wife sexually attractive but it took awhile for that to develop.”

“Yeah. That thought has always lingered in my mind. Am I capable of finding someone sexually attractive? I don’t know and I don’t care.”

“I felt the same way in high school. Everyone kept telling me lower my standards or they’d ask me if I was ever molested which…”

“That is just rude.”

“Yeah. After two years of dating I started feeling sexually attracted to my wife and we started having sex. So it turned out to be possible for me to find someone sexually attractive.” said Moon.

“Yeah. I definitely have a physical type I like to look at but at most it sparks a desire to know them. This can happen with people who aren’t my type it is just less common. I feel an intense desire to get to know someone. To have a bond. I want to hang out and learn more about who they are. I think it’s called a squish. That friendship can turn into a romantic attraction but nothing else.”

“Yeah. I get it. So what is your type.”

Applejack blushed. “I like red headed nerds.”

“Really? And how do you know I’m a nerd?”

“Well last night you talked about your studies and your academic goals and how you are top of your class. I just… you are a nerd in my eyes. This is not to be rude. I like nerds I like hanging out with nerds. It makes me feel smarter than I am.” Applejack looked at the floor.

“You seem plenty smart.” Moon Dancer said.

“To be honest. I have had a crush on Sunset. Umm… the pony Sunset for a little while. But I know it will never go anywhere.”

“Interesting.” Moon Dancer made the mistake of looking up. She found herself staring at Applejack’s breasts. They were small and round. Under her shirt they looked much flatter.

“So what is your type?” Applejack asked slyly.

Moon Dancer startled and looked away. “I like muscular athletic girls. You are the most muscular woman I think I have ever meet.”

“Thank you. I… Years of work on the farm I guess.”

Moon Dancer peed. She let out an involuntary sigh of relief. Applejack chucked. Moon Dancer blushed. “I didn’t realize I had to go so badly.”

“I know the feeling. I am going to go get dressed. I’ll meet you downstairs for breakfast.” Applejack walked over to a pile of night cloths on the floor. “Do you have any dietary restrictions?”

“I can’t eat any night shades.”

“Okay. I’ll go make sure there aren’t any in your meal.” Applejack walked out.

Moon Dancer was washing her hands when Applebloom walked in. She had horrible bead head and looked tyred.

“Good morning Moon Dancer. Did you sleep well?” Apple Bloom said yawning.

“I slept well enough.”

“Good.” Apple Bloom splashed water on her face and then got a hair brush out.

“How about yourself?”

“I slept well I just didn’t get enough. I like to sleep in but my sister just woke me up.”

“Wait you slept through the roosters?”

“Yeah. I grew up with them. Also I’m a heavy sleeper.”

“That’s useful.”

“Yeah. Big Mac, Granny Smith and I are heavy sleepers but Applejack and Cheerilee are light sleepers and sometimes have to wake us up if we miss our alarms.”

“Ah. I feel like me and my spouse are both in the middle.”

“Nice.”

The door opened and Cheerilee walked in. “Breakfast!” Cheerilee was wearing a light sundress with daisies on it.

“Thanks!”

“How are you this morning?” she looked between them.

“Tyred!” Apple Bloom said melodramatically.

“I’m okay. It is a little wired waking up on a farm. But I slept well.”

“I understand. I remember the first night I spent here with Big Mac. The roosters woke me up and Big Mac just kept sleeping. It was like he was deaf!”

“Yeah. Apple Bloom was just saying that most of you all are heavy sleepers. Applejack is the odd one out.”

“Yeah. Big Mac says their father was too but not their mother. Applejack must take after their mother.”

The three walked out of the bathroom.

Moon Dancer walked down stairs in a loose T-shirt and leggings. She walked in the the kitchen.

“Moon Dancer!” Applejack called from the stove. “Granny Smith though we should have omelets. I’m making you one without any peppers.” she flipped the omelet in the pan.

“Thank you.”

“Good morning darling. Why don’t you sit over here while Applejack cooks for you.” the woman who must be Granny Smith said.

“Alright.”

“What is you name darling?”

“Moon Dancer.”

“It is lovely to meet you dear. You don’t eat peppers? Are you allergic?”

“No. I can eat them but them make my migraines worse and also more frequent.”

“My what now?”

“Migraines. They are like a really serious headache.”

“My grain huh? In my day when someone had a headache we said their snakes were on the move!”

“Umm?” Moon Dancer glanced at Cheerilee who gave her a just go with it look. “Okay.”

Applejack set a plate in front of Moon Dancer and a bowel in front of Granny Smith. She walked back over to the stove as Big Macintosh walked up and set a plate in front of Cheerilee and one in front of Apple Bloom. He went back for his plate and Applejack brought her plate. Apple Bloom had already set silverware was already on the table.

Moon Dancer was about to pick up her fork when she realized everyone else was looking at Granny Smith.

“We thank our earth and our sun for our food. Without them we farmers could not grow out plants and feed our animals. Thank you to my family for working so hard for this meal. Thank you for the other helpers we had helping us. Even if one of them tried to steal our hose…”

Moon Dancer glanced over at the other apples. Apple Bloom did a silent face palm and Applejack rolled her eyes. Cheerilee sighed. Moon Dancer decided there was a story here. Granny Smith was still talking.

“Why if Brayburn hadn’t broken his leg-”

Applejack coughed like she was choking.

“Are you alright?” Granny Smith asked.

“I’m fine.” Applejack took as sip of water and Cheerily shot her a grateful look.

“Good now where was I… Thank you to all the people and things we need to tank we are grateful. Now lets us eat.”

“Thank you.” everyone one said in unison.

“Thank you.” Moon Dancer hastily added.

Applejack carefully scooped a spoonful of oatmeal for Granny Smith. Granny Smith removed her denchers. Applejack fed her grandmother. Moon Dancer noticed that Applejack was left handed.

Moon Dancer stated eating. “Wow this is delicious! I can’t believe this. It is so flavorful!”

Applejack chucked. “Everything in that came from our farm.” Applejack said proudly.

“I wish I could make omelets like this!”

Cheerilee and Apple Bloom laughed.

“Best part of living with this family is the food!” said Cheerilee. “It is the only reason I’m marrying him” Cheerilee said winking at Moon Dancer.

“That’s not very nice.” said Big Macintosh.

Everyone laughed.

Applejack started eating her omelet.

“So what is your plan for today?” Granny Smith asked. Her dentures were back in.

“I don’t know. I would like to hang out on your farm and try to be useful. But if you want me to go into town and be away from you I can do that.”

“You all should tell her what you are going to be up too so she can choose.” Granny Smith suggested.

“I am going to be picking apples all day.” said Big Macintosh.

“Me too!” Apple Bloom chimed in. “You might not want to joint us. We will be climbing trees and carrying heavy buckets around…” Apple Bloom realized.

“Okay.”

“I am working on wedding preparations” Granny Smith said.

“Okay.”

“I will weed the vegetable garden. And then can some more applesauce.” Cheerilee said.

“Okay.”

“I am doing a variety of chores. I have to feed the chickens, turkeys and rabbits. I have to feed and clean the horses and I have to check all the rat and mouse traps… Oh and I have to fix the fence again.” Applejack said.

“Okay.”

“I imagine you will want to spend the day with Applejack.” Apple Bloom said.

“Yeah.”

“Sounds like a plan!” Applejack said. She hopped up and started collecting plates and silverware.

Big Macintosh walked out of the room. Granny Smith stood and left the kitchen through different door.

Moon Dancer walked over to Applejack. Applejack was washing plates.

“Can I help?”

“You can dry them with that towel over there.”

Once they were done Applejack walked into the living room.

“So now what?” Moon Dancer asked.

“I was going to wait for you to change clothes.”

“Oh… what should I wear?”

“A tank top or just a sports bra and short shorts. Also lots of sunscreen. It is going to be really hot today and we will be out in the sun for a while.”

“Umm… I don’t have a talk top or shorts. I didn’t bring much here. I did have any sort of plan and didn’t want to take the time to pack for anything.”

“That’s ok. I bet you can fit into some of my cloths. Or my sister’s cloths. You are a bit bigger than her and smaller than me. I’m sure we can find something.” Applejack said confidently. “Hey Apple Bloom!” Applejack shouted.

“Yeah?” Apple Bloom shouted back.

“Moon Dancer might borrow a pair of your shorts!” Applejack Shouted.

“Okay.” Apple Bloom ran into the room. “Why did you need a pair of my shorts?”

“So she doesn't have to do farm work in fragile leggings.”

Apple Bloom looked at Moon Dancer’s pants. “Yeah those are way too nice to ruin doing chores. Any of my jean shorts are fair game! I hope you fit.” Apple Bloom ran back out of the room.

Applejack lead Moon Dancer up the stairs and into Apple Bloom’s room. Almost every inch of Apple Bloom’s room was covered. Apple Bloom had left a huge mess of clothes and books and random junk on her floor. The walls were covered in movie posters. The ceiling had a mural of the stars and her bed had a heap of stuffed animals on top of a heap of blankets and sheets.

Applejack signed at the sight of her little sister’s room. “Seriously! How does she live in this mess!”

Moon Dancer laughed. “Yeah. My brother’s room looks like this. My parents keep telling him he is going to have to change or face the anger of his college roommates.”

“Yeah. I understand that people can be completely functional in messy environments but… ugg… you know she cleans her room once a month. Once a month this room is spotless and unbelievably well organized. I don't’ know what’s happens! She finds a way to turn it into a disaster and then back into a miracle. You’d think she could just keep it neat.”

“Yeah.”

Applejack waded through the mess stepping on clothes and trying not to step on a notebook. She reached a set of draws and opened one. Applejack examined some jean shorts before tossing some to Moon Dancer. “Here try these on.” the second pair fit well. Applejack carefully waded back.

“Right. To my room!” Applejack led Moon Dancer down the hall.

Applejack’s room was night and day different from her sister’s. Incompairison there was almost nothing in it. There was a small bookshelf with books neatly placed. There was large desk that was almost completely clean. There was table with a printer on it and a basket underneath it. Her bed has a lone stuffed animal owl. Her bed was made neatly. Applejack’s closet was dark and narrow.

Applejack moved forward to her bed. Her bed was a solid four feet off the ground. Under her bed she had draws. Applejack opened a draw and dug around a little. Applejack tossed a light blue tank top to Moon Dancer.

“Thanks.” Moon Dancer walked over to her bookshelf to look at the pictures on top of it. “Do you mind?”

“You can look.”

The first photo had a man that looked a lot like Big Macintosh and a pregnant woman wearing a stetson who looked a little like Applejack. A much younger Big Macintosh and Applejack stood in front of the two adults. Their toothy smiles revealed some missing teeth. Moon Dancer realized these two must be their parents. Moon Dancer realized they were probably dead.

Moon Dancer looked up and spotted Applejack’s hat hanging on a hook by her door. With a jolt she realized it was the same hat on Applejack’s mother’s head. Her parents were definitely dead.

She turned back to the shelf of photos. The second one was a photo of Applejack with Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Fluttershy and someone else. They were dressed in odd costumes. “Who is this?”

“That’s Rainbow Dash.”

“Oh that’s what she looks like. How old were you guys.”

“That was at the beginning of our freshman year of high school. We were assigned to the same group for a dumb history project and we thought we would try to have fun with it.”

“Nice.”

The third picture was of apples Moon Dancer had meet. The fourth picture was of the seven friends that made the friendship group she had met.

The fifth picture was of Applejack with someone familiar. Moon Dancer couldn’t tell who it was though. They were holding hands and smiling in front of a log cabin.

“Who is this? She looks so familiar”

“You probably know her as Countess Coloratura.”

“You know Countess Coloratura!?”

“Yeah. She is kind of my long distance sort of girl friend.”

“You two date?”

“Yeah sort of. We get together when ever we can and we don’t hold each other to monogamy. She can sleep around all she want while on tuar.”

“You are friends with Countess Coloratura.”

“Yes.”

“How did you two meet?”

“Summer camp.” Applejack gestured to the photo. “I was eight and she was ten. We went to the same camp. We met and became close friends. We didn’t see each other for a while. We tried to keep in touch but it was hard. Then we meet there again but as councillors rather than campers. I was seventeen and she was nineteen. It was like we were never apart. We had grown up and changed but we were still best friends.”

“That is so sweet. After all that time you two reunited at the same summer camp you met at as children.”

“Well it wasn’t that innocent.” Applejack blushed. “That photo was taken the morning after I took her virginity.”

“Oh.” there was an awkward pause. “Wait you had sex with a celebrity!?”

“Well she wasn’t as famous back then. She was just starting to gain traction. But yes. She was my first and I was hers.” Applejack had a nostalgic look on her face.

“Forgive me for being nosy but I have to ask I am curious because I don’t meet many Asexuals how did it go?”

“It was fine I guess.” Applejack sighed. “She had come out to me on the first night of camp. A week later she told me she had a massive crush on me and really wanted to sex. She felt ready. We talked about it. I came out to her as a lesbian and she wasn't surprised. I guess I was a little curious. I was very nervous, I wanted to live up to what ever expectations she had. Finally we decided to go for it. That first night was interesting. It was a great bonding experience for us. We learned a lot. I pleasured her several different nights. And finally I told she she could pleasure me.”

“How did that go.”

“Not too well. It didn’t feel right to me. We tried a couple of different ways. Eventually we just stopped. I wasn’t going to cum. This whole experience is why I know I am asexual. I just don’t feel sexaul areaction to people and I don’t care for sex. That being said I do enjoy pleasuring people I am romantically attracted to. And I enjoy knowing others think I’m attractive.”

“That’s fair.”

There was a long pause.

“Well I think we should put on Sunscreen and head out what do you say?”

“Sure.”

Applejack and Moon Dancer rubbed sunscreen on each other, put their tank tops on and then headed outside.

The two walked over to a shed. They stuck to the shade and slipped inside. Applejack lead Moon Dancer over to a corner with large bags of feed. Applejack put two different bags of feed in a wheelbarrow and large amount of moss green hay.

“Would you grab that umm… container for me?” Applejack pointed at a flat woven basket with a lid.

“Sure.” Applejack took the wheelbarrow and the two left the shed. They walked over to the chicken coop aria. There were two different coops that shared one fence in the middle.

“Stay out here while I feed the cocks.” Applejack quickly slipped into the pen with fewer birds and a smaller coop and shut the door. She was immediately harassed. The cocks strutted around her and pecked at her and flew at her. They crowd loudly. Applejack tried to evade the various attacks. She poured some of the contents of the feed bag into a sort of traff* and the cocks happily ate. She made a quick headcount then made her way into their coop and came out with a jar in her hands. She walked out of the cage quickly and carefully latched the gate.

“Alright! Wait out here until I call you.” Applejack opened the other door and left it open. She walked in and was met with a few aggressive hens but this time she didn’t flinch. She dumped food into the trough and then grabbed one of the chickens harassing her. It the chicken freaked out but she didn’t let go. She carefully held the bird around its body and waited. Eventually the chicken stopped struggling and she let it go. She did another headcount. “Come in!”

Moon Dancer hesitated. She thought that chickens were simple, peaceful farm animals but maybe not. She carefully walked in, Applejack led her to the larger door to the chicken coop. It looked like it was the perfect size for a no grown ups allowed kids clubhouse. Short enough for eight year olds to enter easily but most adults would have to duck.

Moon Dancer made her way through the narrow door. She looked around and saw shelves full of nests. There was floor space covered in hay and chicken poop. There was a high shelf of nests that had had two chickens in it. Applejack carefully laid out food for the two hens.

“What’s up with them?” Moon Dancer asked.

“Those are our two nesting mothers. They have about a week longer to wait. We will be taking them inside soon to protect them and the chicks.” Applejack said casually. “So you have the basket?”

“Yes.”

“Open it up.”

Moon Dancer found the latch and opened the basket. Applejack place eggs from the nests inside. Some of the nests had a couple eggs and some had one and some were empty.

“How often do you collect eggs?”

“Every day. Although it is not always me.”

Applejack picked up a small metal box. They walked out. The hens and cocks were still eating some of them were fighting each other for the best feeding spots.

“What in the world are they doing?”

“They have a social hierarchy and they will battle it out until one of them is top chicken.”

“Who knew chickens could be so aggressive.”

Applejack laughed. “Let’s go feed the turkeys.”

Feeding the turkeys went roughly the same way that feeding the cocks had gone. Applejack was a little rough with a few of them. Moon Dancer noticed they were all in one pen. Applejack emerged with another small metal box and a few minor scratches.

Applejack lead Moon Dancer to what she thought was one large rabbit coop but on closer inspection was actually several smaller coops next to each other. Applejack put a large amounts of the moss colored hay into each coop. She opened small rabbit doors on the fronts of some of the cages letting the rabbits out into a small enclosed aria. She collected more glass jars and small metal boxes. She checked the water levels in the water containers before declaring mission accomplished.

Moon Dancer and Applejack put back the wheelbarrow and feed bags. Applejack ran the chicken eggs inside the house and then came back.

“To the stables!” Applejack announced with a smile. Applejack carried the identical small metal boxes and the jars. Moon Dancer noticed small mice in the jars and realized with a jolt that these were mouse traps.

Applejack swung open a stable door. “So have you ever ridden a house?”

“Yes actually.”

“Really? How long a ago?”

“A while.” Moon Dancer said nervously. She looked around.

There were four quarter horses in the barn. They all looked at Applejack. Applejack greeted the horses cheerfully. Applejack let two of the horses out into a grass field and then came back.

“So when did you last ride?”

“My senior year of high school.”

“High school? How old are you?”

“Twenty three. It was for P.E.”

“P.E.!? Your school had horseback riding for P.E.!? Isn’t that a little expensive and dangerous?” Applejack looked at Moon Dancer

“Yes. I went to Crystal Prep we had a large budget.”

“Right. So you like horseback riding?”

“Yeah. I guess.”

“You guess? You chose horseback riding!” Applejack said indignantly.

“Well my other options were basketball/volleyball, strength and conditioning and yoga. The first two are too intense for me and yoga was considered lame. Anyone who picked it was considered lazy.”

“Okay. So do you remember anything about riding? Or prep work?”

“I think so.”

Applejack smiled. She led a horse out and tied it to a rail in a open preparation aria. Applejack brought Moon Dancer over to meet the horse. “This is stella. This was my father's horse. She is the oldest of our horses.”

Applejack went and got a grooming box and handed it to Moon Dancer. Moon Dancer hesitated and opened. She examined all the tools and then approached the horse with a curry come in her hand. Applejack supervised Moon Dancer as she got the horse ready to ride.

Once Stella was ready to ride Applejack left to get her horse ready. Moon Dancer looked around and spotted a display of ribbons and trophies. Moon Dancer approached it. A section of the wall was devoted to ribbons. She saw all the colors of the rainbow but at least half were blue. Some of them looked very old. They were faded she couldn’t read the dates or events. She moved over to the trophy display case. She realized some of the trophies were more than two hundred years old. She stared at the oldest one.

“My great great great great great grandfather won that when he was fourteen. He was the youngest entered but he didn’t let himself get intimidated. Everyone including his brothers laughed at him but he persisted and triumphed.” Applejack had joined her.

“Does everyone in your family ride?”

“Everyone born into it is trained and most end up competing at least once or twice. Some people were more passionate than others when it came to family pride and competition.”

“Hun. Have you won any.”

Applejack blushed. “Yeah. this section over here is what I’ve won.” Applejack indicated a very respectable patch of newer ribbons. Moon Dancer staired. That was a large patch for someone younger than her.

“Has you brother or sister won any?”

Applejack nodded. “This section is Big Mac’s and Apple Bloom has won a few.” she indicated first to selection noticeably smaller than hers but still very respectable and then a handful at the bottom of a section. “Apple Bloom is not as into it as my brother and I. This isn’t her life they way it is ours.” Applejack had an odd look on her face. “Even so almost every family member in the last seven generations has left something on this wall.”

“This is incredible.” Moon Dancer felt a stab of jealousy. Applejack has such a clear connection to her family heritage and was actively contributing to its legacy. Moon Dancer tried not to to show that she was jealous.

“Come on the horses are waiting.” Applejack juestered.

Applejack set up a stool for Moon Dancer to stand on to mount her horse.

“Stella is sensitive to direction. She is trained for show so she will respond to light direction. She is confident and knows her way around this farm.” Applejack told her.

Once Moon was situated Applejack easily slung herself onto her horse. Her horse reared up slightly and then ran out of the stable. Applejack turned it around and they trotted back in.

“Come on!”

Moon Dancer tried to gently urge her horse forward. Her horse took off galloping leaving Moon Dancer terrified.

Applejack easily caught up and slowed Stella down. Moon Dancer was taking deep breaths to calm herself. Moon Dancer looked around they were in a different part of the farm.

“How did we get here.”

“When you froze she followed your gaze and that took her here.”

“My gaze?”

“Yes. Horses can follow your body language and they know where you are looking.”

Applejack and Moon Dancer rode to the barn. Applejack dismounted and walked inside. She came back wheeling a black plastic trash can. Applejack pulled back the lid and poured water out of the trash can.

Wait why is there water in the trash can? Moon Dancer staired.

Applejack knelt in the puddle and collected dead rodents and put them in a bag. There were very small ones, Moon assumed they were mice and larger ones she guested were rats. There were also a few squirrels. She walked over to Moon Dancer and put the bag of dead rodents in one of Stella’s saddle bags. She then wheeled the trashcan back.

Applejack mounted her horse and juestured for Moon Dancer to follow her. Moon Dancer noticed that Applejack’s horse did not have a bridle. Moon Dancer was perplexed.

The two rode to a giant shed like structure. Applejack dismounted and then helped Moon Dancer down. Applejack opened the large door to reveal two tractors and several giant tractor attachment. Moon Dancer and her brother had played with toy tractors and extensions but she had never quite realized how massive they were in person. There was a smaller red tractor and a larger green one.

“Wow.” Moon Dancer said.

“What?”

“I forgot how big they are.”

“Yeah. I guess. My dad named the red one Old Dan and the green one Sweet Ann. so we sometimes call them that.”

“Forgive my ignorance but why do you have two?”

“Well they are different and are better at different things. Although Old Dan isn’t working right now.”

“What’s wrong?”

“Beats me. I’m not a mechanic. We haven’t had the money to take it to the shop and Sweet Ann is taking care of everything so…” Applejack shrugged.

Applejack walked up to the Sweet Ann and grabbed a long block of wood sitting underneath it.

“What is that?”

“A handmade mouse trap.” Applejack showed her.

Moon Dancer saw mouse bodies sticking out of holes. “How does it work?”

“There is a wire noose attached to a spring. You hold it down with a string. You put bait in the back. The mouse wants the bait and chews through the string and sets it off. This one can catch twenty in one night!” The trap was full.

“You kill a lot of mice!” Moon Dancer observed.

“I know that most people find mice cute. I understand. Pet mice look adorable but the reality for a farmer living on the edge of a forest is that mice, voles, squirrels, chipmunks and rats are major pests that do a lot of damage. Also they breed like crazy! There is not way we will ever get all of them.”

“That’s fair but is there no way to catch them alive?”

Applejack made a face. “We do catch some alive. The traps in the chicken, turkey and rabbit coops are live animal traps because kill traps could hurt our animals or be set off accidentally. Otherwise we use kill traps.” Applejack sighed. “The thing is wild mice don’t do well in close quarters with other mice.”

“What do you mean.”

“When mice are trapped in a confined space like a small trap or even a large trap they will sometimes eat each other. It is a normal stress response and it is really grose. Rats and voles aren’t any better. Personally I think it is better to have a quick clean kill then have a battle royal.”

“Wow.” Moondancer was learning that many animals were more dangerous than she had thought. “So what do we do with the dead ones?”

“We take them out into the woods and leave them for the scavengers. Skunks, foxes, fishers, ravens, wild cats, wolves… everyone loves a free meal. They are always gone.”

Applejack put the block of wood with the mice in another bag. The two walked around the barn and emptied rat snap kill traps. One of them had a squirrel in it. Applejack put the dead animals in Stella’s saddle bags.

Applejack and Moon Dancer mounted the horses and made their way over to the garden. Cheerilee was had at work pulling weeds. She knelt on a knee pad and was digging with a hori hori. Cheerilee looked up at the sound of the approaching horses.

“Hey Applejack could you help me with this scotch broom? I don’t appear to be strong enough.”

“Definitely.” Applejack wrestled with the weed and then up rooted it. Applejack put the plant in one of two weed piles. “Anything else?”

“I think I’m good. Thanks!”

Applejack started walking up and down the rows emptying more rat snap traps. Applejack found twelve dead voles, four dead moles and a gopher. She also found a dug up half eaten potato and a nawed tomato stem.

“Looks like the tomatoes need more protection.”

“Yes as do the onions.” Cheerilee added.

“Alright I’ll adjust the trap lay out.”

“Is that what a mole looks like?” Moon Dancer tried not to look or sound disgusted.

Cheerilee laughed. “I had the same reaction.”

“What were you expecting?” Applejack asked.

“I don’t know. Some more cute. I used to watch a show with a cartoon mole in it and it was very cute.”

Applejack laughed.

Applejack and Moon Dancer rode back to the shed with the chicken and turkey feed. Applejack left the horses to eat grass and then took all the rodent’s into the the shed she grabbed some buckets and gloves.

“You might not want to watch this part.”

“What are you going to do?”

“I am going to check for parasites and kill any I find.”

“Oh. I want to watch. If I get grossed out I can just leave.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

Applejack made a solution of water from a hose and bleach in a bucket. She checked the dead rodents for paradise and put them in the solution if they had any. She left all of them in there for ten minutes. She found botfly maggots on some of the living mice. She poured peppermint oil on the opening and it wiggled out. Moon Dancer gagged at the sight. She went out to the horses.

After she was done Applejack put all the dead rodents she had treated in a bucket of cold water to weaken the chlorine smell. Then she put them back in a bag and put the bag into the Stella’s saddle bag. She washed her hands with the hose. The living mice were back in their live traps and in her horse’s saddle bags.

Applejack and Moon Dancer rode over to the house.

“So how old were you when you started riding?”

“I was three when I started with a kid saddle. We used to have a pony. I was ten when I got this horse and twelve when I started competing with him.”

“What is your horse’s name?”

“This is Ribbon. He is the dominant stallion around here.” Applejack smiled.

“How did you get him?”

“It’s a long story.” Applejack dismounted and helped MoonDancer down. They walked into the house. “His breeder was rancher with a drinking problem. One night he gambled away his savings. He had to sell some of his animals to get by. He sold Ribbon’s mother while she was pregnant with him. Them man who bought her was neglectful. He also had debt problems. He had a major estate sale. I found him at the sale and I was determined to have him. After lots of arguing and persuading I got Granny Smith to come and buy him for me. I have been taking care of him ever since. We trained together and have won lots of competitions.”

“Wow.”

They stood in the kitchen. “So what do you want for lunch? We need to make it now. It has to be something easy to pack that we can take on a picnic.”

“How about sandwiches?”

“Okay. What kind do you want?” the two made sandwiches.

Applejack collected dead and live mice form inside the house.

Moon Dancer thought they were ready but Applejack headed up stairs. “Now what?” she called up after Applejack.

“I have an idea!” Applejack had an odd gleam in her eyes.

Moon Dancer followed Applejack to her room. Applejack pulled a handmade bow out of her closet and a quiver of arrows. She emptied the quivor. The arrow heads were colorful some were black some were bottle green and some were a very pretty light blue. Most of them were hand made but there were some store bought metal arrowheads that were made of razors attached to store bought arrows. All of them looked dangerous. Applejack selected four arrows without proper arrow heads (they had slightly whittled tips) and then put them in a shoulder bag.

“Let’s go!”

Applejack rode effortlessly in circles around Moon Dancer. She moved naturally with the horse. Her dog happily chased after her. They came to a trail head that led into the woods.

“How fast are you comfortable going? Are you comfortable with a lope?”

“We can try.” Applejack, Ribbon and Winona set off and Moon Dancer urged Stella forward. After a moment Stella took off. After a while Moon Dancer began to relax. And then the horse jumped over a log and Moon Dancer realized this was going to be a long ride. Occasionally Moon Dancer was able to appreciate the beautiful forest around her but she was mostly focused on not falling off.

They rode to a small lake that sparked in the light. The water was clear as glass. Applejack dismounted and helped Moon Dancer down.

“Wow this place is beautiful!”

“Yeah. This is one of my favorite places to come” Applejack took Stella’s bridal off. She took off their saddlebags. The two horses were allowed to graze.

Applejack let the live animals go. She then spread out the dead animals around the tree line.

“Some lucky animals will get a drink and a snack!” Moon Dancer commented.

“Exactly!” Applejack started taking off her cloths.

“What’s going on?”

“I don’t know about you but I’m going swimming!” Applejack took off up a slight hill to a tree. She disappeared around it. She emerged swinging on a rope out over the water. With a whoop of delight she let go and cannon balled into the water.

“Come on Moon Dancer! Join me the water is wonderful!” Applejack called. Winona barked and swam out to meet Applejack.

Moon Dancer considered. It did look fun. She was also roasting from the hot sun and sweaty from riding. On the other hand she would have to get naked. Did she want to get naked infront of Applejack? Did she care? The water looked enticing. She was a strong swimmer and loved the water.

She went up the hill to the tree. She found the rope still swaying from Applejack’s jump. She took it and backed up. She ran forward and jumped. She made the mistake of looking down.

Applejack watched as Moon Dancer flew out over the water. She spun slightly in the air and then landed with a huge slap. Applejack winced at the sound. Back flop. Applejack swam over to Moon Dancer.

“Fuck this water is cold!” Moon Dancer shivered. “I don't get it. This is a tiny lake! The sun should have warmed it!”

“This is a glacier lake fed by snow melt. It is cold and clean.” Applejack said doggy paddling around Moon Dancer who was treading water. Moon Dancer splashed Applejack.

“Hey! What was that for?”

“You tricked me!”

“I did not. You chose to jump in!”

“You admit to not being honest!”

“I didn’t lie!”

“A lie by omission is still a lie.”

Applejack splashed Moon Dancer. The both broke out laughing and splashed each other. The two swam in the lake for half an hour.

Finally they dragged them selves out. Applejack got out two towels from Ribbon’s saddle bags. They dried themselves.

Moon Dancer glanced at Applejack. She had her hair wrapped up in her towel. Seeing her naked in the sunlight was… attractive. She had a dark bikini underwear and sports bra tan line. Her nipples were perfect mounds on top of-

“What?” Applejack broke her train of thought.

Moon Dancer blushed. “Your body is so beautiful.” Moon Dancer said in a bashful tone.

“Your body is beautiful too. I’m sure you wife tells you this.”

Moon Dancer blushed deeper hiding herself behind her towel “She does but it is hard to internalize.”

“How come?”

“Well I just know I don’t fit the ideal woman model. And I wish I did. I know that the model is stupid and sexist but I can’t help but to want to look attractive.”

“I know what you mean”

Moon Dancer gave Applejack a sceptical look. “really?”

“Seriously I do.” Applejack looked away. “As a kid I was considered too muscular for a girl. A lot of the girls wouldn’t play with me because I was a tomboy and a lot of the boys wouldn't play with me because I was still a girl. Rarity was one of my only friends in elementary school and she would only let me play with her if I was willing to play dress up.” Applejack sighed. “It only got worse when I hit puberty. My voice dropped before the boys did. For a while I was the biggest and strongest in my class and this threatened some of the boys sense of masculinity. To make themselves feel better they targeted me. Eventually my breast did grown but they stayed small and pointy, I was basically flat chested. It took forever for me to get my period. Finally it came but I was waiting a while. Also I have some embarrassing scars.”

“Wow. You never struck me as the insecure type.”

“Yeah. normally I am pretty comfortable with myself. There are times I wish I was more… conventionally attractive, but I know that it is a silly fantasy and it always passes.” there was a pause. “What are you insecure about?”

“I also have embarrassing scars… I have inverted nipples and my breast are small. And I’m not very curvy. I with I was stronger. I have always secretly wanted to be really athletic but I lack the toughness to become so. I tried to take kung fu lessons but it didn’t work. I am just too sensitive. Long distance running is the only sport I am any good at.”

“You are right that our culture looks past inverted nipples but that doesn't mean they are attractive. Also I don’t have a hourglass figure and you still seem to find me attractive. Other people can find you attractive for similar reasons. There's more then one way to be tough. Not all are healthy anyway. Also long distance running is a respectable sport.”

“Thank you.”

Applejack smiled. “Let’s put an new layer of sunscreen on and then let’s eat!”

Applejack fetched the sunscreen out of her bag and Moon Dancer followed her into the shade. Applejack got into position to rub sunscreen on Moon Dancer’s back. When she noticed something on Moon Dancer’s shoulder.

“I didn’t take you for the type to get a tattoo.”

Moon Dancer blushed. “Yeah. It was a graduation present. Just before I got my bachelors degree Sunset and I had a big fight. We made up but at the time it was still up in the air. I was pretty depressed. It was my graduation day and I was graduating top of my class and I was moping about like I’d failed. So I decided the best way to snap myself out of it was to do something drastic. Four hours before I was set to walk across the stage I was at a tattoo parlor picking something out. I got a the constellations Ursa Major and Ursa Minor I don’t have a good reason. I just wanted it. My sister paid for it, or more specifically she paid me back. She was the only one excited by my decision.”

“I think it looks great.”

Applejack rubbed the sunscreen all over Moon Dancer’s body and then held still for Moon Dancer to do it to her. They got dressed then they enjoyed their sandwiches. Applejack filled a bowl for Winona.

“So what other chores do you have to do today?”

“I have to do some work on the horses, cleaning them and checking them for parasites. Then I have to fix the fence around the horse field.”

“What’s wrong with it?”

“A pole rotted enough to come down and took out a chunk of fence with it. Broke the electric circuit. We don’t want wild animals to be able to wander in and threaten the horses.”

After they were finished eating Applejack got out her bow, string and arrows. She easily strung the bow and nocked an arrow. Winona barked with excitement. She walked along the edge of a lake to a slightly mashy aria with cattail growing. Winona followed. Moon Dancer watch as they both crouched and waited. Moon Dancer was about to ask what they were doing when Applejack launched and arrow.

“What did you catch?”

“A frog!”

“You kill frogs too!”

“Invasive bullfrogs that eat our native tree frogs!” Applejack said defensively. Applejack continued hunting. She used the same arrows over and over. Finally Applejack was satisfied with the amount she caught. She walked over with a triumphant smile.

“Why were you hunting frogs?”

“To eat. Frog legs are a delicacy after all.” Moon Dancer didn’t know weather to be impressed or sceptical. She settled on impressed. Applejack had just caught frogs with a handmade bow and arrows.

The two packed up and walked over to the horses.

“What are they eating?”

“Miner's lettuce.”

“What?”

“Miner's lettuce.” Applejack pulled up a plant and showed it to her. It had thick round leaves and tiny white flowers. “Want to try some?”

“You can eat it?”

“Uhh… Yeah. It is called lettuce after all.” Applejack put some of the plant in her mouth and ate some of it. Moon Dancer staired. Applejack continued eating the plant. She ate the entire thing.

“How do you know what’s edible out here?”

“My mother was really into wild edible and medicinal plants. I learned some from her and then kept it up as a passion.” Applejack walked over to a bush and plucked a dark barry. “If you are going to try any wild berries it should be these!”

“Isn’t that nightshade?”

“No. Deadly Nightshade is not native here. Besides it doesn't grow too well in this climate. This is Salal.” Applejack handed her a few berries. Moon Dancer tried them and liked them.

“They are good!”

“See! I always give you good food!” Applejack and Moon Dancer ate Oregon Grape berries and Salmon berries.

The two rode back to the stables. Moon Dancer felt more confident on the way back. Applejack got out a hose and cleaned them off. She got out a magnifying glass and checked them carefully. She let Ribbon and Stella out into the feld and went to fetch the other two.

“This is Sucia* Big Mac’s horse and this is Dundy my mother's horse.” Applejack introduced them. Applejack cleaned them up, put them back in their stall and gave them hey.

Applejack and Moon Dancer walked over to a shed that they hadn’t been to yet. Moon Dancer waited outside while Applejack began rummaging around. Apple Bloom and Big Macintosh walked over.

“Howdy Moon Dancer! How has your day been? Did you do anything fun?” Apple Bloom asked.

“It’s been fine. Applejack took me to a very cold lake and we went swimming.”

“Nice! Hey sis what about you?” Apple Bloom shouted.

“I caught frogs for dinner!” Applejack’s tone was slightly braggy.

Both Big Macintosh and Apple Bloom looked happy.

“So what are you going to do for the rest of the afternoon?” Apple Bloom asked Moon Dancer.

“Well. I guess I was going to help Applejack with the fence. I could also try to fix your tractor. I have some mechanical skills.”

“Be careful.” Big Macintosh said seriously.

“I was planning on it.”

The sound of crashing wood came from the shead.

Big Macintosh rushed inside. Applejack had a bloody nose. It didn't look bad. Apple Bloom and Moon Dancer followed.

“What happened?” Apple Bloom asked.

“I was shifting a piece of plywood out of the way and a two by four hit me in the nose.” Applejack said in a slightly nasally voice.

“How do you feel?” Apple Bloom asked. They wall exited the shed.

“I feel fine.”

“Be serious A.J.” Big Macintosh said.

“I am serious.” Applejack said defensively.

Blood was still trickling.

“I think you should go lay down.” Big Macintosh said putting a hand on Applejack’s shoulder.

“I’m Okay. Big Mac. This will clear up in a moment.”

“I think you should lay down.” Big Macintosh stepped forward his hand pressed down on Applejack’s shoulder. He attempted to guide her down onto the grass.

“Get your hands off of me!" Applejack screamed. She bolted away.

There was an awkward pause. Big Macintosh and Apple Bloom looked shocked.

They followed Applejack to where she had run off. The barn.

“Where is she?” Moon Dancer asked after they had glanced around the barn.

“The hayloft.” Apple Bloom said. The hay barn was gigantic and tall. The loft was at least twenty feet off the ground.

Apple Bloom and Big Macintosh turned to walk away.

“Why aren’t you going after her?”

“It’s not safe for me.” Big Macintosh said. He walked away.

Moon Dancer looked to Apple Bloom for an answer. “He is too heavy. It is dangerous out there for someone of his weight. Our father almost never went up there.”

“What about you?”

“The last time I went up their I fell. I broke my arm. I am lucky I didn’t break my neck or back. I am not going back up.”

“That’s fair. Where is the latter?”

“It is over there but I don’t think you should go up?”

“Why not.”

“I think she wants to be alone.”

“How do you know.”

“The loft is where she goes when she wants to be alone. She knows none of us can follow her. We don’t even know where she is up there.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well it is a big space. That entire platform is full of hay bales she could be anywhere!” Apple Bloom pointed up.

“I am going to go check on her.”

“Okay but be safe. It is a long way to fall.” Apple Boom had a very serious look on her face.

“I will be careful.”

Moon Dancer walked over to the latter. It ran up the wall of the barn. Moon Dancer took a deep breath and started up. She made it to the platform and spotted a hay bale blocking her way. She realize the most dangerous part was getting from the latter onto the platform. She climbed higher up the latter. She carefully stepped off the later onto the hay bail. She immediately scurried away from the edge.

Moon Dancer looked around. There were large hay bales stacked in mountains. She climbed onto one and looked around. She couldn’t see Applejack. She climbed another one. She looked around and still didn’t see Applejack. After climbing a few more she spotted her. She was in a nest of sorts. She was surrounded on all sides but mounds of hay and she had a blanket to lay on. There was guitar case propped up near her. Moon Dancer carefully climbed down.

“Hey Applejack. How are you?”

“I’m fine.” Applejack voice was soft.

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah. I just overreacted but I’m fine now.” Applejack sounded calm. Moon Dancer decided not to press her.

“Okay. I like you nest. It’s cozy.” Moon Dancer sat on a hay bale.

“Thank you. This is where I was born.”

“Excuse me?”

Applejack chuckled and sat up. “I was born here.”

“Really?”

“Yes. My mother was right here when she pushed me out.” Applejack moved to sit on a hay bale that made the floor of this nest. She leaned back and sead her legs. “She was right here.” She patted the ground.

“How do you know?”

“She told me. She showed me. My mother and father used to tell the stories of my and my brothers births to us every year on our birthday.”

“Wow. And it was never wired?”

“No. When you are a kid you haven’t learned what whired is. It wasn’t until I was in first grade did I realize that it was wired to know where babies come from and how they are made.”

“My parents waited as long as they could to talk to me about it. My dad got me some books about puberty to read and my mom said I could always ask her questions if I needed too. I never did. When I finally did have any questions I went to my math teacher Cadence.”

“Twilight’s sister in law Cadence?”

“Yes.”

“I thought she was the deen.” Applejack stood up.

“She is now. Back when I was in seventh grade she was just the best math teacher ever.”

“She is such a great person. I bet she was a wonderful teacher.”

“Yeah. I learned so much from her. Not just about math but about life. She really helped me when I needed it.” Moon Dancer had a nostalgic look on her face. “How did you meet her?”

Applejack laid back done on her blanket. “Twilight’s parents hosted a big Summer Solstice Party and we all went and stayed at their house for a week. I knew Twilight was rich but I didn’t realize how rich until that week. She has a giant mansion! Like seriously! She like top one percent rich. But you are probably used to that. Crystal county is a rich county and Crystal Prep is an expensive boarding school.”

“Yeah. By comparison my family was seen as poor. We’re not. My family is in the upper middle class but when you compare us to all the really rich families in the county well… and then there’s Sunset.”

“What about her?”

“I. don’t know if this is true about your Sunset but my Sunset is poor. She was a homeless orphan for a while. She got a merit based full ride scholarship although Sunset believed that part of the reason they gave her a full ride is so they could feel good about themselves. Paying for a poor smart kid to go to a rich school is easier than donating money to a homeless shelter.”

“Ah. That kind of upperclass feel good about yourself…” Applejack sighed. “I work at a food bank. I have met some of the rich donors. Some of them are genuinely nice people but a lot of them are slime balls. They all want to make sure we put their name or foundation on our donors list as soon as possible. They want lots of photos with volunteers to show that they gave back to the community but none of them actually want to ge their hands dirty. None of them want to meet the people that we surve.”

“Some rich people live in a bubble.”

“Yeah. I learned that from my aunt and uncle Orange. They are both great people but they live in a bubble of privilege that is a little frustrating sometimes. I’ve talked to them about actually volunteering but they are not super interested. I did get their son my cousin to volunteer once with me when he visited. But I don’t think it will change them too much. Oh well. At least they donate because they want to help people not because they want to look good.”

“My brother decided to volunteer as a homeless shelter because he thought it would look good on his resume. He bailed after a week. He switched to volunteering at a library instead.” Moon Dancer laughed. “I don’t think he wanted to be around homeless people.”

“My brother works for a volunteer group that gives blankets and coats to homeless people. He loves it.”

“That’s wonderful. You family is so nice.”

“Yeah? I suppose this branch of it is.”

“What do you mean?”

“The Apple family is monstrous. We are everywhere. That’s by design. The all the heads of the family for the past few hundred years have wanted us to control the food supply. At family reunions they is always talk about younger siblings marrying into farm families so we can bring them under our influence. As a unit we can make demands and people don’t say no because we control so much of this country’s food. Saying no to one branch family means angering them all. You don’t want all the apples boycotting your store or not voting for you.”

“Wow. I never realized that.”

“That’s the point. To outsiders we look like lots of individual families that just happen to be really similar in lots of ways.”

“Do all of you farm?”

“No. There are branch families and individuals that have other carries and specialize in other fruit trees.”

“Like oranges?”

Applejack laughed. “Yeah. Although my aunt and uncle Orange aren’t farmers. I don’t even think they know which end of the plough is the front!”

Moon Dancer laughed. “To be honest my parents probably wouldn’t do any better. Crystal county doesn't have a lot of farmland in it.”

Applejack nodded. “Tell me about your family. If you don’t mind I’m curious.”

Moon Dancer thought for a moment. “My sister is eight years older than me. She was done with college by the time I was starting high school. Her and I don’t have an amazing relationship she is so far away. She doesn't visit very often so we have to make it count. I have a younger brother. He is your age eighteen. He just finished high school and my parents made him get a summer job before starting college.”

“I’m not eighteen.”

“Oh. I just assumed. Did you skip?”

“No I was held back a year.”

“Oh. I’m sorry to hear that.”

Applejack shrugged. “I try not to mention it if I don’t have too. It is a little embarrassing being the oldest in your class by a full year.”

“A full year?”

“My birthday is in september.”

“Mine too!” there was a pause. “If you don’t mind me asking-”

“You can ask me anything. Just know I might refuse to answer.”

“How did you get held back.”

Applejack sighed. “That is not a story I like to tell.”

“You don’t have to tell me I was just asking.” Moon Dancer said hastily.

“It’s okey. I’ll tell you. When I was in kindergarten my mother got pregnant with Apple Bloom. We were all so excited. I was going to be a big sister. I was so determined to be a good big sister. My mom found me trying to reading her medical books about pregnancy and parenting.”

Moon Dancer chuckled.

“On my sixth birthday, when mom was eight months pregnant, my dad said I was ready to learn how to drive the tractor.” Applejack’s voice fas calm with very little emotion.

“When you were six!”

“Yes. Here on the farm, on our private property, we have our own rules. We farm kids learn how to drive a tractor and a truck much earlier than other kids. Our parents tell us to keep our mouths shut and we do.”

“Okay.”

“So it was my birthday and I was out in the field with dad and Big Mac. We had the grass cutter extension on it so we could cut the tall grass. Big Mac was a waise down the field clearing rocks out of the way. I was with dad as he showed me the controls of Old Dan. After he was done demonstrating it was my turn. Dad helped me guide the tractor forward. After cutting about half the field the blades stopped. Dad thought it was simple jam. Happens all the time. He turned the extension on it’s side and took a look. I was sitting in the tractor when the bladed started moving. My dad screamed. He was caught by the blades.”

Moon Dancer gasped.

“It wasn’t pretty. I screamed. Big Mac screamed. Mom and Granny Smith came over. Mom passed out at the sight. Granny smith called an ambulance. It was too late. My dad died on my sixth birthday.”* Applejack glanced at Moon Dancer. Moon Dancer’s face was very pale. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah. Keep going.”

“Well as you can imagine the family was a mess. Mom couldn’t stop crying. Granny Smith was numb and Big Mac was mad. I blamed myself for everything.”

“It wasn’t your fault.”

“Yeah I know that. But learning to drive the tractor was my birthday present and I was driving it when it jammed. I felt like if it wasn’t for me maybe dad wouldn't be dead. My mom told me not to think that. She said it wasn’t my fault and that my father wouldn't want me to blame myself. I tried. Granny Smith and mom pulled Big Mac and I out of school for a week while we recovered. The same day we started school again mom went into labor. The doctors said it was a stress response. We came home from school and found mom on the couch in pain.” Applejack Sighed. “Normally I tell people that my mom didn’t make it through the delivery. That’s not exactly true it is just easier and may as well be true.” Applejack’s voice remained calm and flat.

“Mom said she was scared and wanted to go to the hospital but Granny Smith said she would be fine. It didn’t go well. Mom tore. She was bleeding badly. Big m\Mac and I held her hands. Finally Apple Bloom came out. She wasn’t breathing. Granny Smith rushed her to the kitchen to save her and Big Mac stood up too follow. I asked him why he was leaving and he said out sister needed her special first night.”

“What?”

“It was a thing for my parents. After Big Mac and I were born my parents stayed with us for the entire night. Just the tree of us. My dad said it was so we could bond and so that we could feel like the only person in the world. Granny Smith didn’t get to meet us until the next morning. Big Mac didn’t get to meet me until the morning after I was born. They planned to do the same for Apple Bloom. Big Mac and I were going to wait with Granny Smith while mom and Dad delivered our little sister. But obviously that didn’t work out.” Applejack sighed. “So my mother was dying and I think she knew it. I asked her if there was anything I could do for her. Anything to ease her pain or heal her. She asked me to sing for her. I did my best. She died in my arms a few minutes later Granny Smith announced that my sister was alive and healthy.

“I was in so much pain. I couldn’t process it all.”

“Well geez I think anyone would be.”

“Well yeah. I didn’t handle it too well. I missed my parents. My pain manifested as anger. I was angry with Granny Smith for not taking my mother to the hospital even though she had every reason to think that it would be fine. I was angry with Big Mac for leaving our mother’s side while she was dying. And I was angry at Apple Bloom for existing.”

Moon Dancer raised and eyes brown.

“I know it was dumb but I was six and I had just lost both my parents one right after the other I just couldn't cope. I started acting out at school. I became aggressive and mean. I yelled at teachers and hit kids who got near me.”

“You hit other kids?”

“Like I said I didn’t cope well. I don’t defend what I did. I didn’t want any lectures or sympathy. The teachers and counselors didn’t know what to do. It was obvious that I was in pain and needed compassion but I was misbehaving. I was hurting people. Eventually one of the councillors sat me down and asked me if there was anything I wanted. I said I to not be around my brother, sister and grandmother. Every time I saw them I thought of my mother’s last request. They weren’t there when she needed them and felt like they had betrayed me and her.

“Granny Smith helped me arrange for me to live with my aunt and uncle Orange for a while and recover. There were conditions I had to behave and respect them and I had to attend regular therapy sessions. It was good for me. Even if it was miserable. I spent six months with them healing and dealing with my pain. I took yoga and Tai Chi and I felt better. The whole time I missed home. I can’t tell you how happy I was to return. I was even happy to see my sister. I stepped into help rase her knowing she could use a mother figure other than Granny Smith and knowing it would make our mother proud.

“Any way long story short I was held back because I spent seven months recovering from my parents deaths. I got held back the entire year. No point starting in the end of April. It wasn’t a big deal. My only friend was a year younger than me anyway?”

“Who?”

“Rarity. We met in Manehatten and we both moved here around the same time.”

“Nice.” Moon Dancer looked away. Applejack story had hit her closer to home then she liked.

“Are you okay?”

“I guess not. Your story about your father… it… it reminded me of how my father died.”

Applejack opened her mouth and shut it. She had not expected this. “How so?” she asked without thinking. “If I you want to tell me.” she hastily added.

“It was my first birthday. My parents had left me and my sister with a baby sitter. They were out buying me a present when a drunk driver crashed into them.” Moon Dancer started crying. “I’m sorry.”

“There no need to be sorry.” Applejack sat up and hugged Moon Dancer.

“I’ve been thinking about them a lot recently. Would they be proud of me? Would they approve of my choices. I never knew them I don’t know who they are. The only family photo I have is a black and white photo from a news paper. A news paper! It isn’t even special.”

“You were in a news paper?”

“Yeah. my mother gave birth to me in a car and the news paper was looking for a story to fill the last page with. My mother held me and my father had his hands on my sisters shoulders as we posed for the photo. That all I have of us. Part of me doesn't want to care. Why should I? I never knew them why should I spend all this time trying to love and miss people I don’t remember. Bu my sister remembers, she loved them she blamed me for their death.”

“Your sister blamed you?”

“Yes. After our parents died we were separated and placed in foster care. My sister was sent to a neglectful family and she blamed me for her misfortune.”

“Wow.” was all Applejack could say. “So how did you get to your current family?”

“Well my sister and I when through a few foster families and homeless shelters before we caught the attention the people would would eventually adopt us. We were reunited when I was three. Were were taken in by two abusive parents. I just remember being scared and seeing my sister cry herself to sleep after they did I don’t know what to her. That scare on my back was from them.”

“Wow.”

“As far as long term damage I seem to be okay. Anyway back to my parents. After years of trying to have kids my parents had been told that they were sterel. They took us home and adopted us. A month later my mother found out she was pregnant.”

“What!?”

Moon Dancer laughed. “Yeah so with in a year my parents went from wanting a child to having three! Also we were differents ages which really didn’t help. My parents knew we had had a rough time in the foster care system and had wanted to spoil us but with a baby they couldn’t do that. There were many times were me and my sister had to entertain ourselves. My sister had to do a lot of kid sitting for me. She loved me but this did wear on her. I think she was happy to leave for college. She took out a loan and took off. She left me.” Moon Dancer started crying. She cried hard.

“Moon Dancer!” Applejack hugged her tightly.

“I’m so scared.” she said between tears.

“Scared?”

“For Sunset! She is far away surrounded by strangers! She could be anywhere!” Moon Dancer sounded hysterical.

Applejack rubbed her back patiently. Eventually Moon Dancer quieted down.

“I’m sorry Applejack I really wanted to have fun today.”

“It’s fine Moon Dancer. I understand.”

“I just wanted to forget for a day. I wanted to pretend she was just busy at work so I could have fun. I have been miserable without her. I just wanted to have fun today.” Moon Dancer rambled.

Applejack pushed Moon Dancer up against a bale of hay and then grabbed the guitar case. She opened it up and pulled out an acoustic guitar. She quickly checked the tuning and then started playing. She played Brett Dennen’s Ain't No Reason. Moon Dancer calmed down.

“You are a really good singer.”

“Thanks.”

Applejack began another song.

“The Atlas.”

“You know this one.”

“I listened to this album after everyday after school when I was a freshman in college.”

“How about you sing?”

“But I’m not good at singing!”

“I’m sure your fine.”

“But I don’t want too.”

“Please? For me?”

“Fine. only if you’ll sing with me.”

“Deal.”

Moon Dancer and Applejack sung The Atlas by Kristin Allen-Zito together.

“Thank you. I needed that.” Moon Dancer said when they finished.

“Any time.”

Moon Dancer laid down on a hay bale. Applejack put away the guitar.

“When you first pulled out that ugly guitar I didn’t think that it would sound nice. Normally instruments that have been badly damaged don’t sound good but that one was beautiful.”

“My mother bout it at a yard sale. The owner thought it was only good for an art project. You know a sculpture but my mother said it just needed some love. Replaced some parts and got it to work again. She said it was the best purchese she ever made.”

“You really loved your mother.”

“Yes.”

“I love my mother too even though we don’t always get along.”

Applejack laughed. “I suppose if my mother had lived longer we would have found more to fight over. As it is now the nostalgia makes it hard for me to remember us ever disagreeing. Sure there were times where I would break the rules and I would get scolded but nothing major. Me and my parents got along just fine.”

“Yeah.” Moon Dancer had a far off look.

“What are you thinking about?” Applejack asked after a while.

Moon Dancer sighed. “I’m going to be a mother soon I’m really excited. I can’t wait to be a mother but I’m scared. There are times when I wonder whether or not my wife and I are ready. It is all so sudden. Is this really the best time for us? Will we be able to handle all of the challenges? I just wish I had more guidance sometimes. Like I need more role models I can go to for advice when I get lost. My parents didn’t respond super well and they have had a hard time accepting my wife. She isn’t too comfortable around them yet. My sister is too far away to provide the kind of comfort want and she hasn’t gone through this yet. I just…”

“You don’t know where to look for advice. You need someone who you trust who has been there and learned. Someone who will be honest about both the good and the bad and someone who will help you when you feel like you are about to fail.”

Moon Dancer look right into Applejack’s eyes. “Exactly.”

A look of understanding passed between them. Moon Dancer took Applejack’s hand.

Apple Bloom stepped out of the shower. She stretched. She had picked apples almost all day. She loved climbing high she was lighter and thus could go higher then her siblings which was useful. Some places were hard to access with a ladder. After she was done picking apples she had rebated and reset all of the traps. Except for the mole traps she wasn’t strong enough.

She dried herself off, got dressed and then when down into the kitchen. She set to work helping Big Macintosh with dinner. They had just put everything in the oven when Applejack and Moon Dancer walked in.

“Applejack!” Granny Smith called. “Would you help me take a bath.”

Applejack’s face paled. She followed Granny Smith into the downstairs bathroom.

“What are we having for dinner?” Moon Dancer asked.

“Meat and vegetable pie! With frog legs on the side!” Apple Bloom said excitedly.

“Okay!”

“I’ll keep an eye on the pies you girls can run along.” Big Mac said.

Apple Blom took Moon Dancer’s hand and lead her upstairs.

“What kind of music do you like?” Apple Bloom Asked as she opened her bed room door.

Moon Dancer shrugged. “Good music.”

Apple Bloom laughed. She walked over to a specific spot of the mess on her flor she bent down and dug out a bluetooth speaker. Moon Dancer was surprised she found it so fast.

“I know it looks like an unorganized mess but I know where everything is.” She sat down on her bed and pulled out her smartphone.

“Have you hear any one the Rain Boom’s music?”

“No I don’t think so.”

Apple Bloom Smiled.

Apple Bloom introduced Moon Dancer to a lot of music. Moon Dancer like a lot of what she heard. Cheerilee knocked on the door. “Dinner!” she called. Apple Bloom took off faster than Moon Dancer was expecting. “She is always like that.” Cheerilee confirmed.

Apple Bloom served everyone eaqual portions of frog legs. Moon Dancer started at them. The meat was bright yellow. It looked odd. She felt bad for the frogs.

Granny Smith joined them. Big Macintosh filled the dining room tables with pies. Everyone got their own pie. The pie placed in front of Moon Dancer had a herringbone crust pattern rather then the standard woven pattern of the others.

“Why is mine different?”

“Because you can’t eat potatoes, tomatoes or peppers. We needed a way to mark it.” Apple Bloom explained.

“Oh. that makes sense.” She looked again at the other pies. One of them had ever other stip fatter than normal. “Whose is that one?” she asked.

“That one is Applejack’s she doesn't like chicken meat. Or cooked tomatoes.”

“Oh.” Moon Dancer was surprised. Moon Dancer saw one crust with a very fancy fringe. It was in front of Cheerilee. “What is different about yours? If you don’t mind me asking?”

“I’m gluten free.” Cheerilee explained.

“Where is Applejack?”

“Good question.” said Apple Bloom. “She is probably in her room.”

“Moon Dancer will you go get Applejack Please?” Big Macintosh asked.

Moon Dancer walked up the stairs. She knocked on Applejack’s door. There was no response. Moon Dancer knocked again. She head a soft clunk. She was in there. Moon Dancer knocked again. She carefully opened the door.

Applejack was sitting on her bed she had headphones. Applejack was holding a bottle of something up her her lips. She froze when she spotted Moon Dancer she lowered the bottle. “What’s up?”

“Dinner.”

“Sounds good.” Applejack got up. She walked over to her desk. She finished her drink and and got out a tin of mints. She popped a few in her mouth and then walked past Moon Dancer. Moon Dancer smelled alcohol on her breath.

Moon Dancer was taken aback. Applejack drank? She seemed so responsible and mature! Applejack drank! Was it rude of her to juge? Was she imposing her own ideals? Moon Dancer glanced at Applejack who was looking at her.

“Are you coming?”

“Yeah.”

Moon Dancer followed her.Applejack was very coordinated. Moon Dancer had no idea how much she had drank but it didn’t seem to affect her. Her speech, her gait she was fine. Moon Dancer decided to put Applejack's drinking out of mind.

Applejack took the seat the Big Macintosh indicated for her and Moon Dancer took her seat in front of her pie. She braced herself for Granny Smith’s speech.

When it was finally over they ate. It was the best meat and veggie pie Moon Dancer had ever had. Not that she had had many.

“So how was you day Cheerilee?” Applejack finally broke the comfortable silence.

Cheerilee swallowed. “It was fine. Lots of weeds. I made another batch of applesauce.”

“That’s great!” Apple Bloom Said.

“How was your day Apple Bloom?” Cheerilee asked.

“My day was great! I picked apples most of the day. Then I set the the animal traps. I had fun.”

“Good.” cheerilee said.

“What about you Granny Smith?”

“Eh. It was fine. I was on the phone with some salesman. I wanted to pay for the set of embroidered napkins and napkin holders we ordered. He wanted me to buy a package. I told him that’s not what I ordered. He said he took my order and made a bundle. I asked to speak to his manager.”

“Oh Granny. I asked them to budle the the orders to save us money!” Applejack said.

“You did this? Without consulting me? Do you know how long I sept trying to sort out this mess! I spent an hour on hold! And then I spent another hour arguing with the manager. Eventually he said he had applied a discount and I paid. That was a whole lot of trouble I didn’t need.”

“I’m sorry Granny.” Applejack looked away.

Granny Smith snorted. “How was your day Big Mac?”

“Good. I picked apples I baked pies. What about you A.J.?”

“My day was great! I took Moon Dancer out to the lake. We had fun right?” Applejack turned to her with a smile.

“Yes!”

“How is your nose doing?”

“It’s fine.”

“Good. I was checking bills today during lunch and I found that our doctors office has been billing us for more services then I was expecting. Granny Smith are you having health problems?”

Moon Dancer noticed that Applejack’s face had paled considerably.

“My arthritis has been hurting and I want to see if there is a different medication I can try.”

“Okay. Let me know next time. I don’t like being surprised by these things. Speaking of which, Moon Dancer. Do you think Applejack overexerted herself today?”

“Uh… what do you mean?” Moon Dancer glanced around. Apple Bloom looked worried and Cheerilee looked surprize. Applejack was unreadable.

“Do you think that Applejack did anything she shouldn't have? Do you think she ever worked herself”

“No.” Moon Dancer said slowly. She was very confused.

“Good.”

“Really Big Mac?”Applejack challenged.

“What?” he asked.

“You put Moon Dancer on the spot. You stress her out. You could have just asked me! Or do you not trust me.” Applejack was more aggressive than Moon Dancer thought was necessary.

“I know you are an honest person but sometimes you delude yourself into thinking you can do more than you can. Normally I wouldn’t raise a fuss but your doctor did ask you to not overwork yourself.”

“I am not fragile!” Applejack snapped loudly.

Big Macintosh glanced around the table. “Applejack. Come with me.” Big Macintosh stood up and walked over to his bedroom. Applejack followed.

Moon Dancer glanced around. Apple Bloom sighed and continued eating her pie. Cheerilee followed suit. Moon Dancer picked up her fork when her hear a loud angry yell. It was Big Macintosh. Apple Bloom’s face darkened but she continued eating. Moon Dancer ate too. Several minutes passed.

Sudeley the sound of a door opening and Big Macintosh's voice cut through the air.

“I am not finished!” Mig Macintosh was angry.

“Well I have work. Good buy.” Applejack slammed the door in Big Macintosh's face and marched off up the stares and out of sight.

No one moved. Finally Big Macintosh came out of his room. He walked calmly to the table and continued eating his pie. Gradually everyone continued eating.

Applejack walked down the stairs. She was wearing back pants, combat boots and a thick vest. She had a large back duffle bag hanging over her shoulder. She walked to the door. “Have a good evening everyone! Don’t wait up.” she smiled.

“Be safe.” Big Macintosh said.

Applejack left.

“Mmm! These frog legs are delicious!” Apple Bloom exclaimed.

“I’ve never had frog legs before.” Moon Dancer admitted.

“You have to try them!” Apple Boom said enthusiastically.

Moon Dancer glanced around. Big Macintosh and Cheerilee nodded encouragingly.

Moon Dancer picked one up. It was definitely a leg. She stared at the yellow meat. She brought it to her nose and sniffed. She tried to take a bite of muscle but wound up with a whole leg in mouth. She regripped it and tried again. She bit of a chunk of muscle and chewed. It tasted good. Buttery and tender. She smiled.

“I like it!”

“Good.” Big Mack said. “Or I would have done all that work for nothing.” everyone laughed. Moon Dancer felt the mood had lightened. She wished Applejack was there.

Moon Dancer finished the frog legs. She looked at her pie. She had not quite finished but she was full.

“Done?” Apple Bloom asked.

“I think so. It is a wonderful mean but I am stuffed!”

“That’s okay. We can save your left overs.”

“Thanks.” Apple Bloom took the dishes way.

Moon Dancer followed Cheerilee over to a couch.

“So you enjoyed your first day on the farm?”

“Yeah. It was a good day. A good distraction.”

“Distraction from what?”

“My whife has been kidnapped.”

“Your married?”

“Yes.”

“How old are you?”

“Twenty three.”

“I’m twenty five.”

“Okay.”

“Congratulations. I’m about to get married… Any advice?”

“My wife is a psychologist. Almost. She doesn't have a Ph. D. yet but she is getting there. When we first got married my wife read a bunch of psychology articles about relationships. Psychologist have done research on what makes couples last and the best piece of advice she found is that successful couple learn how to disagree. This had been big for us. We have different needs sometimes and knowing ourselves and knowing each other has helped us know when to compromise or when to not compromise.”

“I’m curious how you knew she was the one for you?”

“Well to be honest I don’t know. I always like her since the day I met her.”

“How long ago was that?”

“Almost ten years. We met in high school. I was freshman and she was a senior. We didn’t start dating until I was a sophomore in college.”

“And now you are married.”

“Yeah. Just like that!”

Cheerilee looked at Moon Dancer confused.

“The decision to get married was very suden for us. We decided to do it and then we did. We had a paper wedding.”

“Really what sparked the decision? If you don’t mind.”

“My wife was pregnant and we had just decided to keep it.”

“Ah. Yeah. Big Mac is excited for us to have children.”

“Are you not exited?”

“I’m excited I just want to wait a year or two before conceiving. I want to adjust to married life for a little before motherhood. You know?”

“Yeah. that is what I always pictured before my wife got pregnant.”

“So it was an accident?”

“Yes.”

Cheerilee looked at Moon Dancer curiously. She didn't ask.

Apple Bloom skipped into the room. “What are you two talking about?”

“Grown up things.” Cheerilee smiled at the look of frustration she got. Moon Dancer could sympathize.

“We are talking about what big adjustments motherhood and marriage are.” Moon Dancer said.

“Oh. can I see your ring?”

“Yes.” Moon Dancer held out her hand and Apple Bloom peered at her ring.

“What kind of stone?”

“Orange sapphire.”

“Sapphires come in orange?”

“Yes.”

“Wow!”

“What kind of stone dose you your husband have?”

Cheerilee and Moon Dancer laughed. “I bought my wife a ring with a Blue Tanzanite stone.”

Apple Bloom blushed. “I’m so sorry!”

“It’s okay.”

“I would have done the same if you hadn’t mentioned you had a wife.”

“Yeah. me and Applejack were talking about that earlier.”

Cheerilee nodded she had a knowing look in her eyes.

Apple Bloom looked confused.

“Speaking of Applejack, what kind of job does she have that starts at this hour?”

“She works as a night time security guard at the mall.” Cheerilee explained.

“And she comes back with bruises from fighting theeves!”

Moon Dancer raised her eyebrows. “Wow what a job.”

“Yup.”

“Forgive me for being noisy but do you need the money? I would think you were fine?” Moon Dancer asked.

Apple Bloom and Cheerilee exchanged looks. “We are farmers we depend on the seasons for a good harvest and a good income.”

“Do you not have any saving? Are you completely dependant on the weather?”

“Normally we have enough to make it but two bad years in a row and the mounting costs of Granny healthcare have made things tite for us. Last fall Applejack when looking for another source of income for the family. She bounced from office job to office job before finding a night time job that didn’t interfree with school.” Apple Bloom explained. “I found a job.”

“You got a job? At your age?”

“Well yeah sort of. I volunteer and get little tips. I treat it like an allowance.”

“Where do you work?”

“I work at one of the veterinary offices.”

“A veterinary office?”

“We are friends with the owner and head vet. I help feed the animals staying there for care and I clean cages and file paperwork. I update the website and do other little chores.” Apple Bloom puffed out her chest.

“Cool.”

Author's Notes:

Wow this is along chapter...

1st spelling help?

2nd is the name of an island. pronounced sue-sha

3rd this is based on a true story believe it or not...

You all should look up the two songs. Aint no reason by Bret Dennen is song about the power of love and The Atlas by Kristen Allen-Zito is a more traditional love song. I love them both

I have been watching a lot Shawn Woods on YouTube. I recommend checking out his videos if you want a visual of the mouse traps or the bot flies.

As always I would love to see your comments, questions, concerns. I hope to get the next chapter up soon.