Now, it was no secret that poor weather resulted in a poor mood for anyone experiencing it. And yet, as Jay looked out of his apartment window, gazing upon the dark, cold, wet and windy situation out in Ponyville, this state of affairs didn't seem to cause him much concern. But, then again, he was in a pretty cosy-looking moment right now. His apartment was bathed in the warm orange glow of the fire he'd just lit, and if you were to be in that place yourself, you would never suspect that things outside were as chilly as they were. A contented sigh escaped him, and as he reached for a steaming cup of tea from the side, he carried it carefully across to his armchair, which was directly facing the aforementioned fire. Sitting down, he blew upon the cup a few times before bringing it closer to his lips, ready to take that first, satisfying sip.

But, as he probably should have expected by this point, his solitary moment was not to be, as he was soon surprised to hear the sound of somebody knocking on his door. Though a little irritated at this, he nevertheless set his cup aside on the small table that stood beside his chair, before hoisting himself up and making his way over to the door. Taking a moment to ensure he was looking at least somewhat presentable, he turned the knob and opened it. There, smiling to him on the other side, was an orange earth pony mare, with a blonde mane and a distinctive Stetson hat, the latter of which she now tipped in greeting towards him.

"Howdy, friend! Name's Applejack!"

Jay returned this gesture with a nod of his own.

"Jay."

As the mare chuckled briefly, she turned her body to one side, showing that she had been carrying a saddle-bag upon her back, which appeared to be laden with apples. Immediately, Jay understood her reason for being here.

"Ah! The apples I ordered?"

Still smiling, Applejack nodded.

"Eyup! Sorry they're a bit late. Had some trouble with other orders earlier."

But Jay simply shook his head.

"Not a problem. I'm just glad they're here."

In the moments that followed, Jay reached over to a drawer on a table that lay next to his door and, after rummaging around in it for a time, pulled out a small bag. He opened it up and pulled out a few gold-looking coins, handing them over to his visitor.

"Will this be enough?"

Taking the payment, Applejack nodded, tipping her hat yet again as she removed her bags and left them carefully upon the table nearby.

"Yep! Pleasure doin' business with ya, friend!"

Jay smiled back, looking to the delivered apples with interest. However, just as Applejack was turning to leave, he couldn't help but notice a sudden loud gust of wind outside, prompting him to turn around and look out of the window. The weather outside was getting much worse now, and as he glanced back over to Applejack, he thought to himself about how that mare was going to have to go back home in all of this. His face softening, he cleared his throat, gaining her attention.

"Do you want to stay for a bit? I've got a fresh pot brewing."

But Applejack raised a hoof to this.

"Thank ya kindly, Jay. But ah don' wanna impose or anythin'."

Jay shook his head.

"You're not imposing. It's terrible out there and, well, I guess I'm just grateful you were able to bring these over to me at this time."

In spite of herself, Applejack experienced a small shiver, no doubt remembering the terrible rain she'd just gone through out there. Perhaps it was the warmth she felt from his apartment, or maybe it was the way he'd offered the invitation, but whatever the reason, the farm-mare soon broke out into a smile.

"Well...that's mighty decent of ya. Sure, why not?"

Stepping aside, Jay allowed her entry into his home, closing the door behind her. As promised, he made his way over to the counter of the kitchen section of the main room, and got to work preparing some tea for his guest. Applejack, for her part, sat herself down in one of the other chairs close beside the fire, taking a moment to stretch out her hooves and enjoy the warmth of it. A smile crept onto her face at this, and she watched silently as her host brought her promised cup. She took it gratefully, giving both a smile and a nod to him, before blowing on her drink herself. As Jay got back into his own seat, and finally took a sip of his drink, he let out a sigh, turning to her.

"So...what were those delivery problems of yours earlier?"

A slight look of embarrassment crossed Applejack's face at that.

"Oh...it ain't much. Jus' little Bloom an' her friends thinkin’ they can help make deliveries faster and...well...ya come ta expect those plans o' theirs don' really...um...go well."

Jay raised an eyebrow.

"Bloom...your daughter?"

Applejack let out a hearty chuckle.

"Nope! Ah ain’t that old! Apple Bloom is mah sister. She means well, but she gets into all sorts o' trouble on most days. But, ah wouldn't give her up fer anythin’."

Jay nodded, taking another sip of his tea. But, after having done so, he was now the one being asked questions.

"And you? Any sisters? Brothers?"

Looking to her, Jay nodded again.

"Two brothers. One older, one younger."

A smile returned to Applejack's lips.

"Middle child, eh? Same ere."

At that, it was Jay's turn to chortle.

"Well...here's to being middle kids then."

He raised his cup, and Applejack, returning the laugh, took her own and gently clinked it against his. The two took simultaneous gulps of their tea, after which, Applejack looked over to the apples she'd delivered.

"So...what ya got planned fer em?"

Jay too looked to the apples, and a smile came to him.

"Oh don't you worry about them. I've got some plans."

He licked his lips as he turned his eyes back to the fire.

"I can almost taste that crumble."

Applejack looked to him with some confusion.

"Er...crumble?"

Jay nodded.

"Apple crumble. It's an old recipe from back home."

He raised his cup to her again.

"Maybe I'll show it to you one day."

Another chuckle escaped Applejack at that.

"Ah look forward to it, pard'ner!"

Leaning back into their chairs, the two took a moment to simply enjoy the warmth of the moment. The fire was ticking along nicely, though Jay felt that it was worth giving it a bit of help. So, getting out of his chair for the time being, he gently placed another log upon it. A few moments passed before the log caught fire, and before long, the glow intensified as a result. Taking another sip of tea, Applejack turned to him, bearing a look of genuine interest.

"So, how are ya likin' Ponyville so far?"

Jay considered that before answering.

"Pretty good, I'd say. I'm liking my work at the tea store, and everyone has been really welcoming to me. I honestly wasn't expecting to be accepted so quickly."

Applejack's smile widened.

"We're a pretty friendly bunch when ya get right down to it. Heck, if we can accept a dragon or a draconequs, I'm pretty sure you’ll fit right in."

Jay looked to her, eyebrow raised.

"What's a...draconequs?"

A sly smirk came to Applejack at that.

"Don't worry. Ah'm pretty sure you'll meet him one day or another."

Jay blinked a few times before answering.

"Well...I guess that's something to look forward to."

The human, who was growing increasingly interested in what this mare had to say, soon leaned forward in his chair as he resumed speaking to her.

“So you work down on that apple farm then?”

Applejack smiled wider than before.

“You betcha, Jay. We Apples have been livin’ an’ farmin’ on that there plot fer generations. Ah tell ya, ya won’ find no better apple anywhere in Equestria!”

Jay took a moment to give a brief laugh to this.

“Well, always nice to know you're enjoying your work. And if your apples are as good as you say, I look forward to cooking them up.”

Reclining slightly into her chair, Applejack joined in on the laugh.

“An’ ya won’ regret it!”

Looking back to him, Applejack leaned over and gave him a quick pat on the shoulder.

"It's pretty good seein' a new face in these parts. Ah hope ya settle in good, Jay."

Smiling once more, Jay yet again raised his cup, before turning his eyes to the fire.

"So do I, Applejack. So do I."

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