“And that’s the route Uncle Big Mac’ll take to get around the orchards,” Pomarbo explains, having finished his explanation and subsequent demonstration of how he figures out the most efficient route. His grin wavers slightly. “Um, Ah normally don’t take so long to figure it out.”

“I thought it was very fast,” Diamond Tiara purrs, dipping down to give the colt a playful nuzzle to the back of his mane. He tenses, glancing back at the intimate intrusion normally reserved for his parents or sisters. “Still,” she compliments without moving from the spot, “it’s impressive that you can do it without a cutie mark!”

“Y-yeah!” Pomarbo straightens up, squaring his shoulders. Even so, he barely comes up to the young mare’s barrel, much less her withers. “Ah have to study a lot. But at least it’s fun!” He grins again. “Hey, you want to see it in action? Normally Ah just help Big Mac with the baskets because, um…”

The colt trails off, rubbing at the back of his head. He chances a peek at Big Mac, who merely returns the look with a steady gaze. Pomarbo sighs, knowing it’s both his secret to spill and also something vitally important, which makes it all the harder to share.

Diamond Tiara waits patiently, her dam’s training helping her keep from blurting out and demanding an explanation. She knows most foals at earth pony farms start helping out at a young age, and Sweet Apple Acres is no exception. Yet, more than once Apple Bloom had complained about the rigors they put her through. The pit in her gut dreads a similar outcome.

A faint clop of hooves outside precedes the barn doors bursting open.

Pomarbo’s expression brightens like the mid-morning sun outside as he identifies the hatted silhouette. He fumbles out a quick, “‘Scuse me,” to Diamond Tiara as he races out from under her and leaps into the waiting orange hooves.

“Hey, ‘Bo!” Applejack exclaims as she adeptly catches the speeding bullet and wraps her colt in a tight, one-legged hug. Her already broad smile stretches even farther across her muzzle, relishing every moment as she nuzzles deeply into his mane.

“You’re home!” Pomabro can hardly keep still, struggling against the leg holding him in place to try to get a better look, as if she might disappear from his sight if he doesn’t keep a constant watch. “See?” He grins as he turns to Big Mac, who approaches with a fond smile of his own. “Ah knew ya’d come home!” He nods confidently. “Ah wasn’t worried at all!”

“Now, Pomarbo,” Applejack says patiently, fixing Pomarbo with a gentle stare. “What have Ah told ya ‘bout stretchin’ the truth?”

“Okay,” Pomarbo says with a long sigh, collapsing back into his dam’s embrace. “Ah was a little worried.” He holds his hooves up, barely as space between them. “But just a little!” He snuggles into her chest, loving the rumble of her chuckle.

Now that they are alone, Silver Spoon corners Diamond Tiara. “I know what you’re doing,” she says in a hushed undertone.

“Who, me?” Diamond Tiara says innocently, fluttering her eyelashes.

“Cut the grass,” Silver Spoon spits out. “You’re only interested in him because his sire is with the Princesses.”

Diamond Tiara gasps at the insinuation. “That’s not true at all!”

“Really?” Silver Spoon deadpans, staring at her sister. “Then why’d you only show interest in him now?”

“Well,” Diamond Tiara hedges haughtily, losing her earlier offended tone and returning to her more calculating self. “Because somepony less scrupulous might move in if it isn’t made clear that he is mine. You wouldn’t want that to happen, would you? Besides.” She motions to the map. “Maybe he won’t be as bad as the rest of the colts in our class.”

Silver Spoon growls as she tries to think of an exception. Except she can’t; the only other candidates are ponies with whom she has barely spent any time outside of school. Whose agrarian backgrounds mean they would have little chance with a pony as pedigreed as her or her illustrious sister. She scoffs. “I just don’t want to see him hurt.”

“Good,” Diamond Tiara says with a curt nod. “I don’t either.” She shoots Silver Spoon a sly wink. “But if you’re still worried, then maybe you should hang out with us today.”

“Help harvest?” Silver Spoon pulls back slightly, looking Diamond Tiara up and down. “Who are you and what did you do to my sister?”

“They made those kinds of impersonations illegal,” Diamond Tiara says with a confident nod. “You’d have to tell me if you weren’t actually Silver Spoon, just like I would need to make clear that I’m not Diamond Tiara. But I am.” She swipes a hoof across her face as she breathes out, losing her haughty look and again smiling innocently at the three Apples.

“Sure is good to be back,” Applejack remarks to Big Mac, trading a friendly nuzzle with her brother.

“Eeyup,” Big Mac rumbles.

“Ah’ll tell y’all more ‘bout it once we got the fam’ all together,” Applejack continues. “But ‘Baum was sleepin’ in, an’ Bloom said somethin’ ‘bout meetin’ up with Sweetie Belle before she raced off ta town.” She takes a deep breath, her nostrils crinkling at an unfamiliar smell. She peers around the barn. “Anythin’ happen while Ah was gone?”

“Eeyup,” Big Mac says with a mischievous grin. He covertly flicks his mane at the two young mares standing at the work table. Applejack peers over, her eyes narrowing at the sight.

It’s not that it surprises her; the opportunistic Rich family has been on her mind many a time over the years, especially after the stunt Spoiled Rich pulled when the ponies tried to get Doug run out of town. She’s glad they never held anything against her fillies, or anypony in the herd, and their relationship has grown more cordial over the years. Plus, Filthy Rich has always been helpful, especially when he can expand his own business while doing so. It makes her wary, if only slightly.

“Come on, Mama!” Pomarbo says as he pulls away, Applejack reluctantly letting him go. He scampers over to join a beaming Diamond Tiara and an impassive Silver Spoon. “Ah got the day’s trips all planned out!”

Big Mac might have moved, except the orange mare in front of him demands answers with such rapidity he has to double check that there ain’t a ‘kerchief camouflaged against her coat. He answers in low, hushed tones that get the three young ponies to cock their heads curiously, unable to make out the questions.

“‘Bo and Diamond Tiara?”

“Eeyup.”

“My colt and Filthy Rich’s filly?”

“Eeyup.”

“Ain’t he a bit young?”

Big Mac snorts. “Eeyup.”

“An’ he’s got no clue what she’s up to?”

“Eeyup.” Big Mac draws in a little closer, confiding, “Ya might need to explain some things to him.”

Applejack chuckles mirthfully, shaking her head. “Ah’ll pass that along to Doug. Colt to colt.”

Big Mac winks. “Eeyup.”

“Hmm.” Applejack puzzles for a moment. “This happen the day we left?”

“Eeyup.”

“No funny business?”

“Eeyup.”

“Mm.” Applejack peers at the three youngsters. It’s not that she can’t find reasons to object; yes, he doesn’t have his cutie mark yet, but the innocently smiling young mare certainly knows how far she can push their relationship. And if they become friends, like Bloom and the rest of the Crusaders did?

“He seems happy enough.”

“Eeyup.”

“Well, shoot, Ah don’t see the harm in it.” Applejack and Big Mac approach the three young ponies, her ebullient attitude drawing curious looks. She confides, “Ah think this calls for a celebration.”

“You do?” Diamond Tiara says, taken aback at first. She quickly covers herself with a broad smile.

“For what?” Pomarbo asks, befuddled as he looks between Diamond Tiara and Applejack.

“Well, ya know,” Applejack says, taking far more pleasure in the colt’s confusion than she probably should. “The safe return of the Princesses. The papers should be comin’ out with the whole story, ‘bout what happened down in Klugetown, and Ah can tell ya more as we work. But Ah was thinkin’, ya know what would really lift Ponyville’s spirits more than a story in a paper?”

“What?” Diamond Tiara asks eagerly. She thinks she knows, but wants to hear it regardless.

“Ah was thinkin’,” Applejack says, stalling much to the other ponies’ consternation. “What about openin’ up cider season early?”

“Cider?!” Diamond Tiara cheers, tapping a rapid beat against the floor. Silver Spoon can’t help but join in, the delicious beverage a welcome staple at the Rich manor. And it would be fresh!

“Ee-nope,” Big Mac objects, shaking his head.

“What?” Applejack says, alarmed, turning to stare at her brother. “We got the apples planted for it, an’ Ah’m sure everypony would line up to get a taste.”

“Did somepony say cider?” Rainbow Dash asks as she swoops inside the open barn.

“It ain’t made yet,” Big Mac says, ignoring Rainbow Dash as she lands next to Applejack with a pleading look in her eye. “You know we always have trouble makin’ enough on the spot for everypony. This’ll just invite trouble, goin’ before we’re ready.”

“You might run out!?” Rainbow Dash exclaims, gasping as her hooves stretch her mouth wide. “I’d better get to the front of the line before Pinkie Pie gets there!”

“Rainbow Dash!” Applejack shouts at the rainbow contrail left behind the pegasus. She huffs, turning to Big Mac. “You’re right, we’d need to make it as we go. But we can do that, can’t we?”

Big Mac sighs. “Did ya run it by Granny first?”

“No,” Applejack admits, kicking at the floor. “But Ah can’t see her sayin’ no.”

“OH, COME ON!!”

Applejack and Big Mac glance outside at the loud shout. After a moment, a sheepish Rainbow Dash slinks back inside.

“She beat me,” Rainbow Dash mourns, slumping down and softly crying into the floor. “I don’t know how, but she beat me.”

“Good,” Applejack says with a fierce smile, drawing a confused and hurt look from Rainbow Dash. “Because we’ll need ya helpin’ make the cider.”

“Awww. Oh. Oh!” Rainbow Dash leaps up, grinning like nothing happened. “And you always reserve plenty of cider for your helpers!” She nods furiously, as though enough enthusiasm on her part would make up for any uncertainty on Applejack’s.

“That’s right,” Applejack confirms. She turns to Diamond Tiara, Silver Spoon, and Pomarbo. “We’ll need all the help we can get if we’re gonna pull this off. You in?”

“Sure!” the three chorus.

Applejack smiles. “Well, we’ll need to let everypony know. Think y’all can go through town and spread the word?”

“You got it!”

Applejack chuckles as the three race out of the barn, Pomarbo’s legs spinning wildly as he struggles to keep up. “Dash, go with Big Mac and help get the equipment set up. Ah’m sure you remember where it is and how it goes.”

“Yes, Ma’am!” Rainbow Dash exclaims, saluting before zooming out of the barn.

“Ah’ll go confirm with Granny Smith and round up the others.” Applejack pulls off her hat, fanning herself briefly. “Hoo-whee, this little shindig’ll be more fun’n when Twilight’n Trixie joined the herd!” Her face lights up. “Ah wonder if we have enough Zap Apples for pies!”

“Did somepony say pies?” Pinkie Pie asks as she strides into the barn, two dozen empty cider mugs haphazardly balancing on her back.

Next Chapter: Ch. 57 - Cheap Construction, Part Three Estimated time remaining: 22 Hours, 48 Minutes