Scarlet walked with her mother and her aunt Apple Bloom on the sunny dirt road. The three of them had met for breakfast in the Ponyville Inn before they headed over to Sweet Apple Acres.

“Ya know ah’ve been thinkin’,” Apple Bloom said admiring the countryside. “If you were born here in Ponyville, Scarlet, ah probably would have been your foalsitter.”

Cheerilee gave a little laugh. Scarlet herself smiled at the thought.

“You would have been a great foalsitter, Apple Bloom. I just know it.” Cheerilee told her.

Apple Bloom smiled back, then gave a sad sigh.

“There is nothing we can really do about the past,” Scarlet replied.

“Ah’m looking forward to makin’ a memorable future,” Apple Bloom said giving Scarlet an affectionate pat.

Apple Bloom had been in continuous contact with Scarlet since that day they met. Letters, meetups, and three days ago she even sent her a homemade apple pie (Granny’s secret recipe) as a token of all the birthdays and holidays they had missed with her.

Scarlet had learned to appreciate Apple Bloom in her own way. There were still awkward moments; Scarlet was not one to show physical affection, as for Apple Bloom every time she saw Scarlet she would throw her forehooves around her.

Apple Bloom was absolutely ecstatic when she found out Scarlet was coming to the farm. After talking it over with both Scarlet and her mother, she came up with a plan.

Cheerilee and Apple Bloom will arrive at the farm, have a sit down with Big Macintosh and Fluttershy, and give them facts. While that was happening, Scarlet will arrive with her credentials to survey the food preparations. Once her father has had a chance to let the news settle in, and Scarlet finished her job surveying the farm, the two of them will finally meet.

The plan was simple and it was mutually beneficial regardless of the outcome. Scarlet only wanted to see the farm and the other ponies whom she was related to. Just having Apple Bloom genuinely calling her family was more than enough for her. She would be disappointed if Big Macintosh did not accept her as his daughter. It would hurt at first but she knew she could live with it.

The group reached over the hill and saw the massive barn that sat over Sweet Apple Acres.

Scarlet was surprised, the barn was rather big, and bright. Against the citadels and spires of Canterlot, it was small. But in comparison to the small, quaint buildings of Ponyville, it was almost like a palace in itself.

“All right,” Apple Bloom said after giving Scarlet a moment to admire the farm. “Scarlet ma sister knows you’re coming. Ah kinda have to confess, that first night we met ah could not keep the news of you to mah self so...”

Apple Bloom scratched the back of her head.

“You what?” Scarlet asked, but she did not get a response. An orange mare was galloping her way towards the three of them.

“Here she comes now,” Apple Bloom said quickly.

The mare ran right up to Scarlet. She wore a cowgirl hat, had a three apple cutie mark, and wore her long mane and tail in a braid. She was larger than Apple Bloom, but Scarlet was still about two hands taller than her.

“Scarlet. I’d like you to meet your Aunt Applejack.” Apple Bloom said.

Applejack beamed at Scarlet in admiration.

“Landsakes child,” she said to her. “Apple Bloom wasn’t joshing when she said you were tall. And your color and freckles, you are ya Mama and Papa all rolled intah one!”

Applejack paused a brief moment to study her a bit more, then let out a gasp.

“And oh mah, your mane! Straw colored blonde, just like me! And it looks just gorgeous on you!”

Scarlet looked at Applejack’s mane. She was right, they did share the same color.

Applejack then erupted to throwing her forehooves around her. Scarlet was slightly prepared for it after her meetings with Apple Bloom.

“Come on, let’s introduce ya to all the family.” Applejack said keeping a forehoof around her shoulder as she started walking her towards the farm.

All three of them immediately voiced their objections at the same time.

“What in tarnation are y’all yapping about!?” Applejack asked turning to them.

“Sis,” Apple Bloom spoke up first. “Ah’m all for giving Scarlet and even Ms. Cheerilee a warm family welcome. But, Ms. Cheerilee’s wishes to keep Scarlet’s family connection on the downlow till she’s told Big Macintosh, and he has got a say on it.”

“Please, Applejack,” Cheerilee added. “I don’t want to embarrass him or the whole Apple family for that matter.”

Scarlet closed her eyes and nodded her head in agreement.

Applejack let out a slight gasp, then frowned as she looked between the three mares.

“Ah only partially agree with yah. Yeah Big Macintosh should know first, and ah respect that Cheerilee wants to break the news herself.” Applejack said finally turning her gaze back to Scarlet. “Alright, I’ll keep it to mah self, for now. But if Mac thinks for one minute that you’re any less of an Apple or girl who doesn’t deserves to meet her father, ah swear ah will buck the ever lovin’ tar out of him.”

Scarlet looked at her shocked.

“No! I don’t want to start a fight and ruin your family reunion.” She said quickly.

“Nah, don’t you worry none!” Applejack said not bothered. “Your Big “Daddy” Macintosh is not dumb, and ah’m sure Apple Bloom and Cheerilee will break the news gently to him. But ah’m just say’n you’ve got two Apple women who will be comin’ to your aid if things turn bad. You’re in good hooves, we Apple women are strong as we are beautiful. Heck you’re walking proof yourself, Scarlet.”

Scarlet felt her cheeks turn red.

“Th-thank you, Lady Applejack,” she replied.

“Lady!?” Applejack scoffed. “Please call me Aunt Applejack, or Auntie-Jackie. That was a name little ‘Tatter called me when she was a tiny filly.”

“Come on, Applejack, she hasn’t called you that since she was at least four.” Apple Bloom stated.

“Oh can it, Apple Bloom.” Applejack said quickly. “Shouldn’t you and Cheerilee got to go talk to Big Mac and ‘Shy? While you’re doin’ that, my darling niece Ms. Scarlet and ah will be appraisin’ the food preparations for the festival.”

“See you later, sweetheart.” Cheerilee said as she and Apple Bloom turned toward the farmhouse.

Scarlet followed Applejack towards the fields.

“Lady Applejack,” she said to her knowing full well she ask her to call her aunt. “For the time being I would like to properly call you by your title while I am still on duty with royal business.”

Applejack let of a small sigh.

“Alright fine. But let me tell you this, sugar cube. Ah don’t like this whole keeping things on the down low, especially around the family. It’s strictly out of respect for your mother’s wishes that ah’m keeping a tight lip. Ah don’t want to embarrass her none, or you for that matter.”

“Thank you,” She said politely. “I am most gracious.”

“Dang, Apple Bloom did say you were prim and proper. Ah guess that comes from being the personal guard to the princess herself.”

Scarlet then heard the sound fast hooves approaching her.

“IT’S YOU!” A young voice called out! “IT’S YOU! IT’SYOUIT’SYOUIT’SYOU!”

Scarlet turned and saw a light peach color filly running straight towards her. It was Sweet Potato, one of Big Macintosh’s and Fluttershy’s daughters and Scarlet’s half sister.

“BERRY! COME OVER HERE!” Sweet Potato called behind her. “IT’S THAT MARE WHO SAVED US IN CANTERLOT BACK A LONG TIME AGO, YOU REMEMBER? OUR GUARDIAN ANGEL? SHE’S HERE!”

“Whoa! Wait a gosh darn minute!” Applejack said, glancing at Scarlet. “Guardian angel?”

Applejack quickly put the pieces together before Scarlet could say anything.

“Is she talkin’ about that time she and her sister ran off from me in the Canterlot market and nearly scared both Fluttershy and ah to our early graves?” She asked Scarlet.

Both Scarlet and Tatter avoided eye contact. Applejack gave a small grin at the two.

“And some mysterious mare of the royal guard saved them from a slimeball who chased the two of them into a back alley.” Applejack finished.

“Auntie Applejack, that’s her. The one who totally kicked the slimeball’s flank! She was wearing golden armor at the time, but it’s her!”

“I was only doing my duty,” Scarlet said in a half lie.

Applejack looked at her with a new found look of approval while Sweet Potato grinned up at Applejack saying ‘I knew it! I knew it!’ in a sing-song voice.

Scarlet gave a little smile at the filly. When she last saw her she was still without a cutie mark. Now she was in her teens, with a horseshoe cutie mark and still just as energetic as ever.

“Uh, hello Tatter.” Scarlet said, meekly without introduction. “I’m Scarlet.”

“OH MY GOSH! YOU KNOW MY NICKNAME!” Sweet Potato said, bouncing up and down like a filly the morning of Hearth’s Warming Day.

Scarlet reached a hoof to shake. Sweet Potato took it and generously shook.

“Tatter, what are you yelling about?” A young salmon colored pegasus filly called out as she soared over the the hill, and landed beside Sweet Potato. “Oh,” she said shyly upon seeing Scarlet. “H-hello.”

“Berry Blossom,” Applejack said to her niece. “This here’s Scarlet. She’s been sent here by Princess Celestia to check on the food preparations.”

“Scarlet!” Sweet Potato said out loud, finally registering her name. “That’s an awesome name! It goes well with your pretty coat.”

“Thank you!” Scarlet said warming up to the filly’s enthusiasm. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Berry. I see you have your mother’s mane.”

“You know our mom!?” Berry asked, still timid.

“Not personally,” Scarlet corrected. “But I have seen your mother and aunt in the palace during official occasions.”

“Scarlet here is the personal guard to Celestia.” Applejack added.

“Whoa, so do like work with Gilitter’s Uncle Shining Armor?” Berry asked, perking up slightly.

“Captain Shining Armor is -well actually now that I think of it- he was my boss.” Scarlet replied.

“Aunt Applejack, Lights is up in a cloud again.” Berry said in a low tone pointing a hoof off in the direction of a low hanging cumulus.

Applejack gave a heavy sigh.

“That mare always gets moody around family reunions.” She muttered. “Could you excuse me Scarlet? Tatter and Berry show Scarlet around till ah get back. Ah got to go check on that filly before she goes off on somepony.”

Applejack galloped off, leaving Scarlet with her half-sisters.

“Lights?” Scarlet asked.

Sweet Potato gave an uncomfortable grimace.

“Northern Lights,” Berry clarified. “She’s the daughter of Rainbow Dash and Spitfire, the two ace fliers for the Wonderbolts. The two of them are always on tour and Lights has been living with us on the farm for a couple of years now. She’s not really... Well how can I say it?”

“She can be scary and mean to ponies sometimes.” Sweet Potato finished. “Come on Scarlet, let’s show you around the farm and meet the family.”

Berry and Tatter gave Scarlet the full tour of the pastures, the orchards, and the picnic area where many extended relatives were gathered.

Scarlet saw every single Apple pony had an apple, cooking, or country themed cutie mark and name to go with it. All of them talked like they were born and raised in the country as well.

Many folks introduced themselves politely to Scarlet, but they all felt like strangers to her, she only felt a connection with Tatter and Berry.

“You got a strong build about ya miss,” A stallion by the name of Golden Delicious commented. “What kind of farm ya work on?”

“Oh, I don’t work on a farm I work at the palace of Canterlot.” Scarlet replied.

“Ah you’re a high brow pony ah see,” he responded. “Ah hope you pick up a thing or two about country life before ya go back to the posh ponies. We country ponies may not be the prettiest bunch in barrel, but we are certainly the sweetest.”

“Have you ever made grape juice before, Scarlet?” Tatter asked her.

“Uh, no,” Scarlet responded. “Isn’t it made in a factory?”

“What you’re referring to is that unicorn swill,” Golden Delicious replied. “You haven't had real juice, whether it be apple or grape, till you tried it freshly squeezed!”

Scarlet was intrigued, she had dined on the best cuisines in Canterlot, and even on those rare occasions when Celestia invited her to share a meal, she had eaten food that was prepared for the crown itself. But never had she tried something a fresh on the farm itself.

Scarlet followed the two fillies around the barn and saw a large, open top, circular trough with a tap on the side.

‘You’ve got to be kidding me.’ Scarlet thought to herself.

Berry jumped into a medium sized bucket of water that sat next to the trough and quickly washed her hooves off. She then flapped her wings and flew straight into the middle of the trough with a soft squish.

The noise confirmed Scarlet’s suspicions, the trough was full of grapes.

Tatter bluntly jumped into the water, and then jumped straight into the trough with her sister.

“Come on, Scarlet come and join us!” Tatter called.

“Um... Tatter I don’t think that is a good idea.” Berry said quietly.

“Aunt Applejack said to give her the full tour. What better than going full hooves on? Wash your hooves off in the bucket and hop in.”

Scarlet glanced around, her thoughts siding with Berry on avoiding going in.

“Don’t push the city girl to gettin’ dirty, Tatter” Golden Delicious called to her. “T’aint proper for the lady.”

Scarlet scowled behind the stallion. She was against getting in, but justifying it was because Canterlot folk don't like being messy was just stereotyping.

“Girls,” Apple Bloom’s voice called from behind the opposite side of the grape trough. “Have you seen Applejack and that other mare she was with?”

“You mean Scarlet? She’s right there.” Tatter said pointing a grape covered hoof.

“Aunt Applejack went to talk to Lights,” Berry added. “She’s flown up in a cloud again. Aunt Applejack wanted to make sure she was keeping to herself and no one was bothering her.”

“Sounds like her,” Apple Bloom said, appearing around the trough.

“Eeyup,” a deep male voice said behind her.

Scarlet turned in the direction of the voice and saw following behind Apple Bloom was a large red stallion.

Scarlet took a moment to look over the stallion. He was big, muscular, and actually stood at least a foot taller than her. He had a seasoned, yet kind look in his eyes. His posture reflected of one who knew that his work was a craft, and he was everything to his work and his family. On his flank was a green apple cut in half. Scarlet knew immediately from the mark that the stallion was her father.

She was speechless, here he was in the flesh. With the exception of the princess herself, this stallion was the only living pony she had met who was taller than her.

He was a stud, like really! Scarlet knew he was her father and she was not swooning over him or anything like that. But at the same time she could now see what her mother saw in him.

“Scarlet,” Apple Bloom said to Scarlet pulling her thoughts back to reality. “This here’s ma brother Big Macintosh.”

He stared at Scarlet like he himself was also lost in thought looking at her. He then blinked a couple of times and gave a polite nod.

“Howdy, miss,” He said softly.

Scarlet responded with a nod as well.

“It is good to finally meet you, sir.” She manage to say to him.

“Likewise,” he said politely. “Would you please follow me, we have much to talk about.”

Scarlet followed after him.

“Bye, Scarlet! Please come and say goodbye before you leave.” Tatter called out to her.

Scarlet waved back, feeling a small boost in her mood hearing Tatter wanting to see here again.

“So Apple Bloom’s told me this isn’t the first time you have met Sweet Potato and Berry Blossom.” Big Macintosh said leading her towards one of the barns.

“That is true,” Scarlet said responding in her typical, polite yet reserved tone.

“She didn’t know that you knew exactly who they were when you came to their rescue. Your mother filled us in on that when we were speakin’ to her earlier.”

Scarlet remained silent.

“Tatter has must have written to the palace twice month for nearly a year hoping to get a response from you, so has ma wife Fluttershy. By the way, she’s having tea with your mother right now, ah’m sure she would like to speak to you after we’re done.”

Big Macintosh opened the barn door and lead her into the large barn that was full of head to hoof with apples. It looked like they were in the process of sorting the apples.

“Your mother has also told me that you are here to oversee the food preparations along with other things.” He turned around and gave Scarlet a piercing gaze. “Before that ah would like to take a good look at you.”

Scarlet, out habit, stood at attention.

Macintosh walked around Scarlet looking her over. Scarlet was living statue, but her heart was beating like a jackhammer in her chest.

“Mmmmh,” he said looking at her hawk cutie mark. His gaze went down to her fetlocks. “I see.”

His gaze went back to Scarlet.

“You know ah am not a general, you do not need to stand at attention.” He said softly.

“I am quite comfortable standing the way I am. Thank you though.” She responded.

“Ah was told by both Apple Bloom and Cheerilee that you would say that, but ah had to hear it myself.”

He gave a slight smile, turned around, picked up a basket of unsorted apples with his teeth, and placed it on a table close by.

Scarlet approached the table and stood next to him.

“You’ve got a build and no doubt have the strength of an earth pony. But you look like a city girl.” He said in a cold voice.

Scarlet nodded her head, it had been becoming more and more apparent the longer she had been in Ponyville.

“Cheerilee was born here in the country. She certainly can live among the elite of Canterlot, but she’s told me there are moments when she needs to be out in the open field, join in a tug-a-war in the mud, and eat some of the grass right off the lawn.”

Scarlet nodded in agreement. There were moments in her life when she had witnessed the country girl in her mother come out. Once or twice it embarrassed Scarlet but she understood, she still loved her mother all the same.

“Have you ever detasseled corn?” He asked her.

“No,” Scarlet responded. She didn’t even know what that meant.

“Have you ever applebucked?”

Scarlet shook her head.

“Have you even grown a small window garden?”

Scarlet felt her mood sink.

“No,” she said to him.

“Your mother says you’re quite known among high class in Canterlot.”

“That is correct.”

“You drink wine?” He asked.

“Yes,” Scarlet replied, curious at the question.

“Do you know the proper wines go with what meals, and what kind of clothin’ ya should wear to what party?”

“Of course.”

“You’re not just a city pony, you’re a Canterlot filly,” he said in a slightly disappointed tone. “Ah would have picked you for a unicorn if it weren’t for the fact that you didn’t have a horn.”

Some earth pony I am. A voice in Scarlet’s head said. Here I stand for the first time in front of my father, who has labored his whole life on growing all sorts of crops, and I don’t even own a potted fern in my apartment.

“Do you know what kind of apple this is?” He asked, pushing one in front of her.

Scarlet looked up surprised at Macintosh, and then at the apple. She stared at it for a while as her mind searched through all the information she knew about apples.

“A green one?” She finally said.

Big Macintosh shook his head.

“Definitely not a country pony,” He said to himself. “And what kind of member of the Apple family are you if you do not know anything about apples?”

Scarlet’s spirits dipped even further.

“Your mother also said you in fact changed your name.” He said to her.

Scarlet nodded, sadly knowing full well where he was going with the conversation.

“I was born Scarlet Glade.” She murmured.

“A good name,” he said. “Good country name. A name that would have been quite acceptable here in Ponyville.”

“I’m Scarlet Gala now,” she said poignantly.

“Why that name?” He asked.

Scarlet started feeling defensive. OK so maybe she’s nothing like the country ponies she had met here on the farm, but she still has made a good life for herself in the city and she was happy.

“I like Canterlot, it is my home. This is my first time on a farm, first time in the country for that matter. The name did not fit me. I’ve never been to a glade, I prefer the city. I like cocktail parties, operas, and going to art galleries. Gala reflects the upper class better, it is the gathering of all gatherings at Canterlot. The name just felt... right.”

“You’re right, you don’t strike me as a filly whose name should be glade.” He said with a calm voice.

They were in an agreement, but Scarlet did not feel good about it.

“But ah will not let one mare or colt who share’s my linage leave this farm without knowing something about our namesake.” He said, still in his calm tone.

Scarlet took a deep breath, anticipating the on coming lecture. So far this first meeting had become a catastrophe.

He motioned to the green apple in front of Scarlet.

“That there’s a Granny Smith. Mah own grandmother was named after that apple.”

Scarlet eyed the apple while he got out another one.

“This here’s a jonagold. Mah Pa was named after this one.” He said, placing it next the granny smith. “And this one is a golden delicious.”

“I just spoke with him a few moments ago outside.” Scarlet said looking at the apple and seeing a slight similarity in the color of the apple and the color of the Gold Delicious’ coat.

“You’re see’n the pattern. Can you have a guess what this one’s named?” He placed another in front of her.

“A macintosh?” She asked taking an educated guess.

“Eeyup,” He said reaching for another apple. “Ah think this is an important one you should know. It’s a relatively new apple mah Pa successfully hybridized and created when ah was still a blank-flanked colt.”

Scarlet looked carefully at the apple. She knew the shape and the color. “I have seen this apple around Canterlot before. I know the royal kitchens use this frequently when they make their desserts, and jellies.”

“Ah’m not surprised by that. Back when mah Pa first successfully created this apple he sent a barrel to the courts of Canterlot so her majesty may be the first try it’s delicious taste before anypony else. Celestia loved it so much she requested the royal chefs use this type of apple in all their fancy food. They infact served them at the following Grand Galloping Gala.”

Scarlet had a newfound fascination with the apple and his family’s direct connection with the princess.

“Do you know what ma pa named this apple?”

“Is it something with the word ‘royal’ in it? Or a Celestia?” She asked.

“Nnope,” he responded kindly. “The name he picked was gala.”

Scarlet glanced at him.

“It’s full name is scarlet gala.”

Scarlet for the first time ever, dropped her jaw. Macintosh just smiled quietly at her.

She picked up the apple and looked over it carefully. The apple was not quite ripe, she knew that from seeing others of it’s kind in full color and flavor in the palace. The darker part of the apple had a dark magenta, very similar to the color of her own coat.

The two of them stood there quietly, the new information milling through Scarlet’s head.

“This apple’s official name is-” She asked still in disbelief.

“Scarlet gala,” Big Macintosh finished, with a bigger smile.

He picked up the apple and took a bite.

“One of my favorites,” he said in between chews. “Ah grew up on this apple ya know? Made me strong. Applejack says it’s too rich for her tastes, but ah think it’s just fine.”

Big Macintosh pulled out another gala and gave it to Scarlet. She took a bite.

A familiar taste flowed across her tongue, she had tasted this taste before. The princess herself had a jam she liked to put on her toast every morning that was made from this very apple. She knew it because she had shared that very jam no more than a week before when she invited to lunch with her.

The two of them stood quietly eating their apples

“It looks like we’ve both learned something pretty amazing today, mah little filly.” Macintosh said finishing his apple and breaking the silence.

Scarlet felt a warm feeling sweep across her face when he said filly. It sounded like a word he used to address Berry and Tatter.

“Let me tell ya what ah learned. Yesterday Apple Bloom comes up to me and tells me Cheerilee, a mare whom ah loved before ah married Fluttershy, is coming to town and wants to see me. This morning was the first time we have spoken and seen each other for years and she breaks out tellin’ me that she had a foal which is my daughter by blood. And now she’s a grown mare, and personal bodyguard to princess Celestia herself.”

Scarlet watched his expression, his eyes were locked on her, a genuine look of pride and affection in them.

“The first thing ah naturally asked her is what is your name. She then tells me she called you Scarlet Glade but when you grew up you chose to change it to Gala. Naturally mah assumption is because you have found about you heritages and the connection of that apple from the palace.”

“No,” Scarlet admitted. “I hadn’t the slightest idea.”

“That’s what makes this news sweeter. Not only did you pick a name that perfect for you, without knowing it, the name itself is a name of the apple your grandpa grew, and also is the personal favorite of the pony you have sworn to protect?”

Scarlet felt her cheeks starting to glow and her eyes starting to grow damp.

“You must be thinking this is too much of a coincidence.” She said in an uneasy voice, as he saw the look of affection in his eyes at her. “I picked it because is was more elite, it felt more like me, it just felt right.”

Macintosh’s face seemed to swell even great with pride at her words.

“Somewhere up there mah granny must be laughing. Mah own daughter, mah flesh and blood, chose Scarlet Gala because she says it felt right. Sugar cube, ya may have done everything in ya power to more city-like and through it you’ve proven, on your own, without a doubt, that you deserve the name of an Apple.”

At that moment Big Macintosh laughed, a loud and jolly laugh.

Scarlet was taken off guard (kinda amazing given her profession) she wanted to laugh too, but she was so overcome with the news and with the prideful joy that seemed to radiate from her father as he laughed, that she simply swallowed her apple and wiped away the tears that were now speckling her cheeks.

Big Macintosh took a few deep breath to steady himself, Scarlet could see tears of joy in his eyes as well.

“An Apple knows their own,” he said finally. “Even when they grow up on their own in the city, your gut knew who you were better than what you thought yourself. Your an Apple, by both blood and choice. This morning ah woke up the father of two daughters, and just an hour ago ah found out ah have another one. And just now you’ve shown me that... you, are just as wonderful as mah other daughters. Scarlet a’m-”

Big Macintosh paused taking a breath to gather his emotions again. Scarlet didn’t need him to finish, his expression said it all, he was proud of her.

In that moment Scarlet did for the second time that day, something that was out of normal behavior. She impulsively, without invitation, flung her forehooves around Big Macintosh and hugged him.

Her father gave a joyful sob as he hugged back.

“You hug like an Apple too,” he said quietly to her.

“You’re my big sister!” were Tatter’s first words when Scarlet and Big Macintosh stepped out of the apple barn. She then ran toward her and gave her a tackled hug.

“This is so cool!” Tatter said into her neck. Scarlet was glad that she had washed her hooves after her grape smashing.

“So,” Berry said approaching her, even more shy than she was before. “Aunt Apple Bloom said that you’re our big sister and you’ve been watching out for us when we’re in Canterlot?”

Scarlet smiled back at her and knelt down to her level, Tatter still clung around her neck.

“Yes I have,” Scarlet said gently, not wanting to make Berry anymore uncomfortable then she already was. “And I promise to keep watching out for you, if you like.”

Berry, unlike her twin sister, walked slowly over to Scarlet and calmly put her forehooves around the other side of her neck as well.

“I’d like that very much,” She murmured softly.

Scarlet held her sisters, amazed how the two of them were showing tremendous amount of affection for her in to two completely opposite ways. Tatter with her high energy expressions, like ‘ohmygosh’ and ‘this is awesome!’ And Berry just simply holding on to her, with gentle yet urgent grip that seemed to say ‘don’t let go just yet.’

Scarlet heard a noise off in the distance and saw her mother with Lady Fluttershy, the two of them obviously overjoyed by the sight of the three sisters united.

The rest of the day was a welcoming party for Scarlet. It turned out Apple Bloom was not able keep silent about her meeting Scarlet. Applejack, her husband, Sorin’, their son Apple Bourbon, Caramel Apple, Golden Delicious, Apple Fritter, Apple Tart, Apple Dumpling, and Fluttershy we told about Scarlet by Apple Bloom in the last week.

Really the only ponies who didn’t know about it till that day itself was obviously Big Macintosh, a few of the younger Apple cousins, and the sisters Berry and Tatter.

“Hey Scarlet,” Apple Bloom called to her while the family was cleaning up dinner.

“Yes?”

“Ah’ve been meaning to tell you, when you and Big Macintosh were in the barn talking a feller I knew from school came by asking about you.” She said picking up a stack of pie plates.

“Who?”

“His name is High Score, he’s professional video game player or something.”

“Oh,” Scarlet said in an annoyed tone. “Him.”

“How do you know him?”

“I was bored last night at this inn so I joined a game of cards with him and friends and beat them.”

“If ah were to take ah guess, ah think he’s smitten with ya.” Apple Bloom shared.

“Well yeah I really creamed that smug, arrogant, colt and put him in his place.” Scarlet said confidently.

“That’s not what ah mean’t, sugar cube.” Apple Bloom replied, taking her gently by the shoulder and pulling her in closer. “Ah think you have an admirer.” She whispered into her ear.

Scarlet let out a half laugh.

“More like a rival! And if he’s thinking of stalking me, I know fifteen ways to break a stallion’s legs.” Scarlet said coldly.

“Well, go easy on him next time,” Apple Bloom said smiling.

“There will not be a next time.”

Apple Bloom just gave a shrug and smiled.

“I got to leave soon,” Scarlet said looking at the setting sun. “Her majesty is expecting my letter, and Canterlot-”

“Oh Scarlet!” Apple Bloom said quickly cutting her off.

“What?”

“Sorry that was rude of me to interrupt,” Apple Bloom said. “You said Canterlot and I just wanted to say. I know it’s your home and all, but I just wanted to say, the door is always open here at Sweet Apple Acres. Do you job at the palace and all, but please come visit.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Tatter said walking past the two, carrying a load of dishes. “Please come back and see us.”

“Of course,” Scarlet said. “Also come see me in Canterlot. I’ll show you how a city Apple lives.”