Sorry about the late update everypony. I had some company over today and couldn't get to work on this as soon as I would have liked. Anyway, we finally get a glimpse into Zorin's mysterious past, more to come I promise!

The morning was fully underway by the time Zorin found herself at Sweet Apple Acres. Just as Sweet Cup had said; the apple trees went on for miles around. She found herself with new respect for Applejack and her family. Maintaining such a large stretch of farmland was incredibly difficult. This morning had possessed some unique experiences which had given Zorin a great deal to think about as she walked the two miles to the farm.

“Truly I am a ztranger in a ztrange land,” Zorin said under her breath as she approached the large farmhouse. It was the kind of home she'd dreamed of living in as a child. The product of generations of work. Everything in this place was alien yet familiar to her on a level that was becoming genuinely unsettling. Nonetheless she was here and there appeared to be nothing she could do about that.

“Howdy there Blitz!” The orange mare from the night before approached her. Applejack wore a slight sheen of sweat that told Zorin she had been working just moments ago.

“Guten morgen, Frau Applejack, you said zhat you required verkers?” Zorin asked, more at ease with the down-to-earth farmpony than the others if only by familiarity with her line of work.

“Frau? Uh, ya'll can just call me Applejack,” the farmpony said with a hearty smile, “But yeah, got a big field to plow and less than a three days to do it in, so ah'm gonna be workin' ya'll ta the bone.”

Somehow the prospect only served to make the reborn mare smile. Physical labor was not only simple, it was something she knew. The barrage of emotions and thoughts that came along with that simple cupcake had deeply upset her, though she had not shown it during breakfast. Zorin had no desire to regale any of the ponies of this and with her exploits and being disturbed by a baked good would certainly raised questions. Now she was faced with simple and honest work, this she could do without question or reservation, and that was something she decided she needed.

“Das ist gut, I look vorward to zeeing if you can keep up vith me... Applejack,” Zorin said with a grin.

Applejack answered with a fiercely competitive smile, “Ah think you an' I are gonna get along jus' fine.”

“Applejack,” a deep bass voice came from behind her, a truly massive red stallion had somehow approached them without Zorin noticing. That was a little disconcerting, especially given his size. “Plows're lined up, seeds too,” he looked Zorin up and down, “New help?” he asked, his face an impassive mask of relaxed contentment. A week ago Zorin would've said he had the look of a simpleton, but now she could see that his eyes had the spark of true intelligence.

“Ja, my name ist Zorin Blitz, sehr efreut,” she said, holding out a hoof.

“Big Mac,” he drawled, and shook her hoof.

Applejack smiled as they shook hooves and said, “Blitz, this is mah big brother, he'll be plowing at the opposite end of the field.” Turning to her brother Applejack gestured to Zorin, “Zorin here is Germane, she just recently came to Equestria but she knows her way 'round a farm.”

Big Mac only nodded, a gesture so slight Zorin barely saw it. One might think him slow but to move so little with so much bulk bespoke a kind of constant control that made Zorin wary. He was smarter than he looked, probably stronger than he looked, and she got the distinct impression that he didn't trust her in the least. In her entire life Zorin could have easily named the few people whom she respected, Mac had just joined the illustrious list.

“Vhere shall vee start?” Zorin asked Applejack, with a grin that was as much a challenge as it was inquiry. Applejack answered by jerking her head in a 'follow me' gesture.

The field Applejack lead her to that they needed plowing was almost a two full acres of land. Zorin marveled at just how much sheer space the young mare's family owned. Her family had owned perhaps a fifth of this land to work and much was often left fallow because of their poverty. Taking a deep breath she noted that a heavy plow fit for a workhorse was set by the side of the field.

“I shall take zhis one zhen, ja?” Zorin asked, gesturing to the plow. It was old and beaten but showed the signs of many years worth of care and repair. A faithful implement of an honest worker, as her father used to say.

“That'll be fine,”Applejack answered, pleased at the new farmhoof's willingness to begin. “First thing's first though, ah'm gonna be out carin' fer the other groves, so it'll be up ta you'n Mac to get this done. If'n ya got any questions feel free ta give'm a holler.”

“Vater?” Zorin asked, causing Applejack to quirk an eyebrow.

“vate... Oh, water! Rain barrel's over there,” Applejack pointed out a large hoof-crafted barrel by the barn.

Zorin nodded and silently plodded over to the barrel, sniffed it to ensure its quality, then seized the small bucket beside it. With care Zorin gripped it by the handle using her mouth and dipped the bucket into the larger container, filling it to the brim. Then she sat on the ground, adjusted her grip to the nearer edge, and used it to give herself a good douse over the head. Setting the barrel down she gave her mane a good shake to spread out the moisture before turning back, sopping wet.

During the process Applejack's stare had gone from curious, to mildly impressed, to embarrassed, culminating in a soft red blush. Despite the mare's impressive body mass and stout musculature there was something almost exotic about her. Part of it was in her manner, she had an aura of distance and power that Applejack couldn't associate with a farmer. More aptly, Applejack likened her closer to a veteran guard or a career armspony. Certainly her body type wouldn't be out of place amongst the Royal Guards of Canterlot. Applejack still felt immensely embarrassed about confusing her gender, which Zorin had so blithely waved off. Even amongst the laid back earth ponies of her family it would have been a grave insult. Now though, while watching her new hire stretch lightly in preparation for the upcoming heavy labor, Applejack wondered how she ever confused the matter at all.

Mistaking the farmpony's gaze Zorin explained: “Zhe sun vill soon be overhead, I do vant to overheat.”

At that point Applejack realized she had been staring at Zorin for well over a full minute. She seized her stetson and pulled it low to hide her blush of embarrassment which had returned with reinforcements. Mac on the other hand had mimicked his new partners action, soaking his own head and mane.

“A-ah know tha' o'course, ah was jus' surprised ya'll did,” she muttered, her eyes darting sideways, trying to find something less interesting to focus on. She snorted out a derisive laugh, “Ah can't tell ya how many farmhooves I've had collapse on me, all 'cause they didn't listen.”

“Vell, I am vell avare of the dangers of heat,” Zorin explained as she made her way over to the plow that had been readied for her. “In ze summer, vhere I am from, it vould get very hot und very dry.” In spite of having hooves Zorin found herself enjoying the familiarity of the plow's mechanisms, hooking and latching the bits and buckles. “Ah, bitte, could you lock zhe final latch on my back Applejack?” Clearly the act of hooking up this plow was intended for two ponies, Zorin thought. There was no physical way she could bend her forelegs back far enough to secure the last buckle.

“Uh... Y-ya, no problem sugarcube,” Applejack replied. Resolutely denying the need to blush yet again, Applejack seized the buckle and pulled it taut.

“Ja, zhat is fine,” Zorin said as it reach an adequate level of tightness without becoming uncomfortable. Applejack secured the strap and backed away with an almost indecent haste, immensely glad that the new hire had her back to her.

With the plow finally strapped on correctly Zorin began a regimen of flexing and adjusting her body, carefully noting how each subtle movement affected the plow. Satisfied with that she was capable of properly maneuvering it, Zorin hitched it up slightly for ease of movement, and dragged the heavy weight over to the field. With a grunt of effort she moved her shoulders again and let the plow dig into the fresh earth. “Zhis vill be interesting,” she muttered as she dredged the ground, turning new soil over new soil. A small smile crept onto her face as the familiar motions and sounds of ground being plowed in expectation of new crops filled her ears.

Applejack simply continued to stare, although for an entirely different reason this time. Usually it took two ponies to both properly latch and secure the plow, not to mention moving it to the field. Yet, this new mare had nearly managed the entire job alone. Clearly, Applejack thought, she had not been joking when she'd claimed to be experienced. Applejack had originally thought she would've been pleased if even half of the new land was ready by weeks end. Now that may very well have changed.

“We might actually do this,” Applejack said out loud.

“Eeyup.”

Applejack turned to Big Mac who had just finished his own stretches. “Ready to get that plow on Mac?”

“Eeyup.”

The two siblings walked silence for a time, once the new hire had passed out of earshot however Big Mac opened his mouth.

“Ya'll like'r,” he stated casually, causing Applejack to miss a step and stumble forward a few paces before righting herself.

She pulled her stetson down again as she grumbled, “T-that's not... well, ah mean she's nice an' all but...” Applejack's train of thought was careening wildly down the rails as she scrambled for something to say. Eventually, honesty won out just as it always did in the orange farmpony's case, and she said, “y-yeah, ah guess so...”

“Mm,” Mac grunted around the perpetual bit of straw poking out of his mouth, “why?”

“Ah know ah jus' met'r but, ah dunno, somethin' about 'er jus'... clicks? Ah dunno,” her voice was forlorn and Mac's expression softened.

Since their parents had passed just after Applebloom was born Big Mac had ended up as much a father figure as a brother to his precious sisters. As such he was twice as protective, but also twice as susceptible to their expressions of sadness. Still, he knew full well that Applejack didn't really have anypony her own age who understood her. Oh the other five girls were great friends but none of them were farmers like Zorin clearly was. Outside of immediate family Applejack had nopony she could talk to about the farm without having to explain a half-dozen extra things. Certainly no other mares. Even in their own family most of the farmers were the colts, the few other mares were generations apart or lived dozens of miles away. Maybe, he thought, just maybe, it might do her some good to have another lady around the house who knew her way around the farm. Even her friends often remarked on how stubborn and foolhardy she could be, and such a friend might be good for her. And if Mac were being honest, Zorin's calm and exact demeanor was very similar to their late grandfather and their late father. Perhaps his own as well, and there was nothing bad about her that he could actually put a hoof on. He didn't trust her but, in fairness, he thought, he also didn't know her. With that in mind he turned back to his silent sister.

“Supper?” said Mac with the ghost of a smile around his eyes.

Applejack brightened up at the word and smiled, “tha's a good idea,” she answered, “ah'll tell granny ta set'n'cook fer one more!” At this point they'd reached the plow on the other end of the field. Applejack hastened to quickly secure the buckles properly before helping Mac drag the it to the starting point. Mac smiled as his sister dashed once the task was done with a 'see ya'll tonight' and set about working the stretch of land.

As the two farmers left Zorin to her own devices she found herself enjoying herself, much as she had thought she would. The hard work was a welcome burn in her muscles that she hadn't felt in ages. The heat of the sun, a feeling she had long since forgotten, lay pleasantly on her neck. Zorin knew it would fast become hotter but by that time she would have worked up a protective sheen of sweat against the sun's worst heat. However, it also left her with much time to think.

Looking inward and dwelling upon herself was yet another new and unaccustomed action she associated with mortals. Vampires did not think upon themselves or philosophize upon their natures. They were monsters, plain and simple. It was something she had liked about the state. No questions, no guilt or remorse. Zorin had known exactly what she was and had reveled in it. Not anymore though, and the confusion that welled up at that sentiment infuriated her. With a grunt of effort she poured that fury into the plow, digging fresh furrows in the earth to mark her anger along with her passage across the field.

“Vhat am I ekzactly?” Zorin asked out loud.

“Ya'll look like a pony ta me,” a tiny bell-like voice answered.

Zorin blinked at the intrusion, gazing to her left, without turning her head or changing her momentum, she observed a tiny filly walking alongside her. She was so small she barely came up to the lower-middle of Zorin's chest, and her coat was a pale olive color. Her mane was tied with a large red bow that matched her mane and she had wide, curious eyes the color of the sunset.

“You are Applejack's younger zibling, ja?” Zorin finally asked. Her new employer had not mentioned additional family but given the size of the house she expected a few. From Zorin's own experience, several generations of family usually lived together.

“Tha's right!” she exclaimed with childish volume, “Ah'm Applebloom! Pleased ta meet'cha Miss... uh...”

Zorin actually smiled a little, the drastic similarities to her sister would've made the relation obvious even without her guess. “Lieu-...” she began to recite her rank out of habit before catching herself and amending: “Zat is, my name iz Zorin Blitz.” The ex-lieutenant considered herself fortunate that she hadn't misspoken in front of Applejack or her brother. She suspected it would not have been let go so easily if that had been the case. The little, however, seemed perfectly able to let it go and continue with her questions.

“Tha's a weird name,” she said frankly, “And ya'll talk kinda funny.”

Zorin barked out a harsh laugh, and retorted “Zat may be true but to my ears you zound ztrange as vell.”

Applebloom laughed along with her, “So where're ya'll from?”

“Very far avay, you vould not know it,” Zorin said vaguely, as they strayed onto a subject she wanted to avoid.

“Well, why're ya'll here?”

Zorin pondered how to answer that question as she reached the end of one furrow and began the arduous process of turning the plow to begin anew. Of course this had another effect on the young filly.

“And what the hay happened ta yer eye?”

A grimace settled on Zorin's features. That was most certainly not a subject she wanted to discuss. Especially with a filly. After all, she had likely not been much older than the little one when she had lost her original eye.

Nein... Oma bitte! Nimm's nicht, Oma!!

Zorin grit her teeth, she could still feel the old witch's fingers digging into her face as she screamed. The feeling was stark and hateful, she had eventually re-payed the devilish creature in kind for the torments it had inflicted on her. There was one valuable lesson that came from her years as a slave though. That witch was the first to teach her that monsters are very real. She turned out of her memories and back to reality to regard the young one who had first broached the subject.

Applebloom had apparently caught on to her distress and moved away, worry starting to tinge her eyes. Letting out a calming breath, Zorin mastered her temper and put on a reassuring smile as she faced the filly.

“Apologies, fräulein, I did not mean to frighten,” Zorin said softly, “It vas not pleasant, vhat happened to my eye.”

“O-oh... ah'm sorry miz Blitz,” Applebloom seemed so earnestly contrite that Zorin couldn't help but smile again. “S-so... you're blind in that eye then?”

“Nein, I can zee quite vell,” Zorin answered.

Applebloom puzzled over that response before finally asking, “But ya'll said somethin' happened to your eye.”

“It did, but zhis is not my eye,” Zorin said with a diabolic smirk.

Applebloom's eyes went wide as saucers at that remark, “S-s-so... who's e-eye is it?” she asked, trembling.

Zorin's smirk widened to show teeth as she said in a sinister voice, “after I lost my eye, I tore out a demon'z to replace it.”

Applebloom gasped and stared, mouth agape as Zorin laughed raucously. Eventually Applebloom's look of horror turned to one of childish anger.

“Ah, I am zorry little vone, I could not help myzelf,” Zorin said, real humor in her smile now. Applebloom wavered a little before being replaced with a wide grin as she joined the laughter.

Zorin didn't have the heart to tell Applebloom that her little joke had not been altogether untrue.