//------------------------------//
// The Apple Farmer 
// Story: She Kills Monsters 
// by chiko 
//------------------------------//

Upon closer inspection, you’re in an orchard. Delicious apples hang high above your reach. On the ground, you spot a figure hugging a tree.

“I guess I’ll check it out,” Renee said. She walked over to the figure and kneeled over the unconscious form.  “Wake up!”

The other adventurer stirs. Her only identifying feature is the long crimson hair flowing from her helmet. 

“Ugh, my head,” she groaned. “Oh, it’s you.” 

“You recognize me?” Renee helped the other adventurer stand.

“We met last night. Name's April.”

You hear a faint noise in the distance. It’s the sound of a horse drawn wagon.

“Let’s follow where it’s coming from,” April suggested.

The two of you track the sound, discovering a well trodden road. You wait as the wagon gets louder, eventually coming into view. It stops right in front of you, and you make out a blonde woman at the reins.

“Howdy. The name’s Abigail,” the farmer greeted, tipping her hat. “I take it ya got lost on yer way back to town? Need a lift?”

“Can we trust her?” April asked.

Make an insight check.

Uh, nine.

Her muscles are built from years of farm work, not combat. You can tell from her eyes that she’s earnest. In fact, she kinda reminds you of your sister.

“We can trust her,” April said with a nod. 

The two of you board the wagon. The farmer picks an apple from a tree above her head. She offers it to Renee. You didn’t realize how hungry you were until just now. 

I accept the apple.

As you eat, Abigail drones on about her life. 

“Normally, Ah’m not one to help adventurers out,” Abigail began, twisting the reins around her wrist. “But my little sister’s one — always runnin’ around gettin’ into trouble an’ such. Ah swear to my sweet Granny Smith that I’ll wring that li’l neck of hers for abandoning the farm.”

My sis does not talk like that.

Does too.

“You get in fights with your sister?” Renee asked.

“All the time,” Abigail answered. “Just last moon, she came around close to death, arm bent the wrong way. Ah nearly finished her off myself for trackin’ mud through the house.”

Wasn’t that the time when you broke your arm, Apple Bloom?

My sis gave me an earful for sure.

That’s what you get for climbing up trees during a rainstorm. Zap apples don’t exist.

They do too, and they’re delicious.

Abigail chuckled. “But, that’s what sisters do. They fight over nothing, but love each other when it matters.” 

Before you realize it, you’ve arrived in town. The wagon stops in front of a tavern.

“Best of luck adventurers. Oh!” Abigail reached into her bag and retrieved a small sack of coins. “This should be enough to cover my sister’s tab and a decent breakfast.”

“Thank you for your kindness,” Renee said, accepting the bag. “How can we repay you?”

Abigail smiled. “Just take care of my sis. The helmet’s just for show.”