As the two exited the library, Twilight shut the door behind them with her magic as to not fall behind Applejack. "Where ya wanna eat?" Applejack said, tossing Twilight a casual glance.

Twilight visibly thought for a moment, looking up at an imaginary thought cloud. "Ah!" she said, "I would assume Pinkie would be at Sugarcube Corner today, baking. We could stop in and see what she has to sell?"

Applejack smiled and looked forward. "Sounds great," she agreed. Twilight felt a tiny sense of pride at having suggested a successful location.

As they walked in silence, Twilight looked at their surroundings. She was looking not in a hurried, panicking manner this time however. Instead, as she walked slowly alongside Applejack, she felt at ease. Colors seemed brighter to her, more vibrant. She'd have to document this feeling in her notes later on for further analysis. For now though, she merely took the time to enjoy it.

The sun was in such a position that it did not heat her coat to an uncomfortable level, but still kept her warm. There was a slight breeze to accompany such warmth as well, and the sky was cloudless, which was made possible by Rainbow Dash and the other pegasi. Twilight felt a sense of peace that she never really had time to embrace before, due to her always being either indoors or in a hurry.

"Sure is a nice day," she commented, trying to strike up a conversation.

"Mhm," she heard Applejack agree calmly, "Sure is."

Twilight notice that something seemed off with Applejack. Her smile had faded into a slight frown, and she kept looking in the general direction of Sweet Apple Acres.

"You know you can go back if you're worried," Twilight suggested, trying not to sound saddened. Applejack tried to fake a smile and shake her head, but saw that it had no effect on Twilight.

"I'm sorry, Twilight," Applejack said with a sad overtone. She sighed and looked back towards Sugarcube Corner. "Just feelin' guilty for leaving the farm, I suppose." Twilight thought for a moment, then had an idea that she hoped would perk her friend up.

"I know!" she said in a cheerful manner.

Applejack gave her a look of slight surprise, raising an eyebrow. "Huh?" she asked simply.

"If you're feeling homesick, why don't we go to your farm for lunch?" Twilight suggested, and immediately felt butterflies in her own stomach. What is wrong with me today? she thought, concentrating to not look nervous because of her own suggestion.

"That sounds fantastic!" Applejack exclaimed, smiling more sincerely now.

"Are you sure it's alright with your family if I eat there? I don't mean to intrude," Twilight said, cursing herself for contradicting her previous feelings.

To her own delight, Applejack waved a hoof. "Aw shucks," she said. "You're practically family at the farm, Twi'! They don't mind you havin' lunch there, much less you bein' there." Applejack nodded and then added with a smile, "And besides! You're with me; that oughta seal the deal, no worries."

They turned and began walking towards Sweet Apple Acres, and Twilight couldn't help but feel elated at Applejack's approval of her suggestion.

Twilight observed by Applejack's expression that she seemed genuinely happy now. "You really love Sweet Apple Acres, huh Applejack?" she commented, noticing how much she was stating the obvious only after she had said it.

"I sure do," she replied proudly. "I don't think I've ever asked; what makes you enjoy working on the farm so much?" Twilight asked curiously.

"Well, Applejack said, pausing to think for a moment or two, "I suppose it's the satisfaction I get. After a hard day's work I can just sit back knowin' it got done. I know I get a mite busy sometimes, but it has to be done."

Twilight looked over to Applejack in admiration. Applejack had always been a hard worker - it was one of the qualities she enjoyed most about her, though it kept her on the farm quite often. In a sense, Applejack was like herself, in that she stayed busy almost all the time in order to get her work done. Or perhaps she was more like Applejack?

"Do you ever regret not having more free time?" she asked, not quite sure where the question came from.

Applejack was quick in her reply, however, "Nah. I know that if I don't do it, the work might not get done."

Twilight shook her head. "No, no, I meant more free time to spend with your friends. With the others and myself," she said.

"Oh," Applejack said, seeming to grasp the question on a deeper level, for she took a short pause to ponder for a few moments. "Well I suppose I would like to see y'all a bit more. That'd be nice," she said, nodding at herself in agreement.

Twilight couldn't recall visiting her and felt slightly guilty. "I'm sorry, Applejack," she apologized, as if she'd personally wronged Applejack.

"What for?" the orange mare asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Well I don't particularly visit you. I just didn't want to impede upon your work, is all," Twilight explained.

Applejack gave a short laugh and shook her head. "It's alright, Twilight. I don't expect nobody to come visit me. I mean, you're welcome to an' all, but I'm usually pretty busy anyway. But you wouldn't be impedin' upon me or my work." With a smirk, she looked towards Twilight and added, "I learned how to multitask a long time ago with Rainbow Dash nappin' in my trees and whatnot."

Twilight giggled, and nodded quickly. "Yes, I've noticed she's taken a liking to the trees on your farm. Quite peculiar, seeing as she is a pegasus and all."

Applejack nodded, looking towards the sky. "I always thought that clouds looked mighty comfy," she said.

"Maybe she thought the same thing about trees?" Twilight offered as an observation.

Applejack shook her head slightly. "Wouldn't see why," she said," I've slept in trees before. They ain't as comfy as a bed, I can tell you that."

They both gave a short laugh, and then turned onto a dirt road that led into Sweet Apple Acres. "Home sweet home," Applejack said, producing a bright smile.

Twilight looked around and once again, everything seemed more alive. The leaves on the trees, which were now an array of bright colors associated with the Fall season, seemed to match the very apples that came from the trees. Inhaling deeply, Twilight noticed the lingering scent of apples and cinnamon, which originated from both  the land and the pies that Granny Smith created for everyone to enjoy.

She felt at peace on Sweet Apple Acres, and didn't quite know why she hadn't come more often. She was only pulled out of her dreamy haze when Applejack said, "Now what is she doin'?"

Looking in the direction Applejack's confused gaze was locked, she saw Rainbow Dash flying slower than usual. "Rainbow?" Applejack called to her, and the cyan mare turned towards her and waved. "Rainbow, what in the world are you doin'?" Applejack called, putting her hoof up to her muzzle for emphasis.

Rainbow seemed to secure something on her back then proceeded to fly towards the two. "Hey guys!" Rainbow Dash said as she approached. "What're you doing here, Rainbow?" Twilight asked.

Upon closer inspection, Twilight saw she was wearing something on her back, which explained the adjusting. Rainbow Dash landed on all four hooves, which was atypical of herself.

"I'd like to present to you.." she said, building up to a surprise. "..Turbo Tank!" she exclaimed as she whipped her flank around, showing that she was wearing a sage green saddle that housed her pet tortoise, Tank. Tank had some goggles on that resembled the kind that The Wonderbolts wore along with his shell having flames painted on it, and he grinned at Twilight and Applejack in his usual, slow manner.

Twilight stifled a giggle, but Applejack outright laughed at the display. "I never thought I'd see the day that you wore a saddle. Much less let somethin' ride on your back," she commented, gesturing to Tank.

"Hey!" Rainbow said defensively. "I didn't want to leave Tank all alone up in my house, so I decided to take him out to fly. He loves it!"

"I don't doubt he does, bein' a tortoise and all, but where'd you get a saddle?" Applejack asked, leaning on Twilight. The purple unicorn immediately tensed up for some reason, and shifted her weight to support the both of them.

"Rarity made it for me. It's straps so I can keep Tank from falling out while I pull off some cool stunts," Rainbow said excitedly. "But right now we're just doing some test runs so he can get used to it."

"And the goggles?" Applejack said, cocking an eyebrow.

"Just a little something to make Tank twenty percent cooler!" Rainbow said proudly, then suddenly raised an eyebrow of her own. "So what're you and Twilight doing, anyway?" With a big smirk and narrowed eyes, she taunted the two with, "You on a date?"

"What? No!" Applejack said, standing upright.

"A date? No! W-we weren't-" Twilight began to defend herself, stammering.

Rainbow Dash burst into laughter at the two's discomfort, and said, "I'm just ruffling your feathers, don't worry. Anyway, Tank and I have to go do some more test runs! Catch ya later!"

With that, she crouched down, then leapt into the air, spreading her wings to fly away in a light blue blur. Twilight looked over to Applejack, unaware of her own blush. Applejack rolled her eyes then sighed at Rainbow's comments. "C'mon. I can smell Granny Smith's pies just waitin' to be eaten!" she said as she licked her own lips at the thought, continuing along the path.

Twilight paused for a moment, but then felt her own stomach grumble. "Yeah," she said plainly, tagging along with Applejack sheepishly.