Applejack’s Night
After making sure the stand was all prepped for the night, for the twentieth time if you asked anyone who wasn’t her or her family, Applejack got to work checking her inventory, again. Many could say what they wanted about the Paladin, most of which she just brushed off as idle gossip, but her prep work when it came to a job was definitely not something she would skimp on. “Come on, Applejack, it’s good to go.” Apple Bloom complained.
“Eeyup,” Big Mac concurred as he started to push the mobile stand. Applejack had to acknowledge that everything was good to go.
As they entered the gala hall entrance, “Announcing the arrival of Applejack Apple, Paladin of Sweet Apple Temple, and her guests Macintosh Apple, Cleric of Sweet Apple Temple and Magiville and Apple Bloom Apple,” a man dressed as a herald with a simple court trumpet and blew it. As they walked away, the three recovered from the blow, “Well, that ‘appened,” said Apple Bloom once they were out earshot of the announcer, “Ah jus’ wish tha’ trumpet weren’t so loud.”
“Maybe tha’ can be yer nex’ project, Bloom,” said Applejack in a half-serious tone. Apple Bloom then reached into one of the pockets of her apron and pulled out a notebook and fountain pen, much to the surprise of both her siblings, for about three seconds before they figured Twilight had something to do with her having those materials, and started scribbling down some notes.
As they walked, they saw Princess Celestia and Princess Luna, dressed in flowing gowns, Celestia’s was golden like the sun and Luna’s was argent like a full moon. “Hail Defender and Teacher of the Writings!” Luna exclaimed as she raised her right arm starting it from her heart and raising it to be at an angle.
Celestia lowered the arm, “We don’t greet with that salute anymore.” she informed her sister as she gave a bow to Applejack and Big Mac, “Welcome to the gala, your presence gives us great joy.”
Applejack and Big Mac both took a knee with Apple Bloom shortly following, “Yahr majesties, it's an honour ta be ‘ere.” Applejack replied.
“Eeyup,” Big Mac confirmed. Apple Bloom was respectfully silent as the diarchs rose and then the three Apples were on their way.
“I pray you enjoy the night.” Celestia said, “Just place your stand in the left corner of the hall, most of the servers are waiting for you. They’ll take the platters and such and will distribute most of the food around.” Celestia said just before she looked at the stand. While it did have mostly platters, there were two kegs, a deep pan with a ladle, several pies, mugs and several other apple-based foods. Her eyes opened in wide in slight shock, “Well I did make this order.” Applejack, Big Mac, and Apple Bloom went into the hall leaving Celestia and Luna to greet their guests.
As the three arrived at the spot Celestia told them a small army of men and women dressed as up-scaled restaurant servers with a little more of a flair. They started taking the platters, “Well butter mah biscuit.” Applejack commented as the castle staff got to work on distributing the food on the platters to the guests.
“Applejack Apple,” came a somewhat familiar voice, the three turned to see Baron Fancypants and the elegant and slender Fleur Dis Lee leaning on him. Some would think that Fleur couldn’t support herself, but Applejack knew better, Fleur was making it clear who had the claim to the Baron. “I dare say, I was surprised when Princess Celestia said she commissioned Sweet Apple Temple to cater, but I must admit with how you managed the wedding, I was looking forward to it over the last few weeks.”
Fleur walked over to the stand, “I’ll have a cider,” she ordered.
“Cold ‘r warm? We ‘ould also offer hot as well, bu’ et’s a bit ta warm fer that this time of year,” Applejack asked.
Fleur looked at the options, “A cold cider.” As Applejack served the beverage, she also caught Fleur’s victory smirk. It was clear Fleur still thought of the Apples as uninvited guests to the party, despite evidence to the contrary, and believed that the more “sophisticated” establishments were better suited to the task.
Applejack gave a little chuckle as she went to tap a keg, “Do ya want regular, hard, er special? Ah’m sorry ta say that we can’t serve tha Apple Family Special cider, most folks can’t quite ‘andle it. Last time et involved a rather big mercenary against mahself, Ah won out in case ya were wondering,” Fleur rolled her eyes, “tha time befer that involved some rather large grizzly bears vs Mac,” she gestured to her brother, “tha bears were aroun’ twice ‘is size, he drank ‘em under tha table.” Fleur rolled her eyes again, “we have transcripts from tha competitions that were overseen by a neutral party in case ya want ta verify any o’ et. Point is, ya need ta special order the special cider, and even then ya gotta prove ya got tha fortitude ta not get so drunk ya pass out. There’re very few folks out there tha’ can make that claim, o’ course Ah’m sure ya know at least one person who ‘an ‘andle somethin’ tha’ strong.”
“A regular, for both of us,” said Fancypants, “we have business to attend to tomorrow, and showing up to work with a hangover won’t do us any favors.”
“Not to mention start rumors we blew off the Gala after getting our tickets to go clubbing, that is some talk we don’t need,” said Fleur as Applejack finished pouring from the tap into a pair of apple marked wooden mugs.
“Sorry abou’ tha mugs, said Applejack as she handed the pair their drinks, “tha castle staff just left ta get some more suited ta this event.”
“Don’t be,” said Fancypants, earning a pointed stare from Fleur, “I like to experience a little rustic charm every now and then, although it has been ages since my last flirt with it.”
Fleur just took the mug with a measure of poorly veiled disgust, obviously used in a much more extravagant manner of dining. Soon as it touched her lips she could tell it was at the perfect level of chilling, and once in her mouth, the level of crispness rivaled that of the finest champagne she had ever had. “I thought you said this was the non-alcoholic stuff,” said Fleur after pulling the drink away from her face.
“It is,” said Applejack, “tha ‘ard ‘as a bit more nip ta et, and tha special has some real bite ta et, almost feels like somethin’ is tryin’ somethin’ inside yer mouth.”
“Well, I seem to have misjudged you. Well Roy, dear, we have others to converse with.” Fleur said as she directed the baron to head off into the crowd.
“Hopefully we will see each other again tonight,” Fancypants said as the two left Applejack and her siblings.
Just then as the couple left, several other nobles who saw the baron and his wife leave with smiles on their faces walked up to the stand and they started to order cider, most of them were absolutely flabbergasted over how delectable the cider was several were placing orders for kegs for their own events, several even trying some of the other items on the stand, such as but not limited to, apple cobbler, apple chips, apple crisp, apple dumplings, apple strudel, apple turnovers, Tarte Tatin, apple pudding and even some experimental recipes like Apple Bloom’s apple crunch bites. And there were many orders placed for the goods namely for Nightmare Night and Hearth’s Warming Eve.
After nearly half an hour a fair amount, say forty-five percent, of the Apple family goods, were consumed, and they received many orders for their goods, which meant business for them and the whole Apple Clan. Just as things seemed to have slowed a little, Applejack spied Pinkie and her sisters, she could tell Marble was more frighten than a hog when it was time for more bacon. Applejack turned to Big Mac, he seemed like he wanted to go over but was nervous as well. Applejack then poured Big Mac a mug of the family special cider, “Here’s some liquid courage, drink up and go for her.” Big Mac looked at her unsure. “Ah know she’s the sister of mah friend, but yahr clearly smitten by her and she by yah. Now drink and step up.” Applejack ordered. Big Mac downed his mug in one gulp, much faster than Applejack expected and walked over, effortlessly clearing a path to Marble.
“That’s got to be the nicest thing yah ever done for Big Mac, Ah’ve seen.” Apple Bloom commented. “Ah’m gonna talk to Maud, maybe she might know w’at Ah could do wit’ all t’e rocks we ‘ave on the farm. Maybe we can come up with somethin’ ta make wit’ em aside from a stone wall.” Apple Bloom then headed off following the still clear path made by Big Mac, ending up in his wake as the eldest and youngest Apple siblings arrived where the Pie Sisters had gathered.
Applejack continued to serve her larger wares and the cider, for about ten more minutes when a man with dark blue hair, dressed in the blue flight suit with yellow stripes of the Wonderbolts, a light blue pilot scarf with a pin silver in colour and shaped like a lightning bolt with wings, and a decent sized gauntlet in his left arm stepped up. Applejack noted that his ethereal wings were light blue and looked more auran than bird related like most Skyborns Applejack knew. “What will yah have, Sugarcube?” the paladin asked the Wonderbolt.
After looking over all of the goods, “I’ll take one of the apple pies.” he decided. As Applejack served him she tried to remember which Wonderbolt was right in front of her. She remembered Rainbow Dash had an identifier book, well a series of books dating to when the corp was first formed, of Wonderbolts, but she could not recall which Wonderbolt he was, but she knew he was one of the few current male Wonderbolts. As she handed him the pie his eyes widened in delight. After he accepted the pie, he dashed towards a table where Applejack saw more people dressed in similar flight suits, some wore knee high brown boots but clearly not for riding, with light brown pants, brown gloves, goggles and blue button-up jackets with golden lighting bolts joined together as the trims around the bottom, where the jacket buttoned up and the cuffs with collars that looked like feathers of different colors, all of them having unique ethereal wings, with scarfs of the same colors, among them was Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo. And watching Rainbow go wide-eyed in shock as the male Wonderbolt that took the pie dove into it, unceremoniously taking huge chunks of the pie in each bite. Applejack had a hard time suppressing a laugh as he licked the pan for the crumbs and such.
However, she turned back to the other guests and the servers. The servers placed the empty platters back on the stand and took more of the full platters to distribute the food. As for the rest of the guests, there were still many that seemed unsure about coming to the stand. Just then Rarity and a young man stepped up. The man was slightly taller than most men, he had long blonde hair, blue eyes, dressed in a white nobleman’s high social event suit, with black cuffs, a black collar with a blue bow-tie, he seemed to give off an aura of being of the Chantalot upper-crust. “Howdy, Rarity, what can Ah get for yah?” Applejack asked.
Before Rarity could answer, “What is this? Common carnival fare! Blah!” the man said and stormed off.
Before Rarity could comment about it, “It’s alright, Sugarcube, it’s not like Apple Bloom, Big Mac, Granny and Ah spent hours and days pouring our blood, sweat, and tears into each of these.” Applejack said with her eyes and clenched her first, also giving an agitated twitch of her right eye. Again before Rarity said anything, “Just go.” Applejack said as she opened her eyes to the pupils narrow. Rarity then left towards the man she was with.
After a few minutes after severing a few more mugs of cider, Applejack walked away from the stand to a pillar and tried to hide behind it. She started to feel tears in the corners of her eyes. She lowered herself to sit on the ground and covered her face and was about to cry when she noticed someone set down next to her. She looked to see the Wonderbolt that ordered her pie. “Hey, you okay?” he asked. Applejack only shook her head, “Here’s a tip for the greatest pie in the history of pies.” he said as he placed a five hundred bit note in Applejack’s left hand then a piece of parchment and said, “and an order to cater the upcoming Academy Graduation in a few weeks. May I ask, are you enjoying your evening, miss…”
“Applejack,” said Applejack, “Mah name’s Applejack, an’ all the food provided tonight was the complete work o’ the residents of Sweet Apple Temple,” continued Applejack as she stood back up and was about to leave, “Enjoy your evenin’ as well mister…” but stopped as she turned to see the Wonderbolt stand up too.
“Just call me Soarin, ‘mister’ is my dad’s name.” the recently identified Soarin then chuckled to his joke. Applejack also had a small laugh. “I’m also not one to brag, but that doesn’t mean my teammates won’t.”
“Tryin’ to win over a gal wit’ yer modesty? Ah think the term is ‘self-defeatin' humor’.” the paladin asked with a slight chuckle. She couldn't help but notice that Soarin actually made her feel better.
“Well, I got to let the most beautiful woman I have ever seen know I am interested in her somehow.”
Applejack did not respond to that right away. After a few seconds, “Yah think Ahm..” she started as she blushed. Soarin nodded with a welcoming smile on his face. “Yah lucky Big Mac has his eyes elsewhere, or he would throw yah the wall.” She said as she pointed out her giant of a brother who seemed to be having a silent conversation with Pinkie’s twin and clearly the two were not likely to separate anytime soon.
If Soarin was intimidated he didn’t show it, “Hey if you don’t want me around, I am certain you could knock me sky-high at Mach 10,” he joked.
“If yah were a Magicborn, yes, but all yah Skyborns ain't that frail, Ah wrestled Rainbow Dash a few times. Ah be sending yah closer to Mach 2.” The paladin also joked.
Soarin gave a little chuckle, “Well, it might be faster than that or slower, who’s to say? But either way, if I ended up in the hospital over any of it, and had to miss my own performance because of it. Yet I would definitely learn three things.” Applejack looked Soarin slightly confused. “That the girl I’m into, not because of some publicity or contractual obligation, has a good family; said family, namely her brother is definitely not someone I want to get on the wrong side of, but might tease a bit in good humor,” Applejack gave a smirk at that joke, “and it was worth it to make a go at her, even if all that came of it was a need for a medic.”
“Ya gotta fake interest in folks, especially gals?” Applejack asked with surprise.
“Occupational hazard of being a celebrity,” said Soarin with a weak chuckle, “and don’t get me started on the annual date auctions. So many crazy fans in one place, yeah not my idea of a good time. That's the one thing I have to give the actual Royal Guards, they don’t have all these crazy fangirls… or fanboys,” he had a pronounced shiver of fright when he said fanboys.
“Well, Ah was always told fame ain't all it's hyped up ta,” said Applejack, “that bit o’ advice came straight from my granny, Anna Smith.”
Soarin did a double take, “You’re related to the most awesome paladins of the last sixty years? Most folks would throw that around like a heavyweight.”
“We Apples are raised better than tha’, besides she really likes tha quiet life, an’ she ain't ta shy abou’ sharin’ ‘er war stories neither.”
Soarin gave a chuckle, “I know a bit about family obligations, my family has been part of the Wonderbolts for quite a few generations now. Same with Spitfire’s, we actually grew up together, she’s kind of like an older sister, probably why we know how to drive the other crazy at events like this. She said I could only have one item off of the usual Wonderbolt diet tonight, and I am so glad it was one of your pies, everything else just seemed so...lacking. So what’s the secret ingredient?” the wind elementalist asked. Before Applejack could deny it, “I really like apple pies, I cannot tell you how many different types I have had, but your pie is the best I ever had.”
Applejack wanted to blush and turn away in modesty, but she had a thought, “An Apple family closely guarded secret.” Applejack answered not missing a beat, and for some reason, she batted her eyes, “tha only way ta find out is to become part of the family.”
“So family only.” Soarin smiled as he heard the musicians starting to play a waltz. Soarin then held out his hand, “Can I start with a dance?” Applejack nodded as she accepted Soarin’s hand and he pulled her into a waltz setup. “Just gently place your feet on mine,” Applejack complained and pulled herself a little closer to her dance partner.
As the waltz continued Applejack noticed that she was being lifted off of the ground. She didn’t panic but only looked at Soarin, “Ah bet yah do this for all the girls.” She joked.
“Never danced with an Earthborn before now, so I cannot say I have,” Soarin said sincerely as he danced with her in the air above the rest of the party. As the waltz continued Applejack could not but help feel her heart go aflutter as she embraced Soarin, and she could not help but note that Soarin’s heart was matching her beat per beat. Shortly the two rested their foreheads on each other’s and they looked into each other eyes. “So how am I doing?” Soarin asked as the two smiled.
“Ah’m willin’ ta give yah a chance.” Applejack said as she wrapped her arms around Soarin’s neck closing the little distance between them. Soarin’s arms lowered to hold Applejack’s sides. “Can we go somewhere…” Applejack asked before she noted that she and Soarin were outside of the hall and were nearing a balcony away from everyone else, “private….” She then smiled as Soarin landed with her, “As Rainbow would say, ‘Well played’,” Applejack said as she took her right hand and brought it to the back of Soarin’s head and pulled it towards her and they kissed. As they pulled away, Applejack couldn’t help but notice that his lips still had the taste of her apple pie, which somehow made his lips taste surprisingly sweet. “So mah apple pie is the best yah ever had?” she asked as she looked into Soarin’s eyes, batting bedroom eyes at him.
“What will Big Mac thin…” Soarin started but was cut off by the paladin placing her right index finger on his lips.
“We ain’t gonna have a roll in the hay. So get that thought out of yahr noggin.” Applejack said with a slight glare, Soarin remained silent. “We’re goin’ ta just share this night, just like this.” Applejack took off her hat and opened one of the glass doors, “Yahr room?” she asked. Soarin nodded. Applejack pulled Soarin in and onto the bed and held him close as they laid on their sides.
“I don’t know about you, but this is…” Soarin started as he was lost in the paladin’s eyes.
“The best night ever.” Applejack cut the wind elementalist off with a kiss.
Applejack seems to have, all in all, a great night
So who's next?
'Um I think that's me'
Up next: Fluttershy
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Well, that was really a surprising chapter. Very nice and excellent work!
7786436 Why thank you, darling
Not much I can say other than great job on this chapter. I'm glad AJ's night, so far, has gone much better than in canon. :-D Though Fleur should learn to tuck in the claws. :-D Great job on the exchanges, emotional content and future chapter set-up in all the right places. I'll definitely be looking forward to more of this as soon as time and inspiration will allow.
7786854
Fleur, darling, it's okay. Not everyone wants your man.
I make no guarantees for the rest if the nobility, but I'm definitely certain of the Mane Six.
I personally prefer my guys sober, but that's just me.
SoarinJack, huh? Well, that happened.
8402330
Alcohol believe it or not is a know means to over come inhibitions, if drank in moderation, Big Mac is a fairly large guy, one cider (even the family special hard) is not going to intoxicate him, just take the edge of his inhibitions. Let's remember Big Mac is a shy, gentle giant, he'd always have to be concern about his surroundings due to the comparative fragility of the world around him and that would lead a man to become too cautious in something like talking to a girl. Guys, especially under 20 and even under 30, do get nervous before walking up to a girl. There is a reason why it's called liquid courage, one drink and you're more likely to say 'yes' to something you wouldn't other wise, even talking to the ladies. Also with the exception of 'Where The Apple's Lie', Big Mac doesn't talk a lot, so he likely has a few self-imposed barriers.
Now is the big guy 100% sober, no. But unless it's someone first alcoholic drink he had ever (which it isn't) and/or he has no alcohol tolerance (which is not the case), one drink will not get him drunk.
8402342
It's not a common ship, but Soarin rrreeeaaalllyyy loves apple pies.
I sense a little bit of shipping a sailin’! And I think I like it.:D
9322022
Soarin and Applejack best romantic moment.
9716380
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