//------------------------------// // Me, Myself, and Apples // Story: Appledashery Vol. Two // by Just Essay //------------------------------// "Hey! Scootaloo!" I blinked. I looked up from my overturned scooter. I was in the middle of tightening a wheel along the sidewalk when I saw Applejack trotting casually my way, drawing a wagon full of livestock feed. "Howdy there, partner!" she said with a brilliant, freckled smile. "Oh! Hey, Applejack!" I smiled, waving a hoof. "How are you?" "Doin' just fine and dandy!" She scuffled to a stop with the wagon rattling behind her. She gave me a wry grin. "Yer lookin' bright-eyed and bushy tailed! Did school let out early?" "Uhhhhh..." I stifled a chuckle. "It's Saturday." Applejack blinked, looking honestly surprised. "Oh." A slight squirming. "Well, imagine that." "I'm surprised Apple Bloom didn't tell you," I said, returning to the wheel. "But... heheh... she's probably sleeping in. Just like Sweetie Belle." "To be honest, I haven't noticed. Time... uh... time's been gallopin' by mighty fast as of late." "Yeah, I guess." "Nice day out, though, huh?" Applejack grinned yet again. "Lemme guess... yer waitin' for Rainbow Dash to show up and kick the skies clear." "Eh... nah." Applejack blinked. "No?" "She's out of town at the moment." "... ... ...she is?" "Uh huh." "Uhm... what for?" Applejack readjusted her hat. "Is there some Wondercolt Convention in Fillydelphia or somethin'?" "Wonderbolt," I corrected. "And she's just..." A shrug. "...running errands, I guess. She's really busy these days." "Oh. Well that's a shame." "Nah, I don't think so." I looked up and smiled at her. "It just means she's doing good things for good ponies somewhere across Equestria! I mean—no job is too big for Rainbow Dash!" "Reckon yer right." "I'm totally right! Plus, it's cool... we got to hang out sooooooooo much during the Social! And she's gonna teach me new flying lessons once she shows up in town again!" "Wow... she is?" "Yeah!" I felt my tail waving. I fought the urge to giggle. "First thing I'm gonna do once I'm airborne is buzz Sugarcube Corner! Haha! All of the soda cans are gonna burst from their shelves! I just know it!" "That's gonna cause one heck of a mess." "Okay. So maybe I'll buzz Town Hall instead. Still... Ican'twait! Ican'twait! Ican'twait!" I looked at the clock tower towards the southwest edge of town. "Whoops! Gotta jet!" I turned the scooter over, strapped on my helmet, and hopped aboard. "Comic book's opening soon!" "Wow... I didn't know you or any of the Crusaders read comics." "Hah! Where've you been, Applejack? Sleeping under a rock?" "Uhhhhhh..." "Just kidding! I don't care!" Swoooooooosh! I zoomed off down the sidewalk in an orange blur. "Byyyyyyyyyye!" Applejack waved a lazy hoof. "Take care now..." She bit her lip, readjusted her hat, and pulled her wagon towards the opposite end of town with a muddled sigh.