//------------------------------// // Prolog: Reminiscing // Story: The Apple[jack] and The Oranges // by Nebbie //------------------------------// Applejack had just finished up a long day's work on the farm when Apple Bloom came over and sat down to lay with her. "Hey Applejack, just got a letter from Babs sayin' she's stayin' with the Oranges for a few weeks. You think they can get along? Babs didn't seem as fancy as ya said the Oranges were..." The yellow filly said. "Oh, I'm sure they'll get along like gravy and biscuits! I might've felt weird when I was over there as a filly myself, but I got along just fine with 'em! 'sides, Babs knows 'em pretty well, they live pretty close." She replied with her eyes closed. Just then, her cutie mark began to glow brightly. "Huh...another friendship problem. Come along, Apple Bloom." She gestured for the filly to follow, and they trotted to Twilight's castle. "Looks like you'll be headed to Manehattan with...that's strange, I don't think anypony in Ponyville has that cutie mark." Remarked Twilight with a quizzical expression. Apple Bloom instantly got excited and jumped up on the table. "It's Babs' cutie mark! You're gonna solve a friendship problem with my cousin, Applejack!" The filly squeed a little. "Well I'll be! I guess it has been a long time since I really talked to the Oranges. Manehattan, here I come!" She reared up and ran off, but didn't get far before stopping for a bit. "Oh, and watch the farm with Big Mac, okay, Apple Bloom?" "You betcha!" Replied the filly. "Hmm, I wonder what kind of problem those two could solve. The map's never sent a filly and an adult together before..." Remarked Twilight. Applejack packed up quick and took the first train out, barely stopping to send a letter to let Aunt & Uncle Orange know. After an uneventful train ride and a brisk trot, she rung the doorbell, and could faintly hear arguing from inside. "-not our daughter, it would be improper. Now, I should get that..." Said Uncle Orange. "Well Blood is, and they can wait! You should hear the things she's said." Replied Aunt Orange. "Blood has always kept herself under control in public, maybe you're the one who could learn a thing or two." Uncle Orange said, as hoofsteps and a loud scoff could be heard. Applejack shrugged, figuring that it was none of her business. Uncle Orange opened the door. "Ah, I see you weren't kidding about coming right away. I'm afraid we don't have much in the way of accommadations to spare, so you'll have to sleep with Babs in a bed meant for one pony, my apologies." He said regally. Applejack dismissively waved a hoof. "Pffft, it's nothin'. I've slept on some straw before, and Granny always said that bein' together in bed made family feel closer." He nodded and showed her in. Applejack was overwhelmed by a sense of nostalgia for her first visit. Everything seemed smaller, but it was no less strange and fancy. Babs greeted her by running up and hugging. "Applejack! Your cutie mark's glowin' too! How's Apple Bloom?" She asked. "She's fine. I would've brought her, but I reckon the map's a little stingy about tag-alongs." The orange mare said with a smile. Babs nodded. "Of course, of course! Why don't you get unpacked while I show the Oranges here how to deal cards and play poker? Can ya believe they never learned?" "I sure can, sugarcube!" Proclaimed a chuckling Applejack, who got to work with her single bit of luggage.