//------------------------------// // Two // Story: Half a Pair Short // by Posh //------------------------------// Every blow that Applejack landed against the trunk of a tree echoed across the orchard like a thunderclap, which meant that Twilight heard her long before she saw her. She was braced on her front hooves, ready to buck another trunk, when she caught sight of Twilight and dropped to all fours, grinning.  "Yer home early. Wasn't expectin' you 'til the day after tomorrow. Everything okay?" "Yeah," said Twilight. "I just got homesick."  "Huh." Applejack rocked forward onto her front hooves again. "Well, what can I do ya for? World need savin', or you just lookin' fer somethin' sweet to bite into?" "Neither. Just wanted to keep you company." Twilight settled onto her haunches. "Do you mind?" "Not one bit. Lunch'll be on soon; lemme just nail a couple more'a these, an' we'll head over." With a crack that made Twilight cringe, Applejack slammed her hind hooves into the tree. Apples tumbled from its boughs, into carts and baskets assembled around the trunk. "Y'know, I reckon it's hard to get homesick over there." Applejack selected another tree circled it in search of the best spot and angle to strike from. "Everything's supposed to be the same there as it is here, right?" "Yes and no. It's hard to put into words."  "Well, everypony's supposed to be the same at least, right?" "More or less." Twilight bit her lip. "Applejack... is it okay if I ask you something personal?" "Anything, Twi. You know that." Applejack turned her back to the tree trunk, planted her front hooves in the grass, and leaned forward. "...What was your father like?" Applejack lost her balance and her buck went wide. One of her hooves grazed the trunk, gouging a crescent-shaped gash in the bark. Gravity pulled her to the ground with an oof, and she lay there, groaning. Twilight cantered forward, heart lurching. "I didn't mean to––" "Nah, you're... you're fine, Twi. Just took me by surprise." Wincing, Applejack let Twilight guide her back to her hooves. "I ain't used to anypony askin' 'bout my folks. Most kinda tiptoe 'round the topic." "I was worried that might be too personal." Twilight glanced away, fluffing her wings. "I'm sorry. Maybe I shouldn't have said anything." Applejack bowed her head. Then she cleared her throat and looked clear-eyed at Twilight. "Don't be sorry. Doc says it's good fer me to talk about 'em." Gently, she pulled away from Twilight's grip and turned toward the tree with a sigh. She stood, stock-still, for so long that Twilight began to wonder if she wasn't going to stay silent after all. She wouldn't have blamed her. When Applejack did speak, it was in a low, quiet voice. "If you know me an' mine, then you kinda already know my Pa. Apple Bloom takes more after Ma than him, personality-wise, but she's his spittin' image. He was big an' strong, but gentle, real gentle, just like Big Mac. Never raised his voice at any of us, never showed nothin' but love to our Ma." She raised her hoof, trembling, and let its edge rest inside the gash she'd carved with her misfired buck. Twilight dared to edge closer, coming alongside her friend. "What about you, Applejack?" "...Granny says I got his honesty. His sense of duty. The most dependable of ponies – that's what he was."  "Sounds like somepony I know." "If I'm half as honest an' dependable as him, then I reckon I'm a decent enough pony." A self-conscious smile crested Applejack's face. "But there's no substitute fer him. He was everythin' we were, an' more – the best pony I ever knew. No offense."  "None taken." Twilight unfurled a wing and let it rest over Applejack. "He sounds like a wonderful father. I'm sorry I never got to meet him." "Me too. You would'a liked him." Applejack sniffed and leaned into the hug. "But he's always with me. Long as me an' mine are alive, he'll always be with me." They stood like that for a while, until Applejack disengaged herself, giving Twilight a sidelong look. "You've never asked about my folks before." Not knowing what to say, Twilight folded her wings tightly. Applejack pursed her lips and looked back at the tree. "You know, I've always wondered... never asked, but always wondered... the other Applejack, the one from the other side of the mirror. This how it is for her, too?" Twilight thought of the other Applejack with her head bowed and the brim of her hat pulled low. She thought of a sputtering engine, tires crunching on gravel, and Apple Bloom crying out as she raced downstairs to catch her father, to say goodbye before he left her behind. "Yeah. This is how it is for her, too."