//------------------------------// // First Month // Story: Six months with a broken wing // by Gi_Kay_Ay //------------------------------// As the rooster croaked his morning song at the crack of dawn at the east field of Sweet Apple Acres, everything was at peace… not like the battle fields Rainbow Dash was used to getting up. Everything seemed so… at peace, not like the fire and blood she saw every morning since the war began. But, what did she know? It was just the morning, everything is at ease when it's morning… …and right she was. "Good mornin' Miss Dash." All three Apple siblings greeted the prismatic pegasus. “Well, ain't you bright and early? Ah’m surprised Miss Dash, Ah’m surprised.” Applebloom said while getting the table set-up for breakfast. “Yeah, it ain't too common to see folk wake up at this time of day.” Applejack told the pegasus while chopping some apples. “Eeyup.” Confirmed Big Mac while flipping a flapjack. “Well, good thing I'm not common. Plus, that rooster of yours is loud enough to wake up the whole town.” “Heh, you could say that again.” Applebloom chuckled, earning a glare from her sister. “That rooster wakes us up on time, and when I mean us, I mean us Apples. It really is a surprise to see you up at this time Miss Dash. I was gonna go get ya when breakfast was ready.” Applejack made eye contact with Rainbow Dash as she placed the apples on the table. Heh, you make this too easy Apple mare. Rainbow thought as she put on a sly grin on her face. She walked towards the table where Applejack was and scooted close so that only she and Applejack could hear. “Well, now I know to wait until I hear that sweet voice of yours to wake me up ma'am.” She whispered and winked towards Applejack, the latter getting a bit flustered. “U-um,” Applejack eyes darted from left to right, then back to the pegasus, “Miss Dash, I don't think it's best if you do that.” She warned. “Why? Not scared are we?” Rainbow went to nibble the orange mare's ear, when she felt a hoof push her back. “I said I don't think it's best if you do that Miss Dash. Now, get ta eating, after that little act y’all be lucky if ya get lunch.” Applejack sent daggers towards Rainbow Dash as she went to seat herself leaving the pegasus behind in a shocked expression. “What happened?” Applebloom asked and then gasped as she realized something, “Did ya make her mad?” The little filly wore a worried expression. “Yeah, I think so.” Rainbow nodded. “Ya think so? Miss Dash, did she tell you that yer not gonna get lunch?” “Um, yes…?” Dash asked as she raised an eyebrow. The little filly's eyes widened at that confirmation, “Wow, y'all better fill up, if she said yer not gonna get lunch, yer not gonna have lunch. Anyway, what are we waiting for, fill yourself on some flapjacks and enjoy it!” Breakfast was delightful, especially since Rainbow took seriously the warning from the earth ponies. She ate more than she expected too, but it would do to fill her up. Harvest season wasn't until next month, but there were a few dozen rows of apple trees ready to be bucked. Applejack saw this as training ground for Rainbow Dash… a little try out per see. “C'mon, Miss Dash, it's time ta teach ya how to work the Apple way.” Applejack said while opening the kitchen door. “Well, I wouldn’t mind some of your teaching lessons ma'am.” Rainbow winked towards Applejack. Dash got up from her seat, and when she was going to pass Applejack an orange hoof stopped her in her tracks. A pair of furious emerald eyes met her oblivious magenta eyes, “Miss Dash, at this rate ya ain’t even gonna get dinner.” “Well~ Good thing I had a big breakfast. Now come on, it's time to get the job done.” She passed the furious orange mare and into the orchard. Everything that happened that day, happened all week. From the loud singing rooster, to the greetings from the family, towards those furious jade eyes Rainbow liked so much to see. Rainbow didn't eat much as well - as she liked to tease Applejack - she didn’t get lunch nor dinner as said by little Applebloom. But, she ate like a queen for breakfast. She was already used to eating only breakfast, for in the battle field there wasn’t much time to eat the meals they provided. So, she took that to her advantage and teased Applejack to no end. She has to get used to it eventually. Thought Rainbow Dash every time she teased Applejack morning, afternoon and night. Every night after Applejack finished dinner she had to go and change the pegasus wing bandages, because if she didn't it meant that Rainbow Dash had to stay more time on the farm. It's best ta get rid of her in good conditions for the army. Applejack always thought before entering the guest room, because once she entered there wasn’t turning back until she finished bandaging the featherless wing. And when she finished she always had a massive headache from the things the pegasus said, they were around the lines of ‘Are you lost ma'am? Because heaven is a long way from here’ or ‘If you where a vegetable, you'd be a cute-cumber'. Obviously the orange mare had a lot to deal with. They were already going to end week one of Rainbow’s stay on the farm, but the pegasus still hasn’t gotten the hang of bucking a tree properly. “Now Miss Dash, for the last time, ya gotta aim at the middle of the tree. There ain't any other place better then the middle ta buck it.” Applejack instructed. “Mmm-hmm,” Rainbow nodded, “ya sure know what your doing ma'am; the best place for anything is in the middle am I right?.” Rainbow waggled her eyebrows towards Applejack. The farmer sighed trying to not face hoof. “Consarn it, Miss Dash why ya gotta do such bad jokes?” “Cause I like to joke around, duh,” Rainbow rolled her eyes. “plus, it's fun.” She got ready to buck the tree and then kicked, causing all the apples to move a little from their branches. “Miss Dash, are ya ever gonna stop this?” “Stop what?” Rainbow questioned. “Stop jokin’ around? It’s getting annoying.” “I don't think it's ever going to stop ma'am, so I suggest you get used to it.” Rainbow Dash bucked the tree again, this time flat in the middle. As the apples fell from the tree and the sun sets. As the ponies that lived in the apple farm began their rest, the second week of the pegasus' stay came, and some new rules were set. “Alright now, good morning every pony,” Applejack greeted her siblings and the rainbow-maned pegasus. “As y'all know it's Miss Dash's here second week on the farm, she's a little rusty, but I bet it's because it’s her first week here, “She's been botherin' me non-stop and well, I suppose it's just how she is, so I guess I better get used to it, so, Miss Dash will be joining us for the afternoon meals-" She didn’t even get to finished the news as her sister interrupted her. “Yay! Im so excited! Oh, Miss Dash how you'll love the cooking here. Oh thank you Applejack! Thank. You!” The little filly went and hugged her sister, almost squeezing the life out of her. “Oof! Alright Applebloom, I get it, yer excited. Now calm down okay? Don't make a fuss about it.” Applejack smiled shyly as she tried to get her sister off of her. “Yeah, I really hope the food here is as good as it smells. Heh, haven’t had a good meal since, y'know, before the war.” Rainbow chuckled slightly at her own dark pun. “Yeah,” Applejack narrowed her eyes and frowned at the pegasus as she understood what Rainbow had meant, before turning back to the good news. “today we’re gonna do a good meal for ya, Miss Dash. Big Mac, ya better cook like ya have done it all yer life.” “Eeyup.” The red stallion nodded. “’Bloom, y'all make some nice apple juice, ‘kay?” “Alright! Yer sure ta love it Miss Dash.” The little filly cheered. “I hope I do, I don't want to be disappointed by you kid.” Rainbow ruffled Applebloom’s hair. “Alright then, now that everything is settled, let's get to work!” The second week had begun and Rainbow Dash finally had lunch and dinner after a long time. Applejack still was getting used to Dash's ‘personality’ as she called it, she had too; Rainbow wasn’t going to stop teasing her. It was difficult for her, especially since she had to go and change Rainbow’s wing bandages. Dash was at least trying to talk to her, with all the little ‘flirts' aside, she is trying to get through to the orange mare. But aside from that, Rainbow’s relationship with little Applebloom and Big Mac was okay. Applebloom and Dash had a lot of fun, making jokes and stuff. Apparently, Applebloom isn't supposed to be on the farm, she's suppose to be on the country side of Equestria, but Applejack’s stubbornness didn’t let that happen. Big Mac didn't talk that much, but him and Rainbow got along just fine; with Rainbow devouring his homemade food, he felt proud and well… that meant that he invited her gratefully into his home. That whole week was just fine, but the work still hasn't begun. Of course Rainbow is bucking trees left and right with Applejack, but they still haven’t given her any chores; that wasn't unnoticed with Applejack of course. The third week arrived with a sunny sky in Ponyville, the smell of freshly cooked flapjacks and apples roomed through the air as the cyan pegasus made her way towards the Apple family kitchen. “Good morning. How is everypony on this fine morning?” Rainbow Dash asked while getting to her seat next to the young filly as Big Mac was still cooking breakfast. “Doing fine Miss Dash, hope your hungry-“ “Starving!” Rainbow interrupted Big Mac. “-‘cause it’s ready. Catch.” Big Mac throwed the flapjack to the air and Rainbow got on the table, jumped, and caught the flapjack in her mouth. “Mmm-mmm,” Rainbow sang in delight as she ate the pancake, “you've made a great breakfast once again Mr. Macintosh.” “Eeyup.” Big Mac smiled proudly as he went back to cooking. “Oh, how it's nice to see ya, Miss Dash,” Applebloom greeted cheerfully, “I heard my sister is going to start giving ya some chores to do around the farm.” “Did you now?” Rainbow asked before hearing hoof steps behind her. “Yes she did,” Confirmed Applejack as she entered the kitchen. “Morning to everypony here. As Applebloom said, Miss Dash will have a whole buncha’ more chores to handle, so, Big Mac y’all won't have ta work twice as much as you've been.” “Eeyup.” The red stallion said while putting the freshly made flapjacks on the table. “So, after breakfast we'll teach ya how to do the chores, and we expect ya to do it right.” Applejack demanded from the pegasus. “You got it ma'am.” As Rainbow finished her mock salute, she dove into her breakfast the Apple siblings following behind. After breakfast all the ponies who lived in Sweet Apple Acres went to do their work. The third week of her stay of Sweet Apple Acres consisted of Rainbow Dash learning the routine of work that the Apple's had. She watched as either Applejack or Applebloom thought her to either hail hay or water the plants. Of course she knew that these weren’t the only things she would do on this farm, there will be lots more to come in the future. She enjoyed the meals, of course who wouldn't; it was food after a hard day of working, so she enjoyed it while it lasted. Especially with little Applebloom always talking non-stop. Then came the list of chores Applejack gave her, oh how Rainbow Dash dreaded the list of chores she had gotten. She tried to get everything right on the list, it was the least she could do. But when Rainbow did something wrong, like right now - Rainbow forgot to hail the hay - Applejack was the first to notice. “Miss Dash, I believe you forgot the hay.” Applejack decided to mention it while they were bucking the apple trees to see if Rainbow was able to buck them right this time. “Did I? Oh, I guess it just slipped my mind.” Rainbow stated flatly, aiming her back hooves towards her target of the tree. “Slipped your mind?” Applejack gave her a stern look. “Miss Dash, it's important to do your job here on the barn, you’re lucky Ah'm giving ya a chance ta buck these trees instead of being in the factory with Mac!” “Ma'am it's just hay, I can do it in less than a minute. Once I’m finished here-" Rainbow got ready to buck the tree, when Applejack interrupted her. “No, Miss Dash, always go with the list, and the first thing on yours is the hay. So git to the hay, Ah’ll keep myself busy with these trees." “Ugh, yes ma'am.” Rainbow did a lazy salute, rolled her eyes and went towards the barn. Their arguing were always like this one. Rainbow - every time this happened - always thought that Big Mac was right. Applejack is a might stubborn pony as he said, because every time Dash didn't do something, it was Applejack’s stubbornness to do the trick to make Rainbow do her chore. The fourth week came and she was already tired when she got to breakfast, she wasn't used to waking up before dawn only to feed the chickens. It was a miracle that there were even chickens alive in this environment. She was hoping to do nothing that day, but hey, we don't always get what we want. “G'morning Miss Dash!” Applebloom greeted with her energetic little self from the couch in the living room. Rainbow Dash couldn’t respond with words, instead she responded Applebloom with a grunt and sat next to the little filly. “Rough morning, huh?” Applebloom asked while looking at a picture above the fire place. “You have no idea. I mean who wakes up before dawn to feed those chickens.” Rainbow decided to rest herself on the arm rest as she looked at the kid. “Heh, Big Mac did, he always fed the chickens before y'all came.” Applebloom smiled a little towards the pegasus before she turned her head around again towards the fire place. That made Rainbow Dash curious as she also turned her head towards where the little filly was looking. It was a portrait of an old mare. Light green coat, hair white just like snow, amber eyes just like the filly next to her. Rainbow recognized her to be ‘Granny Smith’, the one to be on every label of the applesauce that the army provided… and just like the one they did here on this farm. “So that's your grandma, huh?” Rainbow broke the silence with that question. “Yeah, Granny Smith.” The little filly responded not looking away from the portrait. “Heh, good to see her other than on the cans. She looks happy in that picture.” “She sure does,” Applebloom still gazed at the portrait with a smile. “it was when Applejack came back home from a hole week from Appleloosa, she came back with a whole buncha' money. We couldn't believe it, then I saw how happy my granny was and I took the picture, it was nice seeing her happy.” The little filly replied as she smiled sadly. “What was your sister doing in Appleloosa?” Dash asked as curiosity took over her. “Oh, she was competing in their rodeo. Where do ya think all of those ribbons and trophies came from?” Applebloom pointed to a little cabinet filled with blue and red ribbons and a few gold and silver trophies. How come I never noticed that… featherbrain, Rainbow thought as she was still seeing all the prizes before her. Who would’ve thought that little miss Grumpyjack was a sports pony. “So was it just your sister who won all of those ribbons?” Dash asked as she waved her hoof around. “Most of them, yes, some were won by Big Mac, but they were just strength competitions. Applejack won all the trophies. She even won the one for fastest pony last year!” “Fastest… pony?” Rainbow Dash asked in disbelief. Her, fastest pony? Win?! How come I didn’t know?! Oh right… featherbrain. But now I have to see that in action. “Now what all y'all talking about?” That made Rainbow Dash flinch as she unnoticed Applejack’s presence. “Oh, nothin' Applejack, just admiring Granny Smith.” The little filly told half the truth, but the middle Apple sibling was still onto them. “Mmmm,” Applejack narrowed her eyes. “alright then… anyway, breakfast is ready so c'mon.” Applejack gestured for them to follow, the other two ponies doing so. As always the same old breakfast from weeks past, Rainbow even thought that's all that was for them to eat on Sweet Apple Acres. But she didn’t take it for granted; who knew what other ponies were doing in this situation of the war. And as all the ponies were done with their morning food, and as the sun finally raised, it was time to go work. As the end of the month was already coming, they had to prepare the shipment of the Sweet Apple Acres Applesauce towards the army. That week the Apple siblings plus Rainbow Dash had been busy non-stop, they had to work hard to get it ready before that week ended. Why? If they still had one more week before the month ended. Well, apple buck season is the next month that comes, so they had to prepare themselves to get ready to harvest all the apples - except for the few ones that they used for Dash’s ‘tryouts' - they had a lot to get ready if they wanted to have a little break. Thank Celestia they had one more hoof to help around the farm or else they wouldn’t have finished loading and sending their shipment on time. And as they sent away their last batch of applesauce, all the hard working ponies finally had a time for a breather. Applebloom made her way towards the couch as she finally rested on it and sighed, “Finally, a little time for a breath befo-" “Now c'mon Applebloom, time ta do your chores.” Applejack ordered. “-re Applejack ruins it, ugh! Ah’m a comin’ Applejack, Ah’m a comin’." The little filly sighed as she reluctantly got up. “Whoa, whoa, whoa!” Rainbow got between Applejack and Applebloom. “I’m just going to stop you right there ma’am.” Rainbow puffed out her chest as she defended the younger Apple. “Now, why is that Miss Dash?” Applejack raised an eyebrow. “Well, for starters, we just finished loading up, like what, one minute ago?” “Yes, Miss Dash, your point?” Applejack narrowed her eyes in annoyance. “My point is that this little filly was one of the most hard working ponies I’ve ever seen-“ “Well o'course she is, she's an Apple for Pete’s sake-" Dash interrupted the orange mare, “Don’t you think she at least deserves a little break?” she motioned towards the little filly. Applebloom saw this as an opportunity to make her point. “Yes Applejack, Ah’m tired and sore and I fell like my bones are broken-" Applejack rolled her eyes as she interrupted her sister. “Now that's just you exaggerating ‘Bloom.” Applebloom rolled her eyes as she continued. “Okay, fine. But can’t we at least take a little bit of a break? We’ve been workin’ non-stop for days… plus, didn’t I saw ya workin’ on some cider in the cellar?” That made Applejack’s eyes widen in shock. “Applebloom! What did I say about ya spyin’ on me?!” “Ya said that you did boring stuff, and whoo-wee were ya right. The only non-boring stuff ya do is when you go to the cellar and experiment with those apples, not to mention the refreshing smell they provide.” Applebloom explained with an innocent smile. “Oh~ So that explains that delightful smell you had the other night ma'am.” Rainbow said with a teasing grin. “What in tar-“ Applejack stopped, took a deep breath and then scoffed. “no, Applebloom, I said that you spyin’ on other ponies is bad and that ya shouldn’t be doing it. Sigh, sugarcube, I know you’re bored here, but try entertaining yourself in a different way, alright? "Now, about that apple cider… maybe, if Big Mac says yes, Ah'll bring it out.” Applejack told her sister with a motherly smile. “Yay!” Applebloom cheered as she waved her hooves around. “Apple… cider? What’s that?” Rainbow Dash raised an eyebrow in curiosity. “Gasp! Ya mean you’ve never had apple cider before?” The little filly questioned. “Never even heard of it.” Dash confirmed. “Applejack, y'know what this means?” Applebloom brought her hooves to her face as her eyes twinkled and her smile widened. Applejack sighed, “It means that we-" “We bring the apple cider!” And so they did. That afternoon all the ponies that lived in the barn went to the living room, Big Mac set up a nice fire in the fire place for it was a chilly night. As Applejack entered the living room wearing her stetson with the apple cider, the first thing that Dash noticed was the smell of the drink. Oh what a heavenly sent it produced. Now, thanks to the apple cider, the whole room smells of apples and cinnamon, and how pleased the ponies inside the Apple family living room were. “Mmm-hmm! That’s what I call a good smellin’ apple cider. Miss Dash, you’re sure ta love it.” Applebloom wore a cheeky grin as she drank her cider. “Yeah, sure, if you say so.” She went and grabbed a mug full of cider, it had foam on it so she was a bit startled by it not sure of how to drink it, of course that would be noticed by the oldest Apple sibling. “Miss Dash, don’t overthink it, just drink it.” Big Mac told the pegasus. “Hey, that rimed!” The little Apple sibling chimed. “Eeyup.” The red stallion nodded as he went back to his drink. Rainbow just shrugged, and as Big Mac told her, she didn’t overthink it that much. She took her first sip, and oh my was it an experience for her. The drink danced around her taste buds, apple, cinnamon and another flavor that Dash didn’t know of. With just that tiny first sip she took, she officially loved the drink with every fibber inside of her, and that wasn’t unnoticed with the Apple siblings of course. “Ya like it, don’t ‘cha?” Applejack asked with a smug grin. “Like it-" Rainbow gulped down the drink, “-I love it! Give me more!” And with that they started their break after a long time of working. They spent their time drinking the barrel of cider gleefully, talking and just taking a breather from all the stress around them. The sun settled down a few hours ago as the stars shown through the night sky. It was time to go to sleep for Applebloom and Big Mac. Rainbow Dash was saying ‘good night' to the kid until suddenly Applebloom turned around and said: “Y’all can just call me ‘Applebloom’ Miss Dash,” The little filly smiled at Dash as it warmed the pegusus heart. Rainbow chuckled as she smiled at the young filly. “Well then, Applebloom. You can just call me Rainbow Dash since we’re already at first name basis.” That made Applebloom laugh from the belly, “Will do Miss- eer, I mean Rainbow Dash, will do.” Rainbow and Applebloom shared a smile. “Same goes for me, Miss Dash.” Big Mac said as he stood up next to his younger sister. That made Rainbow’s eyes widen. “Wait, you want me to call you ‘Big Mac’?” She asked dumbfounded. “Eeyup.” The grown stallion confirmed with a smile. Rainbow took a while to process this in her mind, until she finally understood. “Uh, well then,” she smiled nervously. “You can call me Rainbow Dash as well Big Mac.” That was enough for Big Mac as he smiled contently and nodded in satisfaction. Applebloom and Big Mag bid their goodnights towards Rainbow Dash and Applejack, as both Applejack and Rainbow Dash were still next to the fire enjoying the warmth. “You don’t want to call me by my name ma’am?” Dash decided to ask the only Apple sibling that hasn’t asked for her name. “No, Miss Dash, I don’t want too.” Applejack coldly stated. “Why?” Rainbow inquired. “‘Cause Ah’m just not like my siblings, they get attached too easily to ponies.” The orange mare stated sternly as she frowned. “You don’t?” The pegasus asked, directing her gaze from the fire towards the pony beside her. “Well, I-“ Applejack widened her eyes as she realized that she was going to tell a stranger a secret of hers. “wait a consarn minute! We’re not talking about this anymore Miss Dash. C’mon, it’s time to hit the hay.” With that Applejack made her way upstairs, the pegusus following right behind. Applejack changed Rainbow Dash’s bandages in a silent yet rough manner, making Rainbow Dash sleep uncomfortable that night. As the day ended and a new week began, a new season was about to begin as well. Dash fed the chickens and had her morning talk with Applebloom before Applejack told them it was time for breakfast. But this time -this week, Applejack didn’t make Rainbow do her chores, this time Rainbow had to help Applejack get the fields ready for apple buck season. Which turned out harder then doing her chores. She had to put three baskets under every single one of the trees. Every single one. And to make matters worst is that they had five orchards. Dash noticed that there wasn’t enough baskets, but she knew better then to speak her mind and she set out to do her job. She loaded her cart full with baskets made for the apples. She worked alongside Applejack, helping her while her brother was at the factory managing the applesauce progress and Applebloom was doing her chores; which now also included Rainbow’s and Applejack’s late morning and afternoon chores. Rainbow put every basket at hoof. But it seems that Applejack had some sort of strategy. It took Applejack less then a second to put all three baskets under a tree. She grabbed three at one hoof grab, throwed them into the air and bucked them into place; it made Dash eyes widen when she first saw that happen. Rainbow tried once… or twice… or five times, but she just couldn’t. So instead, she opted to tease the mare with it. “Ma’am, it seems to me that you’re trying too hard… maybe you’re trying to impress me.” Dash waggled her brows as she wore a teasing grin. Applejack - as always - flashed a tint of pink on her cheeks and scoffed. “Well, Miss Dash, maybe Ah’m trying too hard or yer not trying hard enough.” She spat the last bit of her sentence as she got back to work. Rainbow just couldn’t leave it at that, so she just kept on going. “Maybe I could try harder... for a price.” She flashed a daring smile. Applejack just narrowed her eyes. “What are ya gettin' at Miss Dash?” Rainbow just kept smiling. “The price is that you just call me ‘Rainbow Dash’ and stop with the ‘Miss Dash.' I’ll, of course, will keep calling you ‘Ma’am.’” “I- I,” Applejack paused. “what?” She asked. “Just call me ‘Rainbow Dash' ma’am.” This time she offered a kind smile, the same one she gave Applebloom. This made Applejack’s pupils shrink. “I- I don’t know,” She looked at the floor and took a breathe and then kicked the dirt making a tiny fraction splatter around as she shot a serious look at Rainbow. “Listen here, when Ah’m finally comfortable around ya Ah’m gonna call ya by whatever name yer comfortable name yer with, ‘kay?” “Alright then, how about we change the subject?” Dash said deciding to talk to the farm pony. That afternoon they talked while working, the other day as well. Three days passed, they kept talking. Until they realized something; there weren’t more baskets. They were already done with the half of the third orchard when they realized this. So Applejack just decided to let them take a break until the day ended… reorganizing the tool shed, hoorah. “Stick in the mud.” Muttered Dash behind Applejack. “What was that?” “Oh, um,” Dash looked around for an excuse and found one. “Tool. In the mud,” She pointed towards a hammer that was for sure in a mud pile. “yep, just a tool… in the mud, nothing else.” She smiled and giggled nervously. Nice save Dash. She thought as she tried not to face hoof herself. “Yeah, sure,” Applejack shrugged, got the hammer and cleaned it. “So, Miss Dash it’s already coming to the end of the month. So tell me, how was it stay with the Apple clan for a month now?” She smiled kindly towards the pegasus. Dash returned the smile. “It’s been quite fun actually,” She put on a teasing grin. “especially with you ma’am.” Applejack rolled her eyes as she placed the hammer to it’s place, “Yeah, sure.” She said sarcastically. “But in all honesty; your family is one of a kind ma’am.” Dash inquired. “How so?” Applejack asked turning away from the pegasus to clean a tool box. Rainbow chuckled as she remembered some of the memories of the Apple siblings, “Your sister is something alright; she’s a curious filly for sure. Then there’s your brother, he may not talk as much but he sure is a great cook, and not to mention when he’s in a good mood he does double the cooking.” Dash put a hoof over her mouth as she laughed. Rainbow could barely hear it, she wasn’t even sure if it was true but she heard Applejack chuckling. Chuckling. Of course it wasn’t the same as laughing but for Rainbow Dash it was a win. “I’m hearing somepony chuckling~” Rainbow teased making Applejack flinch a little and burry her nose deeper into the tool box. “No, Ah’m not. Now get ta washing those tools behind ya, their not gonna clean themselves now are they?” “No, their not,” Rainbow faked a pout and then put on a confident smile and puffed out her chest, “That’s why their going to be cleaned by the most awesome pegasus in Equestria.” She kept smiling as she got a bunch of tools to go and clean them. When Rainbow Dash was finally out of the shed that was Applejack’s cue to start laughing. She could barely contain herself from Dash’s dumb jokes. She laughed hard knowing that Rainbow was cleaning those tools with the well pump - that was far from the tool shed - so she was sure Dash couldn’t hear her, but didn’t expect that one of her siblings would hear her. “What are ya laughing at sister?” Applejack eyes widen as she tried to stop laughing, “Oh, Applebloom!” She had a wobbly smile, “Ah’m not laughing.” She lied. “Are ya though?” Applebloom questioned. “Yep,” she lied again. “Not laughing at all.” She faked a smile as she started sweating. Applebloom just sighed and face hoofed. “Applejack, we both know that yer one of the worst liars ever.” That made Applejack’s fake smile falter as she kicked some dirt and sighed, “Fine, Ah’m sorry Applebloom.” She smiled apologetically towards her sister. “It’s fine Applejack. It’s just… I haven’t heard ya laughing in a long time,” The little filly smiled sadly as she remembered a time when her sister was always laughing and being happy before this war began. Applebloom missed the way things used to be, when the family was always together. Of course Applebloom had her brother and sister, but it still wasn’t the same. But then Rainbow Dash came and… something changed. It was like something was missing from their home and it was like Rainbow Dash brought it back. It’s like the pegasus is rebuilding that piece that missed from the family. But Applebloom still needed to ask to make sure it was the pegasus doing. “Was it Rainbow Dash that made ya laugh?” “What?!” Applejack asked as her pupils shrank and as she took a step back. Was it obvious? She asked herself. “Ya heard me-" Applebloom took a step towards her sister. “-did Rainbow make ya laugh or not?” she inquired. Applejack looked left and right to find a way out, but there wasn’t one, so she just sighed and nodded reluctantly. “Yes, she did.” Applebloom smiled widened as she clapped her hooves. “Yay!” She exclaimed, “that means yer not gettin' rid of her, right?” “It means Ah’m not gettin’ rid of her yet. Now it’s time for ya to stop spyin’ on me.” She pushed her sister out of the tool shed as the little filly refused to get out. Applebloom sighed as she got pushed out. “Fine, I get your message,” She rolled her eyes. “just loosen up a bit won’t ‘cha?” The little filly inquired. Applejack scoffed, but replied with a smile anyway. “Alright Applebloom, Ah’ll try.” That for sure made the little filly smile cheerfully as she nodded with contentment, “Okay then, Ah’ll let ya be then. See ya later.” With that, Applebloom left, leaving Applejack to sigh in relief and get back to her work. Not even a minute passed when Rainbow Dash finally came back. “I saw the kid coming back from here with a smile. What’s up with that?” Dash asked as she placed the tools back. “Oh, nothin',” Applejack said with a small smile on her face. “just that Ah’ll be makin' some fritters with some of the apples.” She said as she smiled some more. But Dash just raised her brow, “Fritters? What are ‘fritters’.” She asked. Applejack just sighed and shook her head. “It’s like ya don’t know anything about the good things on this land.” Rainbow chuckled. “Well, it’s nice to try new things.” She smiled and got back to work. Applejack got back to work as well, but this time with a small smile. The next day, since Applejack finished her chores in a jiffy, she had time to make the apple fritters she told the pegasus about. She did the same recipe she was taught by her grandmother. It was a hit for her siblings and for Rainbow Dash as well. And the month was finally coming to it’s end. It was the final night before the second month of the pegasus' stay at Sweet Apple Acres. Rainbow was sitting there in silence as Applejack re-bandaged her wing. Dash was bored, she needed to talk so she asked the orange mare one of the first questions she asked her: “How come you know how to take care of wings?” Rainbow asked as she finally broke the silence. To say the least, Applejack was debating on whether to tell Rainbow Dash or not. She just sighed as she shook her head and decided to tell the pegasus one of her stories. It’s fine, It’ll be just one. No worries. “Well, Miss Dash, right now in this life we gotta learn how ta take care of ourselfs and other ponies, and well, I just so happend to have bumped into a book of taking care of wings while searching for more healing remedies… and I learned, I learned every thing I had to know about wings, even it’s movements, heh, who would've thought it would come in handy.” She smiled sadly as she looked away from the pegasus and cleaned up the mess she made. Dash was silent as she looked in shock at the mare before her. Who would’ve thought that she would have to do that. This, for sure, was a new side to Applejack that Rainbow Dash had never seen, and now she was curious, but she didn’t let her curiosity take over her, so she just decided to find out some more the next month. Maybe she could even start calling me by my name. She got that idea planted in her brain. Now it’s her goal for next month, but right now her goal is to get some shut eye. “Well then, it’s been fun talking to you ma'am,” She faked a salute as she yawned. “Good night, rest those eyes of yours, and don't wake up too cranky.” Dash replied with a small smile, and that smile was apperantly contagious as the apple mare before her wore the same small smile as she left the room. “Will do Miss dash, will do.”