//------------------------------//
// Applejack 
// Story: Crushes 
// by James Pwyll 
//------------------------------//

"YEEEEEEHAW!!!" Twilight and Spike were definitely taken aback by the sudden call, and having only just taken a step inside the fence of Sweet Apple Acres, the two turned to see an orange earth pony mare galloping at full speed towards the nearest apple tree. She bucked it hard, causing every single one of those delicious fruits to fall into pre-placed baskets. 

Proud of her action, the mare smiled to her efforts, but Twilight was not so enthused, as evidenced by her sigh. "Let's get this over with." She and Spike walked up to this other mare, catching her attention by speaking up. "Good afternoon. My name is Twilight Sparkle, and..."

Unfortunately for Twilight, she didn't get the chance to finish, as the other mare took her by the hoof and gave it a vigorous shake. "Well, howdy-do Miss Twilight! Pleasure making yer acquaintance!" Letting her go, and seeing her recover slightly, she continued. "Always a pleasure makin' new friends. Name's Applejack!"

Twilight, finally getting out of her dizziness, put on a smile for her. "A pleasure to meet you too. This is Spike."

Applejack looked down to the small dragon accompanying Twilight, and the latter gave her a friendly wave, much to her delight. "Well ah'll be darned. Yer a dragon, ain't ya?"

Spike nodded proudly. "Yep. Pretty impressive, eh?"

Twilight rolled her eyes to that, but said nothing as Applejack chuckled. "Mah family would be pleased as much ta meet ya, Spike. We're jus' bout ready fer the big family lunch!"

Spike's eyes widened hungrily. "Did you say lunch?"

Applejack gave him a quick wink. "Sure did! Here..." She wandered over to a nearby table, where a number of apple-based treats had already been laid out. Taking one, she offered it to the hungry dragon. "Try this one fer size."

Taking it, Spike grinned happily as he munched down. Instantly, his eyes widened, as if having entered a realm of deliciousness he'd never known before. "That...is the best thing I've ever tasted!"

Applejack chortled. "Well, we Apples sure know how ta make em! We've got apple pie, apple fritters, apple tarts, apple dumplings, apple crisps, apple crumblers, and apple Brown Betty. Uh, the dessert, not my auntie. What do you say there, friend?"

Spike was salivating at this point. "...Will you marry me?" Realising what he'd said, and after hearing the chuckle Applejack gave in response, Spike shook himself out of it. "I mean...er...I think we're here to check on catering, right, Twilight?"

Twilight, who was thoroughly amused by this, especially as Spike continued bushing to this new acquaintance of theirs, patted him on the head. "Yes. Let's."