A week had past since Applejack sent in the application and a letter came from Canterlot. She quickly opened the envelope and read:
Dear Applejack and Rainbow Dash,
We have received your application for adoption and thoroughly reviewed and checked your background.
An inspector, named Night Specs, will come at this appointed time at the bottom of the letter. She will interview yourselves and other household members and inspect the home and monitor your day-to-day activities.
The inspection will be your final determination for your eligibility for adoption.
Any form of bribery, violence, or coercing will not be tolerated and result in turning down your application and charge for criminal behavior.
From: Children's Services Agency
And the date was set two weeks from now. Applejack’s legs were shaking in anticipation and anxiety. She breathed a sigh of relief. If the inspector had seen nothing wrong, then they gain the right to adopt a child.
Applejack informed Rainbow and tried to be on her best behavior. And hopefully the rest of the family too.
***
A grey mare with dark purple mane wearing pointy glasses arrived at Ponyville, Night Specs. She came off the train with a luggage and a satchel.
Who came to pick up her was one of the potential parents, Applejack, along with her brother. Two elements of harmony seeking adoption, the headlines would be plastered everywhere. Night Specs was told to keep it professional and on the down-low. Well, these kinds of things aren’t usually shoved into the public’s eye and nobody wasn't interested in exploring other people’s business, except for celebrities.
Applejack first greeted the mare and said, “Let help with your stuff Miss…”
“Night Specs. But call me Miss Specs.” She pushed her glasses with her hoof.
“Nice to meet ya Miss Specs. A wagon is waiting for us outside the station.”
Big Mac pulled the wagon without saying a word, while Miss Specs and Applejack sat inside and getting comfy.
“May I inquire if Rainbow Dash would not be joining us?” Miss Specs asked towards Applejack.
“No ma’am. She works everyday morning until the setting sun. She has weekends off though.”
“I see.”
Then there was only an uncomfortable silence on their way to the Apple Farm. There was a guest room for Night Specs to occupy for her duration of her stay.
After unpacking her luggage, Night Specs walked around the house checking in all the rooms and inspecting the interior; the bathrooms, the kitchen, hallway, windows, doors, and the like.
In the living room she slides the tip of the hoof of one of the window sill and observes. Barely any dust, windows looks clean, and bits of dirt here and there on the floor. She let that slide since they were farmers.
Applejack was making a pot of tea while Apple Bloom was preparing the snacks. Big Mac went back working on the farm.
“This must be nerve-wracking Applejack.”
“Sure is Apple Bloom. But Ah am sure it will be all fine.”
Applejack and Apple Bloom set the pitch of apple juice and plated of apple-related confectioneries when Night Specs joined the two and placed a clipboard and folders on the table.
“Thank you for the accommodation. But can I talk to Apple Bloom alone please,” Night Specs said while eying Apple Bloom.
Applejack stared Night Specs then at Apple Bloom before she said, “Yes, Ah can do that.” She placed a hoof on Apple Bloom reassuring her, “It’s okay. I’m sure she will just be asking a few questions.” With that Applejack left the house to join Big Mac, giving the two privacy.
Apple Bloom straightens her back and chugged her glass juice and refilled it. “What do you want to talk to Ms. Specs.”
Night Specs gave a professional smile and opened one of the folders. It has a profile of Apple Bloom with basic information: birthday, list of family members, and education, and the like. She pulled the clipboard in front of her and straighten and placed a pen in front of her.
“I will ask a few questions regarding Applejack and Rainbow Dash. Please answer as honestly as possible. Your answers will just give me more perspective on the married couple.”
“A’right. Shoot.” Apple Bloom gave a stern nod. She knows that her answers may affect Applejack’s adoption but as the sister of the element of honesty, honesty was the best policy. Besides, Applejack was a good pony through and through.
A flurry of questions was asked like:
“What was Applejack like in your childhood?”
“Is she an exemplary role model?”
“What do you think of Rainbow Dash living with you?”
“Have they ever fought?”
After each question Night Specs would write Apple Bloom’s response on the clipboard. Even if she hadn’t said anything bad about Applejack or Rainbow Dash, it was nerve-wracking to have her responses being written down.
About 30 minutes must had passed and Night Specs said, “Thank you, Apple Bloom, for answering my questions.”
“No problem Ms. Specs. So, uh… Are ya gonna question everyone?”
Night Specs just gave a nod. “Is it possible for your brother to be interviewed too?”
“Yes. I’ll go get him.”
After interviewing Big Mac, Sugar Belle was then questioned too. The Apple family continued their business as usual on the farm until sunset. Night Specs kept to herself busy looking over paperwork and her to-do list.
The next two days, Night Specs would go out into town and asked the locals about Applejack or Rainbow Dash. The responses varied but all positive. They were pretty good ponies; heroes, local celebrities, former educators. Anybody would be proud to be called friends by them.
Night Specs looked over her several comments she wrote down and furrowed her brow. Everything seems all good. Too good, she thought. She talked with the folks living with them, looked at their records, interviewed strangers, and stealthily observed their actions, mainly Applejack’s.
Night Specs was at Sugarcube Corner and was looking over her files and notes. Night Specs gave a heavy sigh.
“Here your order! One banana vanilla shake and triple layer chocolate fudge.” A hyper voice said next to her.
“Oh. Thank you.”
“No problem!” The pink mare only looked at paperwork in front of Night Specs. She only giggled and left without bothering Night Specs.
I did my job correctly. Not a single blemish on their records. One last interview is with Rainbow Dash. Then leave for Canterlot.
***
Rainbow Dash came home just as the sun was setting. She had met Night Specs the previous two nights but hadn’t exchanged a lot of words. But tonight, was Rainbow Dash’s turn for an interview.
For more privacy, they went to into a reception room of Town Hall. Sitting the opposite of each other with only a coffee table between them.
“What is your feeling on adopting a child Rainbow Dash?”
She fidgeted a bit. “It’s exciting and worrying.”
“Worrying?” Night Specs noted that on her notepad.
“No! Not worrying!” Rainbow Dash facepalmed and was beginning to sweat.
Night Specs sighed and tried to Rainbow Dash into ease. “Rainbow Dash, I just want honesty. Calm down, relax.”
“But if I slip up now, wouldn’t that mean our chances to adopt a kid would be zero?”
Night Specs pulled her glasses off her face and grabbed a handkerchief from her satchel. “From all the ponies and creatures I talked to, there wasn’t a negative thing said about Applejack, you, or the Apple Family. I never met any adopters to show any bad characteristics that I condemned to not being worthy of being parents.” She finished wiping any dirt or smudge on her glasses and placed back on her head.
Night Specs continued, “This Q&A is nothing but procedural. Whenever a child is adopted, we always try to keep a close eye on the adopted family and do multiple follow-ups. My personal opinion, you don’t have to worry.”
“Right… Thank you. I was just anxious.”
"But I'm quite curious. What are you worried about?"
Just be honest. Just honest, Rainbow Dash thought over and over.
"Will I be a good mom?"
"Have you talk about this with Applejack?"
"Yes. Only a couple times. It's just always nagging in the back of my head. You know that I'm a Wonderbolt, right?"
"Yes I have. A very worthwhile career that many pegasus yearn for."
"Yeah... I'm lucky to be one. And it just so happen that I'm up for promotion to be a captain."
Night Specs became surprised and said, "That's truly something." Then thought about the meaning. "I see, so you will become more busier than usual. Even not even staying at your residence with your wife?" Night Specs made a note on her notepad.
Rainbow Dash was riddled with anxiety. She thought adoption was now hanging on a thread. It was too late, she already said it!
Night Specs gave a smile and said, "You don't have to worry. Let's continue."