Not Ripe Enough
A dull thud echoed between the trees.
Harvest season had arrived, as it usually did, and all the trees where filled to the brim with big, red, delicious looking fruit. The aptly named Sweet Apple Acres was situated a short trot from Ponyville, and this early in the morning was one of the only sources of movement in miles.
A second thud preceded a short fruit downpour.
One of the most respected ponies in Ponyville, even before all that weird business with elements, eternal nights, chaos and whatnot, was working as usual. Her cowpony hat easily recognizable from a distance, as her high qualifications for the apple harvest of the percussive kind.
A wagon creaked under the weight of a basket full of apples.
Element of honesty as she was recently named (endowed? knighted? gifted? Magic was weird) she had an extremely developed sixth sense for detecting lies, Liars, lawyers and Layabouts. This sense, while not as versatile as the more pink variety, nevertheless was pretty accurate. And now it was accurately pointing her at a high branch on a nearby tree.
A quick brush under a tree, removing any pointy stones in the area and a quiet chuckle, born of amusement and an almost daily routine.
After a few instinctive calculations easily managed thanks to a close relation with her own trees, her earth pony magic and untold amounts of practice, a quick turn saw her hindlegs tense with an impressive amount of power and hit the tree with strength and confidence.
The sound of a hoof hitting a tree, and then silence.
The alarming absence of a pegasus impacting the ground in a flurry of curses and blue feathers was completely unexpected. A quick glance upwards was even more surprising. Instead of a lazy pegasus snoozing the morning away in a tree branch, a long and furless creature rested in one of the branches, dressed like one of Rarity's fancy ponnequins. Undisturbed by her efforts, its minotaur-like arms crossed behind its head, an easy smile showing its disdain for bucking-induced gravity.
"What in tarnation?"
What her trusty hooves couldn't manage, her surprised exclamation did. At least a little. The creature opened a single eye, and lazily stared at her. A slight smile appeared in its face as the other eye followed suit. Then it spoke.
"Well, nice to see you too. Do you come here often?"
That... was not what she expected to hear. His voice (because that was a stallion's voice no doubt about it) was smooth and almost playful. Even then, the strange situation was not enough to stop the automatic response to such a ridiculous question. In a tone so flat it could have ponies living inside it, she answered:
"I work here. who are you and what are you doing on my tree?"
"Oh, Applejack, right? I'm Lucius. I was just enjoying the shade. Now, instead, I am enjoying the view."
An eyebrow went up. This pony was not amused.
"Enjoying the view?"
A smile grew bigger. This... alien... Was absolutely enjoying himself.
His right arm reached up and lightly tapped a branch. An apple fell into his hand. Her surprise at this was left aside when his eyes focused straight on her, and he cheerfully replied.
"Of course. I can't help but enjoy seeing the most beautiful apple in this lands, Can't I?"
Applejack tugged down her hat, covering her face. In this moment her brother was not the only red apple in the family.
"N- Now, you listen here! I am supposed to harvest the entire east field before the sunset, and I can't do that with some weird... creature staring at me!"
Teasing successful, Lucius took a bite of his apple and relaxed. A breeze rustled his tree, slightly rocking him in is branch.
"Still, it's way too early to be working, You should be relaxing at this time. The sun isn't even out yet!"
Applejack paused for a moment. She was pretty sure that the glowing ball of fire slowly moving across the sky behind her was the sun, but her sixth sense told her that this 'Lucius' was only lying in the most horizontal of meanings. Turning around and looking to the sky, a full moon welcomed her. was Discord messing around with the heavens again?
Applejack heard Lucius softly hit the ground and walk over to her. She saw him walk past her towards the gravel path leading into town and stop for a moment, his eyes on the sky. Turning around, he waved her goodbye.
"Gotta go now, Applejack. Hope to see this sweet apple next time I pass by the acres!"
"Wait!" Applejack, embarrassed, took a step towards him. Whatever she was about to say was interrupted by the sun peeking from the horizon. Its glare forcing her eyes closed. She heard Lucius whisper three words:
"Good morning, Jackie"
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When Applejack opened her eyes again, she was in her bed, the sun welcoming the new day from outside her window.