To be honest? Twilight was glad to finally meet a pony from this world. What she wasn't glad about was being tied to her. Literally. No sooner than she'd exchanged pleasantries with this Applejack mare than the lead human took the other end of the rope and tied it to her. After that, the humans left.
Twilight was surprised when they dispersed so suddenly, but they didn't seem interested in bothering her or Applejack any further.
She felt tug on the rope, and turned to see that Applejack had moved a little ways ahead. "Come on now, village is this-a-way. It's my job to show you 'round and introduce ya to everypony. We can talk on the way."
"Okay, sure. But, uh," Twilight glanced at the rope between them, "is the rope really necessary?"
"Yes, but don't take it personally," Applejack said. "We do it to all the newcomers. It's for your benefit as much as anyone's. You don't strike me as the kind of pony who needs it on long, so I wouldn't worry about it too much. It'll come off when you're ready."
"And who decides when I'm ready?" Twilight questioned.
"I do. Now let's get goin' and you can tell me 'bout where you're from an' I can tell you about the Vale." She started moving forward, and Twilight was forced to follow. "Can't say I've ever seen a pony just strollin' through these woods before, what with all the spooky trees and stuff."
"I was able to sense the illusion." She knew the best lies are wrapped in truth, so she planned to be as honest as possible about her origins. She and Starlight had already worked out a decent backstory in case Twilight was ever asked about her past.
"Ah, must be a unicorn thing." Applejack nodded with a look at Twilight's horn. "So what brings you out here to the Everfree in the first place?"
"It's where I've always lived," Twilight said. This might seem like a risky claim to make in front of someone who's know these woods for a very long time, but the Everfree forest was vast. It was possibly the biggest and wildest forest in this world. Sunset said that Ponyvale was practically on the outskirts of the forest when it was viewed on a map all together, and that was at least a four day hike from the edge of the tree line. "Deeper in the woods," she clarified. "My family lives in hiding by using magic as well." This was technically true, sort of. And Zecora's treehouse was positioned north of Ponyvale, meaning that Twilight had, indeed, come from the deeper end of the forest.
Applejack's expression remained neutral as Twilight talked.
"Some things... happened, and I decided it was time to strike out on my own. So I've been wandering around for some time, and when I sensed the magic field, I decided to investigate it. And that's what led me here."
At some point while she had been talking, Applejack had stopped walking and fixed Twilight with her full attention. She stared thoughtfully for a moment, then stated, "Well now that's a boldfaced lie if I've ever heard one."
Twilight was taken aback. She felt her mind start to size up in a panic. What-How-I rehearsed that story a dozen times! How did she know? Was there something I missed? Did I say it to easily? What if-
Applejack's hearty chuckle broke Twilight out of her spiraling thoughts. "It's alright, sugercube," she reassured kindly. "Lots of ponies who end up in the Vale prefer to leave their past at just that; in the past. If you don't want to talk about it I won't judge you, but don't lie about it. I can spot a lie off the back of a flying toad."
The bizarre words took a moment to settle in Twilight's brain. "Huh?"
Applejack started walking again, having missed the inquiry. "How many town's have you been around?" she asked.
"None," Twilight said. "I've never been outside this forest. I've never even seen a human before today."
Applejack gave her a surprised look. "Shoot, you ain't joking, are you?"
Twilight shook her head 'no.'
"Well then, count yourself one lucky filly, Twilight." Applejack was shaking her head in amazement. "See, most settlements beyond the forest aren't that nice a place to stumble into. Especially with you being a unicorn and all, humans love to get their hands on magical sorts." She gave Twilight's horn another glance. "Chances are you'd be snatched up and sold to the highest bidder before you could even blink. You'd never get a whiff of freedom again."
"And the humans of your village wont do that?"
Applejack grinned proudly. "My people all have good hearts. Ponyvale is a sanctuary for us ponyfolk, a place where the humans treat us with some respect instead of making us beasts of burden. We all pull our weight o' course, but we ain't made to be slaves or pets." A note of bitterness had entered her voice. "We get to choose our path without fear of being hunted down."
Twilight was silent. She didn't have anything to say to that. She'd been informed of the reality that the ponies in this world lived, but to hear it so bluntly... Slaves and pets.
Twilight was saved from thinking about it too deeply when she noticed a sudden change of scenery. The grim and sickly trees abruptly gave way to healthy green ones, and the dry grey grass became dry and golden. Pretty autumn leaves were scattered on the ground, and the sky above was a brilliant evening blue speckled with clouds. She took a deep breath of the cool air.
"The enchantment's a ring!" she realized out loud.
"Yep, no way Rarity would let as live in such an eye sore, fake or not. She'll fill it in if strangers come 'round, -er, human strangers- but otherwise it's a ring like you said."
"Rarity... is she the unicorn who made the enchantment?" Twilight asked.
"She sure is. It's because of her that Ponyvale is even possible." Applejack smiled. "Boy, won't she be happy to meet you! You're the first unicorn I've met since Rarity, and that was six years ago."
"There aren't other unicorns?"
"Like I said, humans like magic types. It's hard for unicorns to get way," Applejack said sadly. "Mostly it's just earth ponies like me in Ponyvale; it's all the rescuers can afford. We do have some pegasi, but only three."
"What do you mean 'rescuers'?" Twilight asked.
"Humans on the outside who know what Ponyvale is and want to help the cause," Applejack explained. "They seek out ponies in bad situations and try to buy 'em off their owners an' bring 'em here. Course, it only goes as far as they can afford, which isn't much."
The next several minutes passed in silence before Applejack saw something that made her perk up. "I can see the edge of the orchard! Come on Twilight, I'd like to introduce you to the Apple family." She picked up her pace to a steady canter and Twilight followed suit.
The trees changed from evergreens to golden leaved apple trees. There were hundreds of them. Twilight, having spent most of her life studying in a castle, had never actually seen a farm before. It didn't beat a library full of books, but she liked the atmosphere here. As they ran, some of the leaves floated off the branches overhead.
"There aren't any apple's on them," Twilight remarked.
"Corse not," Applejack laughed. "We just finished applebuck season two days ago. You came just in time, actually. Here in a couple a' days, we're having the fall harvest festival. It's a mighty fun event that goes until the cider runs dry." She gave Twilight a grin. "You ever had a good cider before, filly?"
"I can't say that I have." Twilight had sampled wines before at feasts and official gatherings, but she was still developing the taste for alcohol. Her sister-in-law, Cadence, said it took her forever to fully appreciate a good glass of wine, so Twilight opted to keep trying it every now and then.
"Well, we'll have to remedy that then. Heh, Granny says a good cup o' cider is a cure-all. Speak of the devil..." Applejack slowed down to a trot, much to Twilight's relief. The earth pony wasn't even fazed while she was panting for air.
Twilight could make out the shape of a large red building through the trees just ahead. A barn, if she had to guess. And, shuffling toward them as fast as her joints would allow, was an elderly earth pony the color of candy green.
Applejack stopped walking completely as the elder started shouting at them.
"Applejack! Now where in the hay have you been, girl! Mac's had to load all them apples by himself after you ran off." She came nose-to-nose with Applejack who, for her part, just maintained an impassive look. "Explain yer' self!"
Applejack gave a tired sigh. "Granny, I was called to go greet our new guest. Didn't you hear the border alarm?"
"Oh, was that what all that racket was? I thought Pinky just got hold a' the school bell again." For the first time, the old mare noticed Twilight standing awkwardly to the side. "Well howdy there young missy! Where are your manners, Applejack," she went back to scolding, "you ain't even introduced us yet."
Twilight thought that was a little unfair, the old mare having barely given them a chance to say a word so far, but Applejack looked unconcerned about being reprimanded.
"Granny, this is Twilight Sparkle. Twilight, this is Granny Smith. She's the head here at Sweet Apple Acers," Applejack explained, "and she's been around these parts long before the humans even built the village."
Twilight extended her hoof and Granny Smith shook it vigorously. "It's nice to meet you, ma'am."
"Hey, Big Mac! Applejack's back!" a small voice with an accent to match Applejack's called from across the field. A small, yellow filly raced to meet them while a red stallion followed at a more relaxed pace.
The filly skidded to a halt a few feet away when she saw Twilight and stared at her horn. "You're a unicorn!"
"Applebloom!" Applejack glared at the filly, but she was completely ignored.
Applebloom gave a gasp of excitement and darted around to where she could see Twilight's flank. "Wow, your cutie mark is really cool, miss! How did you get an explosion? And do you think I could get an explosion for a cutie mark? Can you teach me? Please?" She gave Twilight a pair of big, hopeful eyes before being dragged back by the large bow on her head.
Applejack gave the filly a scowl that this time made her wilt a little. "Applebloom, I know you have better manners than that."
"But Applej-"
"Na-ah, I don't want to hear it. Now you go an' introduce yourself proper-like to Twilight. And no more asking about cutie marks till you learn how to ask nicely." Applejack nudged Applebloom back towards Twilight.
"Oh, she's just being a filly," Granny remarked. "Want's her cutie mark real bad, but don't we all at that age." She gave Twilight a wink.
This time Applebloom approached at a much more controlled pace and extended her hoof. "Hi, my name's Applebloom."
Twilight smiled and took it. "I'm Twilight Sparkle. And my cutie mark isn't an explosion, it's a starburst."
"But isn't that the same as an explosion?" Applebloom cringed as soon as the question slipped out, shooting a glance in Applejack's direction.
"Sort of, but it's more of a burst of excess magic whereas an explosion is a flaming combustion usually caused by incompatible elements."
"Huh?"
"It means that my special talent is magic, not blowing things up," Twilight clarified.
"Oh." Applebloom pouted. "Guess I can't do that then."
"Awe, that don't mean you can't do other important things." Applejack gave her an encouraging nuzzle. "You'll get your cutie mark in good time, little sis. Now why don't you go and grab Twilight and me some snacks before we head into town."
"A snack making cutie mark! Why didn't I think of it before!" And with that Applebloom was racing toward the barn.
"I better go an' make sure she doesn't make a mess of the place," Granny said before following.
"That just leave Bic Macintosh, my older brother," Applejack put a hoof on the burly stallion. "He ain't much of a talker, but you won't find a harder worker anywhere."
"Yep," he agreed with a nod. He extended his hoof for a quick shake, then said to Applejack, "I've got to go make my delivery," before dismissing himself.
"Us Apples have been in this area longer than anyone," Applejack said, "and the farm is the cornerstone of the whole village. Best apples this side of New Eques." She gave the trees a fond look. "Without 'em I don't think Ponyvale would even exist. 'Least, not in the way it does now. Keeps us mostly self sustained and independent of other humans."
For the first time it occurred to Twilight that she hadn't seen any of the aforementioned creatures around the farm. "Do the humans take any of the apples?"
Applejack gave her an odd look. "Course they do. They need to eat too, after all. And they sell 'bout half of it to put money toward the town. We'd have a lot of apples go bad if they didn't. But unless their comin' round to do some work, Granny runs 'em off. This here is a pony run farm. We may cohere with the humans that run the village, but we have enough self dignity to keep this place as ours."
There was a deep-seeded fire in Applejack's eyes, the pride and strength of a free mare. Those emerald eyes told what words never could. This pony had something in her that would never yield, but Twilight couldn't place what it was.
She felt something warm on her collarbone. Twilight shifted her stance to displace whatever it was, but it only grew warmer, almost hot. Confused, she looked down at herself only to see nothing there.
What the...? oh. OH!
She'd forgotten that the elements were still sitting around her neck. But now realization hit her hard as she looked back up at Applejack, the pieces falling into place. She breathed sharply into her nose.
The heat was coming from an element. An element that wasn't at the center of her chest, which was where her own element sat.
Twilight looked at Applejack like she was seeing her for the first time. She's one of the elements. This pony I've been talking to for the past hour is one of the elements of harmony. One of my fellow-
"Um, Twilight? Are you alright? You look live you've seen a ghost or somethin," Applejack waved a hoof in front of her face, causing Twilight to snap out of her reverie.
"Oh! Sorry," Twilight gave her a sheepish look. "I just realized something kind of important, that's all." She was careful to phrase her sentence in a way that it was completely truthful while not letting on too much. Twilight knew she'd have to tell Applejack everything sooner or later, but she wanted to wait and learn more about her first. Such as seeing if she's even heard of the elements of harmony before.
Applejack raised an inquisitive eyebrow, but when Twilight offered no further explanation she didn't pry. Luckilly, the silence was cut short before it became uncomfortable by the return of a certain yellow filly.
"I've, pant, got, pant, the snacks, pant, you asked for!" Still trying to catch her breath after racing towards them, Applebloom presented a small basket with crudely cut apples, unevenly sliced cheese, and crackers that had half their ranks broken in half.
"Good work, Applebloom," Applejack praised as she rubbed her sister's head in rough affection.
The minute she was set free, Applebloom began spinning in circles in an attempt to get a better view of her rump. "So what does my cutie mark look like?"
Applejack rolled her eyes. "I think you're going to need a little more practice before you get a cutie mark in snack-making."
Applebloom pouted, but only briefly. "Oh well, was worth a try. I'm gonna go try gold minin' again!" She ran towards the trees.
Applejack called after her, " Have somepony go with you! We don't need you falling in the creek again!" If Applebloom heard, she didn't show it. "Eh, she'll be fine," Applejack shrugged as she helped herself to an apple slice. She nudged the basket over to Twilight. "She's about as good at getting out of trouble as she is at getting in it."
"She seems pretty adventurous," Twilight noted, to which Applejack huffed a laugh.
"'Adventurous' is selling it short." She laid down in the grass, so Twilight followed suit. "That filly doesn't stop till she drops. Can't tell you how many times I still have to carry her to bed. I just wish she had other fillies to do it all with."
Twilight swallowed the cheese and cracker she was working on before asking, "There aren't any other fillies her age?"
"No, there are a few. She get's along all right with Twist, but not so much with the other two. Not her type o' crowed I recon." Applejack pawed the ground thoughtfully. "I guess you'll meet them soon enough, and then you'll know what I mean." She went back to eating.
As they ate, Twilight contemplated.
Applejack was one of the element baerers, that was clear. The element had cooled to it's previous temperature, but she could still feel where it had been warm.
So now I know what the sign is, but... She'd been around Applejack for over an hour before the element responded. That meant she could very well come face to face with the others and not know it. What were they talking about when it grew warm? The farm? No it wasn't the subject so much as how she talked about it. That look of pride in her eyes is what triggered it. That still didn't explain much, nor did it necessarily mean it'd work the same for the others.
Twilight refrained from sighing in frustration, lest she elicit Applejack's concern again. For now, she'd have to keep going with her original plan: wait and see what happens.
But at least she knew who one of the elements was already. Applejack seemed to fit the ticket perfectly. She was obviously very strong, even by earth pony standards, and she seemed very self-assured. This is somepony I can work with, Twilight thought.
She spent the rest of their short picnic daydreaming about what sort of heroes the other four would be like. What it would be like charging into danger with them, bearing the elements to save ponykind. If they were anything like Applejack, then Twilight was feeling pretty good about the outcome of her destiny.