Applejack Apple, daughter to apperantly very creative parents in terms of name-giving, stood before the large building she and her team had spent the last months renovating. The new sign hanging over the door was a sight that made Applejack's heart soar. The walls were painted a pale shade of orange only a few days ago, the smell of fresh paint still lingering in the fresh fall air.
Fall, the perfect season to go to a restaurant in Applejack's opinion. A restaurant like the one she was standing in front of, her very own. She smiled proudly and stepped inside. The floorboards no longer creaking under her weight, as she had replaced each and every wooden plank she was walking across. Applejack took the practically finished restaurant in. The walls, painted a deep red, calming and inviting. The empty tables, begging for people to sit and eat. The pictures on the wall, some bought, some of Applejack's own creations, and some of two of her friend's works, who were also going to be working at the restaurant. And the bar to the right side of the door, waiting to be used for taking orders.
Applejack entered the kitchen, the two pantries on opposite sides of the kitchen filled with all kinds of goods and produce, their delightful smell filling the kitchen. Although the restaurant was ready to take customers, in Applejack's eyes there was still much to do. There was a large empty room next to the employee's exit that she had no idea what to do with. The office was small and not renovated yet, a large arcade machine in its center on the wall with a cash box on top of it, a box with aprons and one small chair standing off to the side. The space for washing plates and cutlery was also blocked by several cleaning supplies, mops, buckets and boxes, the whole area blocked of by a room divider.
But it was alright, at least for tonight. Tonight was opening night, and Applejack invited her friends and family to come. It would be a small group of people, perfect for easing into the job. Not that Applejack was nervous, oh no. She passed culinary arts school with flying colors alongside her friend, Pinkie Pie, who was of course the first person she hired. No, the cooking or the quality wouldn't be the problem, it was actually starting a restaurant, fufilling the dream she had ever since she was little.
"Applejack, hey!" She heard a familiar voice behind her. "Are the others here yet?"
Applejack turned around with a smile on her face. "Nope, you're the first one, Sunset!"
Sunset Shimmer, one of Applejack's friends she knew from High School. She went on to go to an art school a town away, but had always been a talented cook in Applejack's eyes. A perfect addition to her crew.
She took off her jacket and hung it on one of the hooks next to the employee's exit. Or entry, in some cases. "I thought they'd be here already, big night and all!"
"Ah'm sure they'll be here any second."
As if on cue, the employee's entry burst open wide, having been kicked open by the next cook Applejack had hired. Former captain of her High School's... pretty much every team, Rainbow Dash.
"Heeeelllllo, Applejack!" She announced, taking the shades off her nose and tugging them behind her collar so they would hang off of it. "And Sunset, good to see you too!"
"Hey, Dash."
"Heya, Rainbow!" Sunset greeted. "Cool shades, where'd you get them?
Rainbow grinned mischievously. "I stole them with permission!"
"What's that even s'pposed ta mean?" Applejack shook her head like a disappointed mother.
The prysmatic-haired woman shrugged and strutted into the kitched, discarding her jacket by throwing it over the room divider. "Where's Pinkie?", she asked, looking around the room.
"I'm right here, Dashie!"
Everyone jumped up screaming for a moment, before setteling down again.
"What?" Pinkie Pie asked, tilting her head innocently as if she didn't just appear out of thin air.
Sunset shook her head. "Nothing, Pinkie. Why don't we get ready?"
"Great idea, Sunset. Ah bought some brand new aprons we can use, and we should really consider introducin' a dress code." Applejack pointed them into the direction of the 'office' where she stored the aprons.
After everyone had their own apron they sat together in the kitchen, talking over some final details.
"Alright, ah want everyone to try everythin' in the first week, to see who can do what best." Applejack explained. "Today probably won't be as busy but ah still want ya'll to do your best, okay?"
The rest nodded affirmativly.
"Good. Fluttershy called me and said she'd run a bit late, hard day at work. The rest should be here any minute."
Just like Applejack predicted, their first guests soon arrived. Applejack's family, consisting of her grandmother, brother and sister and one of her cousins were first. Their orders weren't that complicated, even though Rainbow Dash almost burned one, which resulted in Applejack scolding her for a minute before realizing she left her own pan on the stove. Their mutual friend Fluttershy arrived an hour later, absolutely craving some good food made by her friends after a hard day of work. Even some people that Applejack didn't recognize came, however it seemed as though her friends knew some of them. She didn't mind, the more the merrier they say!
Fluttershy didn't leave right away, she stayed until they closed off, having had quite a successful opening night.
The five of them sat by the counter and talked, they had been pretty tight knit for a long time now. Everyone except Pinkie met back in High School, and although Pinkie came by way later, she grew fond of them and vice versa very quickly. Applejack had of course asked Fluttershy if she wanted to join in on her little project too, but she respectfully declined. She loved to cook, but only as a hobby. Her dream was to become a veterinarian and take care of her true passion, animals, which eventually came true.
She still supported them through their entire journey, even helping in cleaning up and renovating the place as best she could.
"Sooooo Fluttershy, how did'ya like the food?" Applejack asked, trying not to sound too excited, and failing miserable at it while her co-workers/friends giggled at her.
The girl smiled and clapsed her hands together. "Oh, it was just wonderful!" Her demeanor changed to uncertainty. "But..."
Applejack tensed. What could be wrong? Did they forget something? Was it overcooked? Undercooked? Not enough? Too much? A billion questions ran through her head, wondering what could've caused a godess such as her to nervously play with her hair with such an uncompfortable expression adorning her perfect face.
"It's a little bland..." Fluttershy admitted.
Sunset facepalmed, almost falling out of her chair. "The spices." She groaned. "We forgot to get the spices."
Applejack hit her head on the counter of the bar. "Months of preperation and we forget one of the most important things about a restaurant!"
She soon felt an arm wrapping around her in an attempt at compforting her. "Applejackie, it's alright!" Pinkie Pie said. "We can do better tomorrow!"
Rainbow Dash sat herself next to her on the counter. "Pinkie's right AJ, it was only the opening night, we can go out and buy plenty of spices still!"
She sighed, sitting herself up again. "Ah guess ya'll got a point." Fluttershy smiled at the girl, sending her heartbeat pumping a hundred miles per hour.
"The food was still amazing, Applejack! I'm looking forward to where your restaurant is headed!" She said as she stood up, already getting her jacket from the coathanger by the front door. "I'll see you guys soon! Text me if you need anything, alright?"
The four smiled and waved, each saying their goodbyes to the young veterinarian.
Eventually, they all packed up and took their leave, Applejack being the last to exit, closing up behind her. She was determined to make the next day go over much more smoothly. The next morning, she had compiled a list of things she knew she had to change and improve and immideatly got to work.
Rainbow Dash arrived at work thirty minutes early, as is expected of her, but as she parked her motorcycle in the backyard of the restaurant she couldn't help but stare at something curious that hadn't been there before, at least she couldn't remember it being there. She scratched her head in confusion as she took off her shades and clipped them back on her collar. Sunset Shimmer arrived soon after amd found herself in the same situation as Rainbow Dash, not taking her eyes off the curiousity.
"Ah! Ah see you've noticed my latest improvment!" Applejack said as she noticed them staring, having not gotten off their motorcycles yet.
"A- Applejack, how did you--"
"WHEN DID YOU GET A GREENHOUSE?!" Rainbow yelled, effectivly cutting off Sunset.
Applejack smiled and laughed for a moment. "Ah built it myself! Spent all mornin' on this beauty!" She leaned herself against it, clearly proud of her work. "Sunset, your buddy Wallflower and Rose helped me set up the plants and herbs, now we can just get our stuff from here!"
Rainbow and Sunset looked at the former farmer stunned. "Are you okay, AJ?" The more colorful of the two asked carefully.
Smiling brightly, Applejack replied. "Never better! In fact, ah'm more than excited for today, getting to try this baby out! Oh and one more thing: Pinks 'n' ah cleared out that sink so now we can wash the plates we use right here!" The girl beamed at the two as Pinkie poked her head put from inside.
"It's true!" She said. "I even got rid of that room divider it looks that good now!"
Sunset and Rainbow exchanged looks, before shrugging and finally getting off their vehicles.
Applejack had faith in their restaurant, if there was an issue that would become apparent while they worked, Applejack was determined to fix it. She loved this building with all her heart, even if it still had its flaws.
Despite the small setback during the opening night, she was not about to let that get her down. She and her crew would work hard and make this the best restaurant in all of Canterlot City! Applejack was sure of it.
Now all they had to do for a proper start and growth in popularity, was get through the first week hopefully without a hitch.