What the Hay Rhymes with Apple Chapter 2
It was another lovely day in the forest, the bright afternoon sun turning the shadows of the leaves above into a work of art on the forest floor. This natural artistry was somewhat lost on the pony standing in front of the little hut, trying not to panic and run.
Applejack felt her heart drop down into the pit pf her stomach as the door swung open.
Oh hay. Oh hay. Oh horseapples. She...she don't look happy, she thought.
Indeed, she didn't look particularly thrilled to see the orange pony.
"You've been pacing for what seemed like hours.
I thought to save...wait, are those flowers?"
She seemed a bit thrown by that.
Applejack nodded vigorously, trying to speak around the bouquet in her mouth.
"Ah anted oo ologie!" She tried, before shaking her head and spitting the flowers into one hoof to present them. "Aheh...sorreh. Um. Ah wanted tah apologize to ya, Zecora. Fer um. Freaking out so badly on yah t'other day. And...er. Castin aspersions on yer honor. I know you;d never....er. Take advantage of a filly in such a state."
Zecora took the flower, looking down at them with an odd expression, before shaking her head.
"Ah....Um. I...Thank you, Applejack. " She said, a bit...confused.
"I...er...To my hut I welcome you back." She stepped inside a bit, letting Aj in. The orange pony followed her in a bit nervously.
"Ah cain't stay long, Zecora, but.....would you like to have dinner with me an mah family tonight?" She asked, a tad sheepishly. "It'd make me feel better at least, and you'll get a good meal out of it. " Oh come on. Thats the best you can do? Just ask if she wants to go on a date you cowardly filly...
The striped equine tilted her head curiously, setting the flowers on a low table, listening as the pony began to babble. Her annoyance was rapidly turning towards amusement.
"Taint nuthin fancy, just a family kinda sit down dinner, an ah know they'd love to have ya there, it um, ah know there'll be plenty a food there, no worries, familiies allus makin too much and servin the leftovers tah the help the next day, so...wanna come?" Ok, you managed to shut yourself up, now just hope she ain't still all fired up
Zecora regarded her thoughtfully for a moment. Perhaps the pony hadn't meant her insulting stance....perhapse she should be given a second chance? Thought the zebra, still in rhyme.
After a long moment of quiet that had the orange cowponies heart sinking lower and lower, the striped mare responded with a smile.
"Certainly, my fine faithful friend.
And....I appreciate the gesture...the attempt to mend.
But do not fret--I hold not a grudge.
Any ills between are but a smudge.
I will not keep you long--I know you have work to do.
And tonight at your dinner table, I'll see you."
Applejack smiled wide. "Thank yah...Ah...just afore sundown ought to be about the rahgt time fer eatin tonight. I'll see ya then. " She waved, quickly fleeing.
Well...least thats sumthin, she thought to herself. Maybe Ah can sorta...feel her out. See if she might cotton to goin on like...a date date...thing.
A pity, really. She fled so fast, she didn't see the odd little speculative look on Zecoras face as she slid the bouquet of flowers into a pot, nipping one from its stem and chewing thoughtfully.
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It was certainly a...festive atmosphere that Zecora found herself entering when she approached the farmhouse that evening. The sun setting behind the home painted the sky in masterful brushstrokes, the lively abode exuding good natured family cheer. And a distinct scent of apples. But that was normal for the farm as a whole. There were also more than a few scents that had the zebra resisting the urge to lick her lips as she approached.
She barely had a chance to knock before the door was yanked open by an excited little filly.
"ZECORAS HERE!" Hollered Applebloom, letting the zebra into the front hall before firmly wrapped herself around the zebras leg, babbling on about her friends most recent attemps to earn their cutie marks as Zecora admired the sturdy craftsmanship, and "lived in" quality of the house. It was obvious this had been home to many generations of the Appleclan.
. She caught something about "Demolitions" and "Pony Canonballers" before she saw Applejack approaching with that little expression that was half amusement, half annoyance, that all older siblings, everywhere, have worn at some point or other.
"Applebloom, go set the table. Ya'll know its yer turn." She said sternly, though smiling. "Glad yah could make it Zecora." She said, an odd little smile on her face. Something seemed....a bit off about the cowpony. It took the striped equine a few moments to put her hoof on it--the orange pony was acting....a touch shy? That was, to say the least, rather unlike Applejack.
"My pleasure it was, to join your family's meal.
I think I shall enjoy myself...or so I feel."
She replied with a broad smile for her friend.
Applejack grinned at her. "Well, ah certainly hope so. Mah granny ain't much fer the farmin anymore, count of her hip an all, but she still runs a kitchen fit fer the palace. " She chuckled, leading the zebra into the whirl of familial chaos that was the dining room.
There, she saw Applebloom zipping round, hurriedly setting out plates and cups, her much larger brother following her placidly, setting out the dishes for the evening. The table and dining room were fairly large--not only to hold the large number of Aples there (While not the full clan, more than a few) but also, Zecora noted with a bit of curiosity, ponies who had to be the hired hands who helped tend the fields.
Applejack saw her questioning look and chuckled. "Old rule mah great granpappy set up. Ya work for us, ya eat with us. " She said cheerfully. "He figgured a pony does a hard days work, he deserves a nice home cooked meal along with his pay. And what the hay, every cook we ever turn out allus winds up makin more'n even this lot kin eat."
She took her place amongst the general laughter that followed that statement, gesturing, just a touch hesitantly, for Zecora to sit beside her. The zebra looked over the table with wide eyes at the spread. There was, truly, a ton of food. Dandelion sandwhiches, two or three types of salad, home made hay fries, cooked fresh, alfalfa enough for everypony, and, of course, evey kind of apple dish under the sun, including, somehow, an apple roast. Not roast apples--a roast, made of apple. The sight alone was enough to set her mouth watering, let alone the smell.
She looked round, noticing the lack of formality, ponies simply grabbing a portion of what they wanted. SHe chuckled softly, and began doing the same, quickly filling her plate as everyone dug in. She felt...oddly peaceful. Except for one or two second glances a few ponies had given her, no one here was staring, or acting odd about her, if you didn't count Applebloom on one side, somehow talking and eating without pausing for breath, or Applejack acting....well, shy from time to time. The zebra had to hold back a snicker when their hoofs accidentally met, and Aj had pulled away as if burned blushing.
But...no one was giving her the looks she'd come to expect in Ponyville, even after she'd been accepted. Or, if they were, at least they had the grace to do so only when she was busy with her food.
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Sometime later, Zecora smiled, as Applebloom yawned wide, bidding her good bye as she toddled off to her bed. Honestly, she shoulda been there awhile ago, but she'd refused as long as Zecora was there.
The zebra honestly found the childs affection for her endearing. But still, she was a little relieved to see the filly heading to her bed....even if it only was because she was abut to walk off that evenings meal on her way home. Still, at least they had insisted on sending her with a set of saddlebags stuffed with leftovers. SHe'd eat well for awhile.
A voice brought her out of her idle thoughts. "Want some company on yer way home?" Asked a certain orange pony, a slightly hopeful note in her tone. She blinked, regarding her thoughtfully, before smiling.
"I would welcome you at my side
Though short I ask you to keep your stride.
I fear I may have ate too much
And I am resisting the urge, my stomach to clutch. "
She said with a light chuckle, as she an Aj began to make their way along the road back into Everfree.
Cmon Aj. Nows yer chance. Just sorta...feel her out a bit?
"An Zecora...look, ahm awful sorry bout how I blew up atcha the other day. An um...I hope I didn't insult ya or nothin, callin ya a filly fooler...." Applejack said with a slight blush, thankfully hidden by the night. Zecora laughed.
"No insult was taken
And you are mistaken.
Such relationships are, amongs my kind,not taboo.
Those who see it as such are among the very few.
We celebrate love in each and every form.
Even if such ways are not the "norm"."
Applejack blinked, pausing for a moment. "Really? An no pony has a...problem with that?" She asked a bit cautiously.
Zecora shrugged.
"Perhaps they do, but if so
Such opinions they do not show.
I gather though, that such is more debated here
That some are scored, if their...preferences veer. "
She paused for a moment, a slight smile crossing her face.
"But tell me, why does this interest you?
Do you disprove? Or...do you prefer such company too?"
She asked quietly.
Aj froze. Too? Was she sayin what Ah think she's sayin? She can't be. But now she's lookin at me all funny the way Rarity looks at dem colts when she's had a bit too much tah drink and oh horseapples she waiting for an answer and dont lie just tell the truth ya durn fool!
Applejack let out a shuddery little breath. "Um. Yeah. Um. A few years back ah realized I just...I don't have much of a thing fer colts at'all, and kinda...preferred mares. " She said, shuffling a bit, embarassed by the admition...and more than a little nervous admitting it at all. Big Macintosh was one thing...but...
Her nervously meandering thoughts were interupted as Zecora chuckled softly.
"Why are you so nervous and shy?
This is not like you, Miss Jack--I wonder why?
Perhaps....are you interested in me as....wait...
I can't remember how you ponies put it....a date?"
She asked with an arched brow, a knowing little smile spreading across her face.
Applejack blinked. "Ah. Um. Ah...ah wouldn't say no...to be honest, Ah um...Ah do think ya'll are cute and...well, ah wouldn't mind goin with ya." She said with a blushing smile. At Zecoras puzzled look, she explained, "Means ah wouldn't mind...well, date'in ya. Ah mean, Ah ain't never dated much but, I'd like to give it a try at least. Er...if'n yer interested." She said, trying to be her normal, assertive, confidant self. Inside, she was trying not to shake.
Zecora tilted her head, studying the other for a moment as they coninued on the path, entering the forest before her smile spread.
"Surely I would love to give it a try--but Im not sure of how such things go
Never have I sought such in Ponyville--but...would you agree to dinner and a show?"
She asked, eyes turned from the path to regard Applejack. Despite the darkness under the moonlit night, she thought she could see the orange ponies blush still, though slowly fading.
"Uh...Ah reckon Ah'd lahk that. Ah got, er, day after tomorrer off...figure we can catch a play, or maybe a comedian or some such, then get somethin ta eat?" She said, the smile on her face helping to banish the blush.
Zecora grins, nodding.
"That surely sounds grand, a time well spent.
I look forward to it, you have my assent. "
She had stopped walking as she spoke, and Applejack barely avoided walking headfirst into the huts wall. They'd already gotten there? Wow, time flew. She was a bit distracted though--she'd said yes!
"Now my home we have reached, and I shall take my leave.
But I look forward to our date--it should be a more than pleasent eve."
Applejack smiled at her at her, nerves fading faster now that she'd faced her fear and managed to overcome it....successfully! "Well, ah certainly hope ya sleep well Zecora. Ah can't wait tah see ya again." She said, turning to go. Zecora eyed her with a sudden grin, chuckling.
"Surely you will not end our night this way, little miss....
Aren't you even going to give me a goodnight kiss?"
The zebra said teasingly, enjoying the way Applejack immediately blushed hard enough to see through her fur again. She laughed, and took pity on the poor pony, leaning in to brush her lips against the cowpony's cheek.
"I hope you sleep well, and have dreams sweet
And may the sun shine brightly, until we again meet."
She said softly, slipping into her hut with a soft smile.
Applejack stood there for a moment, heart fluttering. Curiously, a part of her was tempted to start jumping around going "Yes yes yes yes yes!" like Twilight, but she thoroughly quashed it.
Still, as she turned to make her way back home, goofy grin firmly entrenched on her face, she found herself humming one of Pinkie Pies innumerable little songs.