//------------------------------//
// Chapter 3 
// Story: Pepperdance 
// by TaliZorah 
//------------------------------//

    
Despite the early hour, the sky was growing increasingly dark. A quick glance to the sky revealed the cause: dozens of pegasi busy moving dark storm clouds into position over the town. By the time I get home, the entire sky was obscured with a layer of grey clouds.

I open the door and rush inside as the first few drops of rain begin to fall. I go to the kitchen to unpack the groceries, putting the milk and eggs in the fridge but leaving the rest on the counter. I'm not sure where any of it went, and I'd rather not have to listen to Bass complaining about not being able to find something.

Hungry, having skipped lunch, I browse the fridge and pantry, hoping to find something to make for an early dinner. After a few unsuccessful minutes, I decide a simple sandwich would suffice. 

Before I can cut into the new loaf of bread, I hear the front door open and the smell of fast food quickly reaches the kitchen. In the living room, I see Bass, looking tired as hell, carrying a white paper bag under his wing. Depositing it onto the kitchen table, he looks up and says, "Sorry. I'd've cooked something, but I'm feeling tired as hell. RD needs us back out there even earlier tomorrow to clear out what's left of any rain clouds."

Fishing one of the hayburgers out of the bag, I jokingly reply, "I'm surprised you were able to get up as early as you did *today*. How're you gonna manage getting up earlier than that 
?"

Grabbing the second burger from the bag, he opens it up and starts laying fries on top of the patty. "Coffee," he answers flatly. "Copious amounts of coffee." Placing the bun back on top of his burger, he takes a bite and asks, "Speaking of which, did you manage to get out shopping before the rain started?"

"Yeah," I say, pointing to the bags on the counter. "Got everything on the list. And..."

"And?" he repeats, raising an eyebrow and pausing mid bite.

"You know Applejack?" I ask, finishing my burger.

"Mare from Sweet Apple Acres?" I nod. "Heard of her. Why?"

"She offered me a job. Apparently, business is booming over there, and they're having trouble keeping up with demand."

"That's great news, Pepper!" he exclaims before taking another bite. "When d'you start?"

"Well, I'll need to check back at her stand tomorrow." I get up and go to the sink to wash my hooves of the greasy residue left by the fries before continuing. "But it sounds like they were starting to get desperate."

He nods before yawning loudly. "Well, I should get goin' t'bed. Gotta be up early tomorrow." He offers another yawn before getting up from the table. After setting the timer on the coffee machine, he makes his way to the stairwell. "G'night, Pepper," he calls before proceeding up the stairs.

"Night, Bass."


~~~~~


Although the closed curtains prevented the sun from awakening me prematurely, I get out of bed as my clock strikes seven. After a fast breakfast and a shower, I put on my saddlebags and quickly make my way to the market, eager to hear of any news from Applejack.

As I near the apple cart, I am surprised to see that AJ isn't present among the two ponies who seem to be manning the it. I walk up to the cart to ask of her whereabouts but before I can voice my question, one of the ponies- a small yellow filly with a red mane- jumps from behind the cart and lands in front of me. "Howdy, miss! Wouldja like t'buy some apples?"

Remembering that Bass was still apple-less, I nod. "Yeah, I'd like to buy a small bag."

The filly turns to the remaining pony behind the stand- a large red stallion with a short brown mane. "D'you hear that, Big Mac?"

"Eeyup," he answers, picking up a small sack of apples.

"Thanks," I reply, hoofing him a few bits and putting the sack into my saddlebags. "Would you happen to know where Applejack is?"

"Eeyup." After a few moments of silence, I realize I'd probably have to be a bit more direct in my questioning.

"Where's Applejack?" I ask.

"Down at the farm." he replies. "You a friend of hers?"

"She told me you guys where considering hiring somepony to help at the farm, and that I should come back to the stand today when she had an answer."

He answers with a nod. Turning to the filly, he says, "Applebloom. Would you mind takin' miss..." He turns back to me.

"Pepperdance."

He looks back to Applebloom. "Takin' Miss Pepperdance here down to the farm t'see AJ?"

"Sure thing, Big Mac!" exclaims the filly. She looks at me before bouncing down the road, calling over her shoulder, "C'mon, miss!"

I turn to the stallion. "Thanks, Big Mac."

"Eeyup," he responds before cocking his head in the direction of the retreating form of his sister. I nod before hurrying to catch up to her.

~~~~~


Leading me through the front door, Applebloom calls out, "Applejack! Applejack, y'in here?" Turning back to me, she says, "Why don't you make yerself at home? I'm gonna see if I can find her out in the orchard."

I nod, taking a seat on an old couch as the filly heads back outside, shutting the door behind her. I look around, taking in my surroundings. The wooden floors and walls offered a warm and cozy feeling, accentuated by the faint odor of apples and cinnamon, which I believe was emanating from the kitchen. Above a stone fireplace, across from the couch I was sitting on, hung a large picture. In it were five ponies standing in front of the farmhouse: two mares, a stallion, a young colt, and an even younger filly. Before I can further examine the portrait, a voice startles me.

"I remember when that was taken." I quickly turn to my left to see an elderly green mare sitting on the couch next to me. "Was a few years 'fore Applebloom was born." 

Turning to me, the mare says, "Oh sorry fer startlin' you, name's Granny Smith. And you are?"

"Pepperdance." I extend my hoof. "It's nice to meet you, Missus Smith."

She grabs my hoof and shakes. "Likewise, dearie, but y'all can just call me 'Granny'."  She looks back to the picture and sighs heavily. She opens her mouth to speak, but before she can, the front door opens loudly.

"Howdy, Pepperdance!" 

I turn to see Applejack and Applebloom walking in. Applejack looks back to her sister and says, "AB, would ya mind headin' back in t'town to help Big Mac with the stand?" The filly snaps a quick salute before galloping out the door.

Applejack turns back to me before saying, "Sorry. Shoulda told you that Ah only run the stand in the evenin'. Them two get it in the mornin'."

Before I can respond, Granny Smith asks, "AJ, was Miss Dance here the one we was talkin' 'bout yesterday in regards to hirin'?"

Applejack nods. "Sure is, Granny Smith."

"And?" I ask, trying to get back into the conversation.

Granny Smith stares at me for a moment, rubbing her chin with a hoof. "When d'ya s'pose you can start?"

"As soon as possible," I answer.

"Good t'hear!" exclaims Applejack. "Tell ya what, hows about you come in bright 'n' early tomorrow, so we can getcha started off right?"

"I can do that," I reply with a cheerful nod.

"Great! That sound okay with you, Granny?"

We both turn to the elderly mare to find her sleeping upright on the couch, snoring softly. Applejack walks up and pokes her. "Granny Smith?"

She wakes with a jolt. "Wha....?" After some incoherent mumbling, she says, "I suppose."

"Great," says Applejack, walking towards the front door and motioning for me to follow. 

"Thank you, Granny Smith," I say, walking behind AJ. Before closing the door behind me, I look back to find the mare already back to sleep.

"Alright, get here 'round six so Ah can show you the ropes of apple farmin'. We'll talk about yer pay with Granny Smith tomorrow at lunch, okay?"

"Okay," I say with a nod. "Thank you, AJ."

"Don't mention it," she replies modestly. After a pause, she says, "You'll be doin' us a heck of a lot of help tomorrow, you should get home 'n' rest up.

"Alright, I'll do that," I say with a nod. She smiles and turns back to the barn as I trot home.