//------------------------------// // Short 3 - Hot Cider & Lukewarm Mares // Story: Anon, The Not Gay Mare // by Gemsona //------------------------------// She sighed tiredly, Anon whipped her brow and rubbed her tired eyes… It was a hectic work day, they had received a huge amount of mail at the office that needed hours to sort through. She wasn’t entirely sure why, but what she did catch was apparently a lot of the town's residents had relatives in nearby towns and villages. She trudged through the marketplace yet again, trying her best to avoid any real eye contact or interaction. All she wanted was some cold sweet tea and a nice hay sandwich in her nice cool home… Anon strutted around the citizens of Ponyville with a tired eagerness to crawl back into bed and rest. However, she caught something in the corner of her eye and paused. She saw none other than the local farmer Applejack at one of the market stands, a crowd formed around her as she kept pouring out large glass bottles from a massive keg from behind her. That tall silent brother and squeaky little sister of hers seem to help her keep up with the workload, handing out the large jugs in exchange for a hefty sum of bits each. As the orders started to slow down and the crown disappeared, Anon saw the hard working mare whip her brow and lean onto the counter with a satisfied look across her face. Anon had to admit, part of her did admire Applejack, in a purely respectful and professional manner, that is. Who wouldn’t? Anypony would find it incredibly difficult to take care of and hoof pick every single tree for dozens of acres. For some it would even be impossible. But somehow Applejack, and to a lesser extent her brother, seemed to do it all on their own! And turn it into a profitable product and sell it off all in a timely manner, nonetheless. The green mare almost felt silly from being tired after shoveling mail all day when that hard working farmer was right there. Anon turned her lip into a small friendly smile. Maybe she can spare a few moments to say ‘Hello’ and get some small talk in. Trotting up to the stand she would speak up. “Hey, Applejack! How’s business?” Anon called out. The Apple mare turned her head, her confident grin became an awkward and surprised smile as her freckled cheeks turned a soft shade of red. “A-Anon! Why, Ah didn’t even see ya walkin’ over!” She would answer, scratching the back of her mane with her hoof. “What brings ya by? Wantin’ to buy some cider? It’s fresh! Straight from the family’s brewery!” Anon would shake her head politely. “Afraid not, AJ. I was on my way home and don’t really got the bits to spare on a whole jug of Cider. I just wanted to stop by and say ‘Hi’! Figured I’d ask how things were going?” “Well… As ya can guess, very good!” Applejack answered with a pleasant tone, scanning Anon. “We got plenty of buyers and plenty of bits!” “Eeeeeeyup.” That tall red stallion answered, Anon wasn’t really sure what his name was. She hasn’t even properly spoken to him before. “Yeah! Big Sis said Ah could get an advance on mah allowance if Ah sold enough jugs!” That smaller yellow filly chirped, peeking her head over the counter, her huge glossy bow bouncing on her head. “Ah already sold seven!” “Good for you!” Anon smiled, reaching over to pat the small excited filly on her head. Who seemed only to smile, emitting an audible squeaking noise as she did. Applejack seemed to turn a deeper shade of red. Turning her head away and pulling her hat down to conceal her face. “Aaaahhh… Say, Anon, how ‘bout some cider on the house-?” Anon perked up, turning her head and glancing over with a surprised look. “Really-? Um, sure, I guess I’ll take a free offer! But are you sure?” Applejack suddenly dove under the counter, poking back up with a rather elegant looking bottle in her hooves. Placing it before the Green Mare. It wasn’t as nearly as big as a whole jug, but more so like a small wine bottle. It was an opec green color,  a dark substance inside. The Glass having an intricate and detailed stamp of an Apple tree with gold colored paint, with a sort of glass topper instead of a normal cork. It had a small name below the logo. Some frilly cursive she had trouble reading at first. ‘Pomme de divinité’. She wasn’t really sure what that was supposed to be or meant, but was impressed with the craftsmanship nonetheless. Anon smiled widely while looking back up at the even redder AJ. Then she realized what she was doing. “A-Ah, Thank you, AJ! But I couldn’t accept this! Just… Look at it! It’s so amazing looking, I couldn’t take it for free!” The Green Mare stuttered out, trying to avoid accepting the gift and send the wrong message. “Ah insist!” Applejack spoke up, eyes widening at Anon’s words. “...Consider it a gift! From one friend t-to another!” “But.. It’s just too good! I’d feel bad about taking it!’ Anon responded, a nervous look forming on her face. The Brother and little Sister trading looks, the filly giggling to herself. “I mean, it must have taken so much effort into making the bottle alone! The cider alone must be worth a fortune!” “That’s why Ah’m given’ it to ya, Then! Yer clearly worth alot to me-!” Applejack paused before sputtering out again. “A-Ah don’t mean like that! L-Like a friend, I mean!” Anon paused, did she really mean that…? The Green mare hesitantly looked at the farmer and gave in. Inwardly sighing before reaching for the bottle of cider, tucking it into her saddle bags.  “...Heh, Thanks AJ, I really appreciate it. I’ll let you know how much I like it.” She answered with a softer smile. Just wanting to come off as nice, hoping she wouldn’t harm the Farmers feelings. Applejack’s eyes flared up. Smiling in a goofy way as she eagerly nodded her head, nearly making her hat fall off before catching it, sliding back on with a goofy grin and a flustered red face. Anon would softly chuckled before turning away. “Well, Agin, Thanks AJ. I’ll see you later. Have a good one.” Anon answered, quickly making her way back into the crowd, wandering back home. Applejack merely gave a heartfelt sigh and watched her ‘friend’ trot off. Her brother raising a brow at her heartfelt gaze and fluttering sigh, The Filly giggled again. “Ah-Jay and ‘Non sittin’ in an apple tree, k-i-s-s-!” The filly suddenly found herself mute. Applejack’s hoof firmly planted over her little sister's mouth, very flustered and embarrassed, glaring down at her. “Now ya stop that! She could still hear ya!” The Farmer grumbled lowly. That alone earned a good chuckle from her brother, who only flinched as soon as she glared at him as well.