Chapter 1
Twilight was bored.
Sure, she was the princess’s personal protege thus it was expected of her to be here and she had all the time in the world so spending a night at the Gala shouldn’t be anything major, but she would much rather spend that time studying with her teacher and she didn’t have time to stand around here.
And she really didn’t have time to pretend like she gave a shit about these pretentious ponies around her.
Five years had passed now and Twilight had grown accustomed to life with the Princess of the Moon taking residence in the castle. It was no secret that Twilight Sparkle had dedicated her life to gaining knowledge thus she could usually predict what would happen before it happened so Twilight had been particularly off balance when an old mares tale had formed into an Alicorn before her very eyes and confronted Princess Celestia. Twilight had scolded herself again and again for not researching further a particularly curious book relating to the situation at hoof, though of course she was just as ecstatic as everypony else when Celestia cleansed the hatred and jealousy from Nightmare Moon transforming her back into Princess Luna.
Another few ponies walked up and the princess greeted them, “Hello Sweet Potato, Chip Potato and welcome to the Gala.” They looked about as uptight as everypony else walking up the stairs.
“Nice to see you your majesty.” The stallion, apparently named Chip said then looking over at Twilight like an afterthought, “And, uh, hello.” he droned staring condescendingly at her as if she was covered in mud. Twilight had to fight back a groan at this. She knew she wasn’t royalty or anything but these ponies were just plain rude. She had to get away from the never-ending parade of egos.
“Um, Princess.” She whispered during the interval between groups.
“Yes My Faithful Student?” Celestia asked in return.
“Would you mind if I went to get something to eat?” The purple furred pony ventured.
“Not at all but return soon, there is something I need to ask of you.”
Twilight was puzzled at this but nonetheless happily used the opportunity to escape to a lesser populated area.
As Twilight walked she searched for an empty spot to take a seat. The castle, as magnificent as it was, wasn't designed with the sheer amount of ponies that were here in mind. However there was an area that business ponies from outside of Canterlot were allowed to set up stalls and make some money off the rich crowd.
These shops, of course, had varying levels of success. That being they varied from coming back to their home town champions of the lot who attempted this, to crying into the gutter about hopes crushed and whatnot. At least the more dramatic ones of the bunch.
The less successful ones were the ones she had her eyes out for since there would be ample enough room to sit. A food stall wouldn't hurt either, perhaps there was a banana cart somewhere.
Turned out she was in luck as some apple themed store had been placed along the path and the ponies that had arrived at the Gala apparently did not care much for this particular spot. There was a blond orange mare standing with a forced looking smile behind the cart. Twilight almost immediately pinned her as a classic hick, the type who laughed in the face of proper Equestrian. Whether or not she really acted the part, she was born and raised in the capital of the country, city of arrogance. Regardless of how she was brought up here some of it was bound to rub off on her. This orange mare was one of the salesponies who had come expecting the high class society members to fall in line at the mere thought of her product, and was utterly shell shocked at the complete disinterest that the bustling mob showed. It wouldn't be the first time she'd seen it happen.
Twilight strode up to the pony, who obviously was relieved somepony had decided on her food as Twilight said, “Hello there, may I have an apple pie?” Regardless of what she thought of the pony she always made it a point to be civil with others. Except for BlueBlood.
The mare behind the counter grinned almost goofily, “Well sure little missy! Made o' the best apples Equestria's ever seen.” she said as she placed Twilight's pie in front of her. “That'll be 2 bits miss, uh...” she looked at Twilight expectantly.
“Twilight Sparkle and here you are.” Twilight said as she handed over the payment for the pie. Luckily enough the stall had been set up near a bench so Twilight didn't have to sit on the dirt.
As she was sitting right next to the pony she felt she should make conversation, “So I don't think I got your name.” Twilight said as she bit into a slice of pie suspended by magic.
The mare behind the stall's eyes widened slightly, “Ah shoot, now that's just plumb rude of me. Ah'm AppleJack, nice to meet you Twilight Sparkle.” And as those words were uttered, the author could finally stop coming up with ways to address her without using her name.
During this introduction Twilight face lit up from the taste of the baked good she had purchased, “Oh sweet Celestia this is amazing!” This was saying a lot considering Twilight ate food from the royal chefs on a daily basis. Even so the pie she had just eaten had left her stunned.
AppleJack grinned, “Well I dun like to brag much but Ah'm a pretty darn good baker if I say so myself, learned from Granny Smith herself.” Twilight only briefly flinched from the horrible grammar, “Why my cookin's so good Ah bet the whole o' Canterlot will be buying a piece before too long” any worry she had about the lack of ponies buying from her shop had disappeared with the single sale.
Twilight chuckled nervously at the uncalled for confidence given the situation, “You know, your food is good and all but the majority of the ponies here would probably never eat something like this.” she tried to explain.
For some reason or another AppleJack seemed to take offense to this, “Now hol' on there, Ah know mah sales sure ain't what Ah thought they'd be yet but hay if Ah'ma gonna sit here while somepony says mah food's not good 'nough for these snooty ponies.” AJ said as her eyes narrowed.
Twilight felt an argument coming on so she simply thanked the pony for the food and left to another bench. She finished the holy pastry quickly and had decided she would move on to the forest area of the castle grounds to take a rest.