During a standard Equestrian year, Sweet Apple Acres tended to be at its busiest during two periods: cider season and Zap Apple season.
But when the word got out that the Apple clan of Ponyville were in need of any and all unicorns, it made those two seasons combined seem like the bleak winter months.
As Rarity had predicted only a few days prior, the response to the summons was quick and substantial. There were many unicorn ponies in town that respected the Apple clan, just as there were those who were impressed by the colt’s cooking prowess. And that didn’t even include the younger colts and fillies who were Peppermill’s friends.
It started fairly early in the day when the first groups of unicorns, deciding to do their ‘duty’ prior to going to their respective jobs, arrived at the farmhouse. Thanks to a bit of pre-planning by Twilight Sparkle an arrangement was made where Peppermill would hold court inside the farmhouse living room and every guest would be given equal time to…well…
This was where things got a bit tricky as far as Twilight Sparkle’s theory went. At first it was believed that it was actual physical contact that was needed. And while the Apples trusted the other pones of town, the idea of a ‘hugging assembly line’ (Pinkie Pie came up with the term) made them understandably uneasy. Fortunately it didn’t take long to discover than just simply being in the room with the colt was adequate enough for him to feel a significant change in his health.
And in truth, all of the constant coming and going of ponies made Peppermill feel comfortable in more ways than just physically. It didn’t take long for the colt to recognize the similarities to this and his old life at his parent’s restaurant. The greetings, the small talk, turning the charm up to eleven: this was the element he had been born and bred in. It did more than just cheer him up, he lightened his heart.
And he wasn’t the only Apple pony who was enjoying the way things were turning out. Applejack, who could be quite shrewd when needed, saw an opportunity to make a few bits what with the influx of visitors. She had quickly set up a small table just outside the front door of the farmhouse offering ‘the freshest apples in Ponyville’. (Normally her inability to even produce a white lie kept her from using this claim while at their usual stand in town, but given the fact that the apples had to travel barely a few feet made her willing to say it and not feel sick to her stomach).
Meanwhile, thanks to a bit of prodding from all of his younger siblings, Big Macintosh found himself breaking out of his shell a little bit. Granted, he had never spoken to so many ponies in so little time (aside from distant family members) but he seemed to handle himself fairly well. Not only did he find himself invited out with some stallions to have drinks at the local watering hole, but found yet even more mares that showed an interest in him.
In fact, the only pony who didn’t seem to be seeing the silver lining of the situation was Applebloom. This was due to the fact that she had developed a bit of an over-protective streak towards Peppermill as of late. Adult ponies were all right, and Celestia knew she didn’t mind her little brother befriending more colts his age. But when it came to the various unicorn fillies that seemed to arrive in little groups, some she was convinced were not even from Ponyville, her annoyance showed through. As a result she became the unofficial chaperone during the visits. She personally screened every young pony that came into the living room, and kept watch from Granny Smith armchair. She made it very clear that while their presence was welcome, any attempt to try and make any sort of physical contact was frowned upon. Fortunately the only three fillies that Applebloom was willing to make an exception for were Ruby Punch, Ruby`s best friend Dinky Doo and Sweetie Belle.
It took a little over a week of this ‘magical cure’ before Peppermill declared he was back to one hundred percent. And it took another week before he had finished writing out thank you cards to the section of the population that had a hoof in his restoration. Today found him, with help from Featherweight and Rumble, delivering those cards.
“I think I preferred it when you were sick. At least it didn’t mean we had to work…” muttered Rumble, lugging a large bag.
“Considering how quickly…you inhaled that…sandwich I made…for you, I think…I’ll call your bluff.” chuckled Peppermill. The grey colt had loaded a wagon with stacks of cards, plus a few extra special gifts he intended to deliver personally.
“Still, hanging out is hanging out.” shrugged Featherweight. “Though I think you might have been able to get Ms. Doo to help.”
“I already…had Ditzy…begging to help. She is…very motherly…”
“I still can’t believe that you had a magic cold.” remarked Rumble.
“Don’t let Twilight…hear you say that.” warned Peppermill. “I understand…she is busy…writing out her…findings and…sending them to…the big hospital in…Canterlot.”
“Maybe they’ll name a disease after you.” grinned Featherweight.
“How about…no.” The three colts continued to joke as they made their way to Carousel Boutique, Peppermill’s first major stop. He grabbed a small wrapped parcel from his wagon and knocked on the door, flanked by the Pegasus colts. A full minute passed without any answer, and the three colts looked at one another warily.
“Hello?” called out Peppermill, knocking one more time. Finally the door opened to reveal not the white unicorn mare he was expecting but a yellow Pegasus mare instead.
“Hello Peppermill, hello boys.” greeted Fluttershy.
“Hello Fluttershy…is Rarity available?”
“Oh, um…well…sort of…”
“Sort of?” queried Rumble.
“I guess it won’t hurt for you to come in. Just…keep your distance from her.” The colts entered the shop warily, puzzled by the Pegasus mare’s cryptic answer. She led them to the second floor of the building, which was used as the living area for the two sisters. They soon found themselves inside Rarity’s opulent bedroom where the ivory mare lay in her bed propped up on some pillows. Judging from the tiredness in her eyes and the redness in her snout she was clearly under the weather, though it didn’t stop her from being her usual flamboyant self.
“Hello darlings. What brings some gentlecolt callers here?”
“You don’t look very well at all Miss Rarity.” remarked Featherweight.
“I know, I know. It seems glamour is no substitute for healthy habits. But don’t worry, I’m sure I’ll be fine in a few days.” agreed Rarity.
“I’m watching over Rarity while Pinkie and Dash are at the library helping Spike.” explained Fluttershy.
“Wait…are you saying…Twilight is…sick too?” An unhappy thought began to form in the cook’s mind.
“Yes, and I heard somepony mention that Berry Punch’s little filly was home sick as well…”
“The first three…unicorns that…had physical contact…with me.” sighed Peppermill. “I guess…it was too…good to be true.”
“Oh don’t worry darling. It’s a minor inconvenience at best. And I have darling Fluttershy to nurse me back to health and do a few bouts of sewing. I just hope Twilight Sparkle takes the time while she convalesces to let the doctors in Canterlot know of this…well…issue. Still, it is a rather remarkable breakthrough. “
“Maybe now they will name it after you.” snickered Rumble. Peppermill just groaned.