"U-um... Missis Smith?"
Fluttershy looked around curiously as she trotted through the Apple Family house. It was a rather cozy place; fairly big as well, which probably suited such a large group of ponies. The floors were wooden, as were the walls, giving it a very simplistic look. Besides that, if one looked closely enough, they'd see that one wall held a cute picture frame, which contained a photo of two ponies; one male, one female. Fluttershy couldn't put a name to their faces, but they did look familiar somehow.
Turning her attention back to her task though, she raised her voice slightly and repeated herself, "Missis Smith!"
After waiting a few seconds, she finally got a response.
"Huh? Who's there?"
The yellow pegasus turned to the voice, seeing a green pony step out from one of the rooms. The old mare studied her face for a moment, then smiled warmly. "Ah, you're one of Applejack's friends, ain't cha? Fluttershy, was it?"
Fluttershy nodded firmly in reply. "Y-yes, Missis Smith, that's me."
"No need to be so timid and formal dear. A friend of an Apple is like family to all Apples. Just call me 'Granny'." The elderly earth pony then gave a smile of reassurance, letting the pegasus know that she had nothing to fear.
However, the yellow mare only blushed at her words.
F-family?
Feeling a bit overwelcomed, she just smiled softly to the older mare.
"U-um, okay. W-well then, uh... Granny Smith... do you have a cookbook by any chance?"
"Do I!" the green pony exclaimed, gesturing Fluttershy to follow as she headed towards the kitchen, to which the yellow mare couldn't help but stare in awe as saw it.
Whoever said that the Apple Family were nothing but country slobs needed to see this place.
The floors were neat and tidy, and all the plates and bowls had been organized to the greatest extent. The cupboards were filled with easy-access cookware, and the sink was completely devoid of any dirty dishes.
"Oh wow. You have a wonderful kitchen," Fluttershy muttered, almost afraid to touch anything in fear of ruining the immense amount of cleanliness.
"Why thank ya kindly child. We need to work hard to keep everythin' spick-and-span after all!" Reaching into a drawer, the elderly earth pony grabbed out an old book and set it on the floor in front of the yellow pegasus, proudly pointing a hoof at the cover.
"Here it is! The Apple Family Cookbook!" Leaning in and lowering her tone, she then winked and whispered, "By the Apple Family."
Giggling from her words at first, Fluttershy promptly looked down at frowned. "Well, thank you... but, I don't think I could accept. I mean, it belongs to you and your family only, so-"
"Nonsense!" the earth pony exclaimed, sliding the book closer to the yellow mare's hooves. "Ah'll even let ya borrow our kitchen!" she added.
"R-really? I-I mean, what an honor, but-"
"Now, how about tellin' ol' Granny Smith just what you're plannin' to do?" the elderly mare interrupted, giving Fluttershy a sly grin that made the pegasus uncomfortable.
...A-am I really that easy to read?
"Um... well..." Taking the book and placing it on the counter, the yellow pegasus nervously twiddled her hooves as she shyly stared over at the older mare. "Do you... know what... Big Macintosh likes, by any chance?"
"Mah grandson?" Granny Smith asked, her expression remaining the same as she continued to wear that sly grin.
Ohhh! You were listening in on Applejack too, weren't you!?
"Y-yes?"
"Well, he likes almost anythin' with apples, but he's got a few favorites."
Walking over and shuffling through the cookbook, the elderly mare then took a sheet of paper and wrote down a few numbers.
"Need any help?" she promptly asked.
"O-oh no, I couldn't let you do that. You've done enough, and I should be doing this myself." Fluttershy insisted, unable to hold back her smile as she stared at the page.
"..."
"...Something wrong?" the yellow mare questioned, noticing the earth pony's silence.
Granny Smith was silent for a moment, staring intently at the pegasus, then smiled warmly and shook her head.
"Nothin' at all child. Ya just remind me of someone; always wantin' to do things herself." An almost sentimental look appeared on the elderly mare's face as she trotted out, looking back at Fluttershy with another smile of reassurance.
"Good luck, m'dear!"
"T-thank you!"
Returning to her task, the yellow pegasus glanced at the sheet of numbers, then turned the cookbook's pages.
Page 12: Apple Fritter Delight...
Yaaaaaawn.
"A-alright... that should... do it." Fluttershy muttered tiredly as she piled the last of the plates into her basket, closing the hoof-woven object and placing it down on the floor.
"That looks mighty nice, Fluttershy."
Her ears perking up slightly at the voice, the yellow pegasus turned to see Applejack at the door, with Apple Bloom and Granny Smith standing right next to her.
"Now, don't ya worry about cleanin' up, dear. We'll take care of that." the elderly mare explained.
"O-oh no, I couldn't let you-"
"Ya look tired enough as it is, Fluttershy!" Apple Bloom told her. "So we'll go an' take care of things for ya!"
"W-well, thank you. But, I mean... are you sure-"
"C'mere sugarcube." Without giving Fluttershy a chance to react, Applejack led the yellow pegasus out to the living room, letting her rest on the couch. "Ya ain't got the energy to get back home, so just rest here t'night, alright?"
"B-but... my animals-"
"We insist. Ya done enough, and your animals probably won't be mindin' a late breakfast." Giving Fluttershy a reassuring wink, Applejack then took the couch's blanket and draped it over the yellow mare's body.
"Mmm... but I'm... not..."
"..."
"..."
"...Heh. Sound asleep."