Apple Bloom sighed as she stared at the rapidly deteriorating ceiling. Then, picking up a nearby broom, she gave it a short sharp poke with the handle, and was rewarded with the handle going straight through the wood.
“Yep,” said the handymare, “Y’all got termites.”
“Can you do anything at all?” said Bon Bon. Apple Bloom gave the ceiling another poke.
“Depends on how far they’ve spread. If it’s only a couple o’ boards, I can replace that easy enough. If they’ve got through the entire floor, it’s gonna take some time,” said Apple Bloom, poking another plank, and was rewarded with a solid thunk.
“Is there any way to get an idea on how far they’ve got?” asked Lyra from the counter nearby.
“Yep. I’m doin’ it now. It’s called ‘Listen for the thunk’.” A few more taps later, and Apple Bloom had the area of the infestation roughly mapped out.
“Ok. Looks like it ain’t too bad. You may have caught it early. Still, mah professional recommendation is that you get an exterminator in here pronto. I’ll replace the busted boards so yer light won’t fall out, at least,” Apple Bloom fished around in her tool belt, and pulled out a card, and passed it to Bon Bon with a nod, “That there is the stallion who treats our barns every year. He does good work at a fair price, and he’ll come on short notice. Mention my name, he’ll prolly come round straight away. I’ll go and get some timber and mah tools to replace yer ceiling.”
While Bon Bon dashed off to the address on the card, Apple Bloom set up her ladder, and set about prying the chewed out boards out of the ceiling, as well as carefully removing the hanging light fixture.
“Little help, Lyra?” grunted Apple Bloom.
“Oh, sorry.” A yellow magic glow surrounded the light, and supported it while Apple Bloom guided it down, and set it behind the counter of Bon Bon’s confectionary shop. Then Apple Bloom was back up the ladder, and looking in the ceiling cavity.
“Yeah, Looks like you guys caught the infestation early. I’ll just put these new boards up for ya."
“You’re a lifesaver, Apple Bloom.”
Apple Bloom dragged herself back to the homestead on Sweet Apple Acres, the job at Bon Bon’s having been her last for the day. Putting the new boards up had been slightly harder than anticipated, but she’d managed in the end. So tired was the youngest Apple, that she completely missed the giant ‘Happy Birthday Apple Bloom!’ banner hanging from the living room entrance, instead just walking straight up to bed.
“Didn’t she want my Party?”
“Ah’m sure if she were in any fit state to party, she woulda’, Pinkie. We’ll just leave all the decorations up, put the cake in the fridge, and have it tomorrow.”