Written by Jondor
***
The rhythmic thump of hooves against wood always followed by the pitter-patter of apples into baskets echoed through the south field of Sweet Apple Acres as the sun dipped lower toward the horizon. The long shadow of the next tree stretched across the ground as Applejack turned to position the baskets anew.
She grinned to herself, eyes fixed on the pony-shaped lump visible as part of the tree’s shadow. Time to wake a certain wingy varmint. Applejack wound up her hind legs and delivered a firm blow to the trunk.
THUNK!
In the midst of a shower of yellow-green apples came a scream and a tangle of yellow legs and long pink hair. Applejack’s eyes flew wide as she rushed to help Fluttershy.
“Aw, horseapples. I’m really sorry, Fluttershy. I thought RD was nappin’ in my trees again. You okay?”
“I think I’m okay.” Fluttershy squeaked, getting back to her hooves with Applejack’s help and trying to compose herself.
“Didja find some birds nestin’ up there or somethin’?” AJ glanced up at the tree, hoping she hadn’t just evicted any innocent critters. She didn’t notice Fluttershy’s eyes shift nervously left and right.
“Yeah, some little birdies, but they managed to move their nest just fine already.” It was a pretty hollow lie, but AJ missed all the tell-tales.
“You gonna be okay, sugarcube? Need any help?” Applejack turned back to Fluttershy, giving her a quick look over for any obvious injuries.
“I’ll be fine, you just startled me.” Fluttershy hid behind her mane. “I don’t want to keep you from your apple bucking.”
“Alright, take care, sugarcube.”
Fluttershy just stood under that same tree as Applejack moved off, the thump of her hooves on the trees coming from farther and farther away even as it echoed across the field.
As the sound grew fainter and fainter, a prismatic trail darted across the sky behind a cyan blur. Rainbow Dash landed in the tree with a thump and a rustle of leaves. After some more rustling, she stuck her head down from the canopy and spotted her prey.
“Fluttershy, I thought I said to meet me in the tree, not under it!”
“I’m sorry, Dashie. Applejack was harvesting this field and kind of accidentally bucked me out.” Fluttershy dipped her head low in apology. “Maybe we shouldn’t do it here after all. What if we get caught?”
“Oh, come on!” Dash groaned. “You don’t want to do it at my place because you don’t like cloud beds and you don’t want to do it at your place so your animals don’t watch us. We’re running out of places to try.” Dash facehoofed. “Applejack’s already been by, we’ll be fine.”
The sound of a throat being cleared made both pegasi turn a bright shade of crimson. “Sorry fer eavesdropping, but if y’all want a secluded spot, you can use the south barn, just over the hill.” Applejack pointed an orange hoof toward the weathervane just visible over the trees sloping up the hill. “Aint no bed, but there’s blankets and a water barrel an’ old fashioned shower. Just hang the red bucket on the barn door an’ nopony’ll bother ya.”
All three ponies glanced silently back and forth at each other above their red tinged muzzles before one of them finally spoke again.
“Thanks AJ, we owe you one.” Dash scooped up the still petrified Fluttershy and headed in the direction of the barn. Applejack couldn’t help chuckling to herself as she went back to her apple bucking.