In no way could Ponyville be described as a high-class town; in fact, more brazen ponies would likely call it a “simple hick town.” But that didn’t mean that some ponies didn’t at least try to maintain a sense of high society. Grains ‘n Oats was one of the classier establishments in terms of the quality of service and overall atmosphere. Eating here could make one easily forget that Ponyville was just an ordinary town.
It was no surprise that Octavia, arguably the most civil-minded of the six friends, would choose to invite them here for dinner. The entire group was seated around a large mushroom-table in the outside dining area. It was mostly empty except for a few other patrons, all of whom were having quiet conversations with each other.
“I believe we can speak freely,” Octavia said, “without too much worry for Turner’s… uniqueness.”
“Thanks for inviting us, Tavi,” Vinyl Scratch said. “I was kinda having some trouble with my own menu tonight, anyway.”
“You mean you forgot to go grocery shopping, right?” Octavia returned. Vinyl glared at her.
“So, Turner,” Bon Bon quickly interrupted, “Derpy said you’re still working on the TARDIS. How’s that going?”
“Well, at the rate I’m going,” Turner began, “it’ll be quite a while. The spatial capacitor is still my top priority now, but I need to unblock the conduit to the Teklon crystals if I have any hope of actually getting power to them, and even then, it’s still uncertain if I can route the radiation through the stabilizers at enough joules to—!”
“So in other words,” Vinyl interrupted, “it’s gonna be a while. Really, Timey, was that so hard?”
Before Turner could respond, a waiter approached their table. “Greetings, monsieur and madames,” he said with a Prench accent. “Have you decided on your orders yet?”
The six ponies glanced at their menus one last time before settling on their orders (and some of them snickered at the waiter’s face when Turner ordered his acorn-and-oats salad with a side of custard). After the waiter left, they all decided it was safe to talk again.
“So what are you going to do once you get her fixed up?” Lyra Hearstrings, the final member of their group, asked.
“Well, like I told Derpy here,” Turner said, pointing to the cross-eyed mare, “I was thinking of giving you all a… ahem, ‘demonstration,’ so to speak.”
“You mean we can actually go to other places?” Octavia asked.
“You will be limited to just this planet,” Turner pointed out. “But essentially, yes.”
“Sweet!” Vinyl nearly yelled. “I propose our first trip be Manehattan!”
“Personally,” Lyra interjected, “I’d prefer Prance. It looks so calm and relaxing, not to mention beautiful.”
“If we’re going to take advantage of Turner’s offer,” Octavia said, “then I must insist we make a stop in Vienneigh at least.
“I’ve always wanted to see a real Festival of Colors celebration in Neigh Orleans,” Bon Bon added. “Something to keep in mind when the time comes.”
“Sounds like I’ve got quite the itinerary to plan,” Turner whispered.
“That’s what you get for offering a tour of the world,” Derpy pointed out. “By the way, put me down for Las Pegasus,” she added with a smirk.
“Won’t make that mistake again,” Turner continued to whisper.
“Y’all sure ya haven’t seen her?” Turner picked up a small voice with a country drawl a ways from their table. He turned and saw a young earth pony filly talking with a couple. The filly was yellow with a red mane, tied in the back with a bow, and wore a Stetson that seemed too big for her. She must have been pretty young, since she didn’t have a cutie mark.
“Sorry, honey,” the mare at the table said. “But if we see her, we’ll let her know you’re looking.”
“Aw well,” the filly replied. “Thank ya kindly, anyway.” She turned from the table and ran toward Turner and his friends.
“Um, ‘scuse me?” she said. Everyone who wasn’t paying attention before turned to the filly.
“Hey, you’re Applebloom, right?” Derpy asked. As a mailmare, Derpy had a keen grasp on many of the names and faces in Ponyville.
“That’s right,” the filly said. “Ah’s just wondering if any y’all seen my big sister, Applejack?”
“Why?” Derpy replied. “Is something wrong?”
“She was s’posed to be in the north fields buckin’ apples this afternoon,” Applebloom answered, “but when it came time for supper, she never showed up. My brother, Big Macintosh, and Ah went lookin’ for her, but all we found was her hat.” She lightly flipped the Stetson on her head. “She never goes anywhere without it.”
“What does your sister look like?” Turner asked.
“She’s ‘bout twice as old ‘s me,” Applebloom said. “She’s orange and has a yellow mane; she keeps it tied at the end. And she’s got three apples for her cutie mark.”
The six older ponies looked at each other, but the faces they made didn’t look particularly promising. “Doesn’t sound like anypony I know,” Bon Bon said.
“Me neither,” Vinyl added.
“I might know who she’s talking about,” Lyra mused, “but I don’t think I’ve seen her today.”
“I wish I had a better response,” Octavia said.
“Sweet Apple Acres isn’t on my regular mail route,” Derpy said. “I wouldn’t have seen her anyway.”
Turner looked at Applebloom. “I only just moved here, so I haven’t had a lot of time to get acquainted with many ponies yet, much less this Applejack.”
“We’ll keep you posted, though,” Vinyl said. “In case she shows up.”
“Okay,” Applebloom sighed. She turned around and left to continue her search.
“Poor kid,” Lyra said. “I hope she finds her.”
“It’s out of our hooves now,” Bon Bon pointed out. “Most of us don’t know Applejack anyway; we’ll be lucky to make the connection if we ever do see her.”
“The name does sound familiar, though,” Turner mused. “I think I remember the librarian mentioning her once or twice.”
“Pardonnez-moi,” they heard. The waiter had returned with their food. He set everyone’s plate in the proper place (he seemed especially eager to give Turner his food), and with a quick farewell, he left.
As they ate, Turner thought to himself, When we’re done here, I’ll go ask Twilight about this Applejack. Maybe she’ll have a clue as to her whereabouts.