//------------------------------//
// Ever Hopeful 
// Story: First Harvest 
// by Hopeful_Ink_Hoof 
//------------------------------//

	Cart in barn.

Bits in drawer.

Lemons and strawberries on table.

Milk in fridge.

Colander on head.

"Alright troops," Lemon Pie said as she turned around, "in truth, today has not gone as intended."  She marched forward then turned to face the lemons and strawberries on the table.  "However," she snapped her hooves together, "we shall not allow this to sour our disposition.  I have already begun developing a new strategy, which we shall implement and I believe shall grant us greater advantage tomorrow, bringing us closer to victory.  We shall show these ponies that we have the juice to succeed.

"Now, our first plan is providing beverage ade.  On this front, we actually have some luck.  Today, we were able to get additional support."  She pointed a hoof at the strawberries.  "This has allowed us to create the opportunity to act on two fronts.  One squad will be assisted by the newly arrived support.  The other shall proceed as originally planned.

"Any questions?"  She stared at the lemons for several seconds.  "Then let us begin."

Marching away from the table, she went over to the counter.  First she grabbed a large knife and a cutting board.  After setting them down on the table, she then got two drinking pitchers.  Lemon grabbed a lemon, and cut it in half.

Despite the lack of success at selling in town, the young mare was feeling a bit more confident.  It helped that she had managed to bring the cart up the hill without too much trouble (granted she had at one point lost traction and slid backwards a yard, but still).  The walk back had also given her time to think and plan.  Now she felt like she had a better idea of what to do next time.  Tomorrow would bring greater profits.

Grabbing one of the lemon halves, she gripped it between her hooves.  Gritting her teeth, she squeezed the fruit as hard as she could.  Her eyes narrowed as she watched the juice collect a moment before dripping into the pitcher.

"Yes," she said in a low, gravely voice.  "Give me your essence."

The squeezing stopped as the seeds started to break free of the fruit.  Gently, she pulled the seeds out and set them aside.

"I have plans for you," she told them before going back to squeezing the lemon.

After squeezing four lemons into each pitcher, she then turned her attention to the strawberries.  Cutting the stems off was easy.  Squeezing them was not as impressive.  Even in relation to their size, the strawberries did not have as much juice as the lemons.  She ended up having to squeeze over ten of the little berries.

With that done, she sliced two of the lemons into wheels and put them in both pitchers.  Next she quartered some of the strawberries and added them to the pitcher which had the strawberry and lemon juice.   Taking the two containers, she carried them over to the fridge.

"Now," she said as she put them in, "you two get some rest and prepare for tomorrow."  She shut the door and turned back to the table.  "Meanwhile, I will have to begin preparation for the heavy support."