//------------------------------// // Apples // Story: Flora // by SilentWanderer //------------------------------// “Howdy, Flora! You're early!” “I woke up early today! Good morning, Applejack! Good morning, Apple Bloom!” “Good morning, Flora!” Apple Bloom drops her rake and runs to greet me. “I was raking some leaves, do you wanna help?” “Sure!” I go grab another rake, while she goes back to hers. I drag several of the fallen leaves into a small pile, while Apple Bloom does the same to another pile. When she turns her back to gather more leaves, a gust of wind undoes her pile. With an annoyed look, she drags the leaves together again. But as soon as she turns her back, another gust of wind spreads them. She stops and stares at where her pile of leaves was. I drag my rake there. “Let me help you!” Together, we gather the leaves into a new pile. This time, no gust of wind undoes our work. While we rake, I hum a happy tune. “You're even happier than usual today, Flora,” says Apple Bloom. “Yes, it's because... the sun is very nice today!” She gazes at me, and says nothing while we continue to clean up the garden. -*-*-*- “All right, Flora,” says Applejack, “this morning we will plant this area. Big Macintosh and I will plow the field, and you two will follow and plant the seeds in the furrows. Apple Bloom will show you how it's done. Any questions?” “None!” I answer. “Then let's get started.” She puts on and adjusts her plow harness. “Eeyup.” Big Macintosh does the same. They drag their plows, cutting into the ground. I follow them together with Apple Bloom, placing apple seeds at regular intervals. Out of nowhere, an apple falls on Applejack's head. “What the hay?” She stops and looks around. “We're far enough from the apple trees. Where did this come from?” “I didn't see anything,” says Apple Bloom. “Me neither,” I say. “Did you see anything?” asks Applejack to Big Macintosh. “Nope.” “Must be some pegasus pulling a prank. Keep your eyes open.” She resumes her plowing, followed by her brother. A few minutes later, another apple hits Applejack's head. We all look at the sky, but we see nothing. I giggle as silently as I can, hoping they won't notice. I think I can guess who is doing it. We finish the rest of the field without any further incident. -*-*-*- After lunch, I follow Apple Bloom to their clubhouse. Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo are already there. “Hi, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo. What are you two doing?” I ask. “We're playing with the hoops!” answers Sweetie Belle. “I don't think that is how most ponies play with the hoops,” snarks Apple Bloom. Sweet Belle is holding a pair of hoops vertically, while Scootaloo speeds on her scooter towards them. Scootaloo makes her scooter jump without using a ramp, and passes through the pair of hoops without touching them. “Hey, Flora!” greets Scootaloo, taking off her helmet. “We were just waiting for you two!” “What are we going to do now?” asks Sweetie Belle, dropping both hoops on the ground. “How about hide-and-seek?” I suggest. “All right, Flora, you're it,” says Apple Bloom. I close my eyes and count to ten. First, I climb into the clubhouse, trying to not make any sound. I look behind the furniture, but they are not here. I find Scootaloo hidden on the second level of the clubhouse. I look outside. From this vantage point, I don't see either of them. I climb down silently, and look behind the trees. A few minutes later, I find Apple Bloom, and finally Sweetie Belle. “It's my turn now! One, two, three, ...” While Sweetie Belle counts, I run and hide behind a distant tree. “..., nine, ten!” It takes her only the time to walk to where I was hiding. “How did you find me so fast?” I ask. “The tip of your tail was showing!” -*-*-*- We play together for hours. The sun is painting the horizon with a vivid orange color as we say our goodbyes. Applejack gives me a bucket of apples to take home. I thank her and go on my way. When I reach that part of the path, I stop. I don't even have to call him. “Hello, Flora!” “Hi, Discord!” “Did you have fun?” “Yes! I had a lot of fun! You were there watching us, weren't you?” “I think you caught me.” He makes a mock guilty face, and then laughs. “Did you see the look on her face? She thought she was seeing things!” “That wasn't very nice, Discord.” “Oh, come on, you laughed too! It was a harmless one!” He laughs a bit more, and then stops. “But if you don't want me to, I'll stop for now. I promise,” he says with a serious face. I think I can believe him. I take one apple from the bucket and give it to him. “For you!” He smiles, and breaks a couple of twigs from a nearby tree. He straightens them with his fingers, and picks the apple with one of them. “Try it,” he says while he takes a bite from his apple. I pick another apple with the second twig, and take a bite. The apple fills my mouth with a sweet taste. “It's a candy apple!” “It's my thanks for today. Even if I didn't do much, watching you was the most fun I had in years.” “You must have been very lonely.” “You have no idea.” “But you're not lonely anymore!” He smiles widely. “All thanks to you!” I pick my bucket of apples. “I'm going home now. We'll meet again later.” “Goodbye, Flora!” “Bye!”