//------------------------------//
// Mix Up 
// Story: Who is Stars 
// by ff0000 
//------------------------------//


Chapter 2.6, Mix Up, Applejack's Story


"So." Trixie eyed Applejack.

Applejack was shivering after spending time outside in the cold with nothing to do to keep her warm. "So?" she hissed through a numb mouth. Her hat was pulled down tight, but it wasn't exactly built for winter.

"I probably should have given you a scarf or something. Oops," Trixie said with any real feelings on the matter. "Anyway, you're the honest one. You wouldn't lie to Trixie, would you?"

"I have nothing to lie about."

"Good. So, tell me, who is Stars?"

"I have no idea.  Listen, can we go inside or something? I am colder than a sphinx cat in the tundra here."

Trixie looked around. Her eyes fell on the door back into the library. "Okay, fine, let's go back inside." The unicorn wasn't bothered much by the cold. Her cloak, aside from looking stylish, was also good at keeping out the weather. She was used to travelling a lot, after all.

Inside, they found Fluttershy puttering around and doing a bit of cleaning. There was a pile of colorful trash on the floor. A bunch of streamers were tangled up in the pegasus's wings.

"Fluttershy, you may vacate this room," Trixie instructed. "But remember, don't talk to anypony. Or else."

Fluttershy gulped down a thick wad of nervousness. "Okay."

Now that it was just Applejack and Trixie again, Applejack started her story.

It was a cold day yesterday, the kind of day that made old wooden houses creak and groan at the slightest movement. The gaps in the walls let in air with every gust, but a roaring fire kept the interiors nice and toasty.

With the cold season, the orchards were hard and rough to work. Not that it was a good idea to grow apples in the winter, anyway. That didn't mean there weren't still things to do. After a breakfast, of apple products, Applejack went to root through their records. They had to look over yields, decide what worked, what didn't work, decide what sort of fertilizer they could produce and all of that. Though for today, she just really tidied up a bit. It was the end of the year, and everypony deserved a break.

Applejack just couldn't sit inside all day, even if it was cold outside, so she decided to go to Twilight's. She was certain that constantly moving would keep her warm, so she left the comfortable indoors for the great outdoors. The vast sky was wonderful, and she would bet her left horseshoe that the night sky would be even better. Maybe they could go out tonight after Pinkie Pie's It's a Good Year to Cheer party.

On her way into town, she saw a flustered mailpony. It looked like he had just taken a slip, probably on some ice, and much of the packages in his mailbag had tumbled out.

"Howdy there, can I offer a hoof?"

"Huh?" the mailpony said. He was a reedy fellow with long legs. It barely looked like his body could carry all the heavy packages ponies were sending for the end of the year. "Yes, if you could, please."

"My pleasure!"

It was a huge mess. Not just carefully wrapped gifts, but cards and letters had gotten wet from the snow. The mailpony was wiping things up with a towel, one that was getting dirtier by the present.

A biting cold went up Applejack's hooves when she dug into the snow for the various presents and letters. She set everything on top of a nearby fence post. It looked like there were some cards that had came loose with the mailpony's fall, as well. "What happened, anyway?"

"I'm not sure. I was just doing my route when all of a sudden, I saw a wave of water! I dove to the side, and while I didn't get wet, almost all of my deliveries spilled out." The thin pony hung his head in dismay. "I really need to hurry up. Thank you for all your help. I would definitely be late if not for you."

"Not a problem," Applejack said.

Though she was a bit confused at which card went where. It was a really good thing that the designs on the cards matched up with the wrapping paper. The card with a picture of a golden bell on it went with the present that had golden bells on the wrapping paper. The rainbow card went with the present with the rainbow wrapping paper. Simple as that.

("That's completely strange," Trixie interjected.

"Pray tell what is?"

"Putting cards and stuff on the outside! If something like that the mailpony falling happens, then everything turns into a huge mess," Trixie sputtered. She had to gesticulate with her arm for added strength.

"Then ponies won't look at the card first before they open the package!" Applejack tapped Trixie on the head. "I mean, just think."

"No! You put the addressing card with the wrapped present, then you wrap something around on the outside of everything!"

"Then everything would look ugly and brown." Applejack stamped her arm on the ground. "And then we could need to unwrap twice as much to get to the present."

"But then it doesn't matter if the outside gets dirty."

Both of them glared at each at each other, hat-to-hat. At the same time, they took one slow step backwards.

"Let's agree to disagree," Trixie said through a forced smile.

"I agree," Applejack responded.

"Please, continue with your story.")

The mailpony was all sorted out now. Applejack waved as he went about a duty that he did through the cold and snow. She was still watching the mailpony recede into the distance when a familiar voice called out, "Hello, Applejack."

Applejack turned around to see a yellow pegasus with long, pink mane. "Oh, howdy there, Fluttershy. I didn't notice you."

Fluttershy was looking at the curious state of the snow and ground. She carefully walked around all of the dents and grooves. "Is everything alright?"

"Yup. You going to Twilight's, Fluttershy?"

"I am."

"Come on." Applejack motioned down the road. "Let's walk together."

They spoke for a bit about their plans for the new year. Applejack really wanted to improve the farm. Things were just breaking left and right. Fluttershy had plans about the next Winter Wrap-up and how to best wake up the animals. They also made some small-talk on the weather. It wasn't bad, being a bit chilly but with clear skies.

"You know what would be nice? The clear night sky. Being outside, feeling the cold air enter your body, that'll jumpstart the new year," Applejack said.

"Um, I'm not sure about the cold air," Fluttershy said, "but I think going out to look at the sky would be beautiful. We should do that after the party, probably somewhere near the library. It would be too cold to go far."

"I'd agree with that. I wouldn't want to go too far in the cold, either."

Going through the town, a store caught Applejack's eyes. "Hey, Fluttershy, would you mind coming with me to the furniture store? I'm going to order a surprise for Granny Smith. A brand new rocker."

"Oh, that sounds lovely."

But who knew there were so many styles of rockers now? The two of them browsed through an entire section of them at the furniture store. There were rockers that had drink holders, rockers with stabilizers and even rockers that could massage at the same time. Applejack's eyes were spinning at all the advancement. Simple was best, that was for certain, so she chose the one without any of those fancy, dandy features. It would be delivered directly to the farm later.

By the time they got to Twilight's home, Rainbow Dash was already there. From Twilight and Rainbow's expressions, brows furrowed and frowning, it looked as if they were arguing.

"What's going on here, Twi, RD?" Applejack asked.

"Check it out!" Rainbow Dash jabbed a hoof towards the package. "This came for me from Princess Celestia."

Fluttershy carefully walked over to the table watched over by the sculpture of a horse's head. "Ooh. What is it?"

"I don't know, Twilight won't let me open it," Rainbow Dash said. "Did either of you get a present from Celestia?"

Both Applejack and Fluttershy shook their heads.

"Wow, this must be a gift for my awesomeness."

"So you're saying that this thing here is a gift from Princess Celestia?" Applejack asked.

"Yes!"

Hold on a minute. Applejack was staring intently at that present, as if it had stolen her apple. But that wasn't the case. It looked familiar. She walked over to Rainbow Dash. Tilting her head towards a more secluded part of the room, she said, "Can I ask you somethin'?"

"Sure, what's up, AJ?"

"You say you got a present from Princess Celestia?"

"Uh, yeah," Rainbow Dash stated.

"That seems stranger than mice sneaking out of the barn." Applejack glanced back towards the present.

"Yeah, so what's your point? This totally makes up for my dad's gift being late."

"Wait." Applejack perked up, standing straight with back stiff. It couldn't have happened, could it? Did she accidentally put the wrong address card on the wrong present while helping the mailpony? But the system of putting the card to the matching present, it was perfect!

("Shocking," Trixie intoned.)

Applejack asked in a cautious manner, "You usually get a present from your dad this time of year?"

"Yeah," Rainbow Dash said. "What of it?"

"Oh, it's just that, well." The words were jumbled up inside Applejack's mouth.  "How should I put this?" Sweat was now pouring forth from underneath her hat, and it suddenly felt really hot inside the library.

"What, do you think like Twilight, that I can't handle a present from Celestia?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"No, I wouldn't quite say that." She craned her neck away.

Before Applejack could explain further, Rarity came strolling into the library. The unicorn was immediately taken in by the present, which was obviously the center of attention. Rainbow Dash was quick to catch her up to the current situation, mostly to brag about the gift.

Applejack felt as if a pressure had released around her chest, and she could breathe again. She wanted not to do the same thing as always, and that was rush into things. Nope. Going back to the post office to confirm things, that was the smart thing to do. This time, she was not going to just blurt out things.

While everypony else was busy, Applejack slipped out of the library. Her hooves pounded the muddy ground as she rushed down the street. There weren't many ponies out and about that day, so she didn't need to stop for anything. It was just taking sharp corners and straight ways until the post office. That was when she slammed headlong into the door.

Applejack bounced back onto the street. She pressed her hat tightly against her stinging muzzle. This time, she calmly walked up to the mail center. A large sign was hanging on the door, directly at the height of the head. They were closed early for the day due to it being the eve of the new year. Funny how she missed that before.

With a thunk, Applejack plastered herself on the window. It was dim and devoid of staff inside. Squinting, she managed to see a sack of undelivered gifts. That one, the blue one had a similar hue to Rainbow Dash's coat, that was the only one lying near the rainbow-colored package. It must be where the card addressed to Rainbow Dash had fallen from. It was so close yet so far.

After thinking for a bit, Applejack resolved to just fix it tomorrow. She would take the wrong present back to the post office first thing in the morning and explain about the mishap. Simple as that. She did scratch her head in regards to Rainbow Dash, however. It felt pretty wrong to take away the present before the one from her pa had arrived. Maybe it was alright just to leave Princess Celestia's gift there for the time being.

But she didn't return to the library. Applejack just meandered around outside, keeping warm by moving at a canter. As the sun was setting, she finally decided to return. It was about time for the party to begin anyway.  She was the fifth to arrive, after Twilight, Spike, Pinkie and Rainbow. Once Rarity and Fluttershy arrived, the party went into full swing, with music, games and food.

"Hey, girls," Applejack called out. "Once it's the new year, how about we go outside to look at the night sky?"

Rainbow Dash remained guarded by her present. "Sure thing, AJ, but only after I open Princess Celestia's present."

"Oh, that." Applejack turned towards the present. She let out a forced chuckle and backed away from it. "Come on, Rainbow, that thing can wait."

"What do you mean?" The feisty pegasus shot a glare over.

Applejack had a toothy, but evasive, grin. "Nothing." Her eyes were clearly avoiding contact with Rainbow Dash's, and sweat was dripping down her face. "Hoo, I am thirsty. I'm going to get some of that there punch." She backed away, still with a wide smile, until her butt bumped into the table. Once there, she scooped a cup and then downed it all in one gulp.

"Right," Rainbow Dash said slowly.

There was music, food and a great atmosphere with friends. Applejack's apprehension was slowly eroded away by Pinkie Pie's antics. A good party with friends could cure what ails a pony.

"Hey, girls," Twilight called out. Her arm was extended towards a simple, wooden clock. It was hanging on the wall and had a small pendulum swinging underneath. Everyone knew what she meant. It was almost twelve and almost the new year, at least according to library time.

Rainbow Dash pushed up her cheeks into a broad grin. "Almost time to open my present!"

"About that," Applejack said, "don't you think it's better if you don't?"

"I think it's a great idea, so stuff it, Applejack," Rainbow Dash shot back.

Pinkie slapped Rainbow Dash on the back, sending her staggering into Applejack. "Come on, come on," she said. "It's almost time for the new year! In Ten, nine, eight!"

Applejack pulled her hat down, but she joined in with everyone else. "Seven, six, five, four!" The swinging pendulum created a distinct tick-tock rhythm.

"THREE!"

"TWO!"

"ONE!"

"HAP-"

A bang shook the library walls. Glass definitely sounded like it broke from the impact. Wind blew through the open hole and huffed out the lanterns in the room, sending it into darkness. Applejack did notice a brief flash, but she had no idea what it was.

Everyone let out gasps of surprise and yelps of pain as they crashed into each other. All the moving brought down more crashing noises as decorations and books tumbled down. Everyone was trying to talk over one another, so no one was understandable.

"Calm down!" Twilight shouted.

A bright glow, coming from her horn, lit up the room, though it was still rather dim. Shadowy shapes flickered across the walls. A lot of the shelves were messy while much of the decorations have been pulled down. Rarity added her light to the mix.

"What happened?" Fluttershy asked. She was curled up on the ground.

"Someone broke the window," Rarity pointed out. "Who would do something as barbaric as that?"

Rainbow Dash suddenly cried out, "Hey!" and brought everyone's attention away from the window. She pointed towards the central table, where something was conspicuously missing. The present had vanished! "Alright, who took it?"

"Calm down, Rainbow," Twilight said. "I'm sure there's an explanation for this."

"Applejack stole my present!" Rainbow Dash said.

"What?" Applejack shouted. "Why in the hay would I do that?" She happened to be the one closest to the table at the moment, however.

The annoyed pegasus jabbed her hoof into Applejack's chest. "I don't know, but you've been acting strange around my present all day!"

Applejack glared back and pushed the hoof away. "I'm sure it just fell down somewhere, let's look around."

(Trixie leaned in and said, "Did you take the opportunity to take the present so Rainbow Dash wouldn't open the wrong one?"

"No!" Applejack said firmly.

"Are you lying?"

"Of course not. I just haven't gotten around to telling the other's the truth yet." Applejack raised her head as if she had been grievously insulted.

Trixie prodded the earth pony and sniffed. "I'll be the judge of what is true and what is not true around here. Now, you just wait here."

There was something about that story that felt off, but everypony had told their story now, and Trixie was ready to give an answer.)