It wasn’t a very long flight over to the farm at all. Wildfire glided over within a matter of minutes to the south side of town. Before he knew it, he had landed in front of a long white fence with a large vined over arch way leading into the farm. A sign hanged from it, carved into it the shape of an apple.
To the right of the yard was a field of crops; corn, beans, wheat, and even cabbage by the looks. There was also a well, lined in stone. Out in the distance, he could see another field of crops where a tall house also stood. He assumed it was a carrot field, judging by how the house was decorated with a carrot standing upon the roofs apex.
To the right, he saw all of the tiny huts and coups for the barn yard animals. Chickens, pigs, cows, goats; nothing too out of the ordinary. He could even hear a dog running around barking off in the distance somewhere. Beyond the animal pens was the apple orchard, one of the largest orchards Wildfire had ever seen. It extended out to the foothills, disappearing behind them and possibly extending even further.
But in the center of it all was the most important part; the barn. It was rather cliché actually, big, wide, tall, and red. From its windows hung some flowers that bloomed from the flower boxes hanging in them, and the top of its weathercock up on the roof stood an apple sculpture.
For a large place though, and possible a larger family, it didn’t seem to busy. There were a few foals running about, playing with the dog Wildfire had heard before. He could see some ponies bucking trees and collecting apples off in the distance as well. Perhaps they were all inside the barn?
Wildfire stepped forward some, catching a whiff of something sweet smelling coming from the barn. He stepped inside, the smell of fresh baked goods hitting him in the face. He inhaled deeply, and began to notice his own empty stomach. The bowl of cereal that morning evidently wasn’t enough of a meal to hold him over.
“Can I help y’all?”
Wildfire jumped at the voice a little, lower in tone and more of that southern accent ringing in Wildfire’s ear. He turned, the stallion talking to him was a taller and more buff fellow, red in color and sporting a short cut carroty colored mane and tail. His cutie mark was of a large green apple, cut in half to the core. He was chewing on a piece of straw as he talked.
“Um, actually, yes!” said Wildfire. “I’m helping Twilight Sparkle with checking up on things for the Celebration. I’m here to see how the food’s coming along.”
The red stallion nodded his large head slowly, turning to the rear of the barn heading for the door at the rear of the back barn.
“Follow me.” he said.
Wildfire hopped forward and took to the large stallion’s side. He took another big whiff, his lungs filling up again with the sweet smell of fresh treats sailing on the air.
“That smells awesome.” said Wildfire, smiling at the large red pony.
“Mm-hmm.” nodded the stallion.
“Must be because of all the fresh apples around here.”
“Eeyup.” said the stallion.
Wildfire felt a bit awkward. He wasn’t getting much conversation out of the big guy. His smile faded into an absent expression.
They entered what looked to be a living room from the back door, furnished with rather retro couches and chairs lined up along its peach walls decorated with pictures of family. They walked through it into the front room, where the front door and the stairs to the second floor were. And across from there, they came into the kitchen. Pots and pans hung from green and blue walls along with other decorations and pictures that filled the room.
The kitchen was full of ponies, young and old, running about as the warm room was kept lively with the scent of pies, breads, and whatnot.
“Applejack!” shouted a younger sounding voice.
“Look! A bigger pony without a cutie mark!”
A little filly ran up to Wildfire, greeting him extra enthusiastically with a broad smile and wide bright amber eyes that took hold of him immediately. Her yellow coat lit up the room with a youthful shine, and her raspberry colored hair seemed to absorb light rather than glow. She also decorated her mane with a pink bow. Sure enough, she didn’t have a cute mark either.
“Hi! I’m Applebloom!” she greeted.
“Um, hey Applebloom.” Wildfire said.
“Ain’t this great Big Mac!? I ain’t never met a pony this old without a cutie mark!” said the foal, hopping up and down.
“Eeyup!” said the large red stallion.
“What’s your name?” asked Applebloom, smiling brightly at Wildfire.
“Oh, it’s Wildfire.”
“Oh! You’re that pony that was up on stage yesterday, right?”
Wildfire nodded in agreement.
“Wow! Wildfire. Y’all must not be that old though; I meant not havin’ a cutie mark and all. I’d find hard to believe you ain’t found your special talent yet.”
Wildfire shrugged, not able to form a response.
“’Cause that’s what a cutie mark is! You find your special talent in life and earn your cutie mark when you do. And the mark you get has something to do with your special talent!” expressed Applebloom, hoping and spinning about in excitement.
“I’m plenty sure that Wildfire knows what a cutie mark is Applebloom.” said Applejack, coming out from the kitchen. “Howdy, Wildfire.” she said, placing a hoof on Applebloom’s head.
“Hey, Applejack.” said Wildfire.
“I think I already know why you’re here, but I’m gonna ask anyway. What can I do for ya, Wildfire?”
“Well, I’m just here to check up on the preparations.” explained Wildfire. “Twilight and I both took half of the work, so I guess I would have time to help here too if you want.”
“Well, that’s mighty neighborly of you, Wildfire. We’d love the help.”
Applejack walked Wildfire into the kitchen where most of the work seemed to be getting done. Big Mac and Applebloom followed behind, Applebloom skipping about happily.
“Well, I see y’all have already met Big Macintosh and Applebloom. But we’ve got our entire family here on this farm!” she said, beginning to give Wildfire the tour of the farm.
“Hey, y’all! Listen up!” announced Applejack, getting the attention of the pony filled kitchen.
“This here’s Wildfire! He’s new in Ponyville, so why don’t we all greet him warm like?”
“Hi Wildfire!” shouted the entire room, making Wildfire perk up some.
“Um, Hi!” returned Wildfire, somewhat awkwardly, but still unable to contain his smile at the bright and energetic welcome. Applejack began pointing everyone out to Wildfire.
“Over there’s Apple Fritter, making apple fritters. Over there is Apple Dumplin’, making apple dumplings’. Caramel Apple’s making caramel apples, Apple Cobbler’s making apple cobbler, Apple Bumpkin’s making apple tart, Apple Tart making apple bumpkin. Granny Smith’s making apple pie. Apple Sauce, Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Braeburn...”
Applejack continued, individually pointing out all of the ponies in the room and outside through the windows even, introducing about another twenty ponies before taking a breath to introduce another twenty.
“I’m baking muffins!” said a grey colored mare with bleach blonde hair, eyes crossed in a silly manner.
“Oh, and that’s Derpy.” said Applejack.
“She’s not part of the apple family, but she does make a pretty mean apple cinnamon muffin!”
“Oh…” nodded Wildfire, mind in a slight haze as his nose turned up at the thick scent of sweets and baked goods filling the room.
“So, what do ya think?” asked Applejack, scooting up beside Wildfire and awaiting his response.
“Um, I think it smells really good in here.” said Wildfire, wiping a bit of drool from his mouth.
“Why don’t you grab a fork, sonny!” said Granny Smith, mixing a bowl of what looked to be dough.
“Grab a fork?” repeated Wildfire, tilting his head in question.
“Sure! We need a taste tester, and it might even be worth it to put some meat on them bones!” she said, quickly looking Wildfire up and down.
“Really?” asked Wildfire to Applejack.
“Mm-hmm! Sound like a good idea. Why don’t we just head over into the dining room area and find y’all a seat and some silverware?” said Applejack, smiling broadly.
“Oh… ok.” said Wildfire.
Applejack got into the cupboard and the drawers and pulled out a large plate and a fork for him to use. She sat it down on the table out in the dining room adjoining to the kitchen. She brought a stool out too for Wildfire to sit on.
“Now, don’t be shy, there’s plenty of food to go around! What do you wanna try?” asked Applejack.
Wildfire didn’t need to think for too long. His mouth was watering profusely. He didn’t realize how hungry he was until a couple of minutes ago. He swallowed his drool and cleared his throat to hush his growling stomach.
“Well, I sort of had a small breakfast, so… a bit of everything.”
Applejack laughed out loud.
“Alright! Coming right up!” she said with a wink.