//------------------------------// // Hospitality // Story: A Second Chance // by PaladinColt //------------------------------// The two finally arrived at Sweet Apple Acres, a little sweaty because of the alternate, long route they took to get there. Applejack took off her hat and wiped the sweat off her forehead whilst Trenderhoof had sweat marks on the pits of his sweater. "Wow, it's so hot today." said Trenderhoof, using his magic to get a handkerchief from his pocket to wipe his face. "Well us ponies get used to it." replied Applejack. "I'm sorry I had to let us use the long way." "It's alright." he said. "We wouldn't want to upset Miss Rarity, now, would we?" "Yeah, I guess you're right." The two walked up towards the barn. The unicorn looked at the building and made a sigh, still remembering the last time he had visited the place. He still remembered that outfit he wore to try to impress Applejack, only to have her say no to him. He also remembered Rarity that day, who did the same thing just to impress him. The memory made him feel awkward and uneasy. Applejack opened the door and the two walked into the living room. There, Granny Smith was sitting on her rocking chair while Big Macintosh was fixing a coffee table; Applebloom was with her fellow Crusaders, trying to get their cutie marks. "Howdy, y'all." Greeted Applejack. "I'm home!" Big Macintosh was too busy to reply, but Granny Smith, seeing the young unicorn accompanying her granddaughter, said, "Hey, I remember you!" Trenderhoof flinched for a moment, but then he realized who this old pony was; she was one of the founders of Ponyville, whom he danced with back in the gala in Ponyville. "Miss Granny Smith, I presume?" he said. "Darn Tootin!" she replied. "And you must be Trendyhoof!" "Ummm, it's Trenderhoof." "Close enough!" Hearing his voice, Big Macintosh stopped what he was doing and looked around. Seeing him, an angry pout came to his face; Applejack told him about how much the young unicorn had annoyed her before, and he did not like seeing his sister getting annoyed. The angry look caused Trenderhoof to be startled. But Applejack, intervened, saying, "Alright, everypony, Trenderhoof here will be staying for the night with us. And I was the one who invited him over, so I expect y'all to treat him like an honoured guest. Understood?" "Oh, I bet he's gonna enjoy his stay here!" replied Granny Smith. "Ain't that right Big Mac?" Macintosh just looked straight at Trenderhoof with the same intimidating look and blankly replied, "Eeyup..." Trenderhoof felt intimidated at the brother's stare. Applejack then took his bags and said to him, "Let's get you to our guest room." "A-alright.." replied Trenderhoof. He then followed her upstairs to the Apple family guest room. Big Macintosh continued fixing the table and Granny Smith continued rocking on her chair. The two finally reached the room, which had a bed with a wood carving of an apple. It did not look as fancy as a Canterlot Suite or a Manehattan Hotel Room; just a simple farm bedroom. "I'm sorry, it ain't much." said Applejack. "We don't usually have fancy guests over." "It's fine, Applejack." he replied. "It's way better than my apartment room." Applejack put down Trenderhoof's bags near a corner and asked, "So, how long do you plan on staying, Sugar cube?" "I honestly do not know." chuckled Trenderhoof. "I guess until all this awkwardness finally goes away." "I understand." replied Applejack, looking down. "I feel a little stupid for bringing you all the way here for nothing." Trenderhoof saw that she felt the same awkwardness he was feeling, and she too looked like she was in shame. He walked up to her, placing his hoof on her chin to lift her head up, knowing that this may be an act of affection, but with the real intention of just cheering her up. "Don't look yourself low, Applejack." he said calmly. "I guess it's better this way." He did not know what else to say; he feared that he was overstepping his boundaries again, but his real goal was just to cheer her up. What he got in reply surprised him; Applejack gave him a hug, though not long and affectionate. "Thanks, Sugar cube." Applejack then broke the hug and made her way to the door, saying, "Dinner will be ready in a few minutes. You go unpack your bags for now." "Will do, Applejack." The separated there, not knowing how to process what had just happened. But the level of awkwardness did subside, leaving a small feeling of happiness and relief. - It was already dinner time, and Trenderhoof made his way to the Apple family dinning table. There, at table sat Appjack with Apple Bloom sitting beside her on the right, Big Macintosh sitting across and Granny Smith sitting beside him. Trenderhoof's chair was at the middle of the table, in between Applejack and Big Macintosh. Big Macintosh was the first to see the guest and resumed his intimidating look on him, startling the young unicorn. But when Applejack saw him, she invited him over, saying, "Have a seat, Trenderhoof. We can't start our meal without all our guests." "Umm, okay." replied Trenderhoof, hesitantly. The young unicorn took his place at table, enduring the gaze of the brother. On his plate was a slice of apple pie and some cider. Although he was used to the Hors d'oeuvres he ate back in Manehattan, the meal looked appealing to him. He was about to start eating when Apple Bloom said, "Hey, aren't you that pony Applejack said was 'annoying'?" Trenderhoof suddenly blushed in embarrassment. He felt like every pony at table was looking at him now; he knew that Applejack would have told her family about that one embarrassing moment. But feeling that he did not have to feel that way, Applejack intervened, saying, "Well I didn't exactly say he was REALLY annoying. He was just not thinking straight that time, that's all." "Oh, well, you still said he was annoying." replied Apple Bloom. "Not as annoying as you are." Applejack replied, chuckling. A smile came to the unicorn's face at hearing that. Apple Bloom then asked, "So do 'ya still have a crush on my sister?" "Ummm..." Trenderhoof blushed. "Well, let's just say I'm trying not to be as naive as I was back then." He did not really know what to say, fearing that saying he still did would upset Applejack. In truth, he kind of felt it, but the feeling was being suppressed by awkwardness. "You're lucky you didn't come here during Hearts and Hooves day; I would've given you two that love poison I gave Big Mac and Miss Cheerilee." Big Macintosh nearly spat out his cider at hearing that. He made a big gulp and was about to say something before Applejack cut him off, saying, "Now Apple Bloom, let's not talk about that here at table. He's not here for that sort of stuff." "Then why is he here?" Apple Bloom asked. Applejack did not have an answer to that. She did not want to tell her family that she was the one who invited him over for no particular reason other than the article he wrote about her. Trenderhoof sensed that she did not have an answer to her sister's question, so he decided to compromise. "I... just wanted to... help Applejack out at the farm for a few days!" The Apple siblings looked at him for his answer. Applejack gave a small relieved smile whilst Big Mac had a skeptical look on him. "Why would 'ya wanna help Applejack out?" inquired Apple Bloom. "Well, umm..." replied Trenderhoof, thinking of an answer. "I... I'm going to write an article about... ummm... farm labour." "Really?" "Umm... Yes... I'd... like to show the world how... umm... important farming is to Equestrian agriculture and economy." He did not really know what he was getting himself into, but seeing a relieved smile on Applejack's face was enough to let him do it. Big Macintosh's face, on the other hoof, still looked skeptical. They finally finished their dinner and it was finally time to hit the hay. Applejack accompanied Trenderhoof to his room, saying "Thanks for helping me back there, Trenderhoof." "I should be thanking you for helping me out." he replied. "Your sister is quite an energetic one." "You have no idea." Applejack replied. "But you know that you have to really do everything you said tomorrow." "I know." sighed the unicorn. "At least I'll be getting some exercise tomorrow." "Yeah..." Trenderhoof entered his room and said to Applejack, "Well, good night then, Applejack." "Good night, Sugar cube." she replied. "Sleep tight." With that, Trenderhoof closed the door and made his way to the bed, not knowing what he has in store for tomorrow.