//------------------------------// // Chapter 3 // Story: To Start Anew // by Kyi195 //------------------------------// Snow Veil woke up rather easily. She had dreamt of swimming in a pool of nothing but cotton candy. But that’s what happens when you fall asleep with the remnants of a sugar high. She sheepishly opened one eye to get it adjusted, then the other. Her morning routine had begun. But something was off today. She didn’t feel as active or awake as she did yesterday. Upon realizing why, though, she was more awake than ever. She didn’t have to work this week, starting today! She flew about her house, completely forgetting her breakfast by the way, screaming and hollering, and causing quite a commotion. She had this week to herself, and she definitely wasn’t going to waste it. Still forgetting breakfast, Snow Veil nearly dove into the bath and bathed in record time. By the time she was ready to head out, the tub still hadn’t finished filling up, let alone draining. Her grin as she stood in her gaping doorway, facing the world, nearly ate her face. She spent the first 20 minutes thinking about what to do, and because of her goofy grin she was catching some awkward stares as well. But that didn’t faze her, today was her day. She thought of Pinkie last night and wondered who this Applejack was and how she could have the best apples in all of Equestria… Didn’t all apples taste the same? Well Snow Veil intended to find out. So off she flew, back to Ponyville. ============================== After landing in Ponyville, Snow Veil was about to make her way to the Apple Family’s orchard when she was blindsided by a yellow, pink maned, pegasus. This yellow pony seemed hell bent on catching the baby ferret she was chasing. So much in fact, she didn’t notice Snow Veil until it was too late. Too late being her on top of Snow Veil. She looked and saw that she had lost the race, and the ferret had made off without her. “Darn it!” she exclaimed, though hushed, “That’s one more I’ll have to catch later. Oh! Sorry miss.” She finally broke from her laser focus and noticed the white pegasus she happened to be perched on top of. “Here let me move. I’m terribly sorry by the way, I didn’t see you there and that little ferret left before he ate and now he’s gonna be hungry all day.” She sighed. “Well anyways, My name is Fluttershy. Sorry again for the rude awakening. What’s your name?” “Snow Veil,” Snow Veil replied. “I like it,” Fluttershy said, “What brings you to Ponyville today, Snow Veil?” “well yesterday I came to have some cupcakes over at Sugarcube Corner. I had the apple ones and they were SOOOO good. Pinkie, whom I met yesterday at that outing, told me there were so delicious because the apples in them were from Sweet Apple Acres. She told me to go and meet somepony named Applejack. So I intend on doing so and thanking her for that apples that made those cupcakes so delicious.” Fluttershy was nodding through all this and when Snow Veil finished, Fluttershy said “well Applejack is one of my best friends. I can, um, introduce you. You know, If it’s okay with you.” Through this whole conversation Fluttershy was hiding behind her mane and her voice was audible… just audible. Snow Veil also though there was some kind of blushing going on too but couldn’t quite see as Fluttershy’s mane was so thick Snow Veil couldn’t see through it. “I would love that!” Snow Veil exclaimed, slightly startling Fluttershy. “Oops, heh, heh, sorry.” And they were off. ============================== After what felt like miles of walking the two pegasi approached the entrance to Sweet Apple Acres, well according to the sign and the fact that all the trees before the sign turned into apple trees past the sign. Fluttershy and Snow Veil continued to chat all the way up to the Apples’ barn. They found out they are from the same part of Cloudsdale and had the same third grade teacher, though they were a few years apart. Upon arrival Fluttershy knocked on the door and the wait began. After a good five minutes of scraping sounds coming from the inside, the top door opened to reveal a quite aged, green pony with a walker. “Oh hi Granny Smith.” Fluttershy said, “is Applejack around?” “Why dearie,” the decrepit old pony answered, “She’s out bucking the east field with Big Mac right now.” “Thank you Granny Smith, have a good day.” Fluttershy and Snow Veil left in the direction of the east field which was, as stated by its name, to the east. Their conversation sparked yet again with Fluttershy finally opening up to Snow Veil. She was speaking more openly now and wasn’t hiding behind her mane anymore. This made Snow Veil feel much better as she didn’t truly know what it was like to have friends. After about 10 minutes of wandering the east field, some grunting could be heard in the distance. Trusting their instincts, as they hadn’t let them down yet, Fluttershy and Snow Veil made their way toward the sound. When they arrived, Snow Veil couldn’t believe her eyes. This tan, blond maned pony was strong enough to kick and apple tree and knock all the apples off, in one hit. Snow Veil hadn’t ever witnessed this kind of strength in her life. Upon further inspection Snow Veil noticed how fluid this pony’s motion was. There was no wasted effort. She would reel up on her front legs and with what seemed to be all her strength, she would kick the tree with her back legs. All the apples would then fall into the baskets she had placed around the trunk of the tree. It was just so beautifully simple Snow Veil couldn’t help but appreciate it. “Why howdy there Fluttershy, didn’t notice you there. And who might this new friend of yours be?” “Well” Fluttershy took a breath, “Snow Veil, this is Applejack and Applejack, this is Snow Veil. She’s from Cloudsdale. She is part of the weather team, though she has today off, and she stopped by Sugarcube Corner.” Fluttershy explained. “Hey” Snow Veil said, suddenly very timid towards this new earth pony standing in front of her. “Fluttershy is right, I topped by Sugarcube Corner yesterday as I was craving some cupcakes. Pinkie Pie gave me quite a list of flavors she had, though I chose the apple ones. They were really, really good and Pinkie said I should come meet you because you are the reason the apples are so good.” “Well, that was mighty kind of her. And yes, Ah buck all these here apples mah self. Well along with my brother, Big Mac.” Applejack took a look at Snow Veil and then looked out at what she had left to buck. “Ah think Ah’ve done my work for today. Big Mac can pick up whatever Ah missed.” She said, seeming slightly fatigued. So with the that, all three ponies left to the house where they sat and ate lunch. It was a beautiful garden salad adorned with fresh, crisp, gala apples. The ponies chatted over their lunch while Snow Veil attempted to restrain herself. The salad was too good or its own good and Snow Veil was on the verge of just scarfing it down. It was the best thing she had to eat in a while, as her usual dinner was either cereal or something from the diner up the street. Needless to say, Snow Veil definitely wasn’t meant to be anything that had to do with making food. At one point she just ceased all movement and stared down the salad. Applejack and Fluttershy both shared a look and started giggling. The pain was too much for Snow Veil to bear thus she resumed her ferocious attack on the salad.