//------------------------------// // Family Ties // Story: Where Night Meets Day // by _Medicshy //------------------------------// It took a scant two years for the nation of the New Lunar Republic to not only form, banded together from like minded ponies in cities across eastern Equestria, but to create an unresolvable border dispute. While the line between the two nations had been foggy at best at the Republic's inception, resolved as the point where the guard was no longer shouted at by the rioting ponies, it became immediately clear that those boundaries weren't exactly tenable. Cities needed land for food production and natural resources, villages against the takeover were mounting offensives against rebels coming too close to their lands, and, realistically, the argument of clearly defined natural borders wasn't all that bad. It just had one flaw: Celestia's Equestria wouldn't have any of it. Barring loyalists fleeing the cities and lands taken over by Luna's rebels, Equestria (being called the Solar Empire by said rebels) refused to communicate with, trade with, or do much more than tolerate the presence of the New Lunar Republic, so giving up even an inch of their borders was right out of the question. When this response was met with refugees from the loyal villages and armed rebels claiming the land all on their own... well, there was really only one possible solution. After all, a pony had to keep their own safe and sound. And nopony understood that better than Applejack. From the moment she saw that rainboom and ran all the way home, she knew, deep in her heart, that she was an Apple to the core, and an Apple knew three things. First: that family was more important than anything. Second: that apples weren't just a crop, they were a way of life. And third: an Apple never gave up, especially where points one and two were concerned. Sure, right now, most of where the rebels were was past the Everfree Forest, but what if they kept moving? What if they went all the way to Ponyville, or all the way to Appleloosa? Who would stop them from taking over Sweet Apple Acres or hurting her kin? The answer was obvious. Her. She might have been out of the loop for a little while, what with having three healthy foals and running a farm on her mind, but she knew that her country needed her and her friends, and she was ready and willing to help before they even asked. And, as Apples themselves, her kin were ready to back her up fully. “Now you be careful out there, little missy! You might be the Element a' Honesty, but that don't mean you're invincible! Nopony defends a fence like you, but these pests are a might bigger 'n rabbits.” Granny Smith pointed a wrinkly hoof at Applejack, shaking it threateningly as she warned the ever-young mare. The drooping skin over her face rearranged itself into a smile quickly enough, though. “But with you 'n Applebloom on the job, those bad apples 'll be back to normal in no time.” Applejack blushed slightly over the finished meal, her last with her family before she headed to Canterlot to train. “Aw, shucks Granny. We'll do our best. Though I'm just wonderin' how it coulda got this bad ta start with.” The room was full of the family at home, which was a small group at the moment: only four counting her. She'd invited her husband over from his farm, hoping he would bring their daughters but she knew better than anypony how difficult a farmer's life was. Still, it would have been nice to see Cassidy and Concord before she left... Shaking her head, she looked over at Big Mac, smiling brightly at her brother. “I just wish you were comin' with us, Mac. You'd be all the muscle we'd need.” Big Mac shook his head, and for the first time Applejack could see the hints of coming wrinkles on his tired face. “Can't. Ain't built for trainin'.” He rubbed his back brace idly, the leg he chose wrapped with its own brace at the knee, but he smiled nonetheless. Still, there was a sadness behind his eyes, and in the light of the dining room he just seemed so... frail. “Ah, well, somepony's gotta keep Granny in line, right?” Applejack chuckled at the scowl that got from both Big Mac and Granny Smith and shook her head, looking at the pony sitting across from Big Mac. Little Jazz was only eleven, all bright eyes and high energy normally, but right now he was sitting quietly, looking like he'd never smile again. Applejack reached over, putting a hoof on her son's shoulder. “You doin' alright there, Jazz?” He stayed quiet, focused fiercely on the food before him, barely touched at all. “I know it's gonna be hard for a bit, but-” “But why do you have to go?” Jazz's eyes looked up into Applejack's, those big hazel orbs looking so innocent and questioning, and growing up so fast... how big would they be when she got back? She had to fight not to just melt down and give in to them. “Jazz, ya gotta understand. It ain't that I want ta go, it's that I need ta. As much as I love the farm an' wanna stay here more 'n anything, I can't sit idly by and wait for somethin' bad ta happen ta my family! I'm an Apple, Jazz, just like you, and-” “-family is more important than anythin'.” Jazz recited with her, frowning as he did. “Yeah, I know, but... We're yer family, ma! Yer real family, an' we need you here! This whole place'd fall apart without ya!” Applejack sighed, looking to her elders at the table, only to see them both waiting for her answer to her son. Sometimes she wondered if they liked to see her squirm, or if it was just payback for something she did when she was a filly. Still, she stood up, walking around the table and kneeling down before Jazz, which almost put her too low to look in his eyes anymore. When had he gotten so tall? “Jazz, I know this is gonna be hard, but you 'n Mac 'n Granny Smith are just gonna have ta be strong while I'm gone. Sweet Apple Acres is home, it runs through your veins... Ya'll know what to do.” Jazz shook his head and crossed his arms, pouting with tears welling at the edges of his eyes, though she could tell by the strain on his freckled cheeks that he was trying to hide them. “How can you just go away an' abandon yer family!” Applejack wanted to cry as well, but that was doused by a flare of Apple pride. “I ain't 'abandonin'' no family, Jazz! Family is more'n just the ponies yer related ta. It's yer friends 'n neighbors too. Princess Twilight is countin' on me, the whole of Equestria is countin' on me, an' I'm not gonna let 'em down!” She pulled him close, nuzzling into his green mane. “Yer my little seedling an' I love ya more 'n anythin', but I can't just leave everypony else worryin' just 'cus I couldn't leave ya when you could take it.” She pulled back, smiling brightly. “Yer strong, Jazz. I trust ya ta make it through just fine. You just make sure ta keep the Acres safe, an' I'll be back before ya know it, ya hear me?” Jazz nodded, tears rolling down his face, though he tried desperately to hide his sobs. That was too much for Applejack, and a few of the tears she'd been holding onto fell as well. “I promise, when this is over, ya ain't gonna even know I was gone.” Jazz shook his head., clinging tightly to his mother's arm. “I'll know...” It took a long time for the two to separate, but eventually Applejack had to leave or she would miss her train, and so she gently pulled away from her son and grabbed her things, slinging her saddlebags over her back before she put on her hat and headed out. Looking back on her home to see Big Mac and Granny Smith hugging each other and fighting off tears was just as touching as when she'd left as a filly with nothing but a sling over her shoulder, though the sight of Jazz added in stabbed at her heart. Still, it was for them that she had to be strong, so she took a deep breath, turned towards town, and started on the long path from home. Just before she reached the gate of Sweet Apple Acres, her path was blocked by two little fillies waiting for her at the edge of the road. One was purple, with fiery golden eyes drowning in tears, while the smaller one was yellow with a shocking red mane, barely able to stand for her shaking sobs. As soon as they saw her, Concord and Cassidy ran down the path, both of their little bodies thumping against her chest as all three of them joined in a hug. She held them close for one last time, wondering if her little girls would grow up as fast as Jazz had. She already knew the answer. It took her just as long to pry herself from her daughters as it had her son, but their intervention did nothing to lessen the importance of her mission, it only made it that much harder to turn and leave the sobbing fillies behind her. She hoped all the way to the train station that their father would say goodbye as well, but when the time came, she boarded the train alone, her last kiss unspent upon her lips, joining at least a month's worth before it... Flora tilted the last of the water from her watering can, finishing her daily checkup of her plants with a spring in her step. Every day since she'd first played for the jazz apples just seemed to be getting better, both musically, as she grew more accustomed to the violin, and due to a string of good omens. Silver Lining had managed a successful snowstorm, dusting the town lightly in the white fluff, and with the first snow of winter came the news that Equestria's forces were making headway into the New Lunar Republic's territory, putting them, if the papers were to be believed, one step closer to a nation at peace. On a more personal level, Rose was running her perfumery again, and, on the one day that Flora had walked into the shop, the smile she saw on her mother's face wasn't a forced rictus of despair. Even old Dot's tail seemed to be wagging more often, making the whole season feel perfectly in tune. And what a glorious tune it is! thought Flora as she grabbed the violin case, went outside, and locked the door of her greenhouse behind her. She had decided to keep the violin there, as it was free from prying eyes or ears and far enough from her mother to neither disturb her nor get her asking questions. If Rose hadn't figured out that Flora and Jazz were a couple by now, really, Flora would have to be disappointed in the obliviousness of her mother, but that didn't mean Flora wanted her mother prying, something the increasingly melodic tones of the violin would cause without fail. And, though she knew it was fear speaking and nothing else, Flora was not ready for a repeat of Ms. Heartstrings' recital. Flora barely noticed the lengthy walk to Sweet Apple Acres, her mind wandering as she hummed the tune she was beginning to know by heart. Coming here each day to play for the glowing blossoms was a joy, made that much better when she saw Jazz's smiling face, his eyes practically gleaming in the warm room. The music had been set, and now it was just a matter of ensuring the flowers enjoyed the show, but even if they were playing the same song over and over, that simple act the two of them did together made the chilly walk from Ponyville worth it. She met him at the door, watching the snow piled just outside of it quickly melt as he swung it open, the blast of warm air from within rolling over her face and immediately making her wooly hat feel far too warm. Once inside, she tossed the hat aside, smiling as it landed on the pile of his scarf before both she and Jazz got their instruments out in unison. Tuning took the longest, since she didn't have the ear to tell if she was sharp or flat and the temperature change wrecked havoc on both her violin and his trumpet, but Jazz took the whole process in stride as he tuned them both, and, even with the delays it caused to the performance, the heat was a source of pride for Flora. The building had no heater, no conditioning, no furnace, and yet it still felt like a sauna when the two of them got too worked up. When she'd repaired it last she'd done a wonderful job on the insulation, and the smile that fact brought to her face always puzzled Jazz when he gave her her fiddle and readied to play. Flora took her stance, Jazz readied his horn, and, with little more than a nod between them, they both began to play. Most days Flora kept her eyes closed, but today wasn't one of them, watching as the blossoms on their living sheet music glowed and swayed to the melody, reveling as it washed over them like gentle waves lapping at the shore. The shimmering lights always threatened to dazzle her, to take her from her music and into the magic she was witnessing before her, but she always fought back, looking over at her partner and seeing the product of their duet reflecting in the sheen of his fur. Much too soon the song ended, the instruments coming to a rest and both ponies smiling at each other as they awaited the results. The flowers' glow grew to a pitch, then suddenly cut out, the petals just a little bigger, their scent a little sweeter, their fruit one day closer to perfection. It'd be a month before they began to develop, and even longer until they were ripe for the picking, but Flora was more than happy to wait. As Jazz walked over and nuzzled her cheek in appreciation, she smirked to herself, wrapping her hooves around him in a hug. She wasn't really here for the apples anyway. Flora looked up at the peak of the greenhouse roof, laying on her back as she watched a small chunk of snow begin to slide off, creating a noise she could follow all the way to the edge where it plopped on the ground. Inside it was still warm, the air electric with the after results of their performance today, and she was making the most of the time as she rested with her head against Jazz's side. She looked over at him, watching his warm smile bud on his face as he looked at the flowers. However, that tiny bud didn't truly blossom until he saw he had her attention, leaning over and rubbing his nose cutely against hers. “Ya did amazin' as always, Sugar.” Flora's cheeks warmed as she looked into his eyes. “Well, I have a great partner to play off of, Jazzy. And I learned from an amazing teacher.” They both giggled at each other, a lazy flick of Flora's tail brushing lightly against the instrument cases, full and abandoned in the middle of the room. Both ponies probably had places to be or things to be doing, but the cool glow of winter's twilight had yet to grace the opaque white walls, so, really, where was the rush? Flora wiggled deeper into her spot on Jazz's side, grinning warmly at him, which he matched, tousling her mane gently with his hoof. “An' ta think, a few months ago you were scared ta play!” She shook the hair out of her eyes, rolling onto her side so she could look him in the face the whole time. “Yeah, well, a lot can change in a few months. Though I still won't be playing for anyone but you.” Jazz smirked, glancing over towards the flowers, and Flora rolled her eyes. “Yeah, alright. I guess they can hear it too.” They both laughed at that, but as it died down, an idea popped into Flora's head, causing her to push herself up to be level with Jazz's face. “Actually, scratch that, Silver totally needs to hear one of these performances.” Jazz raised an eyebrow at her, already feeling the warm air wrap around the spot her head had vacated. “Ya want an audience? Ya sure about that? I thought ya said ya froze up the last time ya had one.” Flora waved a hoof at the thought. “That was years ago when I was just a filly, and besides, it'd be Silver! She's our best friend! The flowers would be a pickier bunch.” Jazz tapped a hoof on the ground, digging a little hole in the dirt. “I dunno... I ain't shown this ta anypony that ain't family. I mean... I guess it's not so much my show as ours, anymore, but it might be weird ta have her watchin'.” “Jazz, c'mon! She's a Crusader, she's a friend, she's been helping us both out since we were foals... Heck, she's the only other pony who works as hard as we do on your farm, even if it's all done in the sky above it. While the weather she makes might not help these particular apples, this whole show would be the perfect way to pay her back. She'd love it.” Flora didn't need to make a puppy face or beg, but, though her words didn't say it, she was asking permission. She still had a greenhouse she didn't let her friends into, and if he wanted to keep their show a secret, she'd completely understand. But this was a year of change, and this was something Silver deserved to see. Though it took him a few moments and a very unsure look at Flora, Jazz agreed, nodding his head. “Alright, she can watch, but just the once. When I'm in here, I ain't puttin' on a show fer ponies. Just plants.” Flora smiled and pumped a hoof in the air, bringing a smaller smile to Jazz's face with her antics. She leaned forward, ready to make those smiles meet, but was startled when her face only met air, a knock on the greenhouse wall pulling Jazz's attention, and muzzle, away from her. Behind the jazz apple vines there were a few shadows outside, and curiosity got the better of both of them, leading Jazz to put on his scarf and go outside while Flora slowly stood up and got her hat, waiting to see if the situation needed her. As soon as Jazz poked his head out the door, he heard a familiar voice. “Jazz, what the hay do ya think yer doin' with this eyesore?” Looking over the fence where it disappeared into the greenhouse he saw a purple mare tapping her hoof against the corner, a bitter look on her face. With a little confusion, Jazz answered. “It's jazz apple season, Concord. I do this every year.” He then looked at the greenhouse, glad to see it blending in slightly better with the snow all around it. “Could be worse. Could be doin' it in the summer. I'd stick out like a carrot in a cabbage patch.” Concord tsked in annoyance, leaning against the fence. “Yeah, but Jazz... I get that ya do this every year, but do ya have to do it on our property?” Jazz walked up to the fence, noting that the greenhouse did, indeed, pass it to enclose the vines within. “But that's where the buildin' always goes. Been like that since I started takin' care of the things. An' it's only a hoofful a' land that ain't anywhere near the vin'yards.” He could see the sticks the grape vines grew on behind concord, a good hundred yards from the edge of the fence. Concord leaned over the fence, tapping Jazz on the head. “But ya see, big bro, this is Grape Family Vineyards' land, not Sweet Apple Acres’s land. Daddy's not too pleased ya've been spillin' over, but he's willin' to settle... for a fee.” As she spoke, Golden Grape walked from around the fence, a scowl on his face, only made more stern by the beginnings of wrinkles and greying light blue mane. Jazz looked from his father to Concord, feeling the situation going south quickly. “What's all this about? If'n the vines didn't grow right on the fence, I wouldn't have ta go over, but since they do, it weren't never an issue that the buildin' went over.” “Actually, Jazz, it was.” Cassidy, who had managed to hide behind the slender form of her father, walked over to the fence, leaning over to top to offer a folder across it. As Jazz took the important looking document, his youngest sister continued to explain. “You see, according to the official records, there was never a binding agreement made on the land by the fence by either the Apple or the Grape family. Officially, this means that in order to build your greenhouse here, you will have to either obtain the permission from the head of the Grape family and/or pay rent upon the space, including back rent on all of the years prior, to a sum which you will find in that folder I have provided.” Jazz flipped open the folder, sifting through the paperwork inside until he came across the bill. He immediately dropped the whole thing in disgust. “Twenty thousand bits?! What kinda fool do ya take me for? That kinda money for this is just disgustin'.” Cassidy frowned when the folder hit the snow, but otherwise remained calm. “Strictly speaking, most of that money would not be for the land. The bulk of it would be payment for the profits gained by the selling of our product as your own.” “Huh?” Cassidy tapped the fence in annoyance. “Those 'jazz apples.'” “What about 'em?” “They aren't apples. They're grapes.” Jazz glared at his sister before looking towards his father, the aging stallion continuing to stand silently in the back. “Pa, she's jokin', right? Yer all just messin' with me.” Cassidy sighed. “I can assure you I'm not. According to the legal records, an agreement was struck at the time of the Grape family gaining the land so near the Apple family from Princess Celestia and setting down their vineyard. They were to grow and sell grapes and grape based products such as juice and wine, while the Apples would grow and sell apples for similar purposes, with no violation of this unless agreed upon by both sides. And, by law, an apple is a large arboreal fruit, while a grape is grown and cultivated off of a vine.” She pointed to the paper that supported her arguments, half covered in snow as it was. “Despite the look, taste, and shape of your 'jazz apples,' the size and the way they are grown suggest that they are, in fact, jazz grapes and, as such, all profits from them must be paid back before a new deal can be struck in the splitting of any income.” Flora tried to stay silent from this strange family argument, but at that last statement she couldn't hold back, storming out of the greenhouse, much to the surprise of the Grape family ponies. “What?!” she yelled as she approached the fence. “You can't be serious! If you had ever once tried to cultivate the jazz apples-” “Jazz grapes,” Cassidy supplied. Flora gave her a flat look. “To cultivate the jazz apples, then maybe you would have a leg to stand on, but you didn't even know what the vines were, let alone how they grew, until Jazz figured it out. It's why the plants are named after him, and why he's the one to take care of them! And he doesn't even make money off of them! He-” Jazz ran over to the fence, pushing Flora gently back and separating her from his sister. “Flora, I 'preciate the help, but you ain't th' one in charge a' the farm. Let me take care a' this.” When she was back on the ground, her hackles still raised, he turned on his sister. “An' I know there ain't some fancy words on paper sayin' as much, but Ma and Pa both agreed the day I figured them apples out that they were under my care, whatever I decided to do with 'em. In fact, I remember some talk about tearin' down the fence around the vines 'n makin' the two farms one. Now since yer here messin' with me, that last bit ain't never happened, but it don't change that the jazz apples are mine. Isn't that right?” He directed that last question towards his father, who continued to stand in the back, watching the entire scene quietly. Golden's stern face barely registered that the question was put to him, but when he looked at his son, the coldness never left his eyes. “I don't remember anything like that.” Jazz looked like he'd been punched in the face. “What?!” Concord smirked haughtily, feeling the full sense of achievement. “He said it never happened Jazz.” Flora took a step towards the fence, steam shooting from her nose with each angered breath. “Why you little-” Jazz shot out a hoof to stop her, though the anger in his eyes only seemed to suggest he'd be the one to leap at her. “You just ask Ma about it! She can tell ya the date, the time, even probably what we had for dinner that night when you both were celebratin' about it!” He looked between his sisters, feeling what little bond held his family together weakening by the second. He could just barely see it, but he remembered the wonder on Concord's face... and the jam splattered all over Cassidy's. “Until ya get both sides a' th' story, I ain't gonna pay a single bit fer rent.” He started to walk inside, but stopped at the door. “An' it's like Flora said, I ain't sold anythin' off of 'em, so ya got nothin' ta collect.” Cassidy looked surprisingly calm at the outbursts, but it was clear she wasn't done yet. “This still doesn't cover the damages caused by farming the jazz grapes, Sweet Apple Acres property or no.” Jazz froze, every muscle waiting in anticipation of something horrible. “What damages?” “Sound pollution, disturbing the peace, and any damage caused to the vineyards by the din created by your trumpet.” Jazz snorted and spun around, glaring at Cassidy. “My trumpet ain't caused no din, an' it ain't hurt any a' yer vines. I might be willin' ta grant ya some 'sound pollution,' but I ain't payin' for that either, considerin' ya enjoyed it so much at the last family reunion. If'n yer lucky, I might be willin' ta quiet it down fer yer precious Grape ears.” Cassidy glared back, the first time her demeanor broke. “Our ears aren't the issue, Jazz. The problem is the land, the sound, and the lack of a legal contract.” Jazz looked at his other sister, seeing the matching glare from her, then looked to his father, who stayed quiet in the back. They were really trying to pull this on him... The anger built, boiling in his blood, but just as he was about to release it... it all evaporated, sapping his energy and leaving behind a deep rooted sadness. “Why're ya doin' this ta me? I get that it might be payback fer some prank when we were little, but... C'mon, girls! We're kin.” Golden looked between his three children and shrugged, frowning at the fence they all were leaning on. “Times are hard on all of us, son, and the war hasn't helped that in the least. A few years ago, a little bit of land on the edge of the vineyard didn't mean anything, but now...” He looked past Jazz, into the orchard with all of its leaves bare, then at Flora, the only pony standing on Jazz's side. It didn't soften his gaze in the least. “Family or not, this is a matter of business.” Jazz shook his head. “But it ain't. Look, I've been askin' fer help, an' I understand ya being busy, but if it's that bad, ya coulda asked me. I ain't a pony ta leave his family in need.” He looked at his sisters, both lacking some of their smugness, their smiles faded at the sight of him. “What would Ma think about all this, huh Cassidy? All these numbers 'n rates tryin' ta milk yer brother for what few bits he has? Or, Concord, how ya had ta bully the farm ya grew up on for a few bits in a pinch?” He slumped into the snow. “I know we ain't raised a barn or even worked a field together in years, but that don't mean I don't love ya. Yer the ones that cut ties with me, an' now...” He sighed. “Now it's like ya ain't even Apples anymore.” Golden huffed in the cold, the steam swirling away instantly. “If being an Apple is so hard, son, you could always be a Grape. I'm sure that crippled uncle of yours could run the farm just fine on his own.” The anger that had left came back in full force, pulling Jazz up to the fence and looming over it as best as he could, daggers in his eyes as he glared at his father. “Pa, if ya really loved Ma, ya'd know an Apple never abandons their own. You might try ta ruin Sweet Apple Acres, but yer gonna have ta do so through me 'n all the Apple kin.” Just behind him Flora took a fighting stance as well, ready to throw down hooves if it would keep the farm she knew so well safe for another year. Golden shrugged, shaking off Jazz's anger like so much bravado. “Well, I'm sorry you see it that way, son, but I really have no choice. Cassidy, could you take that bill and go to the mayor with it? I'm sure she'd be willing to help us on this matter.” Cassidy took a step towards the fence, seeing the folder sitting in the snow just on the other side, but hesitated at the intensity of the anger behind it. She was met by a glare not just from Jazz, but from Flora, a pony not even related to the farm... As she looked between them, she could almost see her mother standing between them, that same determined look on her face. A determination all Apple's shared, one that - “What's the matter Cassidy? I said get that bill to Town Hall!” Cassidy shook her head, backing away from the fence. “I'm sorry dad, I can't do this anymore. It's not right.” Golden lost his aloof attitude, glaring at his little girl. “What?” Cassidy turned around, facing her dad with a look extremely similar to Jazz's. “Jazz has done nothing wrong. If anything, the sound from the greenhouse could be linked to the increased production in this area. I'm not going to lie just to give the vineyards a little more comfort when sales are down, particularly not if it hurts my brother.” Golden snorted again, gritting his teeth as he held back what he wanted to say. “Very well... Concord! Grab that folder for me. I'll take it to the mayor personally.” Concord didn't hesitate for a moment, throwing a smile at Jazz as she darted her hoof past the fence, pulling up the folder and narrowly avoiding his hoof trying to stomp on hers. “Oh, ya mean this folder?” she said, spinning around and holding it up triumphantly. Golden smiled. “Ah, good. I wouldn't even begin to know how long it would take to compile those numbers again without Cassidy. Come, let's go to the-” The sound of tearing papers cut through the crisp, cool air like a sword, bringing all eyes to Golden's horrified face as he watched his older daughter's hooves. The paperwork, folder and all, was slowly ripped in half, then halved again, and again, before it was simply dropped from her hoof, the little pieces fluttering away like artificial snowflakes on the breeze. “I'm sorry, did you need that? Because I think ya misheard Cassidy. We might be Grapes by name, but that don't mean we're not Apples to the core. There are plenty of other farms ya can beat up on around here. Leave mom's out of it.” Golden's flustered stammering was nearly enough to break everyone's concentration, the determined glares turning into smiles of victory while he tried to find the right words to denounce his sudden betrayal. After far too long muttering he pointed a hoof at Concord and Cassidy. “You are going to get a serious talking to when we get back to the house. And you!” he said as his hoof barely moved move, pointing at Jazz, situated between his sisters. “You can't hide behind your mother forever. If she were here instead of off fighting some rebels, we wouldn't even be in this mess. She was the one to abandon all of us to this mess, and look what it has wrought. The fact that you still call yourself an Apple... I would be ashamed if it wasn't so predictable.” He turned and stormed off, kicking up a flurry of snow in his wake, while the two sisters watched him go. Eventually, though, they grew tired of waiting in the cold, turning back to Jazz with apologetic smiles. “I assure you, I will do my best to make sure he doesn't attempt something like this again. I would strike a deal with you here and now, but I'm afraid I'm not high enough up the chain of command yet,” Cassidy said quickly, leaving Jazz in the verbal dust for a moment as he processed it. Concord was a lot easier to understand. “Cassidy has been studying law in her free time, but she doesn't get out enough to remember how ta speak normally. She's been looking at a school in Canterlot, though, since the ones in Manehattan aren't really an option at the moment...” She saw that, while that had eased Jazz's confusion, it hadn't really put him at ease, so Concord sighed, leaning on the fence again. “I don't know why he's messing with ya, but... well, he had it so ingrained that I was starting ta forget my own roots. Ever since he pulled us both to live in his orchard, it's just never been the same, ya know? And after ten years without a reunion... It almost makes ya forget yer own family.” Jazz shook his head, smiling, though it was strained. “Don't mention it. Just make sure ta come 'n visit one a' these nights. There's always room fer family at the table.” Concord leaned fully over the fence, one forehoof wrapping around her brother's neck in a quick hug. “We will. I'll talk to ya soon. On better terms, I promise.” She leaned back over the fence, trotting through the snow behind her sister as they went back to the house and whatever punishment would be awaiting them. The moment they left, Jazz's jaw clenched visibly, with tension being held all throughout his body. Flora, who'd been warmed by the good end to this whole mess, walked up to his side, a look of concern on her face. “Are you alright, Jazzy?” “My Pa just tried ta ruin Sweet Apple Acres fer a few quick bits, an' he blamed this whole mess on Ma while turnin' my sisters 'gainst me 'n their own just ta take my Jazz apples 'n make 'em his.” He looked at her, steam rising from his cheeks, even his freckles seeming to melt into the rest of his red fur due to the flushed anger beneath. “No, I ain't alright!” Flora took a step closer, moving to hug him as she spoke. “It's okay. So the Grapes are a bad bunch! Your sisters snapped out of it, and really, I don't think you've got anything to worry about. anymore” Jazz took a step back, avoiding the hug completely. “Not now! I just...” He huffed, turning towards the farmhouse. “Ma's gettin' a letter 'bout this one. Who does he think he is tryin' ta pull somethin' like that 'gainst family?” He took off at a gallop, snow launching up behind him in flurries with every step. As much as Flora wanted to follow him, she wasn't sure she wouldn't do more harm than good. Reluctantly, she went into the heat of the greenhouse, saying goodbye to the jazz apple blossoms as she grabbed her violin and left, locking the building behind her. As she walked back to town, her nice day sullied, she hoped it'd all blow over by morning. Flora made sure to finish her plants' checkup early the next day, the violin case sitting carefully on her back and slowly collecting snowflakes as she walked through the town. Normally she would make a bee line for Sweet Apple Acres and get ready for the day's performance, but, especially after the whole family matter Jazz had dealt with the day before, she figured she needed a backup plan, in the form of a certain silver pegasus. Flora found Silver Lining lounging outside the school yard of all places, idly kicking a low hanging cloud to provide extra snow for the fillies and colts playing there. Flora was loathe to admit she barely knew what few foals were still around town, but she did recognize Bittersweet with her Crusader friends, trying to make some kind of grand igloo, though it looked more like a misshapen snowdrift. Still, snow building cutie marks would be neat to have, so Flora wasn't about to put a damper on their fun. She was, however, going to borrow the source of it for a while. “Silver! Have you got a minute?” Silver's ears perked up at her friend's voice, causing her to roll over on the cloud she was on, putting another quick flurry of white in the air. “Oh, hey, Flora! What's up?” “I was wondering... Wait, get down here so I don't have to shout it over the little ponies.” None of them were paying her any attention, but she didn't want to give one the wrong idea and end up with crowd. When Silver landed, she started again. “If you've got a moment, there's something I'd like you to see at Sweet Apple Acres, though I'll understand if you're busy.” Silver looked almost offended at Flora's words. “Me? Too busy for you? Flora, c'mon!” She hovered into the air, kicking the cloud one last time and causing the entire thing to puff into snow, which gently floated down on the fillies and colts playing in the schoolyard. With a satisfied smile, she landed a little ways away, signaling for Flora to catch up. Flora smiled warmly, running over to her friend's side and adjusting her hat. It always amazed her that Silver could be out in the snow without even a hint of being cold, or stand in the summer sun and seem cool as a cucumber, but it had to be a pegasus thing. That or she was just ridiculously tolerable of weather. Really, with how hard it was to grow a cucumber out of season, the vegetable could probably learn a thing or two from her. “It shouldn't take too long, but I think it could help cheer up Jazz.” Silver nodded. “However I can help! How is the guy? Handsome as always? And what do you mean by 'cheering up'?” She nudged Flora's side as she asked that last question, waggling an exaggerated eyebrow suggestively. Flora smirked and shook her head. “Nothing like that. I'm not sharing. There were some surprise family issues yesterday that I had the misfortune to be around for, and I thought having his best friend come over and watch him perform for the jazz apples would put him in a better mood.” Silver ran ahead of Flora, walking backwards through the snowy streets with a look of disbelief on her face. “Wait, you mean to tell me he let you in his greenhouse? How did you do it? What favors do you owe him?” She lunged forward, stopping in the street and examining Flora's face for every minute detail. “How do I get into yours?” Flora rolled her eyes, walking around the frozen pegasus. “By invitation, like I got into his. And it took a little convincing, but since you do so much work for the weather on the farm, I managed to convince him to let you see the fruits of your labor. And I don't owe him any favors, either.” Silver danced across the snow, leaping over Flora to land in front of her, except when she was over the violin case on her back, she braked, hovering in mid air at the same pace Flora was walking. “Is that Jazz's fiddle? When did you start playing that? How much did I miss after the tornado incident?” Flora sped up a little, though it did nothing to throw the curious pegasus off her pace. “I've been playing for a few months now. Jazz taught me how.” “Even after the disaster at Ms. Heartstrings'?” Flora blushed, only now remembering that Silver had been there that day. She'd played the flute beautifully, too... Was there anything this mare wasn't good at? “Yes... even after that. I'm... well...” She lowered her head almost to the snow, muttering the next words softly into the fluffy banks beneath her. “I'm also going to be performing for you...” Silver gasped, falling out of the air to land on Flora's back, her light frame not even slowing her sturdy friend down. “You're doing a duet?!” Silver's head popped in from the top of Flora's vision, hers upside-down and looking in wonder at Flora's. After a few moments, she whispered menacingly, a command of utmost urgency. “Tell me your secrets!” Flora shook her back, completely failing to dislodge the pegasus that was crushing her hat. “I don't have any secrets! It's really... it's not...” She wanted to brush it off like it was something trivial, but it wasn't. The song she played at Jazz's side was the highlight of her day, an act that made her feel closer to him than any other pony in existence. They meant the world to her, and so she lapsed into silence. Had her time with Jazz really been that cloistered? Come to think of it, she didn't hang out with Silver all that often anymore... Silver spun around, grabbing the violin case and holding it to her chest before laying on Flora's black, much the same way she'd been lounging on the cloud. “Alright! You've got the trip to the Acres to tell me everything I've been missing. And I mean everything, especially the juicy details.” She grinned mischievously at the sky. “All of them. I'll be taking mental notes. And I'll know if you're holding out. For starters: how good of a kisser is he?” Flora sighed, shaking her head to herself. It was going to be a long, embarrassing walk to the farm, but hopefully it would be worth it. Silver was stunned, her mind trying to process everything she'd just heard. “... Okay, now I'm officially jealous. Tell me again about his-” “We're here!” Flora's face was as red as her mane, completely mortified by the dirt Silver now had on her. “And not a word of any of that to my mother. She'd probably kill me.” Again, Silver looked offended as she hopped off her friend's back. “Flora! Of course not! Crusaders to the core! Though I don't think she'd be all that surprised. My mom always tells me about the mistakes she was making when she was my age, and how glad she is that I'm not making 'em myself. Since I never told you about any of those, even though some of them are very funny, how well do you think I can keep a secret?” Flora looked at her flatly. “Just like when we were eight and-” Silver rolled her eyes dramatically. “You're never going to let me live that down, are you? What did you want from me?! Jazz had been turned to stone, and you had the thing tied up in a bag in the thinking corner while you interrogated it. If I hadn't gone to find Fluttershy-” “I still say I had it perfectly under control! I was grounded for a whole month because of that...” Flora walked quickly to the greenhouse door, finding it unlocked and quite happy that the change in topic had arrived when it had. She cracked it open, peeking inside to see Jazz already warming up his trumpet, a very businesslike look on his face. “Jazzy, sorry it took me so long to get here, but... well, remember how we were talking about Silver maybe seeing the performance?” Before she could finish or wait for a reaction, Silver pushed her way past, looking around the greenhouse like the interior would disappear if she didn't take the chance. “Woah... It's a lot more cramped than I thought it would be.” Flora expected Jazz to be a little annoyed that she had gone around him on this one, but she wasn't at all ready for the glare she received. It was only lightened when she offered him the violin case, mouthing a silent apology while he set to tuning the instrument. Flora barely had time to make sure Silver was sitting and ready for the show when the violin was placed back in her hooves, Jazz quickly taking back up his position. Silver watched in fascination, having heard Flora's account of that moment where everything had clicked. She hadn't explained the jazz apples or what they would do, but Silver hardly cared about those glowy fruits. She was here to cheer up her friends, and if she happened to get a show out of it, then all the better. Flora got up on her hind legs, preparing the violin for the first notes of the piece. With that, she looked over, ready for the signal from Jazz. Normally there was a nod, but she must have blinked, because he had already started playing, leaving her a few notes behind. Unfortunately, as much as she thought she knew the piece by heart, she didn't know how to jump in, causing her to need to rush the first few notes to catch up and making the misplay quite obvious to their audience of one. Slightly on tilt, particularly with the mare watching her intently, Flora closed her eyes, trying to listen out the music like she normally did. But something was... off. Jazz was playing a little more aggressively than normal, bringing his tempo a little fast, a little jilted, and causing the whole song to never really pop. When they hit the last note, Flora held it out, only to hear Jazz drop his horn early, leaving her all alone. She opened her eyes to see the result, seeing the flowers glowing dimly, and caught out of the corner of her eyes that Jazz was already putting his trumpet away. Once the spectacle with the flowers was over, Silver began to applaud, the clopping of her hooves the only sound in the stuffy room. “Well done! I never knew that was what you did in here. How come I never saw this thing before? It's really awesome.” Jazz responded quickly, his voice almost flat. “Yeah, glad ya liked it.” Flora stood there nervously, messing with the strings on her instrument and feeling like she wanted a redo on this whole thing. “Look, Jazz, I'm sorry I fell behind, I just-” “Don't mention it.” He snapped his trumpet case closed, walking immediately to the door. “I'll see ya tomorrow, Flora.” Before she could even respond he was outside, his hooves crunching away in the snow. Flora was stunned in place, wondering what the hay had just happened. Had Silver coming really been that bad an idea? How much had the thing the day before affected him? Where was that friendly smile of his that told her everything would be alright? It had only been gone a day and she already missed it and the pony it brought along. Silver was equally confused, still laying on the floor and looking quite confused by the hurried exit. “Did he just walk out on us?” Flora nodded slowly. “Geez, that ain't right. Jazz never looks that serious. Ever. Is something wrong? Did you have some sort of issue you didn't tell me about? Should I go talk some sense back into him?” Flora shook her head, even though she agreed with Silver's assessment and wondered herself if any of those questions applied. “No. I mean, maybe you should come hang out with him a bit during the morning when I'm at my greenhouse, but... I guess he's still bugged by the argument with his sisters yesterday. He's not normally like this.” “No. He's not.” Silver walked over to Flora, who still stood ready to play the song again. “You sure you don't want my help?” Flora shook her head again. “If this is a relationship thing, we'll figure this out. If it's not, I'm sure you'll know as soon as I do.” She finally put down her instrument, feeling like it was Ms. Heartstrings' class all over again. “Thanks for coming... sorry the show wasn't up to snuff.” Silver shrugged. “You played very well. Just thought you should know. And if you need my help, just ask. I'll always have your back.” Flora put up her hoof, which was immediately met with a bump from Silver's, causing them both to smile in appreciation. “Crusaders to the core!” they said in unison, then Silver made her exit, making sure everything was alright before closing the greenhouse door behind her. Flora didn't leave, though. She sat in the room, the violin sitting in its open case, looking at the jazz apple blossoms. After a while, she picked up the violin, playing her part of the duet perfectly, though the lone strings sounded dull compared to that beautiful cascade created when they played together... Sighing, she put the instrument away, picking it up as she made her exit. There was something bothering her special somepony, something deeper than just an argument with his sisters... And it was up to her to make it right... all she had to do was figure out what it was.