Sunset cantered down the dirt road that led to Sweet apple acres, her mind focused the remaining tasks she had to complete. She looked up at the position of the sun, by the looks of it they still had a good few hours to finish their job. Turning to Spike she muttered. “Hopefully we’ll be able to finish before sunset.” Spike giggled but let her continue. “At this rate though, it seems like everypony we bump into is determined to make us late.” For a while they continued in silence, only the sound of animals and the wind interrupting their thoughts.
Spike broke the silence. “So do you think she liked me?” Spike blushed slightly.
Sunset looked at Spike, confused for a moment but then remembered the white mare from earlier. “Spike, you realise she’s like... double your age.” She waited for the dragon’s response.
Spike scratched the back of his head, slightly embarrassed. “Well yeah, but there’s still a chance right, I mean... once I get older.” The drake looked away from Sunset, his face turning a deep shade of red.
“It’s nothing to worry yourself with Spike. Anypony would be lucky to have you as thei-” Sunset was interrupted as an orange mare called to them.
“Howdy! You must be Ms. Sunset. Ah was wonderin' when you were goin’ to show up.” The work horse smiled at her guests. Sunset turned her attention to the earth pony in front of her who was waiting for them beneath the arched wooden entrance to Sweet apple acres. "Come along. I'll introduce ya'll to the rest of the Apples."
“How did you know we were coming?” Sunset wondered.
“Mah friend Rainbow stopped by to clear the clouds over here and told me to watch out for you, didn’t say why though.” The earth pony turned and started heading up the dirt path leading up to a large red barn. “She seemed mighty nervous though. What did you say to her?”
Sunset looked uneasily at her hooves. “Well... I may have been a tad too harsh with her.” She mumbled, remembering how she had treated the pegasus.
“Ah wouldn't worry about her if ah were you. She's a bit overly sensitive when it comes to her job. A while ago ah asked her for a bit of extra rain over mah farm and she gave me a mighty big storm for mah troubles.” AJ shook her head remembering the storm. “Sorry sugarcube, ah don't believe ah caught your name.” She said, now directing her attention towards Spike. “Rainbow only talked about Sunset.”
“I'm Spike. Wait, she didn't say anything about me?”
“Nope, sorry partner. Here we are.” The orange mare said as she walked under a nearby gazebo with a table underneath it. “Since you're here to check on the food for tomorrow, I assume y'all wanna try some?” In response to this comment Sunsets stomach gave a small growl of agreement. Applejack let out a small laugh then continued. “Ah'll take that as a yes. Hold on a sec.” The workhorse reached over to a nearby metal triangle and began ringing it with a metal rod she had picked up. “Soups on, everypony!”
At the sound of the chime, ponies gathered from all over the farm at the gazebo. Within seconds Sunset was surrounded by ponies, each one happy at the prospect of an early meal. “Now why don't ah introduce y'all to the Apple family.” Sunset looked around at the ponies before.
“That's really nice of you, but I really-” Before she could finish her sentence a plate was placed in front of her with what looked like some sort of dessert on it. The yellow mare holding the plate smiled before retreating from the table.
“This here's Apple Fritter.” Applejack announce as the yellow mare rejoined the crowd. Almost immediately another pony arrived at the table with another plate. “Apple Bumpkin.” Applejack continued as each dish was placed on the table. “Red Gala, Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Caramel Apple, Apple Strudel, Apple Tart, Baked Apples, Apple Brioche, Apple Cinnamon Crisp...” Applejack took in a deep breath of air to continue the list of ponies. “Big Macintosh, Apple Bloom and Granny Smith.” At the last name the orange mare looked over to a nearby rocking chair with a old light green mare sitting in it. “Up'n'attem, Granny Smith, we got guests.”
The mare in question awoke from her sleep, slightly startled before mumbling. “Wha..? Soup's on? I'm up, here I come, I'm comin'.” Slowly the older pony made her over way to the Gazebo, joining the rest of the Apple family.
The orange mare looked back to Sunset. “Why, ah'd say you're already part of the family!” She proclaimed, a large smile on her face. Sunset looked at the gathering surprised at their... friendliness seemed like an understatement.
“Well I must say you ponies have done a fantastic job with the food but we don't have anytime to waste, I'll leave you to continue with the catering. C'mon Spike.” She beckoned to the drake that was eyeing the food longingly.
“Aren't you gonna stay for brunch.” Sunset looked towards a small filly, which was staring sadly at her.
“Sorry, but my assistant and I,” Spike rolled his eyes. “have a lot of work we still need to do.” The ponies around her all let out a collective sigh, not even bothering to hide their disappointment. Sunset trotted back the way she had came. Spike, still beneath the gazebo gave one last look at the 'glorious' pile of food on the table, before sauntering after Sunset.
Applejack watched the dragon as it followed the unicorn down the dirt path. She thought to herself, 'poor fella, must be starvin'. Quickly she grabbed a plate from the top of the pile, which had a small cupcake on in, and galloped after the dragon. “Hey, take this. There's no point on y'all leaving on an empty stomach.” The mare passed the plate to Spike who grinned happily before thanking the mare and chasing after his master. “Hope that Sunset doesn't get herself into any trouble.” The farm pony whispered as they left.
Spike sat on Sunset Shimmer's back, savouring the treat he had been given. They were both heading back into town for their next task. Their return journey went pretty much the same way their first trip had. Soon the two were back in the town navigating the crowds of ponies still getting ready for tomorrow's festivities. Amidst the chaos the unicorn noticed a pink pony running through the crowd, carrying a large selection of party supplies. Chuckling to herself she remarked. “Some ponies really go all out, don't they Spike?”
Spike followed her stare and noticed the pink earth pony as well. “Wow, she must be throwing a party for the whole town by the looks of it.”
Sunset found herself lost in thought as she watched all the other ponies going about their day. That could have been her getting ready for a party of her own, but no! She had to be stuck here, supervising lesser ponies as they prepare. It figures Celestia would force her to do this! She always knew her mentor had a twisted sense of humour, she had even tricked Shining Armor into believing that he had killed her pet phoenix, but this was just cruel.
She was broken from her train of thoughts as Spike jabbed her in the ribs. “OW! What was that for Spike?!” She scowled at the baby dragon on her back.
“I've been trying to get your attention for ages, it's not my fault you were off in Cloudsdale.” Spike countered. “We still have the music to check up on. After that we can both get some rest. Celestia knows you need it.”