Twilight and Applejack stood just outside the iron archway to Sweet Apple acres. The buzz of the evening fireflies was already filling the air, and both ponies’ tails flicked occasionally to discourage an adventurous mosquito or fly.
“That was a wonderful dinner, Applejack. Thanks for letting me stay,”
“’Taint no problem, Twi. One question, though,” said Applejack, “not that I don’t mind you comin’ round for dinner, but you’ve been over here three times this week, an’ Rarity tells me that you spent more than a few evenings round at hers last week. There somethin’ we should be knowing about?”
“I’m sorry, it’ll be over next month,” said Twilight.
“Twilight?” asked Applejack, placing a hoof on Twilight’s shoulder, “you havin’ money problems?”
Twilight nodded.
“Well, shoot,” said Applejack, “why didn’t ya say so?”
“Because I was stupid, and it was all my fault!” said Twilight, letting out a sigh. “As Princess Celestia’s student, I get a bi-yearly payment that’s supposed to help pay for equipment, materials and food, because as Princess Celestia’s student, the treasury pays for my lodging.”
“So you get a place paid for, and money to help you buy your fancy science stuff. Sounds like an alright deal,” said Applejack. Twilight nodded.
“Princess Celestia has always seen the advantages of funding the best and brightest, many of which have been her students,” said Twilight, “anyway, I bought a new telescope a few months back, and it was a bit more expensive than I had planned, so I accidentally ran out of money a month early, so now I’m relying on my wage as Ponyville’s librarian.”
Applejack winced. It was something of an open secret in Ponyville that the library, while having an especially esoteric collection, was not well funded. There was a reason that before Twilight arrived, it was largely run on shifts of volunteer work. Twilight was likely just scraping by.
“You say this’ll be done by next month?” asked Applejack. Twilight nodded again.
“Next month is when I get my next stipend from Celestia. I just need to eat a little more sparsely until then.”
Applejack stared at Twilight for a second.
“Twilight, you know you don’t have to hide that sort of stuff from us, right? We’re your friends. We’ll help you.”
“But-”
“But nothing, Twi,” said Applejack, “ain’t saying you ain’t gonna make it up to me later, but I can make sure you get a decent meal while you wait for your next payment. That’s what friends do, Twilight.”
“Thanks, Applejack,” smiled Twilight, hugging her friend.
“You won’t be in a minute. We’re going to go see Rarity, and then you’re goin’ to explain why you were round her place a whole lot last week, and you know she’ll go all dramatic-like.”