//------------------------------// // Applejack // Story: Marjoram // by Nekiyha //------------------------------// Marjoram plodded along slowly beside Twilight, looking around at the large apple orchards that surrounded the road, “How far away is this 'Sweet Apple Acres'?” “Not too far,” Spike replied from his perch on Twilight's back, “The Cakes said the farm isn't too far away from the edge of town.” Marj oram nodded, “Thank goodness. I never thought I'd say this again, but I'm hungry.” Spike clutched at his chest with a dramatic gasp, “Really? I don't think I've ever heard you say that!” “Someone check on Tartarus! It has to be frozen over,” Twilight teased. Marjoram offered a shy smile, looking uncomfortable with the teasing. The trio crested a hill, and saw the farm spread out in a clearing in between the fields of trees. A table was nestled in between some trees, and many ponies were milling around the farm, talking and laughing. Marjoram and Twilight shared an uneasy look, but went down to the farm anyway. Off to one side, an orange mare with a stetson hat, was bucking apples off of an apple tree. Twilight, unsure of who to approach first, remembered seeing her at the party Pinkie had held. “Hello. I'm Twilight Sparkle, this is Marjoram, and this is Spike. We were sent from Canterlot to-” “Howdy, y'all! I'm Applejack! It's nice to meet you!” Applejack shook hooves vigorously with all three off them, “We here at the farm really enjoy making new friends!” “Friends?” Marjoram had to resist the urge to roll his eyes, “We were sent by Celestia to check on the food.” “Y'are? Do you want to sample some?” Spike's stomach growling answered for them. Applejack galloped to a rusted, metal triangle, and rang it, “SOUP'S ON, EVERYPONY!” All of the ponies Twilight had seen earlier rushed over, hooves catching them, and carrying them to the table nestled in between the trees. Marjoram looked dizzy, Spike looked like he'd enjoyed the experience, and Twilight looked completely nervous. “Why don't I introduce y'all to the Apple family? This is our reunion, and everypony is helping me cater!” Applejack announced proudly. As each of the dozens of ponies stepped up to the table to be introduced, they set down an apple related good; from pie, to fritters, to candy apples. The array and vast quantity of food both amazed and terrified Twilight. Sadly, Applejack was listing off each pony so quickly that Twilight had a snowball's chance in Tartarus to catch any of the names. Applejack inhaled deeply, “...and finally, there's Big Macintosh, Apple Bloom, and Granny Smith!” She gestured to a massive, red coated stallion, a little yellow filly, and an old, green mare. Marjoram stared wide-eyed at the vast array of expectant ponies. He stared over at Twilight, and saw she looked about as spooked as he felt. Good to know. Applejack cleared her throat respectfully, “Dig in! It's gotta be brunch by now!” Apple Bloom looked up at them with big, tear filled eyes, her lower lip trembling slightly. Twilight and Marjoram shared a look as Spike began to eat eagerly, moaning in pleasure at the vast array of apple-related food. Marjoram reluctantly began to eat first, though once the food touched his tongue, he did pick up the pace a little. It didn't take long for Twilight to follow suit. Half an hour later, and Marjoram was forced into taking a box of leftovers back to the library with him; on the premise that he was 'so skinny a stiff breeze could knock him over'. Twilight's, Spike's, and Marjoram's stomachs were packed with more food than they were used to, and it showed. Marjoram looked the most uncomfortable, as almost every Apple had tried to force feed him one food item or another. “I ate too much pie,” Twilight whimpered. “I should have said no ten minutes in,” Marjoram replied, head low to the ground, wincing at every step he took, “It was good, but by the Creators I'm going to have a stomach ache all day.” “We just have to check the weather!” Spike said brightly, using his claws to shield his eyes to peer up at the sky, “And look! Rainbow Dash already cleared the skies! We just have to find her, and double check!” Marjoram muttered a curse under his breath, and Twilight whole-heartedly agreed; though she did so silently. Spike pointed, “Oh look, there she is! Hey, Rainbow Dash!” The cyan pegasus looked down, slowed down, and flew over to them. Taking a hard look at the trio, she giggled, “Applejack?” “Oh yeah,” Twilight said, “Just wanted to make sure you've got the weather under control.” “Of course I do! I'm the best weather pony this side of Cloudsdale!” Rainbow boasted, smiling widely. “Thank you!” Spike waved. “I'm going back to the library,” Marjoram said, “And I'm going to read until I fall asleep. You're welcome to join me.” “I'm coming,” Twilight intoned, “C'mon, Spike. Good job, Rainbow Dash.” Rainbow offered a mock salute, and flew off. Marjoram sighed. Just one night, then back home.