A couple of days past from the party, everyone left Twilight's castle with a smile on their face as they had a good time; even though it was a couple of hours long, they still thanked Twilight for it. They mostly enjoyed the music and the last minute entertainment before they had to leave, but it was memorable to them at least. Ettore thought it was strange how Spike didn't tell Twilight about his little episode, guess that must mean his little extortion attempt succeeded. It has been almost a week, and Twilight has not said a word about the contract with him leaving. He couldn't put a hoof on it, but in some way, he felt glad. Ettore was currently tending to Twilight's library, dusting out her books as they probably been read once or twice long in the past. Twilight sat down on a cushion reading 'Magical Mysteries Of Equestria' in the library with a silver tray next to her with a teapot and a cup resting on top. Twilight hummed a light tune as she flipped the page of the book while Ettore climbed a ladder to the top beneath a window to place a book in its original spot. Ettore was curious about the view from this height and what he would see. He managed to get up and poke his head to see what was outside. He sighed as he stepped down grabbing the attention of Twilight. A sigh from Ettore was rare and ominous, but she never asked what the sigh was for. Instead, she watched the unicorn use his magic to open the window, letting in a breeze that felt nice. Ettore's actions were still clouded in everyone's minds as all he did was clean and make sure her plans are perfect, now that she thinks about it, he's been with her constantly since the party.
"Not good!!!" A familiar female voice was heard above out the window. The alicorn looked up towards the window to witness a sudden rainbow coloured dash across the window towards the wall opposite. The significant impact rattled the bookshelf, making a couple of books fall to the ground. Twilight, in shock, stood up and shouted the name "Rainbow?!" towards the mare with her face in the wall. Rainbow Dash pulled herself out from the wall and landed head first into the books beneath. It was a shock to Twilight but did not bother Ettore that great. But it didn't stop him from helping the rainbowed mane mare up.
"Thanks." Rainbow chuckled as she rubbed the back of her head "seems I went to fast and crashed into a kite."
"A kite? The great Rainbow Dash crashed into a kite?" Twilight replied with little laughter.
"Some idiot painted it sky blue if it was anypony's fault it's theirs!" Rainbow Dash stubbornly raised her voice back to the Alicorn while Ettore started picking up the books and placing them back "it doesn't help that I just got out of the hospital. And thank Celestia for it, I was getting tired of their food; it's like eating mouldy hay."
"Why did you get out today, the cut wasn't that deep though?" Twilight asked as she walked around Rainbow getting a better look.
"Because it would seem she has opened the wound by moving around a lot more than she should have, Mistress." Ettore joined the conversation, just placing the final book away where it should be before facing the two.
"That reminds me, Ettore?" Rainbow Dash said as she squinted one eye in thought "I asked all around about who paid for the hospital bill and they said a stallion came in with a large bag of bits and paid it all in advance. Was that you?"
"Miss Dash, you got wounded because of me, it would be devastatingly audacious if I did not pay for your expenses." Ettore rebutted.
"Well, don't do it again... But, thanks for doing it."
"One of Mistress's closest friends are as a client, you're welcome, Miss Dash." Ettore bowed before walking away from the duo and out the library with the metal tray and tea set with his magic.
"He paid for your hospital bill?" Twilight asked, moving back to her cushion with her book.
"Yeah, that's not all. He got me a signed pair of goggles from Spitfire, I know I'm in the reserves, and I practice with them, but it's super awesome he got them for me!"
"He seems to be getting along with everyone except Spike." Twilight spoke as she sat down on the cushion "out of nowhere Spike just avoids him."
"Spike will sort it out in time; they must have had an argument about something. But, I came here on behalf of Applejack." Rainbow's sentence picked the ears of Twilight "she's doing her usual routine, not asking for help routine."
"Oh boy, what's wrong this time?" Twilight asked as she closed the book and got back up on her hoofs.
"Big Mac is bedridden with the flu and Applejacks workload just doubled, maybe tripled. She's been hauling buckets upon buckets of apples from her farm to the town, just like what she did ages ago." Rainbow stated as she jumped off the ground flapping her wings "I can't do anything about it because I need to go to the Wonderbolts Acadamy and train, I thought you'd be able to help her out some way?"
"Hmm." Twilight hummed as she remembered something important "I've got plans with Celestia in an hour about something that's happening in Las Pegasus, so I can't go. Maybe Ettore could help her out."
"I came here to tell you to see if you can do anything about it because I have to go the Acadamy right now, I'll see ya later Twilight!" Rainbow quickly zoomed out the window before Twilight could get a word out. Twilight couldn't put her hoof on it, but it felt weird in a way to be asked from Rainbow Dash to help Applejack, is her Wonderbolt training that more important than a friend in need. She brushed it off as the latter as she thought it had to be pretty big and important for Rainbow to leave her friend hanging. After careful consideration, at least for about ten minutes, she decided to accept Ettore helping Applejack a little while she goes and has her critical time with her former mentor. This way it keeps Ettore off her back as he's been staying with her nearly all day every hour, every minute, every second. Twilight stood up from the cushion and left the library, making her way to the kitchen where Ettore mostly tends to as he always brings her something to drink and eat. Standing at the door, she heard Ettore and Spike's voices which piqued her curiosity. She placed one ear to the door only to hear Spike shout at the top of his lungs "I shall send you to the pits of Tartarus!!"
She gasped at how Spike raised his voice in such anger, forcing her to act by charging into the door. The door opened with a loud thud revealing the picture in front of her. She didn't know what to say or do apart from being baffled; Spike was wearing a purple cape holding a broom pole towards Ettore who looked as bleak as he always does. Spike didn't know what to say so he chuckled as he tried to hide the pole behind him.
"I didn't expect you to be here, Twilight." Spike chuckled as he rubbed his neck with his free hand.
"What's going on here?" Twilight replied in a calm voice before walking a couple of paces towards the two in the centre of the kitchen.
"Sir Spike asked for assistance on his performance for an upcoming play with the ones who call themselves 'The Cutie Mark Crusaders'," Ettore answered truthfully "and I do have to admit, Sir Spike does have talent when it comes to acting."
"Heh heh, thanks, Ettore." Spike blushed "I practised for two days with your instructions, now look at me, a full-fledged actor."
"Sorry to interrupt your little bonding session, but I thought you and Ettore were on bad terms?" Twilight raised a brow towards the purple dragon who scratched his head in response.
"Bad terms?" Spike repeated in wonder only to click his fingers as he remembered the time at the map room "I guess bad terms isn't the right word to use, more like confused. I was never really on bad terms with Ettore, why would you ask?"
"You've been acting cold towards him lately; that's why!" Twilight replied as her eyes widened. Ettore shrugged in his own way by walking to the sink and clean some of the dishes with his magic.
"That's because I don't have anything to say to him," Spike replied with a deadpanned expression, walking away in the end before Twilight could answer to him.
"Ugh, never mind. Ettore?" Twilight returned to her normal calm state while looking towards the light purple unicorn wash the dishes.
"Yes?"
"I need to ask you a big favour, would you help out Applejack with her workload?" Twilight asked "Rainbow came here explaining why Applejack's so tired, as so it turns out, she's too stubborn to ask for any help. I can't help as I need to go and discuss something with Princess Celestia and I know your free."
Ettore finished the last dish before turning towards the alicorn and bowing his head "If that is what my Mistress so wishes, it shall be done."
"She won't be too happy about this, but no matter what, you are to help Applejack and take orders from her as if they were mine. Okay?" Twilight finished.
"For today only, I will have two Mistresses." Ettore said stately as he was lifting his head "I will make my way to the Apple's orchard, Mistress."
Twilight felt a strange freedom from Ettore as he left the kitchen, a pair of eyes weren't watching her every move nor having everything done for her. She quickly shot out of the kitchen and made no haste in going to her bedroom. Upon arriving at her bedroom, she saw a briefcase sitting on her bed. Her mind had fallen into silence before a small scream appeared in her head. She sighed seconds later before opening the briefcase to see her essentials and a couple of outfits for her. A shiver went down her back from the creepiness of Ettore's actions. She picked up the case with her magic and place it on her back, slowly strolling out of her room mumbling "Thank Celestia for inviting me to a tea party."
Ettore left through the castle doors and into the fresh open air. The ponies in Ponyville are going about their business as normal which gave off a good peaceful vibe. Ettore sauntered through the town, getting waves towards him while he gave a small nod back in return as a gentle stallion should do. Ettore felt a little at peace from the relaxed feeling of Ponyville, well, apart from the past couple of days where he had to repair the castle, stop a raid on the castle, and when he first appeared in Ponyville. The unicorn made his way to the town centre where the market usually is with their stalls. The small trinkets and fresh produce filled the stalls in boxes, making it coordinatingly organised. But, he could not see his target, Applejack. What he heard from Twilight, she usually puts up an apple stand and sells them in the town centre on market day. He searched all around the market only to find Applejack's cart filled with apples with a sign saying "1 bit an apple." on a table with an empty open bag. Ettore sighed as he saw a pony take an apple without putting a bit in the bag. Ettore walked over to the cart before looking around, only to wonder over to the grey pegasus mare, Derpy. Without warning, he used his magic to lift her up and place her in front of the cart. Derpy, baffled by the sudden movement, blinking twice towards Ettore. The unicorn persuaded the mare to look after the cart and sell the apples for Applejack and pay her back in whatever currency she wishes, which confused him when she said she wanted thirty muffins from Mr and Mrs Cake. Ettore agreed and wondered off towards the Apple farm. It didn't take the stallion long to get to the farm; it was only a small walk in his eyes. He walked up to the gate only to blink in astonishment as he witnessed a disaster all around the farm, apples were everywhere, on the floor, in overflowing barrels and two large carts. Trees were bare of fruit with a couple of bruised apples lying there beneath.
"Mr!!" A sweet innocent filly's voice echoed in his ears that emanated from the orchard. Ettore looked to see the yellow filly Applebloom galloping towards him in a rush with distraught on her face.
"Good afternoon, Applebloom." Ettore replied to the out of breath filly in front of him "Is there a need to rush?"
"Yes!!!" Applebloom shrieked before running back into the forest of apple trees "Ma' sis needs somepony else to tell her to take a break!"
Ettore followed the filly at his pace, managing to keep the small pony in sight of him. On the way, he thought Applejack must be very dedicated to her job if she is neglecting her own friends' words much less than her sister's words. He thought it was sweet as how a family that owns over one thousand acres of apple orchards get any time to rest. He has a fond respect for ones who take their job seriously to the point of sleep deprivation; it means they have a work mindset that the butlers have at True Valets... well, not as carefree. Ettore arrived at the location of Applejack. The sight was unbelievable; Applejack was double barreling at the tree in her sleep; you could tell from the snoring and drool dripping from her mouth, not to mention her eyes are closed.
"Applejack, don't kick it anymore!!" Applebloom shrieked only to get no response from the orange earth pony "you're gonna..."
Before Applebloom could say anything else Ettore pulled her away from Ajay with his magic. He placed the little filly behind him making sure she wasn't near Applejack. The two watched as the orange mare did one final kick that made the tree bend its shape. The tree, with its roots, were forced from the ground and into the air. The tree didn't leave the air too much, just enough to make it land next to a cart filled with apples.
"Hmm." Ettore hummed in curiosity towards Applejack "such raw strength can be a gift and a curse. But, please tell me how this all started, Miss Bloom?"
Applebloom took in a deep breath ready to speak "...I don't know."
The light purple unicorn looked towards the orange mare only to see her lift up a bucket full of apples and place it on her back.
"Ay' think it started when Big Mac got ill a day ago? She's been working non-stop to fill in Mac's work and her own. She just won't stop!!" Applebloom thought towards Ettore, giving her opinion.
"I am impressed by her tenacity on her workload, not a lot of ponies can work when they are asleep you know." Ettore complimented the sleeping mare who was walking off into the orchard with a bucket of apples on her back. Ettore looked back towards the filly to see her giving a childish frown towards him. Ettore blinked slowly as if a sigh went through his nose "It is also bad for the body for it needs repairs."
The orange mare soon floated in the air towards the two by Ettore's magic spell while the bucket of apples is placed next to Applebloom. Applejack crashed to the floor from her legs giving out, probably from kicking the tree constantly at full strength. Ettore took this time to look around the area to see three buckets placed on either side of the trees while a couple of empty wooden carts are in between four trees so that the buckets may be put in them. Applebloom was caring for her sister as she laid on the grass sound asleep, which was like a cute kitten in Ettore's eyes. The amount of work she done must have been that tiring for her to collapse while sleeping, heck, even sleeping working is super impressive.
"I forgot to ask ya?" Applebloom interrupted Ettore's thoughts "Why did you come 'ere?"
"My Mistress, Twilight Sparkle, ordered me to give a lending hoof to Miss Jack as if she was my master," Ettore replied "The way how Miss Jack is incapacitated I should finish her work. Please tend to your sister while I get started."
"Err, touching the orchards without Applejack's permission will get her upset when she wakes up," Applebloom said unsurely for Ettore who looked to the sky to see the noon sun blaring down on top.
"Miss Jack is my acting Mistress for today, Applebloom." Ettore said as he walked towards the closest tree with buckets underneath "In the True Valets Butler/Maid code, the Master should not even be lifting a finger in dirty work such as this. I know Miss Jack is a farmer with large responsibilities, I also know more about her from the files in True Valets."
"That's a little creepy" Applebloom interrupted Ettore's sentence
"The element of honesty, even before she was the element of honesty, True Valets knows a lot about her and all of you from your business with Equestria. Selling apples all around, confectionaries, cider, carrots. We even know that you guys fixed a hole in your roof a couple of weeks ago, Miss Bloom." Ettore lifted his hoof and tapped the tree only for every apple to fall from it as if it was shocked by an earthquake. Applebloom's mouth and eyes widened in astonishment from Ettore's little tap on the tree while feeling a little crept out from the unicorns words "I am losing face. The point is, Applebloom, I will be breaking that code if I let Miss Jack carry on the way she is going. Stay with her and let her rest for a while and take her back to your house to relax when she awakes. This area will be picked clean and ready for delivery in thirty minutes."
Applebloom didn't know what to say to the unicorn who kept tapping the trees that made the apples fall into the buckets below. It felt weird to watch a pony tap an apple tree to see every last apple fall entirely into the buckets, even more, a unicorn was doing hard labour work. The filly sighed as she stared at her sister on the floor snoring, the sight made her chuckle a little as if it was in a reversed state where she would be asleep instead. Minutes passed as Applebloom watched her sleeping sister and her eyes started to get heavy with a great yawn coming from her mouth. Eventually, her eyes shut and no sounds from Ettore's tapping could be heard, she knew she was about to sleep next to her sister; snuggling next to her on the grass.
Applejack abruptly awoke to shout "Apples!!" from where she laid. The sudden awake made her rub her eyes with a groan from the grogginess. She knew from the workload she would've collapsed eventually but ignored her body of rest. This incident happened in the past when she was always working to no rest, and her friends helped her out of the situation. It couldn't have been a big problem she thought, this time, she had to do Big Mac's chores around the farm to keep it up to date with business. Her eyes adjusted where she laid to see a roof above while her head rested on a pillow. The sudden realisation made Applejack shot up from her position to see her room. To the right, her window that displayed the sun still at its highest point while a table with her lampshade on said table was next to her bed, to her left, her open room with the door shut closed and her cowgirl hat hanging on one of the poles that stuck out closest to the door. A sudden small cute snore was heard next to her on the bed; she turned to see Applebloom's sweet sleeping face pointing towards her sound asleep. Applejack couldn't help but smile towards her. She slowly got up from her bed and stealthily opened the door to leave the room but not before she grabbed her hat. She shut the door gently to let the young filly sleep in her bed. The walk down the stairs was nice and cheerful after seeing her own sister's sleeping face, but, like hitting a brick wall, she froze in place on the ground floor in realisation about her apple farm and work. Applejack barged through the front door to the outside and made her way towards the area where she was before she fell asleep. How did she and Applebloom end up in her own bed fast asleep while she was outside working? Big Mac was ill, and Granny Smith was tending to him so that leaves out everypony she knows that was there at the time. She slid to a stop and approached the area before she slept, blinking twice before leaving her eyes wide open as she saw the apple trees picked clean. She started to move inwards from the area to notice the occasional cart filled to the brim of apples and countless buckets of the red fruit. Eventually, Applejack managed to find an area where the apples and buckets were almost bare.
"Who could've done this work while I was asleep?" Applejack mumbled to herself as she looked around.
The orange mare caught a glimpse of something white hanging from a tree behind a bush. Walking over, she saw a white tuxedo hanging on a tree branch on a hanger; she knew it was Ettore's as it's possibly the only thing he wears. Applejack quickly ducked, hiding entirely in the bush as she heard a grunt with rustling shortly after. She moved the bush hedge apart with her hooves to get a better look only to see the light purple Butler walk into view from afar. It was evident to know he was sweating and tired. However, an immediate thought shot to Applejacks mind. Why was a unicorn doing physical labour of this calibre? It wasn't rocket science to know Ettore was the one picking the apple trees. How was Ettore picking the apples was Applejack's first thought. She continued to watch the stallion as he walked up to the next tree with three buckets placed around it. He took a deep breath, holding it in for a couple of seconds before exhaling. Her eyes gazed down towards his legs as cuts and bruises attained her attention. She was shocked to see so many cuts on a pair of legs she lightly gasped. The unicorn eventually jumped in the air, spinning round with his back right leg out and colliding with the tree. Ettore grunted as the tree shook, realising its apples from its grasp into the buckets below. Why would he do such a thing? Applejack thought in her mind as she continued to watch the unicorn flurry punches and kicks on the tree.
The light purple unicorn stopped his flurries, lightly breathing through his nose as he felt a sense of accomplishment from filling up the eighty-sixth bucket to the top in just forty-five minutes, no magic used in the process. He took a step back from the tree and felt a cool breeze hit his face. He closed his eyes to focus on the breeze which felt amazing in his mind.
*snap*
Ettore abruptly turned around as he heard a branch snap. His only thought was somepony treading on the branch. A million thoughts of who it might be filled his head as well as multiple ways to deal with the aggressor. Ettore tracked down where the noise originated from to a bush opposite him. He wasted no time in running towards it with full aggression. Applejack cringed as she looked towards her hooves, the feeling of being discovered filled her mind. She took in a deep breath, managing to hear her heart beat as the world went silent around her. She turned her head with slight shock, blinking once as she saw Ettore wearing his suit while his head was lowered and his right hoof across his left vertically bowing.
"Miss Jack, I see you have recovered from exhaustion and are in a good healthy condition," Ettore's words and action made her a little nervous, looking left and right to see if anypony is watching.
"What are you doing?" Applejack asked nervously.
"Greeting my acting Mistress, Miss Jack." Ettore lifted his head to the orange mare.
"Isn't Twilight your Mistress?"
"She gave me strict orders to aid you in your work duty. So, when you collapsed suddenly, and Applebloom fell asleep beside you I brought you and your sister to your room, after, I started working on your farm to loosen your workload." Ettore replied, "I hope everything is to your liking, Miss Jack?"
"Well, I guess I should thank you for giving me a helping hoof around the farm." Applejack chuckled as she rubbed her neck "This wouldn't be the first time I did something like this. But, may I ask you something?"
"Applejack is my acting Mistress, while as my Mistress you shall ask anything of me and I will answer or do anything you say."
"How much have you done around the farm?" Applejack curiously asked.
"The two hours you were out cold I have fed your pigs, moved the sheep back, delivered apples to the market and bucked a large section of the orchard."
"What?!" Applejack shouted in shock "You did all that in two hours?! The bucking and delivering apples would have taken up one and a half, and that's a small load?!"
"I am here to work and make sure my Mistress or acting Mistress does not collapse from over exhaustion again; I hope this pleases you?" Ettore plainly said as he bowed once more.
"How are you not tired? Working like that would damage your body... unless you used your magic?" Applejack gave a hopeful smirk, wishing Ettore did use some his magic to help him out.
"No, Miss Jack, I have not. " Ettore replied with Applejack's eyes widening from shock "This is your farm, and I know you do not like anypony using magic on your precious apple orchards so I did everything by hoof."
Applejack didn't know how to respond, the thought of that much work without the use of magic is impossible without prone to injury. She worked all day and night and only got a quite large amount of apples ready but seeing Ettore's work around her she knew he must have overworked himself. Applejack's sigh got Ettore's attention; she knew Ettore was good but not this good. It almost seems in-equine to get all of that work done in such a short time.
"Ettore, exactly how many carts have you filled up while I was out cold?" Applejack asked.
"Roughly estimated about fifty-four."
Applejack shook her head before taking a deep breath, trying not to be too shocked about it "Okay, how many have you sent down to the market?"
"Ten, Miss Jack."
"Ten?!" She shouted, "That many won't sell today, much less tomorrow!"
"I assure you, they will be sold by day's end."
Applejack now placed her hoof onto her head, trying to process how the heck all those apples would sell by the end of today. That wasn't all the questions she wanted to ask; there are a lot more that need to be answered. But, something clicked in the back of her mind, something heavy.
"Ettore?..." Applejack awkwardly spoke with some sweat going down her face "Who's selling the apples?"
Ettore hinted a smirk, making Applejack more nervous about his reply "I believe their description would only come across as cross-eyed, Miss Jack."
"Cross-eyed?" Applejack mumbled as she tapped her chin in thought. It was like a train hit her at a hundred miles an hour from realisation "Please tell me you didn't hire Derpy?"
"She has a lot of business sense as she runs her own business of mailing items to everypony, she would at least know how to sell some apples to customers. I would not hire her if I thought she was not capable, Miss Jack."
"You hired Derpy?!" Applejack shouted at Ettore before running towards Ponyville as if it was a terrible idea towards.
Ettore said nothing in reply towards the mare running away as if he had no rebuttal. The idea of hiring Derpy was only a mean to get Applejack away from the orchard if she ever interfered with bucking the apple trees. As Ettore stared at the running mare, he heard a rustle above him. He moved his sight upwards to see a snapped branched right above where Applejack stood. Ettore noticed the branch had some weight on it by the way it snapped. Ettore breathed in before following the running mare at his pace. It didn't take Applejack long to get to the market in Ponyville, nor did it take any longer rushing past multiple ponies in the street. Ettore caught up to the orange mare as she stopped dead centre of the market looking left and right to find her distinct ten apple full carts. Applejack looked behind her to see the light purple stallion standing there without a sweat across his face. How did he catch up to her if she was running at full speed, barely anyone can catch up to her apart from Rainbow Dash. She shook her head knowing since it was Ettore it was best not to think too much about it.
"Where is it?" Applejack asked bluntly as she faced Ettore.
"Behind you, Miss Jack, to the left hidden by the stacks of crates. I hope you will be pleased by the performance of Derpy and myself." Ettore had bowed towards Applejack before she ran off in the direction of a stack of crates and marquee tents. The orange mare was there in an instant as she ran at the blink of an eye. She was shocked in what she saw, Derpy was sitting on the ground beside an apple-less cart instead, it had four vast bags sitting on top ready and waiting. She looked round the site to see the other nine empty apple carts pointing in the direction out of the market ready to leave. Derpy smiled and waved towards Applejack before leaving the vehicle area. The grey mare quickly flew away from her spot as Applejack opened her mouth to speak towards her with a thousand questions. Dumbfounded, Applejack stood there on the spot with her mouth wide open staring towards the cart with four large bags. She didn't know what to say; that Ettore said the apples would be sold or that Derpy managed to get a job right without breaking anything.
"Derpy will be compensated on my behalf as I employed her, Miss Jack." Ettore's voice resounded in Applejack's ears which turned her attention away from the carts "You would not need to worry about the payment of the positioning of the carts either as I have paid them in advance. I hope you are pleased with our performance."
Applejack was speechless towards this whole ordeal. ten carts full to the brim of apples sold in a couple of hours, Derpy doing a job right, and the amount of work Ettore has done while she was asleep is astounding to anyone. Last time she didn't let anyone help her so her friends made her take a rest while they do her job, but this time, it was only Ettore who did everything around the farm in a couple of hours. To her, it's impossible, unbelievable in her eyes. Ettore was something else; she couldn't fathom his level of dedication to somepony he just met properly, even if he is just a Butler. Applejack decided not to let it get the better of her; Ettore did help her out, and for that she was grateful. Applejack moved towards the cart full with four large bags and saddled herself up. She took one step forwards before she realised about the other carts. She turned her head around only to see Ettore using his magic to pull the other nine empty carts. She bout faced and started to head back to Apple Acres. The walk only took about twenty-five minutes, and after that, Applejack was ready and raring to go for the rest of the chores on the farm. She placed the cart full of money in the large barn while Ettore placed the nine empty carts to the side of the barn ready to load up on more apples. Applejack walked outside of the barn only to see Ettore take another ten carts filled with apples down to the market. But before she could mutter a word, he teleported with the ten carts. Carts that size being teleported over a long distance like that must be dangerous. However, Applejack doesn't know much about magic as she's an earth pony but even she knows that magnitude of magic would put a strain on your body. She sighed and started to look around the farm to see if there were any jobs left to do. The state of the farm got Applejack's attention pretty quickly as it was spotless, shining, clean. Not to mention the animals have all been fed, cleaned and let out. She can't even do the apple bucking as most of the trees that were meant to be done today have all been bucked by Ettore. The orange mare couldn't help but groan from annoyance as she likes to do everything herself, but, she knows Ettore is just following orders from Twilight.
"Heya, Applejack." A crinkly voice echoed with a gust of the wind behind her. She turned to see Granny Smith rocking back and forth in her chair on the house's porch. Applejack gave a smile and started to walk towards her as she continued talking as she would "How's that young whippersnapper doing?"
"He's done everything around the farm in such a short time it makes me wonder how well im doin' runnin' this farm?" the orange mare replied to her elder in a norm tone, quickly changing her attitude to that of worry "how's Big Mac doin'? He asleep?"
"Big Mac's doing fine dear, he'll be fit as a fiddle by tomorrow. As for tasks around the farm, I'd say there almost finished, just the carts and selling of those apples." Granny Smith, with her words, gave Applejack a slight sight of sorrow as she was always doing something to keep her occupied and on her hoofs. However, when she awoke it felt like Ettore was purposely doing all the jobs around the farm to make sure she doesn't have anything to do, he never even broke a sweat with bucking all those apple trees; and there were a lot of them. It seems to her; Ettore doesn't even rest for a second almost as if he has an infinite amount of energy.
Applejack shook her head before telling Granny Smith she's going to start preparing the evening meal as the sun is starting to go down in the sky. While grabbing all the ingredients from the cupboards in the kitchen another thought came to her mind, does Ettore eat anything. This thought kept on coming into her head multiple times as she started to cut up some vegetables and throw them into a stew pot on a lit fire in the chimney. This thought became the only thought very quickly as she remembered being around Twilight's with Ettore cooking all the meals, she even heard from Spike that he's never seen Ettore eat any food that the unicorn has prepared. An idea clicked in her brain as she put all the herbs and spice into the pot with the vegetables and water, Ettore was going to sit down with the Apple family for supper. It is the least she can do for Ettore since he's done everything around the farm.
The day turned to night quite quickly as all Applejack could do was to look at the cooking pot and relax. Big Mac was walking around the house doing some chores here and there while Applebloom and Granny Smith spoke about past stories on the porch. As the stew was perfectly ready, Ettore walked through the front door of the house and immediately bowed explaining all the carts of apples are all sold, and the money is in the barn. Applejack widened her eyes in surprise but soon calmed to her usual smiling state since it was Ettore and it shouldn't surprise her that much. Before Applejack could say anything back to Ettore, he walked out of the kitchen and started cleaning the areas of the house. The orange mare shook her head and left Ettore to do his work and called his family in for the meal. If that's what he wants to do why should she stop him. As they finished their meal, they decided to hit the hay for the night, all apart from AJ and Ettore. AJ started to wash the dishes while Ettore continued to clean the house top to bottom. After the dishes had been cleaned Applejack decided it was her time to hit the sack, getting ready for the morning.
Ettore was still up and walking around the Apple house with a dim lit candle, making sure everything was in order and cleaned. He wondered into the kitchen to see it was spotless from Applejack's effort in cleaning. Everything was in order, from the bowls on the drying rack and the stew pot scrubbed clean. The only thing visible in that kitchen was the out of place bowl on the wooden table with chairs tucked neatly in. He placed the candle down on the table since he wasn't using magic to hold it up and pulled the bowl towards him. It had a plastic covering over with his name on. Ettore took off the cover and slowly picked it up with his two hoofs, taking a small sip from the cold juice. Applejack silently stood at the door out of sight and peeked round the corner to see Ettore take a sip of the cold stew. She watched silently as he placed the bowl down and stared at it for a couple of minutes, the candlelight gleaming on his soft smiling face brought one on to her face. But her face soon turned to a slightly shocked one as she saw a tear slide from his right eye across his face. Ettore suddenly turned back to normal as he wiped the tear off his face and proceeded out of the kitchen through the other door and left the house. Applejack walked into the dim lit kitchen and stared at the bowl and the front door. She kept thinking about it and only came up with something that happened to Ettore in the past must have surfaced, but it was only a thought. She blew out the candle and headed for bed as it was not the right time to start thinking too deeply about it.
Outside, Ettore watched as the light in the kitchen suddenly vanished, knowing he was being watched by a pony of the household. The thought of someone seeing that face made him feel a little weak. He didn't let it get to him though; he continued to go down the road to Ponyville in the bright night sky with its perfect pearl shaped moon dead high. It was a crystal clear night, perfect for a walk and Ettore took in all the scenery. Ettore eventually made it back to the castle and got ready for another day at his Mistress's side. The light purple unicorn entered the castle and shut the doors behind him. As he started to walk away from the door, a light knock was heard. Curious, he opened it only to see Derpy sitting down crossed hoofed glarring at him. He didn't have time to think nor say anything, only listen to the grey mares words.
"Where are my muffins?!"