013 Bushels ❦ [Video/Action for Mahogany]

[buckyouup]

[It's been a couple days since that weird swarm of flying reindeer descended upon the world. Through a bit of clever herding, she managed to catch one of her own. It didn't even have any wings, and yet it could fly. This thing had to be rare as can be. It might even be worth a thing or two.

All the commotion of the season has started to die down, and things are starting to go back to normal. Maybe now's a good time to check out her score. She'll retrieve the ball and let the critter out.

Except what is released is... a bit smaller.

]

What in tarnation is this!? Somepony ran off with my pokey-mon!

Then they had the gall t'swap it out with...

[She blinks, bending over to inspect the playset, and the tiny plastic horses inside.]

Little... toys a' me an' my pals? [She huffs, picking herself up.]

S'this supposed t'be me? My mane looks nothin' like that. They didn't even give me my hat!

[Well, AJ, you said you wanted your old body back. Looks like you got it!]

Comments

[sitdownbecider]

An' we'll still be with you every step of the way. We're bound together by the Elements of Harmony, remember?

[friendyousohard]

I appreciate that, I really do, but you can't come with me to Canterlot meetings or weigh in on affairs of state very effectively...

Then again, if it's reports and paperwork we're talking about I suppose I have nothing to worry about. What I'm worried about is Public Relations.

[sitdownbecider]

You're the sweetest pony I know. If folks likin' you is a problem, then you got nothin' t'worry about.

[She'll reach over to try and take Twilight's hand.]

[friendyousohard]

You're a little biased in that regard, you know.

[She says that, but she still smiles.]

[sitdownbecider]

[She kisses her forehead.]

Even then, you'll have us. We'll just be your advisers, or somethin'.

[friendyousohard]

Can I put that down officially, do you think? I could probably use it to smuggle some of you into council meetings...

Well, maybe just Rarity. I have a feeling she'd be the only one who'd want to come anyway. She could bring along your collective ideas.

[sitdownbecider]

[She chuckles.]

I'll come along t'whatever you need me for.

[And suffer through all the posh and politics. But if Twilight needed her, she'd do it.]

[friendyousohard]

Even if the farm suffers because of it? You don't exactly have an easy job yourself, you know.

[She'd love to have all of her friends at her side at every meeting, but... it's just not feasible, and she knows it.]

[sitdownbecider]

You just let me worry 'bout my family business, alright?

[She smiles.]

But if the Princess doesn't see it beneath her t'come lend a hoof every now an' then, I reckon I'd appreciate it.

[friendyousohard]

Applejack, I could be the sole ruler of Equestria, of the whole world, and none of you girls would ever be beneath me. You know that.

[sitdownbecider]

'Course I do. An' I'll always find room for y'all too.

[She would just have to find a way to work in caring for the farm and visiting Canterlot. No big deal.]

[friendyousohard]

I can definitely promise you, I never thought otherwise.

[buckyouup]

So you got nothin' t'worry about. Equestria gets a great new princess, an' you get rewarded for all your hard work an' studyin'. Sounds like everypony wins, t'me.

[friendyousohard]

Well, when you put it that way it does sound like something to look forward to. Even if I am still nervous.

[She does relax a bit though, enough to flop against Applejack's shoulder.]

Thanks, AJ.

[sitdownbecider]

[She drapes an arm around her waist, keeping it loose enough for her to get comfortable.]

Any time, darlin'. Just remember t'tell me next time you find out about somethin' like this.

[friendyousohard]

To be fair, I primarily didn't tell you because I was trying very hard not to think about it.

[Ah yeah, it's snuggle time.]

[sitdownbecider]

You shouldn't do that. Thinkin' s'what you're best at.

[You snuggle to your heart's content. AJ's here.]