014 Bushels ❦ [Action for Mahogany]

[buckyouup]

[Applejack has been quiet for the last few days. Hardly in the mood to talk, the southerner has been taking advantage of the warmer weather to get in some training. Never wanting to sit still, she takes every opportunity to run or fight or do something, but outside of her pokemon, she insists on being alone. She has to keep herself busy. So she doesn't think. So she isn't reminded.

One year. One whole year. And that's just the time she remembers. That's not counting the time she's been here before. She hasn't seen her family, her home, her orchard, in a year. She knows that time works strange here, that for her, time isn't moving back home, but that doesn't quite translate to her emotions. To her, she's spent a whole year of her life chasing strange animals while her family and her farm is without her. Stuck in some strange land, located who knows how far away from home. If she was never brought here, what would she have experienced at home? Would this year's haul be a good one? Did Apple Bloom get her cutie mark? She didn't want to think about it. She didn't want to think at all.

If you happen to be wandering in a secluded part of town, you may notice Applejack training. She may be running laps, or doing sit-ups, or training her pokemon, but one thing is instantly noticeable: she looks like shit. Her clothes are torn and her body is dirty and covered in scrapes and bruises. She looks like she hasn't slept in days. She doesn't want to. She dreams of home.]

Comments

(Action)

[bestofthebest]

(Applejack isn't alone for too long, as no matter what she's doing -running in place, doing sit-ups or training her Pokémon- she'll find herself being glomped/hugged by a Meganium.)

Hey, Applejack! I know you said clothes aren't your thing, but you didn't have to get 'em this dirty. (A beat.) Daring, you can get off her now.

[buckyouup]

H-hey! What in tarnation--

[She struggles to free herself, but her exhaustion, along with the weight of the beast, proves to be too much for her.]

Rainbow. I thought I said I wanted t'be alone.

[bestofthebest]

(It takes a moment as she's busy nuzzling her face, but Daring is pulled off by Rainbow as she grins at AJ before holding out a hand for her to take.)

That was like, forever ago! You'd think you don't wanna hang out with anypony.

[buckyouup]

[She huffs, taking Rainbow's hand and rising to her feet.]

I don't.

[bestofthebest]

...Seriously. What's going on? Is it about Spike and Princess Cadence?

[buckyouup]

No!

Well... yeah, they goin' home ain't helpin'.

[bestofthebest]

Then what is it?

(Obviously she's not backing down.)

[buckyouup]

S'this somethin' you really wanna talk 'bout?

[bestofthebest]

Hey, we might not be as close as you are with Twilight but we're still friends! I'll always lend a hoof -or hand, hehe.

[buckyouup]

W-with Twilight?

[A hint of redness comes to her cheeks.]

Now hold on, each an' every one of you is just as much my friend as Twilight is.

[She just has... extra privileges, is all.]

[bestofthebest]

Really? Fluttershy excluded, would you even consider suggesting time alone with Pinkie, Rarity or me like you do with Twilight?

(Rhetorical question; she already knows the answer.)

She's your special somepony; we're not. I'm cool with that!

[buckyouup]

I just- y'all-

[Sigh.]

I just don't want y'all thinkin' that changes our friendship any.

[bestofthebest]

(A beat, then she laughs.)

Pfft, please! If that was possible, I wouldn't have let Twilight go meet up with you on my anniversary. Feels like yesterday, but we trekked through a giant mountain and what did I do when you two went off together? Took a nap!

(Her hand moves up to squeeze AJ's shoulder.) Look, it's not gonna matter if you two end up getting married here or back home in Ponyville: we'll always be friends and nothing will change that!

[buckyouup]

[She huffs, breaking eye contact immediately.]

Marriage?! Who said anythin' 'bout that?

[They've been dating for only a few months. She knew you were fast, Rainbow, but not that fast.]

[bestofthebest]

Hehehe, just kidding AJ.

(Cue another beat before: ) One of you has to propose first and do all that mushy stuff, like get down on one knee with a ring in hoof, right?

[buckyouup]

Did you come chase me down in the middle a' nowhere just t'ask me stuff like that?

[bestofthebest]

Pfft, no!

(She's not Rarity, after all.)

I chased you down to find out what was keeping you hidden from the rest of us like a homeless pony.

[sitdownbecider]

[Good thing, too. With the state of Applejack's clothing, Rarity would have had a panic attack by now.]

I'm just worried I'm gettin' soft, is all. I haven't been givin' it my all lately.

[A half-truth, at least.]

[bestofthebest]

You sure about that?

(She remembers the whole Dodge Junction fiasco, but Daring waves her leaf around eagerly.)

[sitdownbecider]

'Course I am. We can't rely on our numbers t'keep us safe anymore. Somepony's gotta pick up the slack.

[bestofthebest]

So what, you decided to do a little training without me? I get why you'd prefer one-on-one; I go with that tactic too, but when I get this messy I usually get some help.

Or take a nap.

[sitdownbecider]

I just... I needed some time t'think, Rainbow.

[bestofthebest]

...Is this about Sweet Apple Acres? You know nopony knows we're gone, right? It's like if Twilight accidentally froze time in it's tracks and it won't start up again until we're all home.

[buckyouup]

[She sighs.]

Was it that easy t'figure out?

[bestofthebest]

(She laughs softly.)

...I was like that most of the trip through the mountain. And it was either the farm, or you were trying to hide winning the Mahogany badge before me!