Gates to Green [Open to for Apple-clan]

[Ciraxis]

In those few hours since Squall and Applejack met at the later's apple stall, the weather have turned foul.

 

Not that Squall was bothered by it. Befitting his name, he rather enjoyed the dark clouds, buffeting wind and sound of rumbling thunder coming from over the nearby Everfree Forest. Being in good mood, he hummed to himself the melody of one of his favorite symphonies, while the gift basket he brought levitated next to him.

"If only a rain would come with that. This scorcher lasted far too long." Swift mused as he entered the Sweet Apple Arces grounds.

 

For all his travels - to Ponyville, around Equestria and even beyond realm borders- this was a first time he was in 'Honest to Aeather' orchard. Ranches? Yes. Farms? Absolutely! Orchards? Well, about time he checked out that one.

 

As such noblepony made curious glances left and right, taking mental noted and making comprehensions to places he visited before. After all this was a new experience, and Count Squallcoast was always hungry for new experiences.

 

Finally he passed through small archway in the fence just before the house. That's odd. Twilight - because of course he sough Sparkle counsel before this visit - mentioned that upper part of the door were usually open, bad weather or not. Unless no one was inside that is.

"Certainly she didn't forgot.....?" Squall turned around shoot a question to a surrounding space, but predictably, it didn't rewarded him with an answer.

 

Squall again faced the door, and rose his hoof to knock, but hesitated. Instead he respectfully touched the house entrance. The multiple layers of old paint he could see. Numerous scratches around the keyhole, the signs of wear on stone pathway made by a thousands of hoofsteps. This place was old. And yet no signs of crock or rust, the latest paint layer no older then a year, and everything was clean. This told him a lot. Yes, this place was old, but was cared for, loved. Swift smiled slightly. Honestly he should expect nothing less.

 

This time he didn't pause. Noblepony knocked at the door a few times, but the silence was all he could hear. Swift waited for two minutes before knocking again, this time stronger - yet the result was very much the same.

"......Are they out because of weather....?" swordstallion guessed. For Squall, physical efforts was always a welcomed way to spent his time. Yet he had to admit to himself, he had little idea how it could be applied when living in the farm. Was this weather necessitated actions to protect the crops, explaining Applejacks and her family absence?  There was only one way to find out.

 "Perhaps I could lent a hoof..." he murmured at he directed his steps deeper into orchard grounds in search for a hat bearing mare.

[SteelEagle]

                                                                          


Applejack had long ago abandoned any pretense of holding the Ponyville weather team to any semblance of supposed competence but even for them, this was a little much. Normally they would give her warning if there was going to be a storm. One was needed and needed badly, she agreed. But boy howdy was this a poor day to have one on no notice. She had been too busy kissing ponies all dang day and making over five hundred bits in the exchange to get the notice, delivered far too late by several days, of an impending storm over the area. It was originally going to be in three days but they had a meeting and decided to make it today for reasons Applejack didn't really want to hear about, since she had to drop everything she was doing to panic-prepare the orchard for the incoming deluge. She only hoped Zap Apple would grow up be a considerate weather pony- if he didn't turn out to be a guardpony, farmer, train conductor, actor, animal tracker, or any of the other hundred or so career paths his momma envisioned for him.

 

Applejack ran about the orchard, checking her trees one by one with a list in her mouth. They kept the watering levels of each tree and its root system at certain levels. Too much and you would overwater and essentially drown parts of it, which were bad for both immediate yields and long term health. Each tree and root system had their own drainage network which filtered into the larger irrigation system the Apples had built generations ago, all of which helped pump the excess water to a pony-made small lake- moreso a pond, but a large one- on the north side of the property. The same system, build and maintained by Earth ponies and their magic, would allow them to irrigate the orchard from this same water source later. So in the long run, sure, this'd be beneficial. But a full day's work was being crammed into two hours and the entire family was feeling the burn.

 

Applejack was running around, checking the trees with a small wagon of covers trailing her. Those who could intake the coming storm were left alone. Those who could not were draped with covers and the ground covered likewise. Apple Bloom, Granny Smith, Granpa Strudel, even cousin Valen helped set containment rocks on the side of the main irrigation systems. Because if the strength of the deluge and the amount of water not being intaked by the trees, it was bound to overflow. Interlocking rocks in the divots and ducks of the system would hopefully prevent any small scale flood. Big Mac hauled the necessary supplies for both jobs and helped when he could. The Apples worked their tails off and then some, but Applejack knew from the moment they started they wouldn't be able to visit every part of the orchard. Luckily she had her master list, so she was able to prioritize her time, and she managed the others as well.
 

When the storm started to hit in full force, Applejack knew they'd done the best they could and ordered everypony back home. Apple Bloom declined since the treehouse wasn't too far away, and she had everything she'd need out there anyway. Applejack wanted to tell her no, but she was a big filly now. Valen made a beeline off the property. He was busy with Rarity. Big Mac was going to check in on a silo- and knowing him, take a nap- while the elder ponies were going to head back to town for some event. The meat of the storm hadn't hit Ponyville yet, so it was a safe place for them to go. This left Applejack alone to make her way home.
 

She trotted, enjoying the rain and weather as much as she could. She never did like lightning or the harsher elements of the weather like some other ponies did. She was the one who had to go out afterwards and heal shattered trees, chase off lost Everfree critters, and work double hard on the crops. That was why they had a weather team, a weather team that communicated and worked jointly with the farmers of town to create a harmonic solution to the problems they faced. She'd bring this up to them the next town hall meeting with them. This was...very, very annoying and she knew they'd suffer some tree losses because of it. You always did- she loved her orchard but she knew that everything was fated to end- but the losses this time were going to be pointless.
 

Uggh. She hated it.

She continued the trot towards her home when she saw another figure trotting into the orchard. It was...Swift Squall? She kicked herself. Oh right, she was going to cook him dinner tonight and talk about his proposition. Dangit, another casualty of the night's events. Still, she would entertain him as best she could. Nopony would be home and Zappy was with Momma Dash, so at least they'd be able to focus.
 

Her hat was off. She had taken it off when she got home from the kissing booth and had been in too much of a hurry to retrieve it. At some point she had lost control of her ponytail, so her mane was wild and wet. Sweat glistened along with the rain off of her body, and her tail was equally loosely bound. Why, she looked like some mustang off the pond in Mustangia. Or at least she felt like one! "Howdy there, Mr. Squallcoast. Sorry Ah wasn't here ta greet you," she said as she bounded up to him. "Had a bit of an emergency. Follow me inside, we can get ta talkin'," she offered jovially. In a moment she was at the door and opened it, holding it open for her guest.

"Sorry 'bout not havin' dinner ready. Them weather pegasi threw us for a doozy with no real warnin'. Ah'll get somethin' warm in yer belly none too quick, though. Feel free ta take a seat, livin' room or kitchen, whataver fits yer stockin'," she said as she trotted into the kitchen and got the materials for some carrot-apple soup. She poked her head in. "For a snack, how about a Mcintosh? Gala? Red Delicious? Golden delicious? Fuji? Braeburn? Crispin? Honeycrisp? Jonagold? Granny Smith? Cameo? Jazz? Macoun? Ambrosia? Paula Red? Cortland? Cripps Pink? Empire? Autumn Glory? Breeze? Celestial Crisp? Kiku? Kanzi? Koru? Opal? Lady Alice? Pinova? Roam? Suagar Bee? Smitten?"

[Ciraxis]

Squall conjecture was validated as soon as water droplets started to rain down on the Ponyville. Lo and behold, Applejack was returning from whatever activities required her presence.

And judging from her disheveled look look, that were some taxing tasks indeed.

 

"It's alright, think nothing of it Miss Applejack." he said while shaking his head. "I can tell your afternoon was as strenuous as it is without worrying about that." Swift continued while conjuring force-field above their heads to serve by makeshift umbrella.

 

Once they were inside noblepony continued with giving his surroundings a curious glances.

"Please, you don't have to apologize. As you yourself said earlier, it was an emergency." Swift answered, although he raised his eyebrow when she mentioned a meal. Oh right,  she DID mention it, didn't she? And he expressed interest in her culinary skills. How shortsighted of him, it only added more work for already tired mare.

 

That's said, Squall knew better then to tell her to not to bother. Seeing that he himself was a stubborn pony, Swift understood full-well Miss Applejack wouldn't acknowledge refusal - after all, that's how he would react if their situations were reversed - both of them wanted to be a perfect host for their guests.

"I would take Mutsu, thank you." unicorn answered while moving to the living room. Stallion set the very large gift basket that he brought on the floor, before making himself comfortable on the couch....

 

Well, not THAT comfortable. After all, Squall's thoughts were already circling around wok proposition he had for the apple mare. He also couldn't help to feel a little guilty. The young mother's was already overburdened, and he planned to only add to that. At least Swift could take solace in fact that he wouldn't make her do that work for peanuts. Unless those peanuts were cast from solid gold. Then he probably could pay her with that......

 

"So......" Squall started, in an effort to keep conversation going. "....I must admit, I expected your residence to be more...lively. Especially at that late hour." swordpony mused.

Only then he noticed piano standing in the room. Strange, Twilight mentioned that her friend could play guitar, but not that instrument. Was that a new feature? Something they inherited from the relative? Or was this something they were temporarily holding on as a favor for somepony?

 

Regardless of the reason of why it was here, Squall couldn't pass the opportunity to pass time in more creative manner.

Stallion pressed first few keys - as it turned out, the instrument was well tuned. This made the count smile before he proceeded to render Applejack's cooking task more pleasant.

[SteelEagle]

                                                                                   


She nodded at his apple selection and then vanished into a pantry. A few moments later, she left with a single Mitsu apple. She entered the barrier between kitchen and room and tossed him his desired apple. "Freshly harvested just last night! Hope you enjoy it. Dinner'll be some nice caramelized apple risotto in mah own homemade broth, apple an' cheddar soup, a side of butternut squash, and then a fritter or four for dessert. Sounds good, don't it?" She asked with a backwards glance as she trotted back into the kitchen and started considering what she had to do.

He said it was a little quiet. He was right about that! "Well, thar ain't nobody here at tha moment 'cept you an' Ah. Zap Apple's with her other momma an' tha rest are finishing up. We'll have some alone time 'fore the rest get back an' this place has all the sound an' fury of a circus. Usually just because of Apple Bloom," she said with a laugh from the kitchen as she went to work.

Applejack had already taken out the ingredients for her dinner before the night had turned so drastically. A nice caramelized apple risotto, a perfect dish to end a perfect night, with apple and cheddar soup, butternut squash, and some fritters on the side.

She had her arborio, olive oil, some parmasean cheese, her sea salt, some hard cider, two Braeburns and two large onions ready to go. The broth- her own concoction of garlic, celery, green peppers, tomatoes, turnips, cloves, parsley, and peppercorns- was being brought to a simmer soon enough. She took out her chopping knife and diced the onions and went to work paring the apples. As she waited for the broth to boil she started work on the soup and the fritters as well, turning her kitchen top into a maze of dishes.

 

She hummed to herself at first, but soon the sound of the piano entered her ear in a pleasing way. Of course, she didn't recognize what he was playing. It wasn't one of the classics, she knew that much. Momma had played them so often that Applejack could vividly remember the progression of the Lunar Sonata as she lay drifting off to sleep more than a few nights. She always did play it late at night, a soothing activity that stayed in the memory. When she had passed on, one of the hardest things for Applejack to get over was how silent the house was at night, with the uncomfortable and aching silence where once the dulcet tones of Equestrian classics had lived. It hadn't sat untouched, though. Granny Smith had dutifully kept it tuned and when Applejack was a bit older and Granny's motor skills had started to fade Applejack had taken up the task. She had been taught by her momma who in turn had been taught by her husband who had been taught by Granny who had been taught by her momma, and so it went on.

 

Applejack sometimes wished she played it more, but she had other instruments that spoke to her more, namely the violin and the guitar. Still, she remembered those notes so very well. One of the many great memories that she had, and made her proud of where she came from.

She finished the first part of her cooking expedition and with everything just needing time, she stepped ut of the kitchen and trotted into the living room, taking a seat.
"Mighty fine playing there, Mr. Squallcoast. It don't get played as much as it used to, Ah'm afraid. As for dinner, it'll be a few. Lookin' mighty good so far!" She said excitedly before a small yawn overtook her. "So, what's on yer mind?" 

[Ciraxis]

When Applejack threw the fruit at Squall he couldn't help but smirk while catching it. "Well, well, well.....You listed so many cultivars that I thought you ran out of space on your demesne. And yet, once a again it's Me who ends up surprised." he admitted. "How big is your estate anyway?"he prodded while taking big bite from the fruit.

 

"It does." Swift agreed then the apple mare described the planned course. "Apple fritter I assume?" he asked, even if answer was obvious. He was IN Sweet Apple Acres after all, so of course their meals will be dominated by their own products. And when in Roam, do as Roamans do.

Besides he really shouldn't be the pony to complain. This will be the first comprehensive meal he had in month - jumping all around Equestria and beyond didn't left time to kick back and enjoy breakfast, lunch or whatever.

 

"Must be nice to have siblings....." Squall mused, his voice calm but with a grimace of envy on his face. This always came up when Fire mentioned her sister or one of her numerous brothers, and now when Applejack did the same it was no different.  Good thing she didn't saw his reaction.

 

Fortunately, the music he spun was enough to dismiss those vexatious. It perhaps relaxed him a bit too much, seeing that Applejack unintentionally sneaked up on normally very alert stallion.

"WhattheintheTart.....W-What?" he snapped, almost falling from the piano stool before he was able to process farm-mare words.

"Oh....That? I wasn't really focusing to be honest. It was more muscle memory than anything. I was actually taught in very young age, got some very talented tutors. Soon music became one of those things I came to enjoy, seeing I had a talent for it. Just....not the special one." Swift said, and his expression made it clear that Applejack shouldn't push for further details, at least for the time being.  His face quickly softened when he begun reminiscing about more pleasant past experiences.

"...When I was hired to be bodyguard for 'Ashened Coppers' I picked up electric guitar, bass and drums as well. Couldn't ask for better teachers, those guys are so laid back when not on stage. I still keep in touch with them, you know? They insist that I should've become their sixth member....." he mused while scoffing at the idea. His life would surely make a very different turn if he would've picked their offer back then.....

".....But enough about tales of mine....." Swift said with a wave of his hoof and half-spin on the stool to better address the orange mare.

"Miss Applejack, how familiar You are with rivalry Fillydelphia and Manehattan have with each other?" Squall asked.

[SteelEagle]

                                                                                  



Applejack took in what her guest had said about the size of the Orchards. She even understood what fancy word he just used! "Oh shucks, outta land? That's impossible ta fathom. Sweet Apple Acres is...sixty-five hundred acres, last Ah checked. Tryin' ta get an extra five hundred from tha town on account of growth an' such, but we'll see," she said hopefully. She wanted to expand her Honeycrisp and Braeburn hauls. Both were excellent for eating and even better for baking. Speaking of, she had to give him his props. He certainly knew what a mare named Applejack would be all about. "Ya'll asssume right. Tha day Ah cook somethin' other than an apple fritter is tha day Ah hang up mah stetson," she snorted decisively and derisively. She loved herself some pear treats but no fruit was better served in a fritter than an apple and that wasn't even arrogance talking. That was just science!

 

He didn't say it very loud and she didn't catch his face, but her ears twinged at the comment about siblings. It was a blessing and a curse, though she counted her blessings mightier than the curses. "Well, there's certainly somethin' ta be said for havin' some alone time. This house is oftentimes so hectic that Ah have a hard time thinkin' straight. Ah stay up late some nights just so Ah can run over tha weather reports an' tha routes in peace and harmony. Wouldn't have it any other way though!" She said declaratively, poking her head back into the kitchen. It was smelling really good! She heard bits and pieces of his musical journey, deciding to keep whatever questions she had 'bout the piano to herself. Clearly something there, but she wasn't close enough to comment. Far be it from her, a relative stranger, to pry and comment.

Jumping ahead of that and onto a more vital topic, he brought up some rivalry between Fillydelphia and Manehattan. Well, she knew her history some. Fillydelphia used to be a big-shot city and with the development of airship travel lost a bit of lister to Manehattan. Beyond that, though? They were nearly on opposite sides of The Strand and didn't seem like they were engaged in anything too exciting. Still, the noblepony had come all the way here, so he must know something she didn't. "Well, can't say Ah'm too familiar. Ah mean, Manehattan and Fillydelphia are leagues apart. Y'all could go to Vanhoover and it'd be tha same distance. Manehattan has ta tango with Baltimare and Hoofington for a lot of business since they all serve tha same bay. 'Course, it isn't like Ah know either city all that well. What sorta rivalry we talkin' about?"

[Ciraxis]

Sixty-five hundred acres.....That equaled one third of the Squallcoast Manor and the estate surrounding it. The difference was, most of the grounds around Swift's own residence was greenfield and woods. Sweet Apple Acres in comparison was an orchard. ALL OF IT, their own house and bard excluded.

"That....that would be equivalent of 2600 rugby fields.....And you work on it....with just four of you. With one pony being senior, while other is not out of the school yet!" Swift said, being close to completely flipping out. Even if you disregard that various apple cultivars were harvested at different times......

 

How in Tartarus....how in Tartarus this mare didn't dropped dead from overwork yet?! And how could he put himself in position of demanding anything from her? At this point he should shake her hoof, rain money on her and then go to Canterlot to DEMAND out of Celestia to award this orange earth pony with Equestrian Medal of Diligence! And this wasn't her only responsibility wasn't it? She was also Guard AND a parent!

 

Alright, calm down. After all he knew precious ZERO how much work they needed to put into the orchard. After all, this wasn't like a wheat field right? Where all of the harvest had to be processed before being usable. And he had to consider that this family was working with apples for generations. Very extended family. One would assume that various branches of it would devise clever tricks to lessen their workload, and pass them around to each other.

"S-Sorry...I was distracted by math of it without considering...well, anything else." Swift apologized for his reaction.

 

"I bet you wouldn't....." noblepony managed to answer to Applejack's explanation about her family ties....before pondering his lot as the sole remaining heir to ancient Squallcoast line.

Applejack own family was numerous and diverse, while his own closest family - aside from his parents and grandfather - consisted of Blueblood, Presteza and their own families...and even then, their last common ancestor lived two and a half centuries ago. Calling Pretzy 'Cousin' would be a bit of a stretch.

 

Squall nodded when brought up her own history knowledge. All of those was true.

"....Not to mention Applewoood, Los Aerioness and other settlements." he added "But you see Miss Applejack, Manhattan and Fillydelphia are the first, the oldest cities at the southern coast. And as such their rivalry is more ponysonall, more intimate and at times more....petty" unicorn explained.

"Many assume that it was development of air travel that made events go as their did...but no. After all Fildelphia has so much more space then Big Orange to build enormous airfields if they wanted, does it? The true answer answer is Aquelia. Or rather how much closer Filldelphia is to it then Manehattan. And that was...not a good thing during when we joined the Second Sparkling Sea's War. Yes, Celestia managed to squash that conflict quickly with her superb diplomatic skills, but back then big business in Filly had no way to way to know that. And so - in fear - they relocated...farther from the potential front-lines. To Manhattan. Events turned less scary then they predicted, but rapid relocation weren't really....affordable. And this Miss Applejack, is one of the reasons why Manehattan is as big as it is, along with it excellent localization and few other factors. You can imagine Fillydelphia is a bit....bitter about this turn of events. Sure, in time it managed to find some pride in being Equestria's granary, but some resentment remains. Recall every hoofball game event where  teams from each city played against each other for example. They are are more...volatile then other match-ups aren't they?" Swift pointed out.

"Sports, literature, art, universities, film. The horn measuring contest continues in everything Miss Applejack. With one notable exception. Grand, monumental city hallmarks, and I can tell you that. I may be Count of Fillydelphia, but I was born and raised in Big Orange, ya know?" Squall said, effortlessly slipping into Big Orange accent mid-sentence.

"Becuse it's home to so many  miloneeres, Manhattan has wallet deep enough to afford such projects. While Filly simply does....not. In fact, I am the biggest investor that decided to set up shop there in centuries. And even I had other, ulterior reasons to do so. But because of those reasons I care. Not about that petty rivalry, no. But making something, big and grandiose would create hundreds of workplaces, bring prestige to Filldelphia and most important of all - show that the City of Sisterly Love is a place worth of investment again. Not to mention educational benefits that will come with that particular project." Swift explained.

With his magic, noblepony reached towards the gift basket that he brought, and pulled exotic looking fruit out of it, before passing it to her.

"Have you ever been in botanical garden Miss Applejack?" Swift asked with a gleam in his eye.

[SteelEagle]

                                                                                        


"It's all about schedulin'," Applejack replied quickly, very excited it seemed to talk about her farm. "Only one-tenth of tha orchard is ever needing'immediate attention in any given week, excepting a few special cases. We work on 'bout six-fifty acres at any given time. Takes maybe ten minutes ta work an acre if yer doin' it right, including buckin' and haulin' if it's harvestin' time. Five minutes if yer doin' just maintenance. Ah do it for 'bout six ta eight hours a day, Big Mac 'bout eight ta ten. Granny does 'round four at a slower pace and Apple Bloom does four at an increasin' pace. An' that don't even account for times we have family from outside tha orchard. We keep everythin' rotated jus' so, seasonal an' everything, so we aren't ever too overwhelmed by tha workload. 'Course that don't mean it can't get a bit heavy, but it still leaves time ta work with tha animals an' other fruits and veggies we grow," Applejack spoke rapidly and proudly, digging into a nearby desk and coming back with a set of notebooks.
 

The first notebook, marked Orchard Rotation Schedule: Year of Celestia's Reign 1029, Fall, was laid open. It was a day by day planner of what sections of the orchard were to be worked on and what tasks were to be accomplished. Row after row, page after page, meticulously detailed and cross-referenced with other books, were the actions of the Apple family. It continued on past the current date in a very precise manner for several weeks, and then became vaguer. What was constant were the sections, even if the occasional scribbling made clear that the future was far from perfect. "As long as know tha weather and keep up our end of tha work, we can predict what section will need our work months in advance. We only get harvests that come upon us faster or slower, maintenance and output problems, an' a host off smaller problems in these here sections of the orchard if we fail to do our due diligence," she replied with an obvious sense of pride before her eyes looked skyward, "or if they start screwing us with random weather," she grimaced, "its mostly tha second."
 

No matter that. She took enough time boring him with her farm labor and she trotted back into the kitchen while he started talking about the rivalry between the two cities. Well, consider herself educated. She never would have thought of even half that, especially since all the history books on this subject attributed it to air travel. Still, that was why she was considering herself educated. While he spoke, she cooked. It was time to set the soup on and get the risotto hurried along, and the fritters were ready to go in the oven too after she allowed the ingredients to settle. By the time he had finished explaining the history, she put the fritters in and took the soup off. She took a small taste from her large ladle- tasted mighty fine! Deeeeelish! She poured two bowls and set them on the table along with spoons, and poured two crisp glasses of hard cider. "Alright, time ta move inta tha dining room, yer nobleness," she said as she took her seat and soon when the noblepony entered saw the Star Apple.
 

Yep, she knew that one. It had been in one of her granny's books about exotic fruits and varieties. "Why, Ah think that's a Star Apple. Ain't seen one 'round these parts in years or so. Tha weather they want isn't exactly nice ta tha other varieties. Pa used ta call them imitator apples, since the don't have a normal lookin' apple core. Mah great uncle Honeycrisp tried ta give it a go of it in tha tropical isles a while back. They ain't bad or nothin'. Ah reckon their juice throws ponies off, kinda has a milky texture. Why, whatcha wanna do with it? Start growin' them in the tha Fillydelphia region? Mah cousin Apple Pie an' her sisters run her own orchard there, Tiny Apple Valley. She's had a bad run of health though, so Ah reckon that's why you ain't contacted her. That and its a mite too small for what ya have in mind, Ah'm guessin'," Applejack said as she took a swig of her hard cider.

[Ciraxis]

Applejack may have assumed that noblepony was indifferent towards all that management talk. But while Swift was a noble and a warrior, he was also a businesspony.

As such, when the orange mare brought up notebooks, Swift ears perked up in genuine interest. So much so, that he pulled out his reading glasses from one of his pockets. After all, keeping orchard running was a business. A vastly different one that his own, but still a business. And Swift was keen to compare work of  one professional with his own.

"My, my...." he mused as he sized few of them with his magic to study few at once "....I seen actual accountant books less detailed than this. This is assiduousness to be respected." Swift said admiringly.

 

Swordstallion could only groan when his host called him for the meal.

"Yes, like I never heard that one before, O Miss Lad-ette...." he snarked as he got up from the piano stool. As he moved to the table, Swift noticed two pinches of cinder placed on it. His brows raised in confusion before the realization that dawned on him added frown to his face.

"I am sorry, It's my fault. I have strict no-drinking policy. I should've mentioned this when we stepped inside." he said, genuinely apologetic as he took the seat.

"....Although that and and all those number reminded me of something I wanted to ask for a long time. I read the story from my copy of the Friendship Journal, and got recount of the event from Sparkle. But I also wanted to hear your thoughts Miss Applejack. About that Cinder Squeezy 6000 machine...The more I pondered, the more i wondered why didn't you bought it. Ye, you would've have to hire an unicorn to keep it powered but..." he paused,, weaving hos hoof to encourage the answer from the orange mare. In the meantime he occupied himself with the soup. it was really, really good! Easily worthy of 5-Star restaurant. It was clear that Applejack practiced making this dish a lot!

 

"Imitator......not the description I would have used. I would say it's more of the...homage." he mused while way more fruits flew from the basked. Judging from her expression, Applejack recognized them all. Mammee apple, cashew apple, iceapple, wax apple, thorn apple, sugar apple and much more. All of those soon found their place on the table alongside Caimito he pulled out earlier.

"Durian is often called king of fruits, but if this is true, then it's clear there is a grey-eminence behind it's throne that really calls the shots...." Swift sent a meaningful gaze towards all apple-shaped decorations around the room.

"...Just like there is more agriculture oriented families out there. Some may be bigger, others richer and others are louder. But if you want something to be done efficiently, you know to which Clan you want to turn.The no-nonsense professional among them..." unicorn stallion continued with buttering up, while sending Applejack meaningful gaze.

 

"Oh you can say I will be growing them. Along all of those too...." he waved at the batter of fruits he brought. "And you are also right about BIG part as well. Twenty thousand hectares big to be precise." he explained before he leaned over the table. His gaze becoming even more intense more intense.

"Miss Applejack, I am funding the largest botanical garden in the world. And whole of it. Under.Roof. And not of the glasshouse variety" he said before returning to his seat.

"And I need You, to ensure it will also be the best." he pointed at the earth pony mare.

[SteelEagle]

                                                                             


She took the compliment about her accurate bookkeeping well. Ponies assumed that all that went into farm labor was straining muscles and exertion when it was a whole lot more complicated than that. The amount of planning that went into the Orchard was immense, intense and never-ending. Every new weather schedule that came out would result in weeks added to the forecast for the orchard down to the final tree. As he denied her offered drink to a no-drinking clause, she accepted that too. No biggie there. She moved his glass over to hers, got a new one, and filled that with a non-alcoholic cider.

It gave her time to answer his question. And drink in between some of the words, seeing as she had two mugs to down.

"Like ya said, Ah'd need ta hire a unicorn to power it up. And that unicorn would hold tha keys to everything we'd be doin' cider wise. Secondly, tha maintenance on that- well Ah doubt them Flim Flam brothers would be talkin' about it, but Ah heard from others that rented from 'em that it broke down a lot. Even when it didn't break down that inspectin' part of it could go haywire. Produced a lot of bad cider, needin' somepony specific ta run it? Bad enough. But tha part of mah orchard that they touched with it never really grew tha same again. Ah'd reckon that that little machine royally messes with earth pony magic, makes tha ground less fertile. 'Course Ah'm biased against snake oil pitchers, liars, cheats, and no-good thieves, so maybe Ah'm wrong," She said with the barest hint of bitterness. She never would forgive them for messing with her livelihood, that she knew.
 

She reckoned he could understand. As she returned with his drink and he unveiled the project fact he had in mind, she knew why he had come to her. The Apple family did not have the single largest farm anywhere in Equestria but if you took into account every aspect of their business, they were the best, they were the biggest, and they were tested by the rigors of time. This project sounded like it needed that sort of drive and work ethic. If that held true, then he had come to the right place.
 

"Now that there is a project! That's nearly fifty thousand acres! All of that inside?" She whistled. "Woowee, that is a lot of internal growin'. How tha hay yer plannin' on keepin' tha garden properly growin' with tha ground cutoff of magic?" She pondered out loud. Greenhouses and greenhouse like structures were notorious for short term success and long term failure- compared at least to the consistency and vibrancy of a more natural environment tended by Earth Pony hooves. Artificial structures constricted Earth Pony magic. She shrugged. "Ah'm sure you thought of somethin', so no matter that. Still though, that sounds like it could work. So whatcha needin' me ta do, exactly? Ah can draw you up tha right sorta growth plans, a seedin' rotation. Oh, maybe even a supply chain? Ah can write it out an' send it ta ya, of course. What's yer address for this here shindig?"

[Ciraxis]

"At least you self aware. Good. You have no idea how refreshing it is to see that." Swift said with a smile before his expression turned more serious.

"And since you was honest with me and myself, I in turn will be truthful to you. Now before I begin I should tell you. I not going to say to you how you should run your estate. Frankly, I wouldn't know where to even begin.  But my grandfather made billions, so did my father and I only added to the pile - I know something about business so to speak. What I have is some ideas - as a gift - to improve your lot. You can take them, or leave then, your choice." unicorn said  before pausing to take his reading glasses off.

 

"First? Let's back to that machine. Yes, yes, I know, I know but allow me to be a Devil's Advocate here. Let's start with the unicorn thing. It doesn't work like that. Or at least, it shouldn't." Swift revealed  "My TEMPEST works a lot with magic powered devices so I can say this from experience. Only some really heavy machinery requires for horned ponies to be near or inside it all the time. Tunneling machines, strip miners - we are working with machines so large you would think they come from some Neighponyse anime. But Squeezy? Nothing of such size should require unicorn presence for a whole day, just an initial pouring of magical energy and that's it. Maaaybe another one in the middle of the day if the work was really intense. And let' be frank, being responsible for keeping Squeezy running gives no power to that hypothetical he or she. You still own the machine, materials and product. Anypony would start something funny, and any lawyer would eat them alive. And with such large family, you certainly have one or two relatives that deal with law to fall back on, for a minimal fee, right?" noblepony said with a smirk "And besides, it's not like you would leave that unicorn without supervision anyway. Your family is too smart for that." Swift pointed out before pausing again to make Applejack digest this information.

 

"Second, that odd growing thing? More common than you think. I myself had issue like that to deal with when I started my TEMPEST. Renovation job of Baltimare historical park ruined lawns, henges and so on, seemingly out of blue. Reason? Machines itself were fine, the problem was who build them. Turns out you it's not the power source to blame either. Heck, you could even enchant them no issue. But all the other parts? When it comes to dealing with, well, plans?" Swift waved his hoof "Has to be made by Earth Pony. Every. Single. Bolt. We had to scrap a lot of equipment when we found out. At least we got some money back for raw materials...." swordstallion reminisced "So yes, again, that Squeezy machine as a concept was fine, it's just, well, made by Them." Swift gave a deep sight. "Would also explain maintenance problems you mentioned, they probably made everything as cheap as they could. I just can't wrap how much of an idiots those two were. Think about it, they made three - correction - FOUR machines in one." Squall said.

"A picker, a sorter, squeezer AND a hauler. One wouldn't need to even have make cinder with this one...... It could turn for you Applebucking Season into Applebucking DAY. Those Flim-Flam brothers were absolute fools Miss Applejack. They could have made fortunes, fair and square, by turning the thing into four separate machines and marketing it all across Equestria. But instead....they drove around the realm, conning ponies into cinder-making races. Idiots, complete idiots!" noblepony lamented the lost potential while facehooffing.

"Sorry....I am just...allergic for such things" he apologized before straightening out. "Errr...where was I? Oh yes, the quality thing. Well, clearly your family makes the best cinder in all Equestria.....But they gone head hooftip-to-hooftip for most of the race didn't they? Don't try to deny it Miss Applejack. As I said earlier, I got details from Sparkle beforehoof. Heck, they were so confident they have this in the nag,  that the bent rules a little and allowed you to get *ehem* 'honorary family' to help. It's only when they panicked and they overclocked the Squeezy that the quality tanked." Swift pointed out before his voice darkened.

"Also, I don't know if you realize how close of the shave that race was. If they served the FIRST cinder barrels they made of that batch instead of the LAST....." he pointed out, allowing for terrifying realization to sink in. "And if the machine was made with quality materials, they could best you even with all the help you got. Did you ever wonder why pegasi manufacture so much weather in factories, instead of making it by the hoof like their ancestors did? Same reason."

 

Since his first 'advice' turned out to be quite a mouthful, Swift decided to leave rest for them for later and refocus on what he wanted to hire Applejack for.

"Yes, all internally,. We used quite and amount of tricks to work around the issue, but it's better to explain them when we get to the site.I failed to mention it, but we about 70% done with the first floor I think, we may expand if it will be deemed necessary, so the garden may turn out even larger in the end." Swift said, before continuing upon seeing Applejack's reaction "The garden itself is on the first floor. On the second it will have botanical branch of Fillydelphia University, as well as paleontologist museum that will focus on extinct plants. Maybe another one dedicated to honoring scientist and explorers responsible for breakthroughs in that science field. On the floors minus one to minus four we planning to have laboratories dedicated to research uses of various plants. Floor minus five will be dedicated seed bank, with another one build in the frozen north, beyond Crystal Empire."

 

Swift shook his head when Applejack proposed to take make things work through correspondence.

"Miss Applejack while I appropriate the offer, this is something we could hire any of your relatives that live closer to do the same. No, what I need is......dedicated inspector for the garden itself as a whole." Swift said before explaining.

"It has to be an Earth Pony, for obvious reasons. It also has to be one that works with plants - again, that goes with out saying. It also has to by somepony known for diligence and being honest opinion." Swift gazed intensely at the orange mare "And you Miss Applejack are a Honesty as far as the World is concerned."

[SteelEagle]

                                                                          


Oh boy, here he went. She had heard from Captain Fire Walker that her fiancee was a stallion of many great skills and a few discernible vices, one of which was a knack for thinking he was the smartest pony in any room he was in, and an expert in all things- even when he dealt with an expert personally. He spoke at some epic length about what was wrong about the machine and why she was wrong about the machine and yadda yadda yadda. Heck, even Swift Squall seemed to know he rambled. She allowed him to finish. He wasn't a bad stallion by any stretch- he certainly meant well. But she felt the need to correct him. As he spoke she had continued to drink and by the time he was done, so was she. "Yer thinkin' of a real machine built for actual work by actual craftsponies with actual pride in their actual work. That thar machine was built by shucksters. Liars an' cheats who didn't give a wooden nickel about doin' a good job, jus' makin' a bit and bucking off. One of mah extended family was able to get their hooves on tha machine, well one of them. Based on what he saw, guess what he said the total cost was ta make it? Maybe six-hundred bits. A proper sorter costs five times that, and it just sorts," she snorted angrily. Those two really did tick her off.

 

Her eyes lit up with an unfamiliar sting of anger as more information flowed into her. "Their first barrels barely kept for an hour, even in proper conditions! That machine pressed so poorly and unevenly that tha cider it made was magically altered and died out fas'. And tha sortin'? Boy howdy, lemme tell you somethin': Worse than tha cheapest, laziest Apple farmer there ever was. Good for minutes at high use. An' when ya did have ta do repairs on it, you know what would happen?" She leaned in, "tha parts were custom made. By them. An' they charged out tha ear for a screw, let alone anything more important. Ah could almost admire their business savvy if it weren't for the fact they are, without a doubt, the most low down rotten pair of ponies Ah've ever met. Sure there are others who committ more evil acts, but they're the crew that seems to get more pleasure outta makin' yer life ten by ten times more rotten and lousy," she said as she leaned away and sighed. 

"No disrespect intended, but yer barkin' up tha wrong tree. As much as Ah like mah traditions Ah ain't above doin' something ta make our work easier. We have machines and tools 'ere at tha farm. We're proud, not simpleminded. Plus, Ah wouldn't have given them a single bit for any of their ill-gotten, ill-conceived, ill-made goods," she said with a note of finality.

Refocused back on the real discussion, this job offer. Her eyebrows arched up. "Sounds like yer in need of some mighty potent help. You'd need me on hoof over there? For how long?" She asked with a whistle.

[Ciraxis]

"Yes! Exactly!" Swift proclaimed upon seeing that Applejack 'got it'. His excitement however quickly diminished as as the orange mare kept going. By the time she finished he felt kind of bad.

"......I am sorry Miss Applejack. I guess I didn't show my host proper respect by underestimating you yet again. It's just......." Swift grimaced before he continued. "I am so used to dealing with ponies who stuck to their old ways just because they old. The ways that is...." he said with now bared frustration "...that running into somepony who wiser than that is...unexpected. Although not unwelcome." he flashed the farm-mare a slight smile. "I guess there's a reason for this. In the last decade we saw more change in the nation than in last three hundred years squished together. Some are able to adapt to that, embraced this change and some....can't. So they double down, sticking to what they know - even if it's not something that doesn't make much sense." noblepony mused before smiling at Applejack once again. "And here I am, getting way to verbose again. Just like moments ago, when I simply could said that I believe that that concept those two came up with CAN work, if only it wouldn't be put to life by such schmucks like them....." Swift sighted "How come they aren't behind bars yet?" stallion asked.

 

"Leaving that issue aside, let's move to the one that ties to it...." Squall put his reading glasses on and levitated Applejack's ledgers back into view. "....Namely, the supply and demand problem you seem to have. Too many ponies, and insufficient amounts of cinder - and we both agree you can't hope to be stuck int cinder-making competition year after year. And as with all such problem's there are two choices. Upping your supply would be..difficult. Not only it would require more of the resource, but also more hooves to process it. Hiring more would be counterproductive - you are trying to rise money here. And as we discussed there is no Cinder making machine so far that wouldn't be unreliable piece of junk. Multiplying is a solution...." Swift glanced at the picture of Applejack and her colt that hanged from wall...."...but a more long-term one the way I see it. Therefore the most available solution you have now is to rise your price." noblepony summed up.

 

"And how long botanical gardens can be kept running? Make no mistake Miss Applejack, this would be commitment - but the one that would require less of your time as the work goes on and you familiarize yourself with it. It would be worst at the beginning, at least two visits a month, more if some serious issue would pop-up. The City of Fillydelphia would probably like to receive regular reports. After all this will be a public venue - I myself am only a sponsor - even if very...involved one. Of course any traveling and accommodation expenses will be taken care of by me....It's even possible to give you a private flights straight from ou estate if you agree for it" he explained.

"Sooooo....forty-five thousand a month?" Swift proposed cautiously.

[SteelEagle]

                                                                               


Applejack scoffed at the mention of them again, with the noblepony asking just why they weren't behind bars. She'd wondered that herself for a while before realizing that they were craftier than she gave them credit for. "They ain't behind bars because while what they're doing is immoral as all heck, they do it just enough on the shade of tha law that by tha time anypony thinks they might have a case 'gainst them, they move on outta town," she rolled her eyes as she spoke through gritted teeth, then shook her head. "Ain't a fan of mob justice mahself but...safe ta say that in the case of those two I sure as shine understand it," she said as she leaned back and rubbed her eyes. Likely a bad thing for a Guard to say but she was nothing if not honest where her heart was concerned.

 

The discussion shifted back to cider. Almost nothing he said was wrong, and she had to give a half-smile at the whole multiplication line. They'd be doing a lot more of that soon enough. Beyond that she knew his concerns and understood his conclusion. She had reached it years ago herself, after all. "Well...truth is, we're doin' fine. Somethin' ta be said for having a limited supply of something great, ya know? Tha only time its been threatened is with them two roaches. Fact is, if Ah had more supply than it wouldn't be near as special. An if weren't so special, fewer ponies'd really care about it," she chuckled darkly. It was true that sometimes the best business was less business in order to promote business. It would have been wrong had her supply not been as constrained- but it was, so it wasn't a problem as far as she was concerned.

 

"As for raisin' tha price, we do change it every season," she said as she trotted away for a minute upstairs. When she returned, she returned with a stack of financial papers.

 

"Every year 'fore we sell tha cider we spend some time looking at how wages an' earnings are working out locally, with tha help of Mayor Mare an' all. Then we adjust our price higher or lower. We always make ourselves a nice tidy profit but we'll never do so in such a way that would price tha good ponies of Ponyville outta tha experience," she said with pride, sharing the documents freely with her guest. They gave back anything too sensitive so nothing to really gleam except the sort of thing you could find through some legal hoofwork yourself.

 

"If Ah had ta change what we did?" She leaned back and furrowed her brows. "Unlike Granny, Ah'm not opposed ta letting other branches of tha famil in on how we make our cider. I don't mind expanding tha reach of tha cider operations so more ponies nationwide get a taste 'fore tha season ends. Still keep it special, still keep it limited, but make it all fair like whether you live in Seaddle or Mustangia or anywhere in between," she said with a tone of finality to it. She loved her cider but she loved drinking and making it more than she discussed the business around it.

 

She started to finish the drink when the noble made his final information drive. She laughed at how easy it all seemed. "Two visits a month? Sugarcube, Ah thought you were asking for a lot more than that!" She said as she started looking for her planner. "Ain't no problem on mah end, then. How long are these trips 'sposed ta be? 'Talkin' overnight?" She asked as she started looking for open time-

And then he said the amount.
"Waitwha-h-forty-five-I-" she started, eyes rolled, and then she fainted, head landing in her scheduler. A moment later the oven dinged- dinner was done!

[Ciraxis]

Squall sighted when Applejack explained why the Brothers were still at large. Nothing she said was wrong, but that didn't meant he had to like it. And judging from the way she spoke, neither was she.

"Way too often things turn out like this, isn't it? If law and justice was one and the same, then we would not distinguish between the two - and it shows." the stallion gave out a heavy sigh "In the meantime, let us hope that they ran out of towns to trick then." noblepony added.

 

"Hmmm if you say so...although there is a difference between 'fine' and 'excellent'. Also keep in mind, the amount of Equestrain citizens is steadily rising. The same goes for Ponyville - after all you contributed to this. At one point you may have to choose between keeping your cinder 'special' , and making access to it fair. Maybe by limiting amount sold per customer." Swift predicted.

 

"Hmmmm...." Swift murmured as he studied the further pieces of financial documents.

"This very health business habit, keeping at least one ear close to the ground." he praised the orange mare. "And I see we thinking among similar lines, I agree wholeheartedly. Yet, I have to ask. Why limit yourself to 'nationwide'? You could brand it as luxury product overseas, getting....." Squall quickly calculated "....twelve to twenty times profit per bottle compared to selling it here. And this is excluding distributing, storing and logistics costs. Of course you would need to find somepony who could provide such services...." swordstallion rubbed his chin allowing Applejack to retort.

 

"Honestly? It depends on you." noblepony said with a shrug "Or rather how quickly you manage to wrap up duties there. It should become quicker as time goes on, and you get the hang of it. Also as I mentioned, it may be more then two visits, if something goes wrong at the gardens. If say, arsonist would break in after hours, you would have to make an assessment of the damage for example." he explained

When Swift laid his price he didn't expected...well....that kind of reaction....

 

"...............................I take that as yes?"

 

 

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

 

A while later, Applejack found herself...on the couch? Swift apparently moved her here, and even covered the farm mare with the blanket. Judging from the clock, it was two hours later.

"What do you know...." greeted the awakening mare from the armchair. Swift quickly got up, putting aside the book he was reading - wasn't it Big Mac's manual for O&O? "It seems that I did managed to surprise you at last Miss Applejack." unicorn added, clearly pleased with himself. "I cleaned the kitchen and the dishes by the way. And if you wondering, dinner was delicious. I couldn't cook to save my life, but at least I could cast a spell keeping yours from getting cold. It's on the table, waiting for you." count quickly informed the farm-mare.

"So....do we have an accordl?"

[SteelEagle]

                                                                          


Applejack's first few moments of unconsciousness were due entirely to her supreme shock at the offer that was laid out in front of her, she was mare enough to admit. It wasn't every day one of the richest and most well-to-do stallions in Equestria offered you such enormous overpay for a project that didn't seem all that hard. Time consuming? Possibly. But work she could do and work she knew she could do well. All that money? That was an insane amount of money for how much work she was doing. It certainly spoke to his wealth.

 

The next two hours however was simply because she was very, very tired. It had been a busy day to bury the lead. A hundred country kisses, running around the farm preparing for a storm, and a thousand other worries and concerns that rattled around in her skull and were sent barreling through her bones finally hit her like a sack of bricks. She straight up slept for a solid two hours. When she woke up she had taken the blanket that had been gingerly placed on her tightly and curled around it, with a throw pillow under head head as she nestled deep into the couch.

 

She woke up and turned to the room, her eyes heavily lidded as she gave a deep yawn. Shaking the rust off, she listened to Squall speak. It had been two hours? Ha! She must have really been knackered. She could hear the sound of hooves upstairs- yep, the other members of the family must have finished, eaten, and were getting ready to sleep themselves. It had been a long day for them as well. She was proud of her entire family and she never let them off without knowing it. She rolled over and sat up, stretching her back to let the muscles get themselves back up in working order.

 

"Thanks for tha blanket, sugar. Glad you enjoyed dinner ta boot," she said with a pleasant laugh as she trotted over to the still warm food. She took her plate back into the room with her silverware, all of it on a chair. She sat down back on the couch stirred her food. "Sorry about all that right there. Ah got so struck by that amount of bits...woo-hee, thats really somethin'. You bet yer rear you have yerself an' accord. When do ya need me ta start?" She asked as she started to eat, the storm outside starting up something fierce.

[Ciraxis]

Squall nodded when Applejack spoke.

"As I said, enjoying home-made food is rare occurrence to me. Unless I am visiting my parents. Neither myself, my butler Oak Branch or Fire are familiar with...well...and kind of cooking. And I keep having problems when it comes to hire house staff due to silly superstitions. Yes, I have a ghost in my manor but he's really sweet and chill guy..." Swift said, his tongue taking him farther then it should. "...I-I mean not that this should concern you." noblepony quickly backpedaled.

 

"You were...still are weary as well. Not that I did you any favors but...." Squall quickly glanced to the side "....I assumed that will expect amount similiar to one that I gave for those apples of yours, earlier today." unicorn explained his reasoning. "After all this time I still tend to forget that this is a matter of perspective. Take a word of a stallion who both earned and was born into money Miss Applejack - bits can solve many problems, but you can't  buy happiness. If I never met Fire I would probably be sitting in Squallcoast Manor by now - brooding and becoming more embittered year after year." Swift surmised.

 

Miss Applejack was already rearing to throw herself into even more work. Count appropriated the enthusiasm, but....

"Now, now Miss Applejack. I will be lying if I said I didn't wish you to start as soon as possible -  but we both know you have obligations here, on the orchard that you can't just drop overnight, even if all those ponies will be filling out for you..." Squall paused, noticing earth pony eyebrows raised in confusion "....Oh, I didn't mentioned that, did I? During your absences I will dispatch a dozen of earth ponies to help on your estate. They will of course will be financially compensated by me as well. I also will make sure that those ponies are from rural background." noblepony assured the orange mare.

"But back on track - I assume that you also want to first get yourself familiar with the environment of your new workplace? Since this will be a...tour of sort, I see no reason why you shouldn't bring more of your family with you - if you so desire." business stallion said "...Again, the sooner the better. It would be perfect if you would be well adjusted to Garden's inner workings by the time construction is completed." unicorn muttered before gazing outside.

 

"...This is violent even for the Everfree neighborhood. I remember storm similar to that - when I was hired to hunt a pair of thunderbirds that got too accustomed to zebra flesh - in Unyasi." Swift reminisced.

[SteelEagle]

                                                                                     


She rubbed her head, shaking it as she did. "Ah'll have ta make sure ta show yer butler how ta do a proper home cooked meal. Can't have the rich and famous forgetting the simple things in life, right?" She said with a chuckle as she stretched herself after her short nap had ended. "Teach yer ghost, too. Can't say no to any friendly apparitions now, can we?" she added after the fact. You had to be real gentle around ghosts and spirits but if you did your work right they could become mighty fun partners to have around. Or whisked away to their eternal rest, one way or another. Heh. Not that any ghosts 'round these parts would be getting rest with this weather!

 

"It's a bit heavy. Tha Weather Team ain't what it used to be since Dash left it, only made worse on account of Ponyville growing. They missed several scheduled storm days and- well, you can see the results. A big ol' storm over Ponyville to make up for it. And tha Everfree is in tha middle of its monsoon season," she leaned in and opened a window, inviting whipping rain and wind but being unperturbed by it all the while. "Sometimes we get a mite lucky on account of us straddling both. We get the wet without tha wind, or tha snow without the blizzard. Sometimes we get it worse. A lot of floodin' during tha monsoon season, but we have our ways of dealing with it. Farming here has its challenges but we conquered those ages ago. Only tha beasties and the weirdness is a threat but," she shrugged, "we adapt. Always have, always will."

 

She turned to him.

 

"Speaking of that. Ah'm rightly happy ta hear about tha extra hooves. Not sure about mah family comin' with me ta take tha tour but Ah'll think about that later. Ah really do wanna get up and over there sooner rather than later, though. Ah reckon there is a lot to learn and do in a short time and Ah don't wanna waste time. So how about next Monday, Ah head on up there?" Applejack offered, the best sort of compromise she could imagine. After all, she wasn't forcing him to take her now. It was the most he was gonna get from her, that was for sure. "Ah'm reckoning if Ah get there too late in tha day Ah'll do tha tour on Tuesday, get some preliminary work done 'round tha same time. Sound right?"

[Ciraxis]

"I guess....it would look good on your resume. Although, I guess it's already impressive enough event without such feat." Squall mused, when Applejack expressed interest in taking on an impossible task of teaching cooking to a spirit. Noblepony was pretty sure that Bubble wasn't a poltergeist kind of ghost....but then again, who knows? It's not like he consulted and kind of exorcist or spirit medium...

 

"Perhaps it will change with Sparkle getting in charge..." unicorn mused while looking outside, when the farm-mare mentioned lack of competence of the current weather team. The heavy raining outside encouraged reflection, and Miss Applejack already proved herself a good listener.

"...I think the lack of quality control is because Weather Maintenance is seen as dead-end job by most of the populace. Because every pegasi - better or worse, but still - can do it, it viewed as nothing special, a janitor level job. Thus, it is undertaken by those ponies who's special talent isn't one to bring coin, or one's who can't capitalize on theirs. - instead of those that could genuinely be good at it." Squall theorized "If I recall Miss Rainbow too was stuck on it, because despite being incredibly talented flier, she lacked proper work ethic and discipline to really reach out for her dream career - at least until the positive influence of your group made her change for the better, isn't it?" he asked his host.

 

"I bet diamonds against coconuts that Twilight will thoroughly restructure the whole system in the next five years. Starting with raising overall pay. The way it is now, is way too low, especially for a work that can be high risk at times. They should receive the same amount of respect as firefighter or police force do." Squall expressed, showing a surprising levels of empathy before turning to Applejack.

"While both taming and maintaining the land may be arduous, I have a feeling you wouldn't have it any other way. No challenge equals no satisfaction....and Me, You and your Marefriend are not so different regard." Squallcoast observed, while detaching his sheathed blade for a moment. "Even if challenges we seek are dissimiliar, the rewards are only sweet when there is an effort put into reaching out for them - regardless of the paths we chose."

 

Miss Applejack already have shown professionalism by being willing to travel to Filly all on her own. However....

"It does, but don't bother with the train. I will borrow the fields around School of Friendship, just as I did last winter with Sparkle and pick you up with...Well I want to say 'airship' but I guess it doesn't qualify as one." Swift explained.

[SteelEagle]

                                                                                         

 

 

The noblepony brought his own views into the situation with the weather teams. She didn't know much about how the weather team in his city was viewed or even in Fillydelphia, let alone the other big cities. But she did know how she viewed them, how Dodge City viewed them, how Apploosa viewed, how just about every place she had ever traveled viewed them.

"Maybe its considered such in them hoity toity big cities, but not here. Not 'cross most of Equestria, Ah'd reckon. Tha Weather Team is one of the highest paid jobs you can get and it is considered one of the most important ta boot. We farmers know that more than most. We get together and host an annual thank you party and make sure ta tip 'em somethin' fierce when they're on a roll. And in Cloudsdale, the weather factory is the most important building they have and their weather management team are tha most important, respected ponies in ton! Well, 'sides tha mayor, 'course," she offered as she looked outside. Yeah the current team wasn't all that good and it frustrated her but she knew to give them time. A farmer didn't produce record yields their first few years either, after all.

 

"Rainbow was too dang talented ta stay Weather Team for lil' old Ponyville, but that's rare. It's usually hard as nails gettin' pegasi to leave them jobs. Absolute job security, often times one of the most important jobs in a town, sometimes one of tha best paying? Heh, maybe in the big cities there are enough easier jobs ta distract from it. But go 'round Equestria, ask us Heartland ponies or those of us who aren't in the big cities and need the Weather Team? Sugarcube, out here they're more respected than police or firefighters," she said bluntly but accurately. The majority of small towns didn't even have active police forces and the weather team acted like a volunteer firefighter department in many areas. Simply put, the weather team was the most important group in many towns. Beloved, respected.

 

No matter. She wasn't a weather team member and wasn't much concerned about it, at east in terms of what had rought him to her. She turned around quickly, perching herself against the wall.
"Airship, landship, buggy or cart- Ah'm right excited ta see where this leads us, pardner," she said with an out-stretched hoof, ready ad willing to see this through.

 

OOC- Feel free to end the scene.

[Ciraxis]

"Hoity toity?" Swift raised an eyebrow. It seems they all had their own little prejudices. Even more surprising how weather teams were treated here then in Manhattan or Filly.

"Curious. There seems to be disparities on how such career is viewed between metropoles and smaller communities, yes. Yet another thing Sparkle will have to get a good look over. Although....Sunt facta verbis difficiliora." Swift mused. Indeed, this will be something that will not be easy to uproot. After all, all ponies had tribalistic tendencies in their blood. One had to just get good look at Kastrot or Acroneighos if they wanted an more visual example of that.

 

"Well this is outside of expertise of either of us. Maybe your other half would have some more info about the issue. I would appreciate if you share it if she did." noblpony mused while reaching for his longcoat with his magic.

He caught off guard when - after putting on his garments - he saw Applejack's outstretched hoof. They didn't sign any paperwork yet! but after initial surprise Swift returned the hoof-shake, along with a smile of his own.

"I look forward to it too, Miss Applejack."

 

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

 

Next Monday, Commons outside School of Friendship. 7:00 A.M.

 

Squall had to admit - School of Friendship and it's immediate surroundings made for a pretty sight - which was why he didn't mind at all in the open. Twilight has chosen the location wisely - being far enough from Ponyville to prevent it's students from being distracted, while also having a room for potential expansion or perhaps dorms. At the same time it was close enough to not make access or logistics a hassle.

 

And best of all, those wide fields could serve as makeshift landing strips, in a pinch!

 

Such was Swift thoughts as he - garbed in white for a change - awaited noth his new business partner, and their transportation....

 

[SteelEagle]

                                                                                

 

Applejack had been real excited over the past week, prepping as she was to go all the way to Fillydelphia and back. It took a few days for the enormity of the offer to really strike home for her and the rest of the Apple family. Not only would they be doing something good for the entire nation of Equestria but they could use those bits to do all sorts of things. The farm was always needing something fixed or Applejack was looking to expand. Sweet Apple Acres also looked after the family financial situation across the whole nation after all. When smaller family farms needed a loan or a dip into the family coffers it came from Sweet Apple Acres, and it was something that she took pride in. All these bits would do so much good for the Apple family that it wouldn't have taken much to sell her on the concept hook, line, and sinker.

 

So when it was time to go to the field outside the school, she did so with great excitement. She brought several journals and books she had read, written, or borrowed from the local library (now located in the school) that she thought would be helpful, and with several types of quills and ink. After all, she used that to keep track of different growth tracks at a glance. She had made sure to spend the last few days getting her schedule all lined up and instructed her family about some of the business tasks she was going to leave to them while she was gone. Luckily they were all rather good at what they did and what the did was live and work at the best orchard in Equestria. Maybe even the world. Probably the world. She also made sure to line-up her time off from the Guard and the School with their break all at the same time.

 

Everything was looking up for Applejack!

Which is, oddy enough, where Applejack was looking as as she approached the field. "Land's sakes, he wasn't kidding," she said, half laughing to herself as she approached. In the distance was approaching an airship of some flavor or another- maybe it wasn't, she didn't really know- and her business partner, garbed in all white. He looked rather dashing in it, actually. "Howdy there, Swift. Fancy meeting you here, right?" She said with a laugh as she reached out for a hoofshake. She had been up for a few hours and had a hearty breakfast and was rip and roaring to go!

 

 

[Ciraxis]

It was only few days but during them, Squall was living with anticipation to show Miss Applejack Fillydelphias's New Wonder-In-Making. Well, two wonders, although the one that was in the air, in the distance wasn't really tied to Filly per say.

His vigil lasted from daybreak, so Squallcoast could only breath in relief when Apple mare showed up. From his sources, Swift heard that between their last meeting and today, Applejack's kid managed to get his wing broken. He winced in sympathy when he got this information - wing fracture's were always ugly, even more so in the growing age. Thus Squall wasn't sure if earth-pony mare will show up - although seeing that she approached him now, he deduced that she really needed the money for the health bills.

 

That said, her mood was quite perky. Good, seems that little colts prognosis was promising. Too bad her family wouldn't be joining her due to circumstances.

"Hello to you too Miss Applejack. In impish mood I see." he mused before releasing magical flare into the sky. "Let's go for a walk. We need to give it space for a touchdown." he added, which was odd since there was plenty of space around them already.

"I am sorry to hear what happens Miss Applejack. I know that Sparkle got you with touch with Equestria's best doctors, but in case if that wouldn't be enough....I may be able to reach out for those beyond the realm. From my pocket." he offered. Before earth pony mare could protest, noblpony already raised his hoof. "This isn't an gift from employer Miss Applejack, but one from a friend. I won't accept 'No' for an answer. I am as stubborn as you, remember? Also...." he paused as large shadow passed over them.

"Fifty-five thousand  per month...." Squall added before droning noise above them couldn't be ignored any longer. Only now it became clear why he deemed it needed more space. While flying vessel appeared merely big earlier, it was only because it was far an away. Now orange coated mare could see that this balloon-lacking behemoth was actually half-mile long.

 

"So what do you think? I wanted to show it to Sparkle first...but seeing that you part of Twilight Guard I was hoping you put good work for me." noble-pony admitted. "....Not that she can miss it from Canterlot anyway." he added after sudden realization.

"Behold 'Endymion'. And before you ask - yes, the guy who named it is quite a Luna's fan. This is the last prototype from a long line, and as close to final product as possible. TEMPEST had to build a whole brand new shipyard just to have it constructed. The only thing he lacks are pre-installed weapons but....well, it's so large and so durable it could simply ram the Storm King's fleet and come up on top. It's all new magitech and state-of-art one at that." Swift explained as the landing ramp was extending for them. It in itself was wider them Applejack's house.

"I...we are hoping for it to become Equestria's latest flagship. If Sparkle's agrees for a contract, then she will very easily can get two of those behemoths. Of course we will take care of building new maintenance bases for them too." Swift continued his explanation as they made their way to the bridge. At first it appeared that they were on the large terrace, but count quickly dismissed the notion.

"The bridge is actually completely closed in. It's just that the hull above and forward is enchanted to be see-through from here, on top of durability spells. But ONLY from the inside." he clarified before turning to his companion.

"So...ready to for a trip on the largest thing that took into the skies?"

[SteelEagle]

                                                                                

 

 

He sure was generous as he led her to the side to give the outrageously large landmass- no, that was an airship she reminded herself- room to land. Okay, so it couldn't work in Ponyville but it was still mighty impressive. More impressive was his attempted generosity over what she was chagrined to say was a popular story about her son's broken wing. It had seemed to get a life of its own. It was just a broken wing but if you listened to the stories you'd swear he'd stuck his wing in a  crocodile's mouth and was barely surviving, or was having his wings chopped off and being replaced by an awkwardly sized pair of hooves. She was pretty sure that one was Pinkie Pie.

 

"Thanks, but it's gonna be fine. It's just a broken wing, after all. If every pegasi who broke their wing as a foal needed tha aid of a Princess an' a hefty donation from an employer, why, Ah'd reckon Equestria would be up tha creek without a paddle. Ah checked it, fixed what Ah could, set it, and am just now allowin' it ta heal. He'll be fine. Ain't tha first wing Ah've fixed, certainly not tha first foal wing Ah've fixed," she said with a laugh before shaking her head with a smile. "You sure don't live next ta tha Everfree an' work tha fields without learnin' how ta work on one another," she said as she stood slack jawed at the sight of the biggest ship she had ever seen.

 

"Just like y'all learned how ta build somethin' big 'nough ta make a Yak jealous," she said with a wry smile. It was massive. Why would anypony build anything this big? It just wasn't practical, not to her. But she reckoned that Swift Squall was a stallion of splendor and expense and wouldn't spare either for something he was trying to be proud of, and it showed. It looked modern, it looked sleek, it looked pretty well-built, and it was big. Real, real big. "Ah reckon Ah'll need ta be 'round it for a bit before Ah say anything. Bein' ignorant of tha engineerin' is one thing, but it'd be a right shame if Ah said a word without seeing it operate," she said as she boarded it. He had spoken at length about it. And, well, she had an opinion on whether Twilight would want something this big with all of its bells and whistles. 

 

 "Ah'm real excited ta see this thing fly. Let's go!"