[Ponyville] Foalish Introduction [Closed for now]

[Mojo]

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[colour=#006400][colour=#00FF00][colour=#00FF00]"That's right, Valen!" [/colour][/colour][/colour]Granny Smith said with an understanding grin. [colour=#00FF00]"Them is orange seeds ya got thar! The very first orange seeds ever planted at Sweet Apple Acres! Don't ya fret none. We'll watch over'm! After all, we're family."[/colour]

The elderly mare punctuated her statement with an understanding nod. She took great pride and satisfaction in the knowledge that another one of her grandchildren was taking their rightful place on the farm. Though it was true that Valen would be eventually returning to his parents in Manehattan, Granny Smith knew that this is a day that the young colt would not soon forget, and neither would she.

[SteelEagle]

There was a certain purity that anypony had to admire about these Apples. It was their rustic charm that made them appealing, but underneath that appeal lay something that anypony who had the will to look could see. They were true salt of the earth ponies whose morals and ethics were not only unquestionable, but began at the very foundation. Of them. Of the orchard. To be considered worthy of it was an honor and he had no doubt that they would take great care of his tree- of him. An orange tree could possibly have some complications, but he somehow doubted that a single tree would present too much for a mare such as her.

[colour=#0033cc]"I have no doubt you'll be able to take care of it, cousin Applejack. You wouldn't have given me this place in your soul if you were ready to lose it just as easily or simply," [/colour]He stated, taking the shovel and burying the seeds with unseemly verve. He was excited to be a part of something more than a board meeting or a party for once. Something long term and meaningful. That seemed to be something that the Apples specialized in. He then pulled himself up and handed the shovel back, obviously a little short on breath. It wasn't that he was out of shape; he had never had claimed to be in shape in the first place. You couldn't be out of something you were never in.

He nodded at Granny Smith. No doubt, what she said was the truth. An apple orchard wouldn't be much of an apple orchard if it was, in effect, an orange grove. That made this extra special. So he had to pick an extra special name. He thought long and hard...

[colour=#0033cc]"Hmm....Trunk...Trunkzilla?"[/colour] He asked the two older mares, then shook his head.

[colour=#0033cc]"Bad name. Trunk....wow, this is hard!"[/colour]

[Hippo]

[colour=#000000]Applejack was so proud of Valen. He was showing signs of maturity in times like this. It seemed like he was the kind of sensitive colt that took value in the things of family and love and nature. He would win a mare's heart down the road for sure. And he was so intelligent. He knew what this was about.[/colour]

[colour=#ff0000]"Problems with the name, huh?"[/colour] [colour=#000000]Applejack tapped her chin.[/colour] [colour=#ff0000] "Um. How about, Lency, you from your full name Valencia?"[/colour]

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[Mojo]

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[colour=#006400][colour=#00FF00][colour=#00FF00]"I think Applejack's on ta somethin', Valen!" [/colour][/colour][/colour]Granny Smith neighed. [colour=#00FF00]"Lency sounds like a good name fir an orange tree! What do ya say?"[/colour]

The elderly mare smiled at the colt. She was very pleased to see Valen taking such care in naming his tree. It was very gratifying to Granny Smith that youth was being served this day. She gave Applejack an understanding wink.

[SteelEagle]

Valen had to give an unintentional little cough as she suggested the name. His full name was Valen- that was all. Not Valencia like the orange. That had been the first of many things that had dissapointed his parents regarding their son. Namely that they had desired a filly and had appropriated the best name for one. Valen was a compromise, and not only just in name. His education had been a compromise, as the academy they had lined up for him didn't find his test scores appealing. His friends had been a compromise, Valen shunning some high society foals for more...eccentric followers. His lifestyle was a compromise, his choice half the time and the show he put on for the benefit of others the other half. Valen was a compromise.

But here, he wouldn't have to be. This tree wouldn't be a compromise. It couldn't be. They had to take care of it, put the care and attention into it to ensure it's survival and prosperity. They couldn't compromise on their effort and all they wanted was a name. His name. For him. From him. They couldn't compromise. He wouldn't compromise.

[colour=#0033cc]"Yes, cousin. That is an great name. Valencia the orange tree it is!"[/colour] He finished with aplomb, beaming at it with some unnatural excitement. He then looked at them.

[colour=#0033cc]"Well, Valencia sounds prettier than Lency,"[/colour] he stuck his tongue out at Granny Smith, liberated momentarily.

[Hippo]

[colour=#000000]Applejack listened to Valen's name-thinking. He wasn't very good at it, but he came to a conclusion. [/colour][colour=#ff0000]"Valencia? Hm.... Ok."[/colour][colour=#000000] Applejack shrugged. It didn't matter to her what the tree's name was, as long as it connected with Valen. Applejack pulled out a watering can and set it down next to Valen. [/colour][colour=#ff0000]"This here's a watering can."[/colour][colour=#000000] Applejack wasn't trying to be insulting, she just wanted to be sure. [/colour][colour=#ff0000]"This is the part where you can finally start the growing process, not just for this tree here you planted, but also the growth of your place in this family. But wait!"[/colour]

[colour=#000000]Applejack stopped Valen from pouring water on the plant with her hoof. [/colour][colour=#ff0000] "This is something you need to do all by yourself. Me and Granny will be waiting for you over by the campsite over yonder."[/colour][colour=#000000] Applejack pointed at the non-lit horizon, where a glow from a fire could be seen reaching over the orchard hills. [/colour][colour=#ff0000]"As soon as you can't see me or Granny no more, you can go ahead and water it all on your and speak to your tree for the first time."[/colour]

[colour=#000000]Applejack winked at her granny. This was a great moment for Valen. She motioned for them to leave him alone with the new seeds. [/colour][colour=#ff0000] "See you back at the campsite, sprout! Take as long as you need."[/colour][colour=#000000] Applejack helped Granny Smith into the direction in which they needed to go and then started trotting towards the bonfire site until the shadow of her tied tail disappeared into the darkness.[/colour]

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[Mojo]

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[colour=#006400][colour=#00FF00][colour=#00FF00]"I'ma comin', Applejack." [/colour][/colour][/colour]the elderly mare neighed, returning the wink as she followed her granddaughter's lead. She understood how special this private moment would be for young Valen. Apple Family tradition and honour are about to be served. As the gray maned mare walked out of Valen's sightline, she turned towards Applejack and spoke softly to her.

[colour=#00FF00]"This was a good idear of yurs," [/colour]Granny began to speak. [colour=#00FF00]"Be it apple or orange, we're all family. Long ago, I was sad to see your Uncle Orange leave the farm fer the big city. But I knew in meh heart, he wanted ta find his own destiny. But Valen returning here fer a spell proves one thing! Ya kin take the pony outta the farm, but ya can't take the FARM outta the pony!"[/colour]

[SteelEagle]

Valen had a feeling that the pair would have moved fast if Granny Smith had a better hip. Why didn't they get that fixed? It didn't take a genius to see there was a problem there. It couldn't be dur to a lack of care, since this seemed like the sort of family that would go ten full lengths to solve even the most minor of issues. Something as serious as a physical condition would be the sort of thing that they would solve if it was within their capability. She was a loving mare who had a loving family; what stopped them, then? Maybe it was the lack of quality healthcare in the Ponyville region. If that dentist had been any sign of the sort of car they could call upon, then he feared for anything that required a certain degree of high skill. Though he doubted in all honesty that was the case: They'd carry her all the way to Canterlot if needs be. As long as they had the capability.

Did they, then? Maybe there was some sort of physical condition. He could believe it! After just one day he felt as though his body aged multiple decades, with all sorts of creaks and cracks and shlacs and pings and pongs and wet slushy sounds in the joins as he moved. Maybe their years of doing this left them with similar physical conditions that meant they couldn't help her get the help she needed? He immediately discarded the though as silly and unworthy. They leapt about the farm like fillies with boundless energy. Not that he'd know about fillies with boundless energy in his stuck up life, both because they were equally stuck up and they tended to flee at his approach. If you needed an anti-filly weapon, you could safely call upon Valen Orange. They were spry. Healthy. Vital. So it couldn't be because of physical condition and even if it was, they could just pay to have her taken where she needed to go.

Unless, of course, finances were the problem. Maybe Sweet Apple Acres was in some sort of financial trouble? He didn't want to believe it. How could this much work and love be tossed aside when finances were discussed? The financial health of the orchard needed to be directly correlated to the love and care they put into it. If not, something made Valen feel as though something was wrong. They loved dearly and worked hard; they needed to be rewarded for that. To see the two walk off, Valen made a decision that somehow he would help them. Maybe it would start with just an out of the ordinary orange tree in an Apple orchard, but he knew that if this crazy flank family needed help, he'd be there to do so. For now though, as he lost sight of them, he was content to just do as told.

He slowly poured the water, not wanting to drown the seeds and render them overfed. He didn't know much about growing things but overfeeding was likely as dangerous as underfeeding. After that was done, he supposed he had to talk to his soon to be tree like he was as insane as the Apples. It was a good insanity mind you, but he still felt silly. Ritual was ritual though.

[colour=#0033cc]"Well...uhh, Valencia...good luck surviving these nutjobs. They'll care for you, though," [/colour]He said awkwardly. Then he stood around. Rubbed his shoulder.

[colour=#0033cc]"So...buck up!"[/colour] he finished and then galloped away, trying to no longer feel weird as he approached the bonfire site. The smoke was a beacon; the fire his safe light, and the warmth a sign he had come into his own.

[Hippo]

[colour=#000000]Applejack was already roasting marshmallows. She never once doubted Valen would take care of business. Of course, how much work was involved in tipping a watering can? Regardless, she was sure that Valen would not lead himself into trouble.

And there was, coming out of the bushy trail into the clearing where the campsite was set. The glow of the fire gave warmth to whoever neared to, and the marshmallows at the end of their sticks browned at the contact of the flames. Slowly but surely, the marshmallows melted on the long forks, becoming a gooey, tasty treat. [/colour][colour=#ff0000]"Valen! Come sit next to me, I got a stick all ready for you." [/colour][colour=#000000] Applejack brushed off the spot next to her on the long wooden log that should serve as a seat around the campfire. Applejack then took out a very bright pink blanket with sparkles on it, that reflected directly from the fire. [/colour][colour=#ff0000]"And here, this'll keep you warm. Sorry its all froufrou-y. A friend of mine, Rarity, left it here the last time she came out and camped with us. You don't mind it do you?" [/colour]

[colour=#000000]As Valen took his place, the bushes nearby began to shake. An animal of some sort was coming out of them, and it sounded angry. Just before any more guesses could be made as to what it could be, Winona jumped out of the bushes towards Valen. When she approached him, she growled. But then, sniffed him and gave a whimper of satisfaction. Winona would jump onto the log next to Valen and recline on Valen. [/colour][colour=#ff0000]"Ah think she likes you!" [/colour][colour=#000000] Applejack winked at Valen as a way of assurance that everything was going to be alright. This orchard was surprisingly tame once you get used to it, it just for whatever reason demands the respect of the ponies that dwell in it. And no one knew this more than Applejack herself. [/colour][colour=#ff0000]"Would you like more marshmallows, Valen?"[/colour]

[colour=#000000]Applejack turned to her Granny. [/colour][colour=#ff0000] "And what about you, Granny? You want to teach Valen how to make the perfect s'more?"[/colour]

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[Mojo]

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[colour=#006400][colour=#00FF00][colour=#00FF00]"Why sure I'll do that, Applejack!" [/colour][/colour][/colour]Granny Smith neighed as she reached for a stick and placed two marshmellows on the end of it. [colour=#00FF00]"The thing ya gotta remember bout s'more makin', Valen, is ta git the marshmeller's really hot and melty. Makes it a whole heap easier to let the hot marshmeller do all the work of meltin' the chocolate oncest ya stack it all atop the graham cracker. Here, let me show ya how it's done!"[/colour]

The elderly mare placed a flat chocolate piece on top of a graham cracker before putting her stick into the fire. When the marshmellows started to scorch, she pulled them away and quickly placed it on the chocolate piece seconds before putting another cracker on top.

[colour=#00FF00]"Thar it is, Valen! Gotta be quick to make it perfect! This'ns all yours, kido. After yur done eatin' it, how's about ya make one fer me, ok?"[/colour]

[SteelEagle]

If only Applejack knew the barest fraction of his well-defined, well-refined, and well-hidden style leanings than she would have known better than to suspect even the barest hint of an objection to her kind gift of a nice, warm blanket on a cold night. It may have been bright pink with sparkles and he more prefered teal with glitter, but he'd make due with what he could. Besides, it was warm. He took it with a smile and allowed himself to snuggle close with it, feeling better with every second he was wrapped around something which reflected in it's own brilliant way the love that the Apples were sharing with him.

[colour=#0033cc]"It's wonderful. Thank you, Applejack,"[/colour] The colt offered his thanks as he pondered the sticks and the offer of a s'more. More accurately, a lesson on proper s'moremanship. Maybe these simple country folk had their own delightful ways of taking care of the s'more situation, but even a properly raise Manehattan youth like himself had simple solutions to the complex s'more problem. He grew a wide smile as he inspected the s'more like a cat may a rat.

[colour=#0033cc]"Well, I think I have this under control!"[/colour] He replied with excitement, reaching out and grabbing a s'more, some crackers, and his stick. Then...he started peeling the bark off of the stick. After it was done he lined the bark on the insides of the crackers before he took the s'smore and snuck it in between and pressed. Now it looked delicious to him, but it still need to be warmed. He took a thin yet smooth rock and placed it next to the fire, then put the s'more on it. The rock would heat and eventually cook the s'more, and the bark's slow roast would prevent it from burning up.

[colour=#0033cc]"Well Granny, I've done it a different way, but wait until you taste the bark!"[/colour] Valen gave Granny Smith a wide smile as he shared his somewhat more advanced- read: less messy- way of getting things done.

[Hippo]

[colour=#000000]Applejack smiled as Granny taught Valen. And as Valen started doing his own thing, Applejack tilted her head a little. What was he doin'? S****ing off the barkskin from the stick? Silly Valen. Applejack figured maybe he was just not liking the excess bark taste and would rather get a clean stick by peeling the bark off. But then he proceeded to place the bark between his crackers and melt his s'more on a rock next to the fire. For the life of her, she couldn't figure out what he was thinking.[/colour]

[colour=#ff0000]"Wait a minute. You don't plan on eating the bark do you? That marshmallow is gonna melt all over the bark."[/colour]

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[Mojo]

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[colour=#006400][colour=#00FF00][colour=#00FF00]"You're amazin', Valen!" [/colour][/colour][/colour]Granny Smith neighed. [colour=#00FF00]"I never wouldda thought ta fix up a s'more thata way! Can't wait ta try it!"[/colour]

Undetered by the bark in the s'more, the elderly mare began to eat it. The taste brought back memories of her fillyhood when her first attempts at making s'mores for her mum and dad often had bark from the marshmellow stick in it. Looking back, she now understood that her parents ate the s'mores with smiles on their faces, not wanting to hurt their daughter's feelings. So Granny made the same decision here, to eat the s'more Valen prepared with the bark and be supportive. In fact, truth be known, the gray maned mare actually enjoyed the added flavor! It added a certain crunch and 'bite' to the s'more that she liked.

[colour=#00FF00]"You sure do make a great s'more, kido!" [/colour]Granny neighed as she turned to AppleJack. [colour=#00FF00]"Ya gotta try the s'mores Valen makes! They're hoof lickin' good, I tell ya!"[/colour]

[SteelEagle]

Valen gave his older cousin a queer look. What in Celestia's name was she so concerned about? Using the fine lining of bark to create a rough texture between wonderfully cooked smores and the crackers allowed the full flavor inherent to be tasted! It also helped somepony slow down chewing the smore, so the delicious treat didn't vanish within a few moments of being completed. Granny Smith seemed to take to it, her excited response and smile telling the tale. The added crunch was amazing. He supposed that they wouldn't normally eat it this way, as doing it right was difficult and normally he just used pre-cooked and flavored bark from one of the local high class condiment stores. Getting her approval meant a lot, and Valen didn't waste a second more.

[colour=#0033cc]"Granny likes it! Here, Applejack!" [/colour]Valen offered as he went about making the next one. he started peeling the bark off of the stick. After it was done he lined the bark on the insides of the crackers before he took the s'smore and snuck it in between and pressed. Now it looked delicious to him, but it still need to be warmed. He took a thin yet smooth rock and placed it next to the fire, then put the s'more on it. He gave her a wide smile.

[colour=#0033cc]"Here ya g-"[/colour] He began, still looking at his cousin as his hoof shoot towards the completed smore. He was a bit too excited however and instead of picking it up, Valen smashed the smore. He brought his hoof up and saw the decimated remains of the once beautiful treat spread out all over his hoof.

[colour=#0033cc]"Awww! I'm sorry, Applejack. Here, let me-"[/colour] And he tried slicing it off, only to get gooey bits on his other hoof and not even forcing the rest off of his other hoof. He stopped.

[colour=#0033cc]"...Well, that wasn't what I had in mind, necessarily."[/colour]

[Hippo]

[colour=#000000]Applejack was relieved to see her bark treat smashed and ruined. Although she would never say it out loud. [/colour][colour=#ff0000] "Oh shucks, that's too bad. Don't worry Valen."[/colour][colour=#000000] Applejack sat on the ground in front of her wooden seat and reclined back on the log, expanding her midsection.[/colour][colour=#ff0000] "I'm pretty much full already from treats anyways."[/colour]

[colour=#000000]Applejack, in her new relaxing position, had a good view of the stars. She could see the familiar pony constellations. Orion's pelt was just grazing the tall horizon made by the trees surrounding the campsite. As she looked at the stars, she was reminded of her lineage, all the ponies who had come and gone, the family members who had made their place on this very farm, and some who have grown apples outside of Ponyville. It comforted her to see that despite there only being four ponies at the campsite, the whole family was in attendance in spirit.

Applejack reached over at Valen, and pulled him close to her. Almost forcibly, she had him look up at the sky with him. [/colour][colour=#ff0000]"Look, Valen. You know, the stars are real pretty tonight, and every time I look up at them, I remember all of my family who have shared this land with me. Imagine every star being connected to one of the fully grown apple trees in our orchard. Isn't it fascinating?" [/colour][colour=#000000] Applejack looked to Valen, who may or may not have looked fully interested. Applejack loved him for his cooperation regardless. [/colour][colour=#ff0000] "It's so wonderful having you in the family, cousin. And when you look up at the sky and see the few stars that can out-bright the city lights, you just remember that you always have a place here on the farm."[/colour]

[colour=#000000]Applejack gave Valen a light nuzzle, but then continued a normal stance of just admiring the stars. She took a deep breathe and brought her front hooves to the back of her head. She would be silent for the most part, but her orange-pelted presence filled the area with content. And tonight, she was willing to stay up late, as late as Valen was willing. Tonight would be a night they would both remember. The night Valen officially was embraced by the Apples. The night his introduction to the family became a reality. And the night where an orange tree showed evidence of an Orange colt finding his place on the farm. And Valen was free to relax himself for the rest of the evening.

The chickens would have to wait until morning.[/colour]

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My last post in this thread. I'd like to thank everyone for creating such a great RP environment in this one. It was a lot of fun. Thanks to PonyHooves, Silverswirl, Mojo, Helix and last but not least, SteelEagle. It was almost a year in the making, but Valen's intro is finally complete.

My favorite moment:

[Mojo]

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[colour=#006400][colour=#00FF00][colour=#00FF00]"That's right, Valen," [/colour][/colour][/colour]Granny Smith proudly added as she walked over to them. [colour=#00FF00]"You'll always be welcome here. We Apples have a very proud heritage, many generations of Apples have set hoof here, and many more will too. Ponies like you, Valen. Jist remember, wheverever you are in this great land called Equestria, you'll always have Sweet Apple Acres in yur heart."[/colour]

As Granny spoke, two familiar shooting stars shot across the night sky. The elderly mare bowed her head respectfully for a moment, and then looked over at AppleJack and Valen.

[colour=#00FF00]"Well youngin's, way past my bedtime. I'ma headin' back fer the house. Come on in when ya wanna turn in fer the night, see ya in the mornin!"[/colour]

Granny Smith stooped over to kiss Valen on the forehead before turning to walk the long path back to the farmhouse.

(exit Granny Smith)