Apples Out and About and Other Warnings (BlueRiver)

[Hippo]

 

Zap held a strong smirk across his face as Muziki explained. He was always reminded how entertaining it was to hear Muziki speak. Though the common pony tongue was not her first language, the young zebra could still speak very poetically and affably. "Haha, yeah, like Jack. I need to figure out what to show and tell, though. Will you help me..." Zap's request for help finding a tangible show and tell object was interrupted by Muziki's firm suggestion about the pegasus ponies, and affirmed Zap in question that he would join them some day. Zap puffed his chest and stretched wings as far as he could to show their length. "Oh, absolutely! Ain't no pony going to be a better flyer than me once I'm old enough." Zap was curious as to what Muziki meant by what the pegasus ponies will do later, so he asked in a confident all-knowing way. "Yeah I know I'm going to like what they do later. Have you ever seen the things? The things they do later? And what did you like about it?" He paused. "Also, what did they do?"

[SteelEagle]

 

 

If there was one thing in all of Equestria that was guaranteed to get Applejack's heart racing, it was the thought of her children crying and she would move and earth to ensure it didn't come to pass. That was why, despite the onions sizzling her eyes and causing her lids to puff up and tears to stream down, she took a deep breath and tried to hold her face as still as possible. She wiped her eyes and tried to smile wide. "Mama ain't hurt, sweetie. Don't cry! Mama's okay! See?" She said with a bog, wide, goofy smile, her puffed out eyes causing her no small amount of irritation. "Just...a lot of onions, and onions make a pony cry, see?" She said as she gave her daughter a big, fat, wet kiss on the cheek and tried to make sure no tears were shed by the youngest Apple of them all. After she felt safe in that knowledge she put the cart back on. "Tim' ta go find yer brother. Scan tha skies for yer ol' mom over here, she can't see very good right about now. Ah'll keep mah eyes low. Zap Apple?!"

Muziki was always very interested in how ponies viewed their own abilities and Zap Apple had big views on his possibilities. "Yes, I am sure you be best flyer in all class, yes?" She asked as she thoughtlessly touched his wings. Zebras were very touchy by nature, their culture not giving much priority to the concept of personal space. Or maybe it was just her. "You will be strong and fly really fast!" She said confidently, prancing in place. She loved seeing her friends succeed, or imagining they would, or just saying they would! When he asked what they did she turned around to look at the clouds and started gesturing dramatically "Oh, well, I saw them hitting the cloud with their hooffess like BOOM POOW, and then later they ran around clouds and caused cloud to come together and pushed many clouds away!" She said excitedly before turning around to face him. "Oh! But they save best for last! They-"

 

"Zaaaaap Apple!"

 

"Oh! One of your mama is here. Maybe she give candy apples? Oh! Is she market today, selling apples?"

 

"Muuuuziki, come come now! Wakati wa onyesho!"

 

"Oh! The show! Vunja vijiti, hehehe. Okay, I must be running now. See you later, rafiki yangu!" Muziki yelled waved excitedly at her friend as she pranced energetically back through the crowd towards her parents.

[Blueblood]

Ambrosia sniffed, knowing that seeing her tears would make mama cry even if she had nothing else to cry about.  "Mama OK?"  She asked again, softly, managing to smile again at the smile she received.  She giggled a bit at the kiss, but it would be some time before she could bring herself to eat or ask for onions again.
"OK, Momma!"  She called again, eagerly, as she popped up in the wagon, little head scanning the big blue widely like an overclocked Radar.  "Za-AAAP!"  She added her not-so-little voice to the calls of her momma.  Just where was her big brother?

[Hippo]

 

When Muziki intentionally tugged on his wing a little he flapped them instinctively when she let go. Like most pegasi, Zap did not like his wings being touched. He was generally willing to let his friends touch them on request, but Muziki's forwardness startled Zap slightly. But he smiled. Hearing all the cool things the pegasi were doing made him rear up and start shadow boxing random kicks and thrusts to his sides as if he was doing the cloudbusting she was describing. When she was interrupted, Zap's attention was strung. "W-what happened next!? Um, no she's not sell- she's doing other things, but..."

 

When Muziki's parents called for her, Zap realized he would probably never hear what the pegasi were also doing. In order to give his mind some peace, he suggested to himself that what they were doing involved giving younger ponies on the ground a chance to cloudbust with them. Though, he properly failed to listen to his mother's call, he could not ignore the yelping of his name from his baby sister. He winced and looked around the corner of one of the buildings. He didn't want to reveal himself, but the risk of staying out of sight was probably too much, too early. And anyway, there was a chance he could cut lose if he played by the rules. He stepped out from behind a stationary cart. "I'm right here. Oh! Are the errands down now?" His slow trot dropped into a pouncing stance. "Can I go to the cloudbusting exercise now?"

[SteelEagle]

 

Applejack smiled as best she could when she saw her son through eyes that moment by moment a desperate battle between becoming more entrenched in anguish and clearing up. It was one fight she was sure to win in the long term and loathe fighting in the short, but for all that and ten bits more she was happy to have her son back. "There you are, Zap. Havin' fun?" She asked she she picked him up and put him on her back. In time as was custom she was sure he would crawl his way back over her form and into the cart to be by his sister, even as he asked a question. "Not yet. Got a lot of business left ta attend ta!" She said with a self-assured smirk. She knew that was not an answer he wanted to hear but it felt good to slow his roll, at least for now. He knew what the day and di and did not have in store, or at least he thought he did.

 

At least he thought he did. "Oh, by tha way. From one of tha vendors Ah got tha both of you somethin' ta snack on. Blue bag," she said absent-mindedly before remembering that too many bonbons too quickly would ruin plans for later. "One each for now. Save some for later! On to Carousel Boutique!" She said confidently, trying to blink away the pain as bests he could as she trotted gainfully deeper into town.

[Blueblood]

Heehee, Zappers was talking to a gi-i-i-rl!  Ambrosia didn't really grasp the full significance of what that meant, and Zap Apple probably didn't either.  He was still smack dab in the middle of the "cooties" phase of intergender relations.  But that wouldn't stop his little sister from teasing him!  "Was the zee-ba pretty, Zappers?"  She gave him a look that suggested butter wouldn't melt in her mouth.

 

At the first mention of bon-bons, though, all delicacy and grace momentarily left Amby, and she revered to her country heritage, diving headfirst into the bag, emerging with a chocolate-smeared muzzle and a happy, full-cheeked expression on her face.  Was that only one bonbon in there?  Who knew?  She wasn't telling.  All she knew was that they were on their way to Carousel Boutique, one of her favorite places in the whole wide world!  She'd cheer- after swallowing her treat.  Don't talk with your mouthful, Rarity didn't like that!

[Hippo]

 

Zap jumped up at his mother's response, but his flight launch turned into a hop and flutter once the context of his limitations were known and his face fell to learn more errands had to be run. His mother had all the context she needed to satisfy what Zap needed in the moment, not necessarily what he wanted. Ambrosia on the other hoof, was very good at saying the things that not only were not needed, but also not wanted. "What!?" Zap grew defensive immediately. "No she wasn't pretty. I don't even like her."

 

At the mention of a treat, Zap was further from the cart, and therefore incurred a rare loss in a race against his little sister. When he reached in to grab his allowance of a treat, he pulled out one that seemed a little mangled, from Ambrosia's scavenging he assumed. After he bit into it, he was mildly repulsed. "Ugh. Banana flavor."

[SteelEagle]

The foals were busy with their treat behind her. Thank Twilight that they were doing fine behind her because she had a feeling it was going to be a long day. Never a bad day with family but hard days aplenty. Zap Apple was causing her no short amount of grief. She could raise an earth pony all day long but he so desperately wanted to be like her pegasus mother that there was friction inherent in their day to day lives. He did his chores and she was sure that he would be dutiful when he matured, but she knew in her heart of hearts that his future was in the air. And Ambrosia was young and perfect in every way, but Applejack knew. She knew.

 

As Applejack lost herself in thought she made her way to the Boutique, across the town and through throngs who gave her a confused stare as her eye remain puffed out and red. When she got to the Boutique she unhitched her cart and tried once more to get her eyes in right and proper order and failed to do so. She sighed and shook her head. "Alright you two, give momma's back a break," she chuckled as she made sure to wipe her hooves down. "Be on yer best behavior," she said, knowing it would be ignored a full quarter of the time. She gave the door three quick raps of her hoof, took a deep breath and once again pawed at her eyes.

 

 

"Hello Apples!" Rarity burst out with high energy as the door flew open, the smell of soft fragrances and perfumes slowly overpowering the smells of town life. "Appleja- oh my. Dear, what happened to you eye?" Rarity asked, one hoof up to her chest in alarm. "Ah got a nice chunk of onion in mah eye. A reaction," Applejack replied quickly, making sure to set her friend's mind at ease. Didn't want her thinking Applejack was sick or anything of that sort. "Ahh, I see. Wash up in my bathroom, don't want to see you walking around like...this," Rarity waved her hoof at Applejack, then made way for the mare who trondled up into the shop and up the stairs, leaving the unicorn alone with the two foals.

 

"Well, if it isn't Zap Apple and Ambrosia. I've missed you terribly!" Rarity said as she leaned down and gave them both quick hugs, not mentioning it had only been a few days. She turned around and motioned them in, taking the candy in her magic. "Don't want to leave this out here, now do we?" She trilled in a teasing manner. "Have you two been good for your mothers?"

[Blueblood]

Ambrosia had been quivering with increasing excitement as they approached the unmistakeable outline of the Carousel Boutique.  She loved this place!  Not more than home, but it was close.  Within these walls were all the filly frou-frou things her deepest soul desired and felt her destiny among.  She was still some way away from getting her cutie mark, but when she did, she was certain she'd be wearing something from this shop!

 

She lit up as the white unicorn came to escort them in.  "Auntie Rawity!"  The little filly squealed with delight, nodding fiercely as she was asked if she'd been good.  "Uh-huh, uh-huh!"

[Hippo]

 

The sockets of Zap's eyes were being stretched as his emotions forced the involutory exploration of how far he could roll them. Pretty far, it seemed. Though he he didn't mind complying with authority figures most of the time, he was typically in disagreement with them that what they were doing was the best use of his time. Zap was eager to see what the pegasi were doing during the instructional session, but for the moment, the little winged colt had to follow the cart's traveling away from downtown and towards Rarity's boutique where he was tethered by his mother's love.

 

When Rarity invited Applejack to wash up inside, Rarity fawned at the two foals. Zap was uninterested in this exchange. Well, uninterested until the point of new sources of candy were revealed. Once it got his attention, seeing that an explanation of how good they may or may not have been seemed part of an exchange for something sweet, Zap decided to do what he does best in a moment where he isn't the only thing going for a prize of this nature. "Yes! Well, I've been waaaay gooder than Amby has. She keeps making faces and stuff. I'm the older, more mature one!" Zap grinned wide.

[SteelEagle]

 

 

Rarity beamed as the pair followed he in, Ambrosia showing a bit more excitement than Zap Apple. No shocker there! It took colts- well, most colts at least- quite a bit longer than fillies to appreciate the work that her boutique did. No matter though, she was always happy to see them. It had not been a shock that Applejack was the first in the group of friends to have children, nor was it a shock that Rarity adored them as much as she did. She was their godmother and had a blast planning a lot of little ceremonies with them. It was a life or death struggle with Pinkie Pie though! And little Ambrosia- oh, the fact she was a unicorn had set tongues wagging! After all, Rarity and Applejack had dated a brief while when they were younger and were still close. The rumors! The scandal!

 

But most importantly, these two. How adorable.
"Well, I'll have to take that into advisement," she said as she leaned in close to Zap Apple, "don't want us getting *silly* now, do we?" She said with a wink as she took Ambrosia in her magic and laid her down gently in front of a mirror. "Besides, we don't want her to look silly in what I just made her!" She said as she nuzzled Ambrosia. "Zap Apple, come with me. Ambrosia dear, you just wait right here and remember to strike your pose! You are going to love what I have in store for you," She said as she posed once for dramatic effect, laughing lightly as she did so. With that she led Zap Apple into an enjoining room full of materials, outfits, and pieces not ready to be placed out for sale. 

She looked for what she had made Ambrosia. In the meantime, she had some words with Zap Apple. "Zap Apple, if you could reach into the cupboard on the left- the one with the purple thread tied around the handle- and hand me the silver box, please?" She asked while she looked. "How have you been at school?"
 

[Blueblood]

Ambrosia expressed her instant and vehement disagreement with her brother's slanderous interpretation of her behavior... by pulling a face at him.  Poor girl hadn't quite mastered the art of sweet talking and silver-tongueing her way around colts.  Fortunately for her mother's peace of mind.  At least Amby didn't keep it long enough for it to freeze like that; permanently marring her expression was one threat that she would take seriously!

 

"O-kay, Auntie!"  She replied after returning the nuzzle, immediately parking herself in front of a mirror, posing as directed.  And a great many other ways, as well.  She loved the mirrors in Carousel boutique, they were three times as great as any mirrors in the house, because there were three of them at once!  She could see how pretty she was from multiple angles!

[Hippo]

 

Entering the boutique didn't enamor Zap the same way it did many other ponies, but he could at least admit the colors were eye-catching. Rarity seemed to gain some sort of favor for Zap, so he followed her into the room and did as she asked. He flew up to the left cupboard, opened it carefully and pulled out the silver box. As soon as the box left it's security on the shelf, the weight of it pulled Zap down slightly. It wasn't all that heavy, but Zap would do his best to provide the illusion that the extra weight did not affect his ability to fly with it in his hooves. He glided down and put the box on the table in front of Rarity. Just then, he felt that he might have fallen into the trap of doing favors for free. Or was there some sort of reward? Was there a reward? Zap could not remember, and having done something productive for somepony else with little hesitation, or without the confidence that a prize would be waiting after made him feel like he was entranced.

[SteelEagle]

The silver box appeared on the desk quickly. "Ah, yes. Good. Thank you, Zap Apple. Now, close your eyes," she said as her horn lit up. A sash floated out of the closet and the silver box opened. An item was pulled out and was slotted into the sash, which was then fit around Zap Apple, pulled and tied for snugness, then allowed to settle. "Okay, open!" She said. When he did she smiled bright. "Do you like it?" She asked hopefully, approaching him and lifting it up ever so slightly. It was a flight badge, certifying a young pegasus was ready to begin basic flight lessons. Zap Apple would already have had one- most very young pegasi did- and it was the first in a very long journey. He would still need ones for training schools or if he wanted to take certain lessons that were beyond him, but it was a pegasi's first real prized flight badge. And now he had a custom one, with the six inset wings in rainbow colors and an orange gem etched into each one. The badge itself read, "Zap Apple, Ponyville". "I think you look dashing in it, sweetie. Oh! There it is," she said as she found the dress she had made for Ambrosia right next to the door.

 

She gave Zap Apple a few moment to admire his new badge before she opened the door and started trotting out. The first had been a family favor, one she was happy to do. The next was...almost as much for her as it was anypony else.

It was not often Rarity was allowed to indulge herself in some design, unburdened by such gauche concepts as 'wearibility' or 'reviews'. Too many frills, too much lace, big, loud colors- death knells in most designs. But for Ambrosia? Oh, the dear was in that perfect age where her heart was enamored with pretty and less concerned with taste. The dress was puffy, pink, and purple, with the petticoat huge and adorable. The name 'Ambrosia Apple' was stitched elegantly into the back next to Rarity's trademark. It was adorable! She would be adorable in it. It was made at best for some great high society affair but Rarity knew it was more likely that it would be worn around the house. That suited her as much as it would suit Ambrosia, she hoped.
"We have arrived! Here you go, Ambrosia, take a look at this!" She said as she bounded into the room. She showed it off and then levitated it towards the youngest Apple.

[Blueblood]

By the time Rarity returned from giving Zap his present, Ambrosia was still posing in front of the trifold mirror.  Enough time had passed that she'd moved from pretending to model on the catwalk to making funny faces.  Young model as she was, she was still a little filly, and some things were just universal among foals.  She cut the clowning as soon as she heard Rarity behind her, though, turning around to behold-

 

The Dress.

 

It deserved the capital letters.  It was perfect; everything a little filly could possibly want!  She would look like the pretty princess she knew in heart that she was, nopony would be able to deny it!  Tremble before her mighty petticoat, peasants!

Her reaction was adorable, sucking in such a large breath that her lungs inflated like balloons, and her wide and shining eyes almost rivaled their size.  She looked about to burst for a second, before it all came out as a huge, "Thank you Auntie Rarity!"  Mama would be proud of her polite reaction, as well as the patented rib-crushing hug that all apples, whether earth pony or no, were capable of giving.

[Hippo]

 

Zap was skeptical of the surprise, but he had not much to lose. Worst case scenario, Rarity would do his mane and he would shake it out as soon as he left the boutique. But he closed his eyes, felt the snug around his shoulders, and then opened them when he was allowed to. He looked down to see a dazzling piece of jewelry, a flight badge with his name on it and the colors of his parents, commemorating his ability to fly. Zap gasped. "You made me a custom flight badge!?" Zap quickly fluttered up and made a few loops and looked at himself through one of the many mirrors in the commons area. If he didn't know any better, he looked amazing. "Oh my gosh! Thank you, Miss Rarity!" Zap yelled out to Applejack. "Mom! Look what Rarity got me!"

[SteelEagle]

 

 

Rarity was good at playing modest, even if she didn't want to. After all, she did love the adulation for a job well done. "You are quite welcome, Zap Apple. Wear it with pride!" She said with the air of a proud unicorn. Indeed, every species was unique and deserved to hold their unique talents and skills in high regard and with no small degree of happiness. It was rare to find a pony who did not appreciate the advantages they had been born with, and she knew that Zap Apple appreciated his for sure. And how could he not with a wonderful badge and gorgeous stash? All of the fillies would go wild for him, she knew it. He flitted away and she got to take in the response to the dress, which she was very excited about. And indeed, she should have been done. The littlest filly in the Apple clan still had one of their trademark powerful hugs. Rarity wouldn't have guessed that her ribs would be in danger of shattering underneath the furious assault of Ambrosia's love but indeed, she was as strong as she would be beautiful in her little princess dress! Rarity tried and failed to breathe, her smile becoming increasingly forced as she stroked the filly's mane and tried to break free. "I...am...glad you...love it! Ambr...osssiiiaa I can't breaaaathe...!"

 

Applejack finished washing her eyes clear, then spent a minute or two freshening herself up. The day had not gone perfectly well so far but then again when you had kids nothing went perfect. Or you had to change your definition of perfect. In truth, any day with those you loved and treasured could be considered perfection in its own right. Still, she knew that she had a lot left to do today and they were already running behind schedule. She finished washing up and left the bathroom, wiping down her face just as her little stallion flew up to her in great excitement. Looks like Rares had finished it, and not a lick too soon! "Look at it! It looks perfect on you, sugarcube," she said as she gave him a hug. "Ah'm gonna have ta make sure it's polished to a shine for when Dash sees ya with it. Now go wait out by tha cart, we'll be headin' out in a minute," she said as she mussed his mane and started trotting downstairs. 

 

As she did, she could hear Rarity's wheeze and had to hold a laugh back. There were three constants in the universe. One, Apples were strong regardless of how dainty they appeared to be. Two, Rarity was as soft as a melted marshmallow in a sweet summer's day. And three, and Applejack had to hold her hoof to her chest to keep her breath was escaping when she saw it, she knew that Ambrosia would be absolutely, positively super cute in that dress. "Oh my, would you look at that. That dress is gorgeous, Rares!" Applejack said as she momentarily forgot her friend was being crushed to death. "Ambrosia, you're gonna be tha prettiest little filly of 'em all when you wear this. Just 'magine it!" She said as imagined every pony in town complimenting her on her best filly. She still was forgetting to save Rarity. "Happy...to...oblige," Rarity whispered out, mouthing the words 'help me'. Applejack rolled her eyes and motioned her head out. "Alright Ambrosia, let Rarity go. We've got a lot of places to be and Rarity needs to breathe," Applejack said as she trotted out the door. "Thanks Rare!" Applejack bellowed back as she kept the door open for Ambrosia. Rarity responded by finally falling backwards, eyes swimming as the doors closed.
"You're...welcome..."

 

 

[Blueblood]

Little Amby was just so full of love that it would take Applejack coming in for Rarity to finally be released, free to take in the open air.  "I'll wear it as soon as mama is done with her errands!"  She didn't want to risk the dress getting torn or dusty during the day out, but she did want to get herself in it as soon as possible.  "Thank you Auntie!"  She gave a beaming wave to the gasping unicorn, before following mama AJ out.

[Hippo]

 

"And I'll wear mine right now!" Zap said in contrast as he snuck his way through the top of the doorway as his mother walked out of the boutique. He waves a loving and thankful wave back at Rarity as they left, before resuming his excited flying patterns. He said out loud, "If Rarity was a mom too, she would be tied with two other ponies for best mom!" And yeah, why wasn't Rarity a mother to him or somepony else? He vaguely understood the situation when his mother's had told him. But the details of such a conversation have yet to reach his ears in a way that actually made sense.

 

"Where to now? Or are we done? Can I go see the pegasus drills now!? I want to show them my badge so that I can join them."

[SteelEagle]

 

Applejack knew that Ambrosia would keep that dress  clean. Well, as clean as a little filly could. It'd have to be washed pretty soon she reckoned. Probably only after Ambrosia wore it around the house for a while, not that Applejack would deeply oppose it. How could she? Her little Princess in her little Princess dress, seemed to fit right on. It would be another beloved Rarity creation that, in time, would fade from memory, only to be replaced by yet another. Applejack never asked for them. She knew that Rarity couldn't help herself, both the artist in her and the crazy good friend that she was couldn't help but come together. "Okay, Ambrosia. Perch it safely to the top of the wago so it doesn't get dragged down any," she said as she started to hitch herself up to the wagon.

 

As she did so, she couldn't help but smile at her colt's excitement. Considering what a sour sally he had been earlier it was good to see him in high spirits. Of course she knew he'd come down at least some when she replied because, well, that just wasn't going to happen. The pegasus drills were over now, based on how ponies were working their way back from the center of town. They had even extended themselves ever so slightly due to demand but the schedule just didn't work. "Sorry Sugarcube, but looks like that ain't happenin'. Don't worry your flank none. We'll get you flyin' about all nice and well soon enough," she said as she finished hitching herself up.

"Next stop is school. Gonna talk to yer teacher 'bout how well yer doin up there Zap, and make sure you," she said as she playfully booped her daughter's snout, "are all squared away to start yerself. Ain't that excitin'?"

[Blueblood]

Zappers was a pretty silly colt most of the time, but his remark on Rarity's mama suitability was, in her mind, sound.  After all, mama showered good gifts on her, and Auntie Rarity showered good gifts on them, so yeah!  The logic checked out!  "Uh-huh!  Why isn't she a mama then, though?"

 

With both her mouth and her magic, Ambrosia pulled the dress with a princess' dainty care to the top of the wagon, before climbing on behind, to keep watch.  Who knew if any bad guys wanted to steal it!  Bad guys did that in every book she'd been read, and the princess could only have herself and her things rescued by a valiant knight...

 

Of course, there would be no one more valiant than her momma, but if it all happened while she was busy with an errand, then she'd have to rely on Zap.  A quick glance sideways and years of experience would show that hope for her to be... unreliable, at best.  "All ready, mama!"  She beamed, giving a scrunchy smile at the boop.  The thought of school... it was scary, but exciting.  It was frightening to be taken from loving house where her mama was, but on the other hoof... "Will I be able to wear my dress to school?"  Her eyes were shining, she could show every filly and colt what a pretty princess she was.

[Hippo]

 

"Flight school!?" Zap assumed when his mother explained school would be the next stop. Her continued explanation deflated Zap's enthusiasm and folded his wings back his side. He trotted next to the cart with a inadvertent scuffing of a hoof onto the dusty trail. "Sure. Excitin'"

 

Zap rolled his eyes at his little sister's ignorance. "No, Amby. No one wears dresses to school. Unless you're going to the Equestria Academy of Froo-froo." Zap's attitude may not have been welcome, but he thought he was hilarious.

[SteelEagle]

Why it was that Rarity hadn't found her special somepony was a cause for debate among many townsfolk. She had her suitors, of course. Almost too many to count from one end of Equestria to the other, from all species and any gender. Yet she hadn't found herself that special somepony that made her heart rise and fall with the fury of the storm and the gentle calm of the plains. Applejack had her suspicions. Rarity was a mare who never settled for less than the best and she had her heart set on somepony, and that somepony was taken. Rather than allow herself to wallow and become bitter, she had simply become comfortable with the only other pony capable of loving her the way she deserved to be loved- herself. It was a romantic thought and Applejack was pretty well certain that Rarity loved herself some romantic thoughts. "If AH knew why, Ah could probably win a raffle," Applejack started with a laugh, "but Ah'd reckon she is happy enough being her 'ol fabulous self and havin' somepony else would just get in tha way," she ended with a gainful trot back into the innards of town.

 

As she did so she found herself once more having to take into account her son's souring mood. She knew what he wanted and she wanted to give it to him but he needed to have patience. If he did, everything would be okay. But he was a colt and colts weren't known for their good manners nor patience. "Zap, yer visit should be quick an' then you can play in the schoolyard. Ah reckon there has to be at least some of yer pals hanging around, right?" She offered with a smile before turning her attention back to Ambrosia. Fillies of course had their own ball of wax you needed to settle but for the life of her she wasn't sure that she could handle seeing that beaming smile go away just yet. "Well, that seems like an awfully good question ta ask yer teacher. Ah know Ah couldn't on account of mah prettiest dress being a potato sack with four legs cut into it, but maybe when he sees jus' how pretty that dress is he'll change his mind mighty fast!" She said with a chortle as she made quick for the school.

 

It had been renovated rather recently to accommodate the increasing size of the town. Instead of one teacher teaching three classes a day they had three teachers doing so. Maybe now Cheerilee could get out and have herself something approaching a life! Two new classrooms, one larger general purpose room and a few extra specialist shops in the basement had turned Ponyville Elementary into something resembling an appropriate school for the town's growth. It was still very small and wouldn't have registered in any city, but for Ponyville it was a big deal and a great change. With three quick raps on the front door she announced their presence and stood back, unhitching the cart and rolling her shoulders.

[Blueblood]

Ambrosia Apple considered the words of her orange mama, giving to them all the weight her little mind felt they deserved.  Certainly, she could sympathize with not wanting a colt like Zappers around the house, if one was chiefly concerned about looking fabulous.  An unappreciative audience was worse than none at all.  On the other hoof... that meant Rarity had none at all!  "But... nopony sees her being fabulous!"  Mirrors didn't count; Applejack might have spoiled her little unicorn daughter, but she didn't let her grow up to be totally narcissistic!

 

Still, her thoughts didn't linger too much, since they were now coming up to the schoolhouse.  A bright, shiny new building!... Which was not fabulous, but at least it wasn't rickety and ugly, that counted for a lot.  "OK, momma, I'll ask her!"  She was certain that she would get her way, of course.  What pony could possibly resist her cute and adorable requests?  Was she not a Princess?  The Dress certainly indicated so!

[SteelEagle]

 

 

The door opened and the trio were met by a friendly face. A younger pegasus stallion with bright green eyes and a soft smile greeted them. "Oh, the Apples! What a pleasure to see you again, Applejack. Please, come on in. I have everything ready for little Ambrosia," he said with a smile as Applejack nodded happily. "Zap Apple, y'all go ahead and play a bit in the playground. Ah'll come and get ya when it's time, okay?" She said as she gave her son a peck on the forehead and scooted him off.
"How's tha husband, Well Read?" She asked as she unhooked the cart and pulled her daughter up and out of it. Well Read and his husband Paperback were the two new teachers at the school, having been around now for just one class season. They were good teachers and loved their jobs. Well Read handled the youngest ponies, Cheerilee the meat of the middle classes, and Paperback the last few years heading out. It certainly made it a lot easier than it would have been with just poor ol' Cheerilee!
"Oh, Paperback's doing great. He has his hoof full handling the older crowd but at least he has somepony to read his books to," Well Read laughed as he took his seat. "And might this be little Ambrosia Apple? You know, your brother has talked a lot about you!"

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

A few ponies mingled about the playground. Six foals played and laughed around and one more sat near the tetherball pole, using it as a backboard as he relaxed against it. His eyes caught Zap Apple's. "Hey there, Zap," Topaz said, the crystal colt getting up and wiping the dirt from his backside. "Your mom here or are you just playing?"