1st Rodeo [Voice]

[honestapples]

[It's been raining for days and Applejack is getting bored. She found the farm not too long after she arrived, and the rain wasn't exactly stopping her from tending to everything, but the weather's turn for the worse today is definitely an impediment. And so, she's cooped up inside, running out of things to do. But hey, that's what this journal is here for, right?]

How come nopony told me 'bout this farm y'all got here? This is great! It just needs some more apple trees and it'll be just like home. Or... well, as close as Ah can get it. But that reminds me...

Have any of y'all ever heard'a zap apples? They're magic, but they're downright tasty an' real particular 'bout how they're grown an' harvested. Mah Granny Smith's the one who normally makes all the jam an' such, but if Ah can grow some zap apples here, Ah'd sure be happy ta share whatever Ah can make. Might not be quite as good, but Ah think Ah've picked up a thing'er two. Anypony got any ideas?

[It's something to think about, at least! Something that isn't baking more apple fritters, in any case.]

Comments

[honestapples]

Well, a whole lot goes inta the harvest. They can only be harvested on one day before they're all gone, so if Ah get some growin', Ah'll need the help. 'preciate the offer.

[Without Big Macintosh to lend a hoof, it would take way too long to do it all herself with a decent-sized orchard.]

[itdoesntmatter]

Hey, if you need it done fast, I'm your hedgehog!

[honestapples]

[Low laugh.] Thanks, Sonic. It's a family tradition, an' Ah'd hate ta go a year without sharin' some zap apples with my friends.

[itdoesntmatter]

So, why don't you tell me what the harvest takes? If it's a family tradition, it's gotta be important, right?

[And he is genuinely interested, because heck, lightning-infused apples sound really awesome.]

[honestapples]

It's a big part of how Ponyville was founded, believe it or not.

[Well, what else to do on a rainy day than tell stories? She shifts a little to get more comfortable before she starts into it.]

Well, there's five days leadin' up ta the harvest. Each day, somethin' else happens that's a sign the zap apples're comin' in. It all starts off when the timber wolves start howlin' out in the forest... that's how ya know the zap apples ain't far off.

[itdoesntmatter]

...The wolves know when the apples are growing?

[honestapples]

Y'know, Ah'm not sure. It seems like they just get real riled up whenever the apples're comin' in. Granny Smith always stays up half the night bangin' on pots an' pans ta keep 'em off the farm. Dunno if it's the zap apples or just the magic in the air, but somethin' sets 'em off.

[itdoesntmatter]

Huh... weird! But go on!

[honestapples]

Well, the second day, we get a really strong wind blowin' through, an' the leaves come in with it. Third day, we get a lotta crows an' the flowers start bloomin'. Fourth day, there's a meteor shower, an' the apples start comin' in, but they're all gray.

The last day, there's the lightnin' storm that makes all the zap apples ripen. That's the only day you can harvest 'em; they're all gone the next day whether ya get 'em or not.

[itdoesntmatter]

You're right. That is really complicated.

[honestapples]

[She laughs.] An' that ain't even gettin' inta makin' the jam.