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]

Pretty sure it's gotta be the timber wolves. Pretty much everythin' about zap apples is real specific.

[concasse]

[Noooo he wants his zap apples]

Maaah, there's no harm in trying to make them anyway, right? Maybe they'll end up being the wolves we need!

[honestapples]

[She brightens up at that, grinning.]

Shucks, it's always worth a try! If anypony can get 'em growin' here, it'll be one of us Apples. Ya never know 'til ya try.

[concasse]

Yeeeees~! That's the spirit~! I can't wait to taste one of these legendary apples~!

You think they'd go good in a pie?

[honestapples]

They sure do! Granny Smith's usually in charge'a the jam, but Ah can make a pretty mean zap apple pie if Ah do say so myself. [Not bragging if it's the truth, man.]

If Ah can grow any, Ah can teach ya how if ya like.

1/2

[concasse]

[... A pony is gonna teach him how to make a pie Sanji can't even--]

Aah-

[concasse]

It'd be an honor~!

[It's okay if his reality is shattered. He can still handle this.]

How about we swap a recipe?

[honestapples]

[If any pony is going to bake something for you, it's best if it's Applejack or Pinkie. Just sayin'.]

That sounds like a lotta fun! Ah'm always up for learnin' somethin' new.

[Wait, getting ahead of herself. Sheepish laugh.] What's your name, by the way? Ah'm Applejack.

[concasse]

[Applejack? That's horrendously cute for a name. What even.]

It's a pleasure to meet you, Applejack~! [He can't even bear to stick a -chan on it.] The name's Sanji - chef of Seventh Heaven at your service~!

[honestapples]

Seventh Heaven? Ain't that the restaurant in town?

[She may have been rushing around and throwing most of her attention into Winter Wrap Up when she got here, but she made several mental notes. And she feels a little flattered now, with a chef interested in swapping recipes with her.]

[concasse]

That'd be the one~!

Heard about it? [Because the food there is da shit]

[honestapples]

Ah saw it when Ah was in town before, but Ah hadn't had a chance ta stop in. [Soft chuckle.] Guess Ah've got an excuse now, huh?

[You've got totally vegetarian stuff, right?]

[concasse]

[If Sanji didn't, Miyabi would lynch him. Yes, there is definitely vegetarian dishes]

Yeeeees~! I'd love the chance to meet you in person~!

And I can make just about any dish you want!

[honestapples]

[She grins.] Well, if the rain lets up a li'l bit by tonight, Ah can swing by then. It'll do me some good ta get outta the house.

[concasse]

Ah, right. The rain. [Someone nearly forgot about it in his excitement.

He also figures Ponies don't use umbrellas]

Maaah, no hurry! Neither the restaurant or me will be going anywhere.

[honestapples]

[Some do. But AJ doesn't mind a little mud or rainwater. It's just when it gets this bad that she'll stay in.]

Shouldn't be too long before Ah get out there, in any case. Ah can even bring some'a the apple fritters Ah made today ta share.

[Because seriously, there's way too many.]

[concasse]

... You made apple fritters...

[Srsly if she were not a pony he'd probably be in love.]

Sure, bring some over! I bet the customers would love some samples of your food~!

[honestapples]

[Aw, shucks, Sanji, don't make her blush. She tugs at the brim of her hat a little.]

Just an ol' family recipe, that's all. But Ah'd sure be happy ta share with any customers ya got.

[concasse]

Family recipe?

That mean everyone in your family can cook?

[honestapples]

Just about. My li'l sister's still learnin', but she's real good at makin' zap apple jam. [And she is so terribly proud of her for it.]

...Just don't ask her ta make any cupcakes.

[concasse]

[He snickers lightly at that, but really, Sanji is very impressed over here.]

Have an accident, did she?

[honestapples]

Long story. But "accident" is a good word for it.

[Not that she's one to talk after the baked bads incident, but shhh that doesn't count. Lack of sleep does weird things.]

[concasse]

Oh, but I'm sure she'll get the hang of it eventually~! Practice makes perfect, after all~!

[honestapples]

[Sanji, that appeal to her proud big sister has just raised you several points in her book. She smiles.]

Ah'm sure she will. If she can make zap apple jam, she can make anythin'... she just needs ta find that out for herself.

[concasse]

[He smiles in return and nods to himself, remembering being "that age" - or just at that point in life]

With a family full of cooks, she'll have all the help getting there and more. [Sounding slightly nostalgic] How long have you been cooking, Applejack?