5th Rodeo [Action/Voice]

[honestapples]

[Applejack is back from her mission! And as much as she's tuckered out, she's happy to be home and makes her rounds to her various friends to let them know she's back. And also to make sure that Winona hasn't gone too crazy.

It isn't until she's back home that night and settling down that realization dawns and she can't help but laugh.]

Tarnation. Ah missed my own birthday, goin' ta help out the Malnosso. That musta taken longer than Ah realized.

But that means it's gettin' close ta Nightmare Night! An' that means the pumpkins are comin' in. It's not much of a pumpkin patch, but if anyone's wantin' ta come on by the farm an' pick one up, they'll make mighty fine jack-o-lanterns. [Soft chuckle.] Or pies, if that's what you're aimin' for.

[Pause. That has just reminded her...]

Gol-ly. Already closin' in on time for makin' cider, too. Would anyone mind lendin' a hoof with makin' cider? Ah promise it's well worth the work.

Comments

voice;

[breezing]

What's a jack-o-lantern?

I'll help! I don't know how, though, if that's okay.

voice;

[honestapples]

[Whoops. Sometimes she forgets that not all the worlds have the same customs.] It's somethin' ya can make by carvin' a pumpkin. Ya take out the inside an' carve a face inta it, then light it up so you can see the face at night. [Beat.] ...It sounds kinda funny, but it sure looks neat.

[She smiles, though. This is always her favorite time of year, between making cider, harvesting the apples, and Nightmare Night festivities (although Zap Apple season is a close second). It's exciting to get a chance to share it with others.]

An' Ah'd sure appreciate the help! Don't you worry 'bout not knowin' how; Ah can teach ya. Ah bet you'll be real good at it in no time.

voice:

[shenevermisses]

Lend a hoof...

Are you one of those muttations?

[Yes, Clove. Because that's the way to talk to something you're still half convinced is going to try and eat you someday.]

The talking horses, I mean.

voice:

[honestapples]

Mutt-tation...? [Now there's a weird word. She tilts her head to one side.]

Ah'm a pony, but Ah've never heard of a mutt-tation before. Ain't it a kinda dog?

Voice

[herroyalsunrise]

I'm sure Pinkie Pie will be surprised to hear the news. The ensuing party will likely make up for the belatedness.

Though it may be like, I would still like to wish you a happy birthday, Applejack.

Voice

[honestapples]

[Gosh, is that ever right. She's almost worried that Pinkie will be upset that she missed a birthday, especially her own, but she's sure that the resulting party will make up for it.]

Thank ya kindly, Princess! Ah'm just glad ta be back. Sure is nice hearin' familiar voices again.

[inburningshadows]

If you're still low on help, I'd be happy to aid you in making cider. [The idea of going near a farm is more comforting and nostalgic than he expected.]

[honestapples]

The more the merrier! Back home, it's usually hard keepin' up with demand. If you're willin' ta help, Ah'd be happy ta have ya.

[Ah, it might not be so hard making enough this year~]

Ah'm Applejack, by the way. What's your name?

[Voice]

[knightofratatosk]

Wait, when was your birthday?

[Voice]

[honestapples]

On the 7th. Time sure flies... Ah didn't realize it'd gotten so late in the year already.

[voice]

[taitaiho]

I'm sorry you missed your birthday. Maybe you can still do something fun now that you're back.

[Taiki smiles.]

Do you want a hoof, or a hand? I don't know how to make cider, but I can lend both, if you want.

[voice]

[honestapples]

[She laughs.] Thank ya kindly. Ah'm sure my friend Pinkie will be here any minute with the balloons an' cake, though.

[Although, whoa, wait. Back up. Hoof or hand as a choice? Applejack stares blankly for a moment before that starts to click.]

A hand or a hoof would be a lotta help. How can ya lend both, though?

[video]

[thefinaljedi]

Its good to see you back, Applejack. I don't know if you saw my announcement, but we'll be harvesting from the farm this weekend. Everything in the sections Doctor Eggman and I had growing turned out alright.

And I'd be happy to help with making cider. You've been a big help, I owe you.

[video]

[honestapples]

It's good ta be back, Luke. An' just in time for the harvest! Hoo-ee, couldn't've timed that better if Ah tried.

[Yeah, just a little bit excite. Harvest time! And with all of her new friends here, it's bound to be lively and fun. What more could a mare ask for?]

An' you don't owe me anythin', sugarcube. But Ah'd still appreciate the help with the cider all the same.

[ voice ]

[rashness]

What kinda pumpkins you got? Just those ones they grow in America or you got like kabocha too?

[ voice ]

[honestapples]

[You have. Totally lost her, dude.]

Uh... just... normal kind, Ah guess? Big an' orange? [She can't help but squint at the journal a bit.] What's a kabocha?

[voice]

[halfnhalf]

[SCREAM it's Applejack

APPLEJACK

Somehow, Teddy didn't even think about ponies being here. People, yes, but ponies? He's silent for a moment as a result, before he speaks up. He just has to say something; it's Applejack.]

Uh... How do you make cider? ... And happy late birthday.

[voice]

[honestapples]

Thank ya kindly, sugarcube! [Man, who cares that she missed the actual day of her birthday. Everyone is so nice that it's hard to feel down about it.]

As for the cider, there's a few ways of makin' it, but back home, we'd be real careful 'bout pickin' out the best apples an' squishin' 'em. It all comes down ta havin' the best ingredients an' makin' it with love an' care.

[She perks up, grinning a bit wider. All these people interested in the cider is making her excited to get started on making some.]

'Course, ya can add cinnamon, too, but we usually make it fresh off the trees without anythin' else.

[voice]

[blackteriques]

There seem to be a lot of names for this nighttime pumpkin-related holiday. [Even though it's a pretty neutral comment, he doesn't have good memories attached to Luceti's brand of October ... celebrations.]

[voice]

[honestapples]

Ah'm hearin' there's a few other versions 'round these parts. Kinda funny how everypony's got their own kinda pumpkin festival, huh?

[She hasn't been subject to a Luceti October yet, so this is blissful ignorance right here. Just thoughts of costumes and apple-bobbing and candy.]

[wannabolt]

Well, I did say I'd help out before. Like I'd back out at a time like this!

And we can totally just celebrate a late birthday. If Pinkie Pie hasn't already hit you with a surprise party, anyway.

[honestapples]

No surprises yet, but ya know Pinkie...

[Applejack is halfway expecting to try walking into her room later on tonight only to be ambushed with a party cannon.]

Glad ta hear you're still up for helpin', though! We could definitely use somepony 'round here who's familiar with the process. Aside from me, that is.

[Voice]

[concasse]

... You missed your birthday?? [THAT WON'T DO.]

[Voice]

[honestapples]

Yup. Ah only got back from a mission from the Malnosso today. [She chuckles.] But Ah'm sure a friend of mine's got somethin' planned now that Ah'm back, so a li'l late's just as good.

[brokethefourthwall]

[Coming up to the bedroom, Applejack? Please pay no mind to the plate of cupcakes on your nightstand. Two cupcakes, in fact, one strawberry cream, and the other apple cinnamon.]

[honestapples]

[Of course she's coming up to her bedroom, she's plumb tuckered out. With Winona padding along ahead of her, she almost makes it to her bed before she notices the cupcakes.

Okay, so apparently Pinkie has been here. Maybe she got tired of waiting, though. In any case, that is an apple cinnamon cupcake and she is not about to walk away from it.

Just. Going to try to take that cupcake now.]