6th Rodeo [Voice/Action]

[honestapples]

[It's early morning when Applejack is alive, awake, alert, and enthusiastic. After all, today is the day, and she's more than excited to bring a family tradition to Luceti. And so, bright and early, her message goes out over the journals:]

Hooo-ey! Well, it was a lotta work, but everythin's all ready, y'all! Cider Season is open! Anypony with a hankerin' for some fresh-made Apple Family cider, just come on down to the farmlands. We've got plenty ta start with an' Ah'll be workin' on makin' more through the day so we don't run out too fast.

[She chuckles.] Y'all might wanna hurry anyway, though. The cider always goes faster'n expected!

[And, true to her word, Applejack will be at a little stand on the path to the farmlands starting early morning and going until sundown. She's got a little cider press set up behind the stand, and has several bushels of apples ready to press down. Recipe for success, right?

Come and get it!]

Comments

[voice]

[250mhzwabl]

[It's been an eventful day for Jack, but just around midday he finds himself in need of a bit more of a walk before he goes back to the apartment. This place is just full of surprises, it seems.

But like the internet (may it rest in peace) that it superficially resembles, the journal system is fantastic at proving a distraction. And Jack doesn't have to go further than the most recent page before he feels a crooked grin crawling up one side of his face. The girl's icon is cute (a little orange horse! in a hat! with freckles!), and her voice is just amazing. He almost hopes she speaks that way all the time, and not simply when preparing a broadcast. He hesitates a moment, then fiddles with the journal until he gets to the voice reply.]

Cider sounds like just the thing, right now. Are you still at the tap?

[voice]

[honestapples]

[Lucky for you, Jack, that voice is entirely not manufactured. And AJ's high spirits are only making her sound even brighter and more cheerful than usual.]

Sure am, sugarcube! Gonna be here all day, Ah'm thinkin'. [And she sounds perfectly content with that.] C'mon out if you're thirsty! We've got plenty'a mugs an' cider ta go around!

[savedtheworld]

Fresh apple cider? Thanks, I'd love some!

[honestapples]

Well, we've got plenty, sugarcube! Should Ah keep an eye out for ya or do ya need somepony ta bring some cider out?

[Voice]

[geniustheveil]

I've never had apple cider before. I'd like to try it.

[Whether she can depends on convincing people that 'going out to get some and coming back' can qualify as 'resting'.

That or maybe Luke will bring her some later.]

Do you have enough help to make it at the farm?

[Voice]

[honestapples]

Well, if ya haven't tried it before, then ya might as well start with the best.

[Modesty does not apply to Apple Family pride.]

Ah actually had more help here than Ah ever did back home with makin' it! Back home, it was just me an' my brother an' sister an' our Granny Smith. Seemed like everypony wanted ta chip in here!

[innerdragon]

[Lance actually happens to be on the farm this day. After his talk with Luke, he decides to scope out the available space for where he might plant some berries in the spring.

Luckily for him, the caped dragon master also comes across Applejack's stand. ... Just what is she anyway? If he didn't know better he might think she was a Pokemon, but she clearly isn't.

So he and Dragonite walk up to the smell of apple cider.]

Hey there.

1/2

[honestapples]

[Applejack opens her mouth to answer when she suddenly realizes that she is standing in shade where she wasn't a second or two ago. And ever so slowly, she looks up from the clawed feet in front of her and stares up at a dragon.

For just a second, she freezes completely still, eyes wide. Because dragons are usually bad news where she's from. Especially dragons double the height of the average pony.]

[honestapples]

[After a moment, she figures that this dragon, at least, seems to be similar to Spike in the sense that it doesn't seem to have any desire to go ransacking everything and making a hoard of gems to sleep on. Her eyes slide back over to Lance and she gives a sheepish grin and a weak laugh.]

Eh...hehe. H-howdy! [Composure, AJ. This dragon is not trying to eat anypony. He's like a bigger Spike. She clears her throat.] Thirsty?

[Action!]

[thefinaljedi]

[As promised, Luke turns up wearing some fairly casual clothes just right for getting dirty, as he expects the project to be. After all, it is farm work.

Spotting the pony, he waves to her and heads over with a big grin]

Morning Applejack. Reporting for Cider-Duty as ordered. What do you need me to do?

[Action!]

[honestapples]

[Luke, your enthusiasm is so very appreciated. Applejack chuckles, but perks up all the same, smiling in greeting.]

Mornin', Luke! Ah think Ah bucked down enough apples, an' Ah'm pretty sure they're all in good enough shape ta use, so all we've really got left is pressin' 'em into cider an' servin' it up. Sound good?

[ voice ]

[markofthebrave]

[Katara gets this later on in the day and so figures it's worth a voice message before she takes the trip.]

Do you still have any cider left?

[ voice ]

[honestapples]

Sure do, sugarcube! Seems like it doesn't run out as fast as back home... 'least, not yet. If you're thirsty, you're more'n welcome ta as much as ya'd like.

[Voice]

[lostinmyway]

Oh, my. That sounds wonderful! Can I have some too, Applejack?

[Voice]

[honestapples]

'Course ya can, Grune! There's more'n enough ta go around! Bring your friends, if ya like!

[Action]

[inburningshadows]

[Abel isn't one to break a promise, not when farming was his passion for most of his life. He arriving early to help Applejack out. He offering a warm smile as he waves at Applejack as he approaches her.]

Hopefully I'm here early enough to help you prepare for the crowd.

[Action]

[honestapples]

[Applejack answers the wave with one of her own, waving a hoof in greeting. Her dog, Winona, is practically dancing around the barrels for the cider. Both of them are the image of excitement.]

You're definitely in time ta help for that! Ah really appreciate it, by the way. This's a lot different from cider season with my family.

Voice.

[notevenfate]

[That's an interesting, excited sounding voice. One that almost reminds her of... No, she can't think of that right now.]

Cider, eh? Not so familar.

Voice.

[honestapples]

[Not being familiar does not daunt Applejack in the slightest.]

It's kinda like apple juice, only it's a li'l bit thicker an' it's got stronger flavor. If ya'd like, you're welcome ta try some.

[Voice]

[inkdrops]

Sai...dor?

[What is this strange thing you speak of, Applejack? Miyabi's curious to try it - she's daring enough to try new and strange foods from other worlds (provided they're vegetarian friendly!), but she'll always go ahead and ask what it is first. Since she's never, ever heard of such a thing in her own world ever before.]

What's sai-dor? [Yeah, she's saying it wrong. Please, feel free to correct.]

[Voice]

[honestapples]

[Applejack chuckles softly. Seems like she has plenty of chances to be the first to introduce apple cider to Luceti!]

Ci-der, sugarcube. It's kinda like apple juice, but it's also pretty diff'rent. The flavor's stronger an' there's more apple to it than just plain apple juice.

action

[wannabolt]

[Well, it won't be long before Dash rockets down from the sky, making a smooth landing juuust in front of the stand...

Yeah, typical Dash behavior right here.]

Hah! Looks like I made it before the big rush for once.

['Course, she's not here just for Cider. Naw.]

[action]

[pendantry]

[1. Talking horse.
2. Way too excited.
3. Weird accent.

The thought of homemade autumn anything overrules all of those. Raven heads to the farmlands to get some cider. Even though that means she'll hover at a distance from the stand for a while working out what is up with the talking horse.

She's seen them before here, and everything. Just hasn't much talked to one.]

[Action]

[mistlegacy]

[Rydia will be there, whenever Grune decides to drag her over. Her appearances in the area have been scarce since returning from the draft, but she gives in this time. There's a small smile as she approaches the stand.]

Cider sounds lovely. It's always my favorite fall drink.

[Action]

[lostinmyway]

[Seeing that small smile makes Grune smile a big one. At some point on the way there, she probably reached for Rydia's hand to hold; if she hasn't already, she'll be doing it now.]

Oh, my, is it? I'm glad we could go get some together, then!