You try not to take it too personally when Applejack huffs at you, instead focusing on patting down the grass around you. You had already ripped one perfectly good pair of jeans early, and you were not about to waste another on a wayward stick. Custom sizes for a creature of your height and weight in Equestria were expensive at all of the shops, and while Rarity gladly gave you a sizable discount, the final price tag of the finished product was disheartening.
"Hello," you finally say after brushing away a few insects and taking your place on the tree's mast. Applejack merely nods, pulling her hat over her eyes. You've been on the farm long enough to realize that this is not her usual disposition, but then again, it wasn't a usual day.
"Heya. You done already?" Her short sentences remind you that she is indeed Macinstosh's sister…as if you could forget.
Awkwardly, you hide your hands behind your back. They're riddled with dirt and fresh cuts. You were still developing a human "applebucking" technique. The use of a ladder probably would have benefited your form, but Granny Smith was a stickler for tradition. Still, Apple Bloom would occasionally slip you the rare pile of boxes or makeshift kitchen step ladder for the deeper orchid. She was a good kid.
"Surprisingly, yes."
"Well, good." She forces a smile. "Ah'm sorry, sugarcube. Today's just not onna my best days."
"How long has it been?" you ask, hugging your knees.
"Does it really matter?"
You recoil. "Sorry, was that too forward of me?"
She shakes her head, half solemn and half smiling. "Nah. Don'tcha worry about it."
The two of you sit in silence for a while as the wind kicks up a fresh patch of leaves. Autumn will be leaving soon, but the taste of cider and smell of damp earth is still ever present in the farm air. She leans against you. The sudden weight almost makes you jump, but when you hear snoring, you repress your instinct to reel. Her snoring is abrupt, breaking the still of the day. You smile. She worked so hard today. Between harvesting the entire north orchid, keeping Apple Bloom in line, stopping a fruit bat infestation at it source, keeping lively Granny Smith in bed to give her hip time to heel, and respecting the anniversary of her parent's passing, you wonder how she functions.
The wind is stronger now. It is going to rain. Still, you nuzzle into her mane for a few minutes, and wait it out.
AC) Based on image 932155 on Derpibooru. If you wish to see it, type derpibooru into your URL bar, put a slash (/) after it, and copy the given number behind it. I also posted my story in the comment section.
