Once again, the orchard was pristine. Big Macintosh looked over the layer of snow coating every branch. The slightest tap of the hoof sent a few clumps plummeting down around the roots. He looked out over the land, blanketed in white, reflecting the moon's full light. The stallion smiled softly. Seen it before, can't see it enough.

Still, he was out and about with a duty, though not the usual chores. Once more, he returned to the Brown Snout tree. He brushed the snow off the stones as best he could and removed the mugs. Hmph, ain't been out here since the Feast. Sitting down, he closed his eyes and let himself relax. He wasn't on for prayer or mediation, but there was some... solace in merely taking a moment to sit peacefully so near to them.

The ever present hay shifted between his lips, every breath causing the stem to bend and bounce. This was, as far as he was concerned, serenity. His ears perked at the sound of another set of hooves crunching in the snow. He knew long before they spoke who it was.

"Apple Bloom."

"Big Brother."

The filly walked up and leaned against her brother, giving a small shiver as a breeze kicked up the snow.

"Mighty chilly today."

"Eeyup."

"Day like this, Granny'd make me hot cider, then hug me real tight. She said a warm heart's better than any coat. 'Course I'd get a cold from playing in the snow without something on and she'd whip out the hot water bottle and stuff."

Big Mac was quite familiar with the sear of the old water bottle. Granny had owned it for ages, and like any aged thing on the farm, it was beaten, worn, and should have been replaced a long time ago. The bottle tended to leak despite being covered in duct tape, but only very slowly. So when it was put on when you went to bed, you woke up soaked and colder than you had been before treatment. Still, Granny refused to part with it, though why was anypony's guess.

Apple Bloom sniffed, staring at the stones.

"Can you tell me another story about Pawpaw Snout? Ah still don't know much about 'im, and yew said Applejack was too young to know 'im. Ah know you don't like talkin' a bunch, but Ah gotta know more."

Macintosh stared up at the heavens, considering a few tales he knew. He could tell her about how their grandfather got a scar on his shoulder, nearly gored by an angry bull. Or maybe the time he beat a pony three times bigger than him in a wrestling match. But then Macintosh remembered the upcoming Hearts and Hooves Day, and figured a sweet pony tale would be best.

"Granny told me how she and Pawpaw Brown Snout first met. It all started with the Zap apple Harvest years ago..."

…

A line of ponies, far as the eye could see, stood before Annie Smith. Every single one of them was waiting eagerly for a sampling of her now renowned Zap Apple Jelly. It had taken a lot of trial and error, but the effort paid off with this grand sale. Annie thanked Celestia for that discovery that saved her family and gave them the much needed boost to start their homestead.

As bits exchanged hooves, and her creation savored, Annie couldn't help but notice more than a few stallions being particularly friendly towards her. Stinkin' Rich especially was coming on a little strong, with all his talk of "business partnerships" and other things. Well, ain't that some nerve. Filly makes something that earns a little much needed money and suddenly she's wanted like a sweater on a cold day.

Of course, money wasn't the sole thing keeping them interested. Annie had grown from the young filly who ventured into the Forest alone. Now she was a full grown mare, and that fact did not escape hungry eyes that watched her every move. The unspoken idea was that she was getting to be the age in a pony's life where they settle down with that very special somepony, and many were hoping to grab that chance. Even once all the main stock was sold, some hung around solely to flirt or do business. Here comes Stinkin' Rich, ready to do both...

"Why hello there Miss Smith, I hope you have my usual order put together."

Annie nodded to a large crate already put up on a wagon. It was filled with all the spare jars the family could part with, to be carefully rationed and sold off at great profit by the stallion. Stinkin' nodded with a small grin.

"Bless you little Missy, you're always so kind to me. If it weren't for you and yours, Celestia knows what I'd be doing to get by today. I owe just about everything to you. But how would you feel about making something bigger than just the farm? With your spirit and my mind, we'd have the strongest operation this side of the Appleachians. Mind and spirit, though the physical body ain't nothing to sneeze at either. What would you say to coming with me to the Sarsaparilla Social later this week?"

The stallion grinned softly with a wink, and Annie cursed herself for actually blushing. Stinkin's a decent sort, and he's pruddy handsome, even if he does have a politician's smile. He does know his way around a market, though a might greedy because of that. Shoot, he's able to run circles 'round the Turnip Twins too, so he's got some buck to him; if Ah could get 'im working something besides a cash register. Stinkin' coughed, jarring her from the internal debate.

"Now Miss Smith, I'm not asking you to let me in, all I'm asking is you at least open your door to the possibility."

"My experience says it's better to be invited than asked to open for you."

Annie stared up at the stallion behind Stinkin'. Now, Stinkin' Rich was already on the tall side, but this wall of flesh stood a full head taller than even him. He was a green, a few shades darker than herself, with an earthy brown mane and a nose like it'd been dipped in chocolate. A vest big enough for smaller ponies to use as a tent covered his chest, and a beaten hat that hung over his eyes was all he was wearing. A jug swung from a rope around his hip, just like the one that was permanently etched into him from his cutie mark. Stinkin', shocked by the comment, finally sputtered out a retort.

"Now hold on there, where are your manners, interrupting a polite conversation like that. A gentlecolt should introduce himself first."

A corncob pipe rolled between the mountainous male's lips.

"Can't help but notice you haven't first. Admitting something?"

To Rich's chagrin, Annie slipped a giggle.

"I'm Stinkin' Rich, but you can call me Mister Rich. I own the general store that provides the goods and sundry for our humble little town of Ponyville. Now, if you'd be so kind, tell us who you are. I know everypony in town and most of their relatives, and I have never encountered you before."

The hat was raised up with a hoof, revealing a pair of brown eyes so dark it was hard to tell where the pupils were. The half lidded look he gave, combined with those strange irises, made it very hard to tell just how closely he was paying attention.

"Course not, I've just settled over this way. Built a cabin a little ways into the forest here, and I heard there was a shop I could buy some supplies from. And wouldn't you know it, turns out it was closed just when a customer needed it. I suppose the owner was busy, shame he's so blind to supply and demand."

Stinkin' fumed, glaring at the stallion as another giggle from Annie made his ears burn in shame.

"Now you wait a cotton picking minute. I asked your name, not you to insult me and my business. And you have yet to respond. Now, I demand an answer!"

"Alright, I'll supply you with one. Brown Snout Apple. See? I supply when you demand. Now, if you'd be so kind, I demand some hardtack, tobacco... here's the list."

A piece of paper was pulled out. It was quite lengthy, and despite himself Rich could feel his hoof itch in anticipation of the large sum of money this would grant him.

"I take it you're furnishing it. I'll need a few days to order in the mattress from Canterlot, but most of this should be ready to be picked up noon tomorrow, once I handle my business here."

Brown Snout's pipe wiggled again.

"I'll pay extra if you get it ready by this evening when I head home."

Caught between money now or money later, Rich's gaze flicked between Annie and the list. A few rushed apologies and promises of later visits, and the mare was left alone with the newest settler.

"Well, I suppose I should introduce myself. I'm-"

"Annie Smith, the gal who found the Zap Apples and effectively founded Ponyville."

The mare raised an eyebrow, looking at Brown Snout. Despite her best efforts, she was completely unable to gauge any reaction at all from the passive expression.

"Well, Mister Apple, I'm afraid you'd got me beat. 'fraid I don't know a thing about you."

He gave a small smile.

"Annie Smith, the little pepper too spicy for any stallion to handle, that nopony has yet truly captured her heart. Until today. You don't know me, but I'm the one who's gonna be your husband."

Annie slammed her hooves on the stand's top, flushed in fury.

"Of all the gall! At least Stinkin' had the sense in his head not to outright say it. Shoot, he's got something to himself. He's a nice safe bet, with that shop of his. Why should I pick you?"

"Because, they want the funds. Or the body. And you've turned them all down for that. Me? I ain't met a challenge I couldn't overcome with a set mind and grit teeth."

Annie opened her mouth to lambast him once more, but she swallowed a fly on accident. The stallion took off the jug, and passed it to her. He gave off a confident air.

"Try this before you start ranting again. I'd hate your mouth to dry up."

Glaring daggers, she begrudgingly took a slip from the jug. Her eyes widened in shock. She'd been expecting a harsh moonshine, or even some rotgut. Instead she found a pleasantly tart, but sweet cider cooling her parched throat. Then a tingle went over her entire body as the liquid hit her stomach. The sensation was actually vaguely familiar.

"Wha... what did you use to make this?"

"Oh, I can't be giving away my recipe to just anypony. But I can tell you one very special ingredient found for it while traveling through that Forest."

He picked up a Zap Apple with his tail, flicking it up in the air before catching it, chewing, and swallowing in one motion. Annie stared at him for a moment, then took another sip to be sure. There was no doubt in her mind, it was the same flavor she'd been making money off of for years now.

"You found the original Zap Apple orchard in that forsaken place?"

"It wasn't easy, what with the Timber Wolves howlin' in my ears the whole time. It's taken me a while, but I think this is the best batch of cider I've ever made. With care for only using the best, it took me a while to find when it fermented just right. I wanted to make you something new with what you'd given us. Not just ride off your work. I'm not the sort who'd enjoy leaving all the work and creatin' to somepony else anyway. Well, the sun looks like it's heading down. I better go get my supplies from Stinky."

He left, leaving Annie with her gaze locked onto the Zap Cider. After a moment, she finally realized he'd left it behind. A gift, using the same apples I owe my life to... She snorted at the audacity! Slinging it across her back, the mare spirited into town, a driven look burning in her eyes. She arrived at the store just as Brown Snout was hooking up to the wagon of supplies, Stinkin' going over the list of merchandise he could throw in for a minimal addition fee. The two turned to her, hair mussed from the running, bonnet hanging by a thread.

"Miss Smith, I'm surprised you're coming to my shop this time of day. Did you consider my invitation?"

Annie nodded, eyes locked on Brown Snout. Rich beamed at the affirmation.

"Marvelous, I feel this is the first step in a glorious life we could lea-"

He was silenced by a hoof in the mouth.

"Sorry Stinkin'. I said I considered it, not that I accepted it. I'd like to stay friends and business partners, but nothing more."

Momentarily crestfallen, Stinkin' sighed. Then he accepted rejection like a gentleman.

"A shame, but very well. I know better than to push. I suppose I'll accept Family Jewels' invitation instead. Better than going alone, and who knows, she's been sweet to me before..."

Annie gave a relieved sigh, fearing it was going to be a lot worse than that. I guess he thought if he got too mad, I'd stop selling to him. Ah well, Jewels is a nice girl. Dumb as the rocks she polishes for a living, but nice. The mare walked over to the waiting stallion, whose pipe twitched subtly as she approached. Annie gave him a hard look in the eye as best she could, given the size difference.

"Now, don't go jumping to conclusions. Just because I don't really want to be with Rich, doesn't mean I want to be with you either. I just hate the idea of somepony giving me something for nothing. So here's what I'll do. In exchange for this and oh... two more jugs of cider, I'll show you around town, and introduce you to everypony else at the Sarsaparilla Social. It's not a date, I just was really looking forward to it and it'd be awkward without somepony there to keep all the flirts away. So, sound fair?"

Brown Snout gave a small smile, bending down a bit to give her a proper view of the soft gaze he gave everything.

"Eeyup."

…

Apple Bloom mumbled softly, having fallen asleep curled up against her brother. Despite the snow, she'd felt so warm and cozy with his voice droning on softly she couldn't help it. Big Mac carefully put her on his broad back, and stood up. Grabbing the mugs in his teeth, he walked back to the farmhouse.

As he walked up the stairs to put the filly in her bed, he passed an old faded and yellowed photo. On it was a large stallion standing next to a pretty mare, who seemed to be talking to another pair mostly out of frame. They were laughing under a banner which said "Sarsaparilla Socia-l" with an attached piece of paper for the L. And almost hidden by their bodies, you could just see their tails touching in a small gesture of tenderness.

…

Ok, I take it back. More Author's Notes because, well, the tumblr sucks heh. I'm not an artist, so I couldn't answer it proper anyway. Oh well. Sorry it's been so long, rough to find inspiration these days. At any rate, I hope I'm not beating a metaphorical dead horse by updating these stories, even when some say it'd be best to close them and let the story end.