The three Ex-humans are awoken by the sound of roosters calling out their morning screeches. The first to speak after the rude awakening is the yellow earth pony "It… wasn't a dream? I can't move! It made so much sense yesterday! Why can't I remember!" he shouted to the others. Alejandro groaned as he stretched his legs and looked at the others. "Well shit, it does look like it's not a dream or drug trip. This is reality and we need to get moving." The donkey said as he got to his feet. Dark slowly got himself to rise as well "You gotta calm down and tell us what exactly you're having trouble with." he said calmly to the earth pony. Mort stared blankly and slowly started to calm down before joining the others on his feet "I… guess I was just overreacting at first, but it kinda just came back to me after you guys did it." he said relieved. "Well ok then, we should get going to the barn then, I'd rather be early than late" Alejandro said aloud.
The trio finally made it to the front door waiting for Applejack to come outside and show them the work they needed to do. As they wait at the front door of the barn, they can hear the hoof clicks of a pony making it to the door, with an unseen motion the top is pushed out from the entrance and Applejack could be seen. The orange pony looked at the three males for a moment before speaking, "Alright, so I'll give y'all some stuff to keep y'all busy while me and my folks eat breakfast. Afterwards we'll start the real deal." The jack nodded his head and responded "Yeah, sounds good." Applejack simply points out and asks the three to pick up fallen sticks, rake the leaves, and pick the weeds from the lawn. The earth pony headed back inside, leaving the group to themselves. "Ok… how are we supposed to rake these leaves?" Alejandro asked the other two. "Guess we'll just have to use the rake with our mouths, but it's definitely going to be difficult" Dark responded. Alejandro thinks for a moment before talking "Alright how you try to rake the leaves, I'll take care of removing the weeds since I've done that when I was…" the donkey looked at his hooves, "when I had thumbs… but I still know what to do regardless, take it out from the roots." The unicorn looked at the rake with apprehension before he clamped his jaw around the shaft and tilted it into position. "Mhm bhm!" he murmured to Mort. "Uh, was I supposed to… I'll just pick up the sticks." Mort commented trodding off.
Applejack had finished eating with her family, they had talked about the strangers for a bit and if they could really pull their weight around and how they probably would need to talk with them for how long they plan to stay or their plans for employment. The farmer pony walks outside to observe the progress the trio have made… only to witness quite a sight. There was the good, the bad, and the ugly all at once. First was Mort, he had successful piled a couple sticks which wasn't really hard to be fair, but that wasn't what caught Applejacks eye the most, it was that grey unicorn equipped with the rake, he took the rake and smacked it into the leaves over and over so much so that the farm pony thought the old rake would bust. Alejandro on the other hand, did a good job in uprooting the weeds, with the majority of the lawn being cleaned up, the only issue was that he violently coughed and gagged as he choked out the words "I breathed some dirt in *Wheeze* from my mouth *Cough*." It took a moment for Applejack to gather her wits before calling out "Alright, alright, stop! Stop you three!" The others did a quick turn letting go of their tasks to stand at attention… while the donkey continued to cough up a lung getting dirt out of their mouth. Applejack raised a hoof to her face and shakes her head as she thinks. "...certainly ain't a good first impression, but now ain't no time to dawdle, we got to get in the field quick now, so y'all better up the performance before I kick y'all to the curb faster than the jack rabbit on sunday!" she exclaimed. Just as before the three fell into line with a unified "Yes ma'am!" before they followed behind her.
The farm work was hard and time consuming for the group, Applejack had explained the basics of each of the tasks before them. Alejandro was given the duty of plowing the fields to prepare them for the next harvest, while Dark and Mort went to buck and collect a small part of the apples in the massive orchard. By the time it was midday, Applejack was able to look over the group's overall progress and deemed it… adequate. "Alright y'all three, lunch time. You have an hour to take it easy, just be ready to get back at it" Applejack said with a nod. When she finally leaves to enter her house the trio huddle back up. Dark would be the first to let out a sigh "Okay, we made it through the first half of the day and already feeling it, we gotta figure out something to sustain us so we can get outta Applejack's hair." he said taking a breather. "Well, if we want a job outside of the Apple family farm we probably need to register as residents or citizens at the town hall, I doubt anyone would hire people that came from who knows where with no documentation or identity." The donkey said to the group. "Right, sounds like the best idea right now, we better get moving fast though." he said already moving toward the gate. As the jack follows Dark he looks back to Mort and asks "How are you hanging in there buddy?" The earth pony slowly steps in the marching order and replied "Honestly, I just want a fucking bed, but I know we have to manage for now, don't worry I'll try my best to stay strong."
Ponyville was as lively as ever as the three former humans made their way through the town and past the people inhabiting it. Thanks to the town hall not being too far from the entrance of the town, the group made it in little to no time. "Here, let me take this one Dark" Alejandro spoke up to the leading unicorn stepped aside as Alejandro opened the front doors of the town hall. They are greeted by an older mare at a large desk with a decent amount of paperwork scattered around. "Hello, are you the mayor?" Alejandro asks, already knowing the answer. "Oh, why yes I am! How can I help you fine gentlecolts?" Mayor Mare said as she goes to greet them. "Yeah, my name is Alejandro and these are my friends Dark and Mort, and we wanted to register as residents in Ponyville since we're new here" Alejandro said to the mare. "Is there some paperwork we need to fill out?" the jack questioned while he walked inside the building with the others. "Oh? New in town are we? Well if you're going to be living here I'll give you three the paperwork and you'll need to provide your full names, your date of birth, where you were born, and where you will be taking up residence." The Mayor said as she gave each of them the three page packets to fill out along with writing utensils. "What do we put if we are temporarily taking residence with other already registered peo-… ponies and their home?" Alejandro asked after he put down the packet given to him. "Well, you would put that it would be a temporary home at the question of where your home would be and write down the home you are currently staying at." the gray maned pony replies.
Some time passed when the heavy realization dawned on the three… they couldn't write anything down with their mouths… except Mort who seemed to master it after he saw the Mayor work on her paperwork. "Jeth, ith haad to white sthuf down wiff yo moath" Alejandro said with his pen in his mouth. "Daumn Moort, hoow you so guwd ad dis." Dark said, as he struggled to speak. The earth pony would look at the others having trouble before trotting over "Don't worry guys I can sign for you, just give me a minute." Dark would let him sign his paper, but Alejandro being an actual stubborn ass refused on the grounds of "I'll need to do this at some point." After a longer than needed session of paperwork the three finally rushed back to the Apple Family Farm. It wasn't until they made it back to the farm that they realized their grave mistake. A choir of three rumbling bellies could be heard as they made it back onto the Farm's Lawn. "Well shit, we forgot to do the most important thing didn't we?" Alejandro said to the others. They both looked at each other in a pained expression "It's not like we'd be able to get anything anyway with the whole empty pockets problem." The unicorn pointed out. "True" the jack commented as he waited with the other three by the farm's main door.
When Applejack stepped out of her home she was greeted by the sight of the three stallions as they groaned and laid on their backs. "How can you look like death warmed over when y'all just finished your break?" Applejack asked genuinely confused at the scene before her. "Well you know, when the whole point of the break was to eat something, and you don't do that… it really can bring you crashing down, I'll say." the donkey said while he struggled to get to his hooves. "Also, still no money." Dark repeats. "And no money equals no food, but hey at least we went and signed ourselves up for even more work right?" he said, as he ended his rant. Applejack looked upon the trio with sympathy as she spoke "Just wait right there." "Don't worry, we weren't planning on going anywhere" Alex responded. Applejack then walked back inside her home, after a few minutes she returned with a bowl of half a dozen apples. AJ placed the bowl in front of the group before she spoke again. "It ain't much, but hopefully it will hold ya." The three of them each grabbed two apples from the bowl. As Alejandro took a bite from one of his apples, he looked up to Applejack and spoke a complement to her "Ma'am… you are a saint."
Once the group finished their snacks, the farm pony got them started up again with their jobs once again. The group had less trouble than they had earlier today and actually earned a nod of approval from Applejack for their effort. However, this was not without severe fatigue from having worked themselves to the bone. As the group of friends made it back to their shed to rest, they were met with Applejack at the door of their 'home'. "Oh hey, did you need something before we hit the hay?" the donkey asked the earth pony. "No, I'm here to give y'all somethin'" Applejack reaches into a bag she was wearing and pulls out an apple pie. "Felt bad havin' y'all head to bed with empty stomachs, especially after really picking up the work today." AJ gives the pie to Alex as she spoke. "Thank you, tomorrow we're going job hunting, so you won't have to feel obligated to do this or anything and hopefully we'll get out of your hair soon enough." Alex responded as he placed it on the floor. "Yeah, this pie will be a real lifesaver, hopefully we will be able to pay you back someday." Dark said as he attempted to eat a portion of the pie without causing it to fall apart. Applejack gave the group a nod before heading back into her home.
As the group continued to eat their gifted pie, they spoke more about their skill sets and expertise to narrow down what jobs they would look and apply for. "Well, I was a county clerk before and by the looks of things… The mayor is running everything by herself, so I think my option is pretty obvious as an assistant." Alejandro shared with the group. "Something we've done before eh?" Dark pondered. "Well I have experience as a librarian, so I'll probably try for a position at the Golden Oak for sometime, you know until her majesty arrives." the unicorn paused for a second and looked to his horn "I should probably figure how this thing works as well, since I'll be surrounded by knowledge." he finished, looking as if he were trying to conjure even the slightest bit of magic. "They have restaurants right?" Mort said remembering the one he saw in town, "I think that would be a reliable place for me." It won't be too different right? He thought. "Well with your freaky power you should be fine… could you always do that?" Alex asked as he finished up his third of the pie. "Uh… kinda I guess, I always was watching people do things, like on Youtube and stuff." Mort said unsure why things made more sense when he saw them. Alex just shrugged as he made his way to his patch of hay. "Well, whatever it is your doing should become pretty useful tomorrow, we'd better be ready to impress the people hiring in our respective fields." said the unicorn as he gave up on his attempts at casting magic and settled down for the night.
That morning it became apparent to the group that Mort had the daily trouble of standing up and walking. A matter that once again was solved fairly quickly as he watched Alex and Dark walk around for a bit. Applejack hadn't given them busy work this time and instead got them into the most important jobs around the farm. As the grueling hours passed at a snail's pace, the group prepared for their break. As they we're going to leave Applejack spoke to them. "Alright, that's it for today. Go job huntin' around town after your break, me and my big brother can handle the rest." "Oh thank goodness, I didn't know if an hour would have been enough…" the donkey said to his friends. "Speakin' of which, y'all should buy somethin' to eat." the orange pony said as she passed over a pouch filled with some bits. The trio gladly accepted the money "You really don't let anyone go unhelped do you?" Dark said graciously before he and the others set off for Ponyville.
Upon the group arriving in Ponyville, they shared a meal together before they split up to their desired places of work. The first that arrived at their destination was the yellow earth pony Mort. In front of him was the entrance to a fairly regular restaurant called The Salty Oatcake, he took some quick breaths before opening the double doors at stepping inside. As Mort took in the atmosphere around him he noted one major thing, "This place looks like shit." Mort said quietly. It was true, the place was a mess, cobwebs in the corners and dust covering many of the surfaces. There was only one customer who was being served by what seemed to be the only waiter in the building. There was only one other pony in the restaurant who was stationed behind the bar, that must be the owner Mort thought as he approached the counter. He was an abnormally large stallion with a brown quaffed mane and stern bushy brows. The stallion looked at him from the glass he was cleaning to look at Mort "And what can I do for you sunny." he grunted out. Mort looked at him in his eyes "I've come to work here, you in need of any staff?" he said confidently. The bartender looked Mort over with an examining eye before speaking again "Do I need any staff?" he questioned sarcastically, "You don't seem to understand where you are boy… You see I only accept the best, the strongest, and most capable workers to work here." he stated with a stern gaze. Mort looked at the stallion to see if he was really serious and he most definitely was it seemed, "Uh okay dude, you clearly crazy so I'll just get out of your place alright?" Mort said before slowly backing towards the door. The stallion set his glass on the counter in front of him and cracked his neck, "And who told you that you could cut work early?" Then with alarming speed the large stallion jumped over the counter and dived in front of the entrance of the restaurant, "Time to see what you got boy, the name is Sammie, your new boss." Sammie quickly put Mort into a headlock before dragging him towards the kitchen, it had been too late for the yellow earth pony to realize what was happening to him and as was forced into the kitchen the last thing ponies would hear is the muffled scream when the door shut behind him… along with the a deep menacing voice "Quit yer' yapping it's just a hair net."
While walking down the street toward the Golden Oak library Dark was met by the usually busy atmosphere of the village ponies, He knew very well what the library looked like, but he also knew this job would only last so long, as soon as he saw any sign of Twilight, he'd be out of there as quick as he came. "Well, I better head inside then." the unicorn told himself. Of course it wasn't a very large library given the space inside and he already knew some of its layout too. His surroundings became quiet very quickly as he had shut the door and cut the din from outside, there was only one pony inside which he assumed to be the head librarian. As he headed over towards them Dark spoke up "Excuse me miss, can I have a moment of your time?" The aged mare looked up from their desk toward Dark blinking a couple of times before responding, "Oh, hello there young sir, did you ask me something?" Noting that the mare may be hard of hearing Dark raised his voice "Yeah! I'm looking for work and thought I'd try applying here!" He attempted to say clearly. "You're looking for "dirt"? Sorry youngster we aren't "supplying" that here." the mare responded. "Right…" Dark wore a pained expression, of course it had to be difficult he thought. "One second," Dark said before looking at the shelves of books, there had to be some kind of guide to getting a job in here. It wasn't very long before Dark found a book called Getting a Job is Easy, he grabbed the book, went back to the counter and set it down before yelling "Work! Please!" The mare lowered their glasses, looked to the book and then the unicorn. "You, want a job?" the mare questioned. "Well why did you ask about dirt then?" Dark stood there trying to control himself "Can I work here!" He pleaded. The librarian put their hoof on their chin and thought, "Well it would be nice to have someone that can reach the higher shelves." said the older pony, "As long as you prove you have the skill, then I don't see why not… how about you come in tomorrow morning?" she asked. The unicorn nodded quickly, now he would be able to spend sometime looking for sources on the study of magic… "Tomorrow?!" he exclaimed, "I'm not sure we can borrow much more money." he murmured to himself. How was he gonna face the others and tell them they would have to go hungry again!
Alex had made his way back to the town hall of Ponyville with a serious demeanor. Just like yesterday, the donkey opened the door and greeted the mayor with a cheery tone "Good afternoon mayor!" The older mare looked up from her paperwork to greet the jack. "Good afternoon, how can I help you?" Alex stood by her desk as he gave her a smile. "Well, I was hoping I could help you actually. I'm looking for a job and it looks like you're doing most of this work by yourself, which can't be very fun." The mayor raised a brow to the donkey "You have experience in government?" Alex stood up with pride before speaking "Well, in my last job I was a County Clerk, so I have experience with public records and civil services." The mayor took off her glasses as she looked at the jack. "Well, how's about this…" the mare said as she placed a stack of papers in an empty section of her desk "I do have trouble from time to time but you have to prove you have what it takes. If you can complete this paperwork for me, and if upon review you do so adequately, I'll hear you out." "Well, I better not disappoint." Alex said to himself as he grabbed a free pin and the stack of papers and got to work. After an hour and a half Alex dropped off the completed and organized stack of papers in front of the mature mare. "Well let's see…" the earth pony flipped through the stack and was pleasantly surprised. "Hm… seems you do have some experience, you even took the time to organize them by date and type. Ok, take a seat and I'll ask some follow up questions." Alex nodded his head and sat down in a seat. "So, you said you were a county clerk. Do you have any experience in financial keeping and scheduling?" the mayor asked the donkey "I do actually, I would financially manage for my father's business from time to time. Additionally I was used to following and making my own scheduling for due dates of documents." "I can tell by your work and diction that you have solid grammar… though your calligraphy could use some work. Ok, congratulations! Tomorrow you start your new job as my executive assistant... Alejandro, correct?" the donkey nods his head as speaks "Thank you so much! I promise not to let you down."
The sun started to set around the same time the group met back up again. The walk back to the Apple Family Farm had a mood made up by a combination of annoyed, anxious and excited. They made it back to the farm to see Applejack wave them down by the main door. "So, how'd the job huntin' go fellas?" the orange pony asked the group. Alex was the first to speak up with some excitement in his voice "Pretty good I think, tomorrow morning I'm gonna be the mayor's executive assistant." Applejack eye's actually widened in surprise "Well I'll be… that is pretty impressive." AJ responded. "How about the rest of y'all?" Dark was the one to respond next "Well it was a rocky start and I wasn't able to get working today, but eventually I was able to secure a position as an assistant librarian." he explained as he looked for Mort's story. The yellow earth pony had been silent since town, it wasn't really unusual for Mort, but he had been thinking hard for quite some time. Mort was also equipped with a new belt that had a bag attached to it, he grabbed the bag and set it on the ground revealing a small sum of money inside it "I never want to go to work again…" he said with a haunted stare. "Mort… how did you get hired and paid on your first day?" Alex said in disbelief "Did you have this kind of luck in real life? I feel like you've rolled average in our DND games…" Dark softly kicked Alex and tilted his head toward Applejack before Mort spoke again "Well at least we have some money, I could really use a cheeseburger about now." The unicorn quickly gave a slap to Mort as well before turning to Applejack "Maybe it will be best if we just hit the hay tonight, looks like these two could use it with the amount of sense they're making." he jested. Alex simply rolled his eyes before he responded with "Yeah, guess I'm a bit overly happy that I got the job and we can buy food. Alright, I'm heading to bed." and with that he made his way to the shed. The two follow behind him "Don't worry A.J. after work we'll pay for whatever rent we owe." Dark said before the trio had settled into their shed for the night. Just as the three finally were out of ear shot Applejack murmured to herself "Those three are a weird bunch…"