Luu Luu arrived at the Rainbooms' fraternity house after a few minutes of flying through East Liverpool with Toby riding happily on Bigjaw. As he was flying below the leaves that were surrounded by rolls of apple trees on each side, the small child looked at them in wonder. He looked over Luu Luu's shoulder to see they were approaching the house.
There was rolls of corn, a chicken coup, fences, and in the center was a big stage painted blue, with red curtains that have yellow star designs on each side.
"WOW! Luu Luu, I never been at this house before, and never seen, so many apple trees before. Is this all of the Rainbooms'?" He softly asked as they landed on the ground.
She nodded her head. "Yeah it is kid. Welcome to Rainboom, the Rainbooms' home." She smiled back at him while she got off of Bigjaw and walked up onto the front porch of the house, and walked inside. "Grave, I'm here!"
Spike came running to greet her when she saw the small child on Bigjaw's back. She sat on his haunches, and looked at him curiously.
"Hey Spike. I would like you to meet Toby." She turned her head back to look at Toby. "Toby I would like for you to meet the Rainbooms' loyal friend, and pet dog, Spike." Bigjaw bent on her forelegs to let the little boy climb off.
He smiled at the dog. "Hi there Spike." He lifted up a hand, and waved at him. "The dog smiled, and yipped at the child as he ran up to him. He reached up with his forelegs, and placed his paws on his shoulders licking at his face making him giggle. "Hahaha.. it is good to meet you too Spike." He reached up a hand, and gently stroked from the top of his head down his back.
Luu Luu smiled at the two, and giggled. "Well, would you look at that. Spike usually doesn't warm up to strangers that fast, but I knew he probably would with you Toby." She gently rubbed the top of Spike's head with her hand. "That's a good boy Spike."
The dog looked up at his friend yipping happily. He gave Toby a little lick before taking his paws off his shoulders, and went back into the kitchen
He looked up at the halfling. "He is a pretty, and nice dog, Luu Luu." Giving her a smile.
"Well, thank you Toby. Twilight had him ever since she was a girl, and Spike has been her best friend during high school. He is a goof pet, and she loves him." She smiled at the child, and gave him a rub on the head with a hand.
"Hiya Toby." Applejack came walking into the living room.
Toby waved his hand at her. "Hi Applejack. How are you doing today?" He looked up at her.
"Ah'm doing good. Just helping Sunset fix breakfast. Come on, we have plenty." She smiled, and carried him. "Haha.. there ya go."
Luu Luu smiled at the two as she walked behind. She heard the screen door open, and turned to see Grave. She then turned back to Applejack. "Hey Applejack, bring Toby here for a minute."
She turned around, and nodded. "Ah'righty." She walked back into the living room with the little boy. She saw Grave, and smiled as she placed Toby down on the ground.
"Hi Uncle Grave." Toby spoke softly.
"Hello there Toby." He reached out a hand, and very gently patted his shoulder.
Toby carefully walked closer to him, and gave him a hug around his leg with his little arms. Grave was taken aback, but smiled warmly as he lifted a hand up, and hugged the little boy back.
"What are you taking so long?" Sunset came walking into the living room slowly. "Oh. Well, hello there little guy. It's good to see you."
Toby heard her voice, and gently broke the hug from Grave around to wave at her. "Good morning Sunset Shimmer." He smiled at her as he felt a force lift him up with Grave carefully carrying him.
"Let's go eat some breakfast." The knight said as Toby smiled, as they all went into the kitchen. When they arrived at a nice big wooden table, Grave placed Toby down, and take a seat. The two sat beside each other as Applejack, and Luu Luu sat beside each other across from them with Sunset sitting at the head of the table.
He looked up at Grave. "Thank you Uncle Grave."
"You are very welcome big guy." He smiled at the child, and gently rubbed at his head.
Toby turned his attention to the table which was covered with a white cloth with apple-like designs sewed into it. There was plates set in front of each of them, and each plates had a stack of two pancakes with everyone having pancakes, and him having pancakes, scrambled eggs, toast, and there was a glass of fresh apple cider for everyone.
"Alright everybody, let's dig in." Luu Luu said proudly as everyone started to eat.
Toby reached for the silverware provided, and started eating at his place starting with the pancakes. As he bit into the fluffy pillows of food, he could taste sweet syrup blended with melted butter, and the texture was so soft that it melted in his mouth. He swallowed his first bite, and smiled softly as he took a bite of the eggs.
After she finished her bite of food, Sunset looked at the little boy, and asked. "Well, how do you like your breakfast little guy?" Giggling softly.
Toby looked up from his plate, and smiled softly taking a swallow of his food. "It is very good Sunset Shimmer. Thank you for letting me eat breakfast with you all." HE looked around at the table at the four people.
"You are very welcome kid. You are always welcomed here at the house." Luu Luu smiled at the child as Applejack nodded in agreement with a big bright smile. Toby smiled at the two, and went back to eating his breakfast.
After their breakfast Luu Luu rubbed at her belly. "Man! I'm stuffed." She smiled at Applejack. "You did a fine job with breakfast there Applejack." She winked at her, and then looked up at Sunset. "And of course my thanks to the master chef, Sunset." She said giggling softly.
Applejack smiled brightly. "Thank ya Luu Luu. Ah' believe Ah' will be a great cook. Ah' just have to keep on working with my friends." She turned to Sunset. "You are indeed a great friend Sunset, and a great teacher."
"Well, I learned that at class back at CHS, and I am proud to be here with you, and you little guy." She added giggling happily.
Luu Luu looked over at Toby with a smile. "Well Toby, are you ready to go outside, and take a tour of the place?"
He nodded happily. "Yes Luu Luu." Grave stood up on his legs, and scooted close to the child, so he could climb up on his back. Toby obliged, and carefully climbed on Grave as he reached for his plate, so they could go take their empty dishes into the kitchen.
After putting their dishes into the sink to be washed the four went outside while Sunset went to work on cleaning the dishes. 'That little kid sure is cute, and a very polite gentlemen.' She thought to herself.
Grave turned to look at the child on his back as the four walked outside. "Alright big guy, it is time for you to see how all of the Rainbooms' fresh apple products are started." Giving him a big smile as they walked along the dirt path to the vast land of apple trees.
When they arrived at the orchard stopping at one of the many apple trees, Grave leaned down on his legs to let Toby climb off. He climbed off, and looked up at the tree to see bright red, and green apples on the branches. At the base of the tree there were two bushels on each side.
Luu Luu looked at the little boy with a smile. "Alright Toby, are you ready to see some applebucking?" She smiled.
"What is applebucking Luu Luu?" He looked up at her curiously.
Applejack looked over at him with a soft smile. "Well, instead of telling us ya'll buddy, we will show ya." She walked up t the tree, and raised her arm toward it. Then her geode glowed, and then, she punched it with force knocking it against the tree. Suddenly every single apple came tumbling down into the bushels.
"WOW! That was neat Applejack." He looked at her in wonder, and then turned his attention to all of the apple trees. "Did you applebuck all of these trees?"
Grave nodded, and looked down at him. "Yeah." He gently rubbed at the top of Toby's head. "You see Toby, it is worth it when you have magic in the end where all of the people come to taste their freshly squeezed apple cider, or taste their freshly homemade apple treats."
Toby giggled. and nodded as the other joined in with giggling.
Luu Luu raised a corner of her mouth in a thinking manner. "Hmm.. I know kid, how about you help us sort out the bad apples from the good apples?"
He looked up with a hopeful smile. "Really Luu Luu, you don't mind me helping?"
"Of course I don't mind Toby." She walked up to him, and reached a hand behind him to rub his back with a hand. "The more help, the better they think." Giving him a wink as she along with Grave went to the buckets to carry them to the side away from the tree.
They sat on each side of the bucket, while Applejack and Toby sat on each side of the other bucket. Applejack looked over at him. "Now all ya do is keep the clean apples in the bushel, and just throw the bruised apple, or ones that have holes in them into a pile to mix with the feed we give to the pigs."
"Oh, okay." He smiled at the young woman as he reached into the bushel to look through the pile of apples. While they were sorting out the pile Toby thought of a memory with him and his mother. "Me, and Mommy used to do something like this with my candy when she took me trick, or treating on Halloween."
Luu Luu looked up curiously. "Halloween?" She asked as they continued to sort through the apples.
"Yes. It is where me, and other kids around my age dress up in costumes, and go around collect candy. Mommy started taking me when I was two, and it was, so much fun." He had a warm smile on his face as he gently closed his eyes taking a deep breath then opening them back up. "It was one of our special things to do together." He looked carefully at the apples as he went through them.
"Well, that sounds sweet kid." Luu Luu looked over at him with a soft smile. "We have a celebration back in Eostia just like Halloween. But our Halloween is different, and we all dress up in festive costumes. The kids play games and eat treats as well." She giggled.
"Yeah, it is always fun on Halloween. You get to eat all the treats you want, but just make sure you don't eat too much, or you will get a tummy ache." Grave gently nudged Toby as they both giggled. "You also get to play fun games like bobbing for apples, pumpkin launching, and all sorts of fun."
"Yeah. Parents usually take the little ones on a ride on a horse around Rad. They always enjoy that." Luu Luu chuckled.
"Charles host the bobbing for apples event." She sighed. "Maybe you can join us, and the others this year. Just will be difficult to try, and get Prim out, because she tends to get real scared on Halloween." She gave the little boy a little smile. "She might get out though for you Toby. I'm sure she will be okay taking you out trick, or treating, and we'll have fun."
"That does sound fun, but I don't want to make Auntie Prim do something she really doesn't want to." He sighed softly. "I will ask her though, if she would like to do that when Halloween comes." Giving a hopeful smile. He continued to sort through the apples with Applejack.
After separating the bad apples from the good apples, and collecting them in another bushel, Applejack lifted the child on her back. Grave got the bushel of good apples while Luu Luu got the bushel of bad apples, and Applejack walked with Toby toward the stage with Luu Luu in tow while Grave went to take the good apples to the house to get washed.
While beside the stage Applejack let Toby climb off her back and Luu Luu set down her bushel. Applejack rubbed at the top of Toby's head gently with a hand. "How sugarcube, would ya like to help feed the pigs?"
He nodded. "Yes Applejack." Looking up with a bright smile.
"Well, ah'righty." She looked at Luu Luu. "Luu Luu, go get the grain and corn." Luu Luu raised a hand up in a salute, and ran out of the stage to retrieve the sacs of grain, and corn which was in the house. "While we wait for her, what do ya say Toby in helping me mash up these apples. We can always wash our hands off with the house here at the stage, so don't worry about getting messy." She giggled, and Toby nodded.
Applejack sat on her rear near the bushel, and placed her hands into the pile of bad apples. "Now what ya got to do sugarcube is just press the apples as hard as you can. Like this." She started pressing her hands down against the apples starting to crush them underneath the pressure, soon becoming mush. "There, now ya try it Toby while Ah' do this side." He nodded, and placed his hands into the bushel.
He giggled at the mushiness of the apples as he was pressing and pushing his hands into them. "Hehehe.. it tickles Applejack, but this is fun." As he started to mash the apples in a steady motion pushing his palms into them hard.
"Haha.. Ah' knew ya would like it sugarcube." The country girl smiled at the child as they continued to mash the apples.
Luu Luu returned with the sacs of grain, and corn in one hand, and the other one in the other hand. She watched the two mashing up the apples, and giggled. She placed the two sacs by Applejack. "Here you go Applejack. Haha.. well, it looks like you are having a good time." She smiled at both of them as she opened the top of the sacs.
"Ah'right Luu Luu, pour the grain, and corn in, and ya can join in as we all mix it up." Luu Luu nodded as she poured in the grain first, then the corn, throwing the empty sacs to the side. She sat down on her rear, and placed her hands into the bushel, and all three started mixing up the grain, corn, and mushed apples.
After mixing all of the ingredients together Applejack looked up at the two. "Ah'right y'all, let's go get our hands, washed before we feed the pigs." She stood up on her legs as the two followed suit and they went over to a side of the house where a hose sat. She grabbed at the nozzle, and reached up with a hand to turn the hose on.
The water came out in a steady stream as Applejack washed her hands off first. "Ah'right sugarcubes, just hold out your hands, and Ah'll get them taken care of." She winked at the child, and Luu Luu. The two nodded, and held out their arms. Applejack pointed the nozzle at them, and washed all of the mushy mess off. Making sure they were nice and clean, she reached up to turn off the hose, and placed the nozzle back on it's nozzle rest.
She looked down at the little boy, and gave a smirk. She walked behind him, and lifted him up onto her back. "How would ya like to ring the dinner bell for the pigs Toby?"
"I would like that Applejack." He said excitedly as she chuckled, and walked over to the dinner bell. Luu Luu followed behind the two, and stood underneath the handle to open the gate for the two to get in the pen. "Just stand up on my back sugarcube, and on the count of three ring it." He nodded, and carefully stood up on her back. "Ah'right, ready? One... two... three!"
Toby reached up, and pulled at the string which was attached to a gold bell. Applejack poured the mixture into the troth as Luu Luu leaped up, and pulled down the handle to close the wooden gate. The pigs came rushing out, and started scarfing down their meal.
"Woo doggy! Ya did a very fine job helping sugarcube, Ah'm proud of ya." She looked up at him on her back, and chuckled softly.
He blushed. "Thank you Applejack. That was very fun, but messy." He giggled with a bright smile.
Luu Luu looked up at him as they were walking out of the pen. "That was good job indeed buddy. I am proud of you too." She smiled brightly up at him.
Grave came walking back out of the house as he watched the three exit the pig pen with smiles on their faces, and chuckling. He walked toward them. "Well, now, it looks like you had a fun time feeding the pigs." He smiled at the three.
"We sure did Uncle Grave, It was messy, but very fun." Toby giggled as Applejack bent on her legs to let him climb off.
Grave rubbed at the top of his head with a hand. "Well, that is good to hear big guy. I know, how would you like to help me plow the field? You can plant the seeds into the soil while I plow. It is suppose to rain tomorrow, so they should have a god field of corn." He looked down at the child with a smile. "What do you say Toby, would you like to help?"
Toby looked up at him, and nodded as he looked up at Applejack. "Can I Applejack?"
"Of course sugarcube. Me, and Luu Luu will be in the house helping Sunset bake some apple pies when y'all get done, ah'right." She gave him a gentle rub on his head as he nodded. Her, and Luu Luu walked toward the house.
"Hop on big guy." Grave leant down on his leg, and Toby climbed up onto his back. Grave turned, and walked toward the piece of farmland that was bare. As he was walking he turned to look at the child. "Hey big guy, Kin told me about what happened with your mom, and I sure am sorry that you lost her." He sighed deeply. "I would like to tell you though, that you made her proud last night at the talent show. I was there, and you filled my heart up with your piano playing."
Toby smiled softly. "Thank you Uncle Grave. It is okay though, because I know she still lives in my heart, and she watches over me." He said as he sat on the knight's back.
"Also, I heard that your dad blamed you for the loss of your mom Toby." He stopped walking, and leant on his leg to let him climb off As he climbed off, Grave gently moved in front of him, and placed his hands on his shoulders gently looking into his eyes. "You listen to me big guy, it was not your fault at all for what happened to your mom. It was a bad time, and you didn't deserve any of the blame your dad put on you, do you understand me?" Asking in a serious yet gentle tone.
Toby looked up at him, and nodded with small tears stinging at his eyes. "Yes I understand Uncle Grave. Thank you for that." He wrapped his little arms around the knight's big neck, and laid his head against his chest sighing softly.
Grave reached up with a hand, and rubbed at his back. "Now, there ain't no need to thank me Toby, I'm just telling you the truth." He smiled down at the small child, and gently pulled him away to look back into his eyes. "If you would like Toby, you can call me either Uncle Grave, or you can just call me Grave. I won't mind with whatever you choose to call me." Giving him a warm smile, and wink.
Toby looked up and smiled happily. "I think I like to call you Uncle Grave." He giggled as Grave reached up to rub at his head gently.
"Well, that sounds fine with me big guy." He chuckled. "Now how about we go do some plowing." He lifted the little boy back up, and made his way toward the empty area of the farm.
As the sun was slowly descending, now casting warm deep golden hue over East Liverpool, Grave, and Toby were just finishing up with the plowing. Grave took the big took the big collar off of Sawblade, and turned to look at the rows that would soon be many stalks of corn.
"Well Toby, I would have to say we did a mighty fine job." He stood on his legs looking proudly as he smiled down at the little boy.
Toby looked up at him with a bright smile, and nodded. "Yes we did Uncle Grave. Thank you for letting me help you with the plowing."
"You are very welcome big guy. Like Applejack said, the more help the better." He chuckled, and gently rubbed at the top of his head with a hand. He then lifted the child up, and turned to make the way to the house.
Luu Luu, Applejack, and Sunset were outside sitting on the porch enjoying the view of the sun as the two came walking up to them. "Well, now, did ya have a good time with Grave sugarcube?" She smiled at Toby on Grave's arms.
"Yes Applejack. Uncle Grave told me when the seeds begin to grow then you will have bunches of corn and I could come pick some for me and Auntie Prim if I want to." He smiled at her.
"That would be ah'right with me sugarcube. Ya will love our corn as much as ya love our apples." She chuckled as she tipped her hat. "Well, Ah' guess it is time to get ya back home, so you can eat dinner with Prim."
He nodded. "Okay Applejack." Grave leant down to let him climb off. After he got on the ground he turned, and gave Grave a hug. "I had a good time today, and I learned a lot of what it takes to work here at the house." He sighed softly. "I love you Uncle Grave."
Grave felt his eyes on the verge of tears, but closed them to prevent himself from crying. "Aww.. well, I love you too big guy, we can come by to the house anytime we want, alright?" He rubbed at the child's back with a hand.
Toby tilted his head back to look up at him. "I would like that Uncle Grave." Giving him a big smile as he gently broke away, and turned to walk toward the other two. He walked to Sunset, and lightly wrapped his arms around her neck, and laid his head against her shoulder. "Bye Sunset Shimmer, thank you for the breakfast this morning. I really liked it, and it was very good."
Sunset smiled warmly, and hugged him back with her arms. "You are very welcome little guy, I'm glad you enjoyed it, but there's no need to thank me. I was honored to fix it for you. I can't wait to see you again, you are a very sweet little boy, and don't you forget that. You understand?" He looked up, and nodded as she leaned her head down to give him a gentle kiss on the forehead.
He gently broke his hug from Sunset, and walked up to Applejack who patted him on the shoulder looking at him. "Bye Toby, Ah' enjoyed you coming to visit today. Ah' knew ya would love here at the house." Giving him a little nuzzle on the top of his head.
He blushed. "I enjoyed being here Applejack. Hehe.. I had fun mashing up those apples with you, and Luu Luu." They all chuckled in unison as Toby turned to see Luu Luu and Grave on Bigjaw and Bomber leaning on his forelegs for him to climb on.
"Hop on Toby, and let's go home." She said softly as he climbed up onto Bigjaw's back. "See ya." She waved a hand at them.
"Bye everyone, thank you for letting me come visit the house." Toby waved a hand at them.
"You are welcome sugarcube. See ya next time." Applejack smiled warmly, and waved a hand along with Sunset as they watched Luu Luu and Grave started to flew off toward East Liverpool, and the catacombs.
*Woof.. woof* The bark of Spike could be heard as he came running out of the house, and caught up with Luu Luu and Grave. "You want to join us boy, hop on." He yipped, and hopped on Bigjaw's back sitting beside Toby.
Toby reached a hand up and started to gently stroke from his head down his back. "Hi Spike." He smiled at the dog, and he licked at his face yipping as he giggled happily. Luu Luu followed suit in chuckling herself.
Applejack, and Sunset drew their attention to Grave, and asked curiously in unison. "Uncle Grave?"
"Hey, what can Luu Luu say, Toby needs a father figure in his life, and Vault can volunteer to be that for him." The two women d'awwed at the thought. "Ah'right, ah'right, let's get in the house, and get supper ready." They giggled as they walked in, and shut the door behind him.