[IC] MLP {Raddum and NozomiCrimson}

[Todd Howard]

Granyl looked at Sweet Apple Acres as it came into view, also being able to see some of the Apple Orchard. Which caused him to whistle. "I knew there was quite a few trees, but I hadn't even seen those yet...! There's so many..." Two ponies, bucking all of those apples? She was right to think he'd be surprised; because he was.

[NozomiCrimson]

Midnight nodded, "Yes, there are plenty of apple trees, it's incredible how they manage the place. There's so much to be done..." She continued walking, gazing around at the Orchard.

[Todd Howard]

Granyl kind of felt like he'd get in the way of all of this work. Two ponies had to have quite a system in order to get it all done, maybe the reason Applejack didn't accept help was because of that? It was the best reasoning Granyl could think of. "Could make somepony tired just thinking about it." He was honestly kind of excited at this point; these must have been some amazing individuals he was going to see. He had to wonder what they'd be like.

[NozomiCrimson]

She nodded, "I know I get tired thinking about it. Well, just over this hill here is their house." She smiled at him and trotted up to the top of the hill.

[Todd Howard]

Following, Granyl blinked as they reached the top of the hill, looking at the farm. "Wow..." He stared, looking around. At the main household, the barn, the fields... The orchard of what seemed to be endless apple trees. "Looks even more amazing up close." He commented, noting the place was in good condition.

[NozomiCrimson]

Midnight smiled a little and looked around as well. She had never been this close to the farm and was still amazed at the place she had always heard about. She looked up at Granyl, "Are we going down there?"

[Todd Howard]

"Well, we came this far, so why not?" Granyl replied with a smile, beginning his way down the hill.

[NozomiCrimson]

Midnight nodded and followed him, walking slightly behind him but was still next to him. She continued to look around, simply amazed at all the trees. She had never been this close to it all before.

[Todd Howard]

Reaching the bottom of the hill, Granyl glanced towards the buildings on the farm. It seemed quiet, still. Though maybe that was just because there wasn't many ponies around. As far as his knowledge went, there were only two ponies running the whole place. A pretty hefty task, considering all the apples. And the general upkeep the farm might require. He was about to comment on how nopony was around, until a voice shot up from beyond a few of the Apple Orchard's trees.

"Howdy!"

Granyl's eyes shot towards the trees; noticing the one who spoke as she emerged, carrying two baskets stuffed with apples. She carefully hopped over the fence; An orange mare with a yellow mane, her hat somewhat covering her face from few until she lifted her head and caused it to tilt upwards somewhat, revealing a happy, but curious, expression. "Somethin' Ah can do for you two?" She questioned; noting she'd never seen either of them before. She'd seen a Zebra before, but Midnight's appearance threw her off momentarily as it was... Odd. Of course, the last time she judged a pony by their appearance, it was quite a regretful mistake. A mistake she wouldn't be making twice.

Smiling at the fact the mare treated Midnight fairly, he responded. "Well, aah... Yes, actually."

"Shoot. Ah'll help ya if Ah can."

"You see... I'm a traveler without the funds to travel properly." He explained, short and sweet; Hoping to get to the point. "I'd seen this place, and noticed how big it is. I've been told there's only a few ponies keeping everything together, and figured I might be able to pitch a hoof in to help both you and me."

"Traveler, huh?" Applejack pondered on his words for a moment, continuing to speak. "That explains why Ah haven't seen ya around before... Well, us Apples don't usually take outside help, but... Ah might be able t' work somethin' out. There's four of us here; Only three of us are really fit for apple buckin' though. And most of the time my sister's gone, so that leaves me an' my brother t' take care of it." She sat that of which she was carrying down, and trotted up to Granyl, staring at him. Well, at his body, rather than him in general. "Y'sure you'd be up t' the task? Yer' pretty big, but apple buckin' ain't the easiest thing in the world t' do."

"I've done similar work before. I believe I'm up to the task." Granyl answered, staring at her as she lifted up one of his legs and stared at it skeptically. He could feel himself becoming slightly nervous with the situation. "I-Is there something wrong?"

"Heh, nah. Yer' legs are pretty solid. They'd be pretty good for buckin' trees." Applejack responded, letting go and backing up somewhat, a smile on her face. Granyl's smile was more of an embarrassed one at this point. "Ah'll have t' bring it up with the family, but Ah think you'd do a pretty good job." She chuckled, lifting up a hoof and tipping her hat. "The names' Applejack. What's yours?"

"Granyl." The zebra introduced himself, simply nodding. "I understand it being a family matter. I can wait, if needed." He figured he didn't have much else to do anyways. Waiting around might be more interesting than anything else he'd come up with.

"That'd be for the best, if ya really don't mind." Applejack glanced over at Midnight, keeping her smile, though still noting how odd her appearance was. She wondered how Twilight would respond to it. Probably would think the markings were some kind of mystery... She shrugged off the thoughts, managing to speak. "You lookin' to help out, too?"

[NozomiCrimson]

Midnight listened to the two, nodding to herself as she did. She was still rather amazed that Applejack and her brother were the only ones that mainly did the bucking. She had noticed the mare glance at her when they walked up and again before she asked her question, which Midnight almost missed. Quickly, she shook her head and spoke nervously taking a small step back, "N-No I'm just accompanying him."

[Todd Howard]

Applejack nodded. "Got'cha." She replied, glancing back for a moment. "Feel free to take a look around if ya want, Ah need t' head inside." She told the two, before trotting off to head inside and speak to Granny Smith on the matter at hoof. The apples would be fine for now, so she left them for the moment. She'd be back soon, anyways. She figured the two had the sense to not go anywhere they obviously weren't supposed to, so letting them look around wasn't much of a problem, either.

Granyl kept quiet for the moment, simply watching Applejack trot off. Soon after, he turned his head to look at Midnight. "Well, so far, so good." He figured things were looking okay. Better than he expected, honestly. "I suppose we could take her up on her offer since we have to wait, anyways."

[NozomiCrimson]

She nodded and smiled softly, "Yes, I'm glad she at least didn't turn you down right away. But we can go look around." She turned and started to walk down the path.

[Todd Howard]

Granyl followed, keeping a smile on his face. "Thankfully... She's very considerate of my situation." He looked around, eyeing the apple orchard. He wondered how many of those trees would end up being his responsibility? Probably more than he'd prefer, but that was alright. Putting the work in and being reliable would help him stay around if he ended up being allowed to work. Their surroundings were rather quiet with Applejack gone, and Granyl enjoyed the peace. "Uhm..." He glanced down at Midnight. "I hope today's been alright for you. I know it was sudden to ask you to come with me." He spoke quietly, considering the day to be a good one, but he was unsure if she felt the same way. He figured befriending her while he was around would be a good idea; She seemed to be doing okay so far, and Applejack didn't seem to judge her, either. He was happy with the thought there was somepony else that she could befriend around here as well. He figured there would be a few ponies with good hearts in this town.

[NozomiCrimson]

Midnight nodded and smiled lightly. When he asked about the day she thought about it for a moment before answering, "It hasn't been too bad since you've been with me. I probably would have gone back home by now. So...thanks." She smiled softly up at him.

[Todd Howard]

Granyl was glad to hear her answer, replying quickly. "Heh, don't mention it... I'm glad to hear that I could help you, Midnight." He looked ahead; noticing a gazebo. He smiled at the sight of obvious repairs that had been done to it in the past, figuring the family had it for quite a long time.

[NozomiCrimson]

She smiled at him and followed his gaze to the gazebo. She continued to smile, enjoying having been out with him today.

[Todd Howard]

Granyl continued to eye the landscape. He could certainly get used to this place; it just made him feel good. The fresh air and just general homey-feeling he had felt great. It made him somewhat wonder why he traveled; Was it because he really wanted to? Or was it just because he never found somewhere he wanted to call home? He pondered on this as he waited for Applejack to find them and give him the verdict, deciding to ask Midnight out of curiosity. "... What do you think the point of traveling is?"

[NozomiCrimson]

Midnight hadn't been expecting the sudden question and blinked at him, thinking about her response for a couple of minutes before answering, "The point of travelling? Well, if I were to put myself in somepony else's hooves, I think the point of travelling would be to meet new ponies and see what was out in Equestria. But if I found somewhere I really liked I think I would stay there...or at least come back after I felt content with where my travels took me."

[Todd Howard]

Granyl thought about her words for a moment, before nodding. "... Somewhere you really like, huh?" He smiled, agreeing. "Sounds about right."

He figured a place wasn't the only reason to stay either. Travelers probably stopped for particular ponies, didn't they? He figured some did. It was something interesting to think about; It kept his thoughts going, that was for sure. He was about to thank her, but was interrupted from behind.

"Hey!"

Keeping his smile, he turned to look at Applejack. She had a smile as well, which made Granyl think the news was positive. [B]"Granny wants t' take a look at ya before she makes a final decision. C'mon back with me, would ya?"

"Of course." Granyl replied, watching Applejack already begin trotting away. He chuckled. "That was quick... Let's just hope this ends well, eh?"

[NozomiCrimson]

Midnight turned to Applejack as she walked up and nodded, "Yeah I hope its good news." She smiled and followed Applejack.