Apple Watchin' [Open]

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For once, there was nothing more to get done today. Applejack wasn't sure if she was annoyed or pleased by this seemingly once-in-a-lifetime event. Of course, it was early summer now, a little too soon for the summer apples to be ripe, and all the fields were plowed and planted and growing nicely. The barn and the house didn't need any repairs or painting. Even the hay fields had been mowed already, and they were waiting on the sun to dry out the grass before it could be stored in the barn.

So here she was, lazing on her back in the shade of one of her favorite apple trees at home, staring up into the leafy canopy of 'Mr. Twiggles.' His apples are comin along nicely, she thought approvingly to herself. Probably be ready for the first buckin in a week or so, if the days stay like this. Though such thoughts were usually a joy, today... they made her feel uncomfortable. She felt like she ought to get up and be doing something. But there was nothing to do. She shut her eyes and plopped her hat over her face.

It would be nice if something, anything, would happen...

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Well, she wasn't in the marketplace, that's for sure. Even though Tech had been sure to ask every mare he saw even near apples (since Rumble had referred to Applejack as a "she" and said she was selling apples), he didn't see Applejack. Tech assumed there wouldn't be a problem though, as she'd likely just be on her farm instead.

As Tech approached the farm he noticed that all the trees in the orchard had apples growing from them. It was early summer, so the apples were going to be ripe fairly soon. Considering that there were so many trees they stretched beyond the hills in the distance, there was no doubt that it'd take a lot of work to harvest all those apples. Despite this, Tech could only see one house and one barn at the center of the farm. Where was the house for the farm hands? Either a lot of ponies lived in that little house or the ponies who lived there have the strength of a Minotaur.

Walking past the fence marking the border of the farm, Tech looked around to see if any ponies were outside. From the looks of it any work that needed to get done already was, so the farmers who lived here were probably inside. As Tech was going to walk to the house, he spotted an orange earth pony laying under one of the apple trees. Just to make sure she was a farmer and not a random pony taking a nap, Tech walked up close enough to inspect her cutie mark. Sure enough, it was three bright red apples. Yep, definitely an apple farmer. Either she's Applejack, or at the very least she's a relative who knows where Applejack is.

"Excuse me, are you Applejack, or would you at least know where Applejack is?"

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"Excuse me, are you Applejack, or would you at least know where Applejack is?"

The pony in question raised a hoof to tip back the brim of her hat, which had been covering her face Be careful what you wish for, AJ! she thought to herself. You never know when yer gonna get it! Sitting up slowly, the earth pony regarded the strange griffon with interested, if respectful, caution. Her mind ran through one hundred and one ideas of why a griffon might be looking for her, all of them ridiculous. Mud wrestling challenge? Not likely- feathers must be a pain to clean. Maybe he was after the baby piglets that she'd advertised for sale? She hoped not- she didn't want to have to explain that those weren't eatin pigs. She decided to cut short the speculatin' and just get right down to it.

"Howdy!" she said at last, giving Tech a friendly smile and the benefit of the doubt. "Ah'm Applejack, all right. What can I do ya for? We don't see many griffons 'round these parts!"

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When the earth pony looked up at him with a look that showed both intrigue and caution, Tech felt like he probably should just opened with, "Hey, I'm a Griffon but I don't mean any harm, so don't worry." He was used to the look of course, but after a while it got tiring to have to go through the same scenario over and over again.

As Tech fought back the thought of sighing and rolling his eyes, the mare gave Tech a cheerful greeting. "Ah'm Applejack, all right. What can I do ya for? We don't see many griffons 'round these parts!"

Again fighting back thoughts in his head (this time about correcting Applejack on her grammar), Tech responded, "Trust me, I know all too well that ponies aren't used to seeing Griffons around here. Anyway, I was told to go look for you by a filly named Sweetie Belle to ask permission to fix a clubhouse that's in your orchard."

If Tech had to guess, Applejack was the kind of pony who is normally jolly but is not somepony you'd want t cross. She looked pretty tough too, although being a farmer it'd make less sense if she wasn't strong. Tech made a mental note to try to stay on her good side. "Ah, pardon my manners. I'm Tech, by the way."

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"Aw, shucks, don't think nothing of it." Applejack replied with a grin, "Yer manners are just fine, we don't stand on formalities here at Sweet Apple Acres." Having made up her mind that the griffon was a harmless sort, if just a little abrupt, the earth mare got to her feet.

It was odd though, she had to admit to herself. A griffon repairing her little sister's clubhouse? Applejack would'a sworn that it was the kinda thing that Apple Bloom would have asked either herself, or Big Mac, to help her with first. Of course, she had to admit, except for rare days like today, they were both kept awful busy and maybe she wouldn'ta wanted to bother them. But askin for outside help? Was this another one of those 'Ah-am-a-big-pony' kinda things? Best let those little fillies have it their way, then.

"Well, all right then!" Applejack replied at last, turning to gesture with a hoof. "It's down this way, Ah'll show ya." She led the way at a brisk trot. "Yer new in town then, I reckon." she said, by way of making conversation. Another thought occurred to her, just as quickly "If ya haven't already met Pinkie Pie at Sugarcube Corner, Yer bound to, soon. She's a lil... energetic, an sometimes ponies... an griffons... don't take to well to her at first, but she's real nice. Just ta letcha know."

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"Alright then." Tech followed behind Applejack as they walked down through rows upon rows of apple trees.

In response to Applejack, Tech said, "That's right, I just stopped by today. I'm a wandering mechanic, you see, although I'm more than capable with fixing a clubhouse as well." Tech felt that it wasn't necessary to add in the part about him being an aspiring inventor.

Tech was worried when Applejack mentioned Pinkie Pie. He was still kind of tired, so the last thing he wanted to see right now was a energetic and loud pony that would make him even more tired. "Thanks for the heads up, I'll try to remember to not have a heart attack if she jumps out of a garbage can to surprise me."

One thing that was bothering Tech was the fact that Sweetie Belle's clubhouse was in this orchard. Since it was obvious she wasn't related to Applejack, it seemed weird that a pony unrelated to the farmer ponies here would have a clubhouse here. Perhaps she was a friend of a relative? "You wouldn't happen to have a younger brother or sister would you? That would explain why Sweetie Belle would have a clubhouse all the way out here."

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Ah, so he was questionin' the odditude of the situation too? Applejack nodded when he asked about Apple Bloom. "Ah do have a lil sis." She admitted, but the fact that he brought it up raised a new question. "You didn't talk to her, then? That's a bit strange." Actually, it was more than a little strange.

Sweetie Belle shouldn't be ordering work done on the clubhouse without even talking to Apple Bloom. And on that note- "Pardon me fer askin," the orange pony said, suddenly, "But did anypony mention how they were gonna pay you for yer help, or how much? Ah don't know about Sweetie Belle, but Apple Bloom's allowance doesn't seem like it would cover."

Love her sister though she did, and her friends too, Applejack couldn't help but be wary. Sweet Apple Acres was rich in things that mattered; Land, Friends, Family, and good health, but bits were still hard to come by, at times. She really didn't want to get stuck with a huge bill in the end.

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Now that Tech thought about it, it was strange that that filly had asked him to fix the clubhouse without consulting her friend first about it. And...wait, how would a filly have the money to pay anyway? Tech nearly facetaloned when he realized he hadn't thought about exactly how a filly was going to pay him. Man, he was more tired than he thought...

"I...Uh..." Tech tried to think of something to say but he was drawing a blank. "...That's a good point, I hadn't really thought about that. I guess I was just desperate for something to do since I'm starting to run low on bits..." As much as Tech was sure the farm raked in tons of cash from all these apple trees, farmers aren't generally known for having tons of spare bits. Most of the money they earned probably went into upkeep anyway. Still, Tech wasn't ready to just give up yet. There was still a job to be done, and perhaps a different reason to do it.

"If bits aren't necessarily available, perhaps there could be some form of...alternative payment?"

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This griffon, Tech, didn't seem to be a bad sort, an' Applejack was always sympathetic to a hard-luck story. She could believe that a pony, or in this case, a griffon, might be so focused on the need fer bits that he overlooked an important detail in the gettin' of them. It was just too bad...

"If bits aren't necessarily available, perhaps there could be some form of...alternative payment?"

Whoa whoa whoa! Where in the world did that come from? Applejack's eyes went wide for a moment, then her good old natural common sense kicked in. Sweet Celestia, what was she thinking? He hadn't meant anything like that! He was suggestin something like room an board, she supposed. Or maybe payment in apples.

"If ya mean working for a place ta stay fer a while an some grub, Ah suppose we can hammer out a deal," the farmer said thoughtfully, tipping back her hat. "Although you do gotta work out this clubhouse mendin' thing with Applebloom. It's hers, after all. But if yer that hard up for work, ah could probably find you some. Nothing ah can think of needs mending, But ah could use a good pair a wings about this time 'a year, if yer interested."

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Damn it, this why I shouldn't make business deals when I'm tired. Tech realized almost immediately after saying the words "alternative payment" that he probably phrased that really poorly. And it wasn't hard to tell by Applejack's immediate reaction that she noticed it too. Thankfully, what she actually said in response seemed to indicate that she knew Tech didn't mean it that way. Of course he didn't mean it that way! Thinking about it made just made him shudder...

Putting that thought aside, Tech instead thought about Applejack's offer. Maybe it was the sleep deprivation getting to him, but he was thinking maybe sticking around and working here for a bit might be good for him. This time of year would be busy, especially with the apple harvest coming up, but Tech wasn't one to be daunted by physical challenges. Besides, moving around all the time was starting to get to him, made apparent by how much of an imbecile he was acting like right now. A little time helping out at Sweet Apple Acres couldn't hurt...

"You know what? I'll take you up on that offer. And as for Applebloom, I'll talk to her when I see her." Disregarding Applejack's comment on formalities not being necessary, Tech held out his talon in order to shake hands (or shake...hoof and talon, I guess...?), as he usually did when he made a deal. Besides, now that Tech thought about it this might be a good time for him to start working on some of his inventions. Being on the road all the time made it hard to do so, and from what he heard a certain knowledgeable and magically inclined Unicorn lived in Ponyville, no doubt she could be of assistance in terms of things that are beyond Tech's abilities (in other words, magic).

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"It's a deal, then!" Applejack said cheerfully, taking the talon and giving it a hearty shake. "C'mon with me an ah'll introduce you 'ta Granny Smith and Big Mac. Ah think Applebloom's out at the moment, but ya never know." Pleased that something had, after all, happened, and thinking of all the ways she could make use of Tech, Applejack turned and headed towards the farmhouse.

"Ah don't expect ya to work today, of course, but t'morrow, ah gotta get the sheep sheared 'an there's always a few that stray from the flock. Usually spend half the day looking fer the fluff-bags, but I reckon you can make that a good deal easier for me by bein mah eye-in-the-sky." Applejack suggested with a chuckle, to give the griffon an idea of what he was in for. " 'an there always seems to be trees that need trimming, or a shingle on the roof that needs replacin'" Really, Applejack thought she might just throw away her ladder for the summer!

"You gonna mind sleepin in the hayloft? We actually don't have a spare bedroom at the moment-" The house actually had two of them, but right now they were being used as storage rooms. One for tables and chairs they put out whenever Sweet Apple Acres was holding a party, the other for old farm equipment needing repair-wait a minute. "Did ya happen to say that yer a mechanic?" the earth pony asked, hopefully.

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Tech had to steady himself just to prevent Applejack from flinging him around with that handshake of hers. If she put that much strength into a simple handshake, Tech could only imagine how strong her bucks were. And of course, she obviously had family too. If this what the mares in her family were like, Tech wasn't sure he even wanted to meet any brothers she may have...

Tech simply nodded to indicate he understood as she started to describe some thing he may be doing. Honestly, he didn't mind hard work at all. His whole life he had always put 100% into anything he committed himself to, and that sure wasn't going to stop today. When Applejack asked if he was ok with having to sleep in the hayloft, Tech shrugged and said, "No, I don't mind." He liked sleeping away from others anyways, and if he was going to start making things it'd probably be better if he did so in the barn rather than in a guest room.

Applejack asking if he said was a mechanic caught Tech's interest. "That's right, I am. I assume that means you need something fixed?" Tech could do any random labor asked of him, but there was nothing he was better at than fixing things. He didn't like to brag about it too much, but he was proud of his skill and more than willing to show it off, if the opportunity arose.

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"Well..." Applejack began, "We like ta do things traditionally, here on Sweet Apple Acres, but we do use some kinda simple machines- Probably the most advanced gadgets on the property are our cider press 'an our mower, an both need repairs badly, an soon. Ah'll show ya." Applejack led the way into the house, then paused. "Looks like Granny Smith is out at the moment, so Ah'll introduce you later. Ah wonder where she got to." Applejack pondered a moment, and then shrugged.

"In here...somewhere..." Applejack said, suddenly a bit embarrassed. The room in question was full of spare parts, busted carts, broken tools, rolls of chicken wire, and lots of dust. Some things were decently shrouded in sheets, but most were left where and how they'd been brought into the room. "Ah wouldn't want ya to get the wrong idea... Ah'd get around to repairin' all this stuff eventually... But Summer's a busy time on a farm."

"The most important things we'll need fixed up are the harvestin' carts, the mower for hay... Ah think it's over here..." Applejack lifted the corner of a sheet "Naw, this here's the Cider press. That's important too. T'problem with the press is that the runnin wheel ain't turning so good, see?" The earth pony demonstrated by stepping within the contraption and trying to get it started. It did turn, but it was extremely wobbly and squeaky. "'An ah don't even know what's wrong with the mower- the blades wont turn at all, wherever it is." The mare made another survey of the room and then brightened. "Ah think... there! in that corner."

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Tech wasn't too surprised that the farm didn't have very advanced equipment, all things considered. Still, there were things to fix and that was enough to grab his attention.

"Lead the way."  Tech followed Applejack to the house as he listened to her speak. Normally he'd be more bothered by how uncultured Applejack sounded, but there was something warm and comforting about her, even though Tech couldn't quite put his talon on what it was. Even the accent was starting to sound comforting. Applejack's friendly demeanor was just too much for his cynical attitude, he guessed.

As the two of them entered the room full of broken machines, parts, and other miscellaneous junk, Tech's eyes sparkled. To others, it was probably just a huge pile of junk; to Tech though, it was a gold mine, a gold mine of spare bits and pieces he could use for Roc knows how many gadgets and gizmos. One Griffon's trash is another Griffon's treasure, as they say back in the kingdom.

Putting that aside, Tech brought his attention back to Applejack, who was currently looking through the junk for her hay mower. As Applejack found the cider press instead, he watched as she showed what was wrong with it.

"Hmm, the press probably needs some tuning. It doesn't seem broken; more likely something fell out of place or came loose. I'll look into that when I have time." Tech stood around some more and waited patiently as Applejack sifted through more stuff until finally finding the mower.

Tech walked over and examined the mower closely, looking for any indication as to what isn't working. He turned it over, and looked inside it behind the blades. Thanks to his keen Griffon eyesight, Tech could spot something.

"I think I see the problem: there's hay stuck in the machinery that makes the blades turn. The blade itself obviously can just cut through it, but if some hay gets up in the the machinery that makes it turn, then the blade can't turn either. I'll have to take it apart, unclog the machinery, then put it back together again. Time consuming; but nothing I can't handle."

Lowering the mower back down, Tech looked around the room again at all the stuff lying around. "There sure is a lot of spare and broken parts in here, isn't there?"

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Applejack was more'n a little surprised to see the expression of glee that came over Tech as he surveyed the 'junk' room. She wouldn'ta said so, but it reminded her exactly of the bright gleam in a crow's eye when it spotted something shiny. In fact, the resemblance was so obvious it took an effort not to laugh! Still, any doubts that the earth pony might have had about Tech being a mechanic were pretty much wiped away. Nopony- er, no griffon, could handle machinery with that much confidence and not know more than a thing or two about them!

"There sure is a lot of spare and broken parts in here, isn't there?"

The orange earth pony, usually so good-natured, bristled slightly. What was he suggesting? That her family was lettin' the farm go to rack an ruin? That she was neglecting her work? Sweet Celestia, couldn't a pony take an afternoon off once in a while without bein' accused of laziness? Fortunately for them both, Applejack had the sense not to say such a thing, and in a moment, recognized the truth; that though she did feel guilty about the junk room. If nothing else, she oughta have cleaned it up and organized it.

Looking again, Applejack thought she caught a glimmer of a possible meaning behind Tech's off-handed (off-clawed?) remark. "Yeah, Ah guess so..." She drawled slowly, thoughtfully. She turned her face away, as though to gaze at some old gears propped up against the wall, but watched Tech's expression from the corner of her eye. "Probably a bit more than the farm actually needs...But seems a shame ta just throw it out... Wonder if there was somepon- er, someone who could make use a some of this stuff. Maybe in return fer, ah, helping get this stuff running an cleaning out this room?"