“Gotta thank ya again for helpin’ us out on yer time off, Goldie. Cider season’s always a pinch, no matter how much we plan fer it.”

Applejack bore down into her forelegs, and reared back into solid wood. The succeeding shower of apples fell into Golden Harvest’s baskets. After the carrot-topped mare huffed out her brief discomfort, the two of them set off side-by-side across Sweet Apple Acres.

“Aw, ain’t no trouble, honey. Y’all know that,” Golden chuckled. Her green eyes shifted onto and away from the freckled mare too quickly for her to notice. “Been so busy with mah own farm n’all. Nowadays, it's a treat to step off of it for even a bit.”

The barn’s door groaned open. Dropping their loads off amongst towering stacks of baskets, they both soon plopped down into the hay, each nipping at a jar of fresh cider.

“Ah know the feelin’,” Applejack chuckled. She lifted her hat to swipe away the sweat from her brow. “But still, it sure is nice catchin’ up witcha again. Sittin’ here in the barn, skimmin’ cider from the barrels. Shoot. Reminds me of when we was fillies.”

Golden hummed with content at the sight of Applejack’s smile.

“Apple buckin’ contests on weekends.”

“Carrot pullin’ competitions after school,” Applejack quipped.

“Landsakes, ‘member the time Big Mac spent two days barrelin’ that cider for shippin’, and we worked our way through a quarter in one?” Golden laughed.

“And I told ‘im you spilled ‘em all out in a freak shufflehoofin’ accident?” Apple finished.

Golden felt a tickle roll up her spine at the sound of Applejack’s laugh.

“But lookitcha now. All grown up, and savin’ Equestria. The element of honesty, ain’t it?”

“Aw, shucks. Just a buncha runnin’ back and forth, listenin’ to ponies gripe and groan, and that sorta thing. Don't get me wrong, I'm honored to do it, but it really ain’t as glamorous as it sounds. Sometimes I worry that I ain’t even that good at it.”

Golden beamed when Applejack blushed.

“Now, Applejack, whut have I always told you ‘bout them ‘polite’ little fibs of yers?”

“Whut? I don’t fib!” Applejack protested.

“Ain’t spectacular? Ain’t good? Ain’t what I heard,” Golden gibed. “I know one Miss Pinkie who says different.”

“Hmph. Right. Pinkie. Pinkie thinks everythin’s spectacular,” Applejack smirked, “and everypony’s great!”

Golden’s fur bristled when she caught Applejack studying her.

“Element of honesty...” the freckled mare murmured. “Y’know, Goldie, ever since Twilight came to town, and I discovered all these new things ‘bout mahself, I've always wondered ‘bout it.”

“And what is that?” Golden wavered.

There were butterflies in her belly waiting in the silence between Applejack’s words.

“Why not you?” Applejack inquired.

The other mare sputtered on a swig of cider.

“Why not me what, honey?” Golden asked, now a bit too interested in the straw beneath her hooves.

Her heart fluttered when Applejack inched in closer.

“I'm sayin’, why weren’t you chosen as the element of honesty, ‘steada me? You're the one who always kept me in line back then. You're the one who taught me to always strive to tell the truth.”

Golden’s stomach churned when Applejack frowned.

“When I found out I was the element I… I just couldn't believe it at first, y’know?” She again adjusted her hat. “We two… we gotta be the two most honest ponies I can think of, but I know I wouldn't be if it weren’t fer you.”

Golden’s cheeks went hot when Applejack passed her this compliment.

“I mean, I ain’t ever told a lie not once after that whole barrel incident, and I ain't ever hidden away somethin’ that was important to say out loud, right?”

“Right,” Golden squeaked. Her body was burning.

“And of course, you haven't, right Goldie?”

“Right.” Something tickled at the corners of her eyes.

“And if everythin’s equal, then—”

“M-maybe, it was just luck,” Golden stammered, her hoof tapping into the hay over and over. “I-if all things’re equal, then maybe those ol' elements just... idunno, closed their eyes, spun around, n' pointed or somethin’!”

She forced a laugh. Her heart cracked just a bit when Applejack rubbed her chin and nodded with satisfaction.

“Sounds ‘bout right,” the freckled mare sighed. “But then again, ya do always tell it like it is, Goldie. Always honest to the end, we two, right ol’ pal?”

“Right,” Golden croaked.

One more swig finished her cider. She licked the lingering sweetness from her lips until it was all gone.