Rarity awoke do a dull thud somewhere downstairs. Then another. Then a loud squeal muffled by the thick, aged floorboards. The farmhouse was a sturdy old place, still standing after nearly three centuries of the Apple Clan living in it. Of course, the Apples were the main reason it still stood at all, for they took immaculate care of their home.

The white unicorn slid the quilt off and shivered as the cool morning air hit her thin bare fur. She was regretting not taking up Applejack’s offer of some pajamas, and what she did have on didn’t do much for warmth. Steeling herself, she got up and quickly strode over the cool wooden floorboards, riffling through Applejack’s closest until she found a thick blue robe and a pair of matching slippers. She gleefully threw them both on, taking a moment to wrap herself in the warm fabric.

Now guarded against the cold, Rarity opened the carved wooden door and made her way downstairs, arriving in the house’s large and always-inviting living room. It was considerably warmer down here, and the crackle of the small brick fireplace revealed why. The usual over-stuffed furniture had been pushed to the wall, and in the middle of the room were Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle. The fillies had brought their pillows down with them, and were pummeling the large orange mare rolling on the floor, pretending to shield herself from their blows. The cries of “battle” filled the room, with Applejack joining in as much as her attackers.

A warm smile crept over Rarity’s face as she watched, and she settled down on the window bench. The door to the kitchen opened, and out stepped Big Macintosh. He held a tray of mixed mug, all steaming invitingly and offered one to Rarity with a small nod. She gratefully took it and sipped the sweet, bitter liquid inside. The Apples took as much pride in their work in the kitchen as they did in the fields, and for good reason. The coffee had a sweet tang of apples in it, mixed in so well it flowed with the coffee’s own flavor, never overpowering it. Rarity had begged to know how they did it, but it was a closely guarded secret.

Applejack finally rose to her knees with a falsely-angry cry of “That’s it! Ya gone an’ done it now!” She caught Apple Bloom by the legs and slung her over her back, making her drop her weapon in surprise. Sweetie tried to make a run for it, but grabbed her nightgown and pulled her back, wrapping her other arm around her waist. With her captives both squealing for mercy and giggling like a pair of lunatics, she stood up and carried them to the couch, before slamming them both down on the cushions, with enough force to make them bounce back up. The would-be warriors tried to get up, but Applejack pressed a hand against their bellies, holding them back down. Rarity saw her fingers curl into a threatening claw, and knew victory would soon be hers.

“Ya give up, ya little rascals?”

Blooms and Sweetie shared a look, then shot back a defiant “NEVER!”

“Wrong answer!”

Rarity took another sip of her cup and watched the retaliation as Bloom managed to slide off the couch, but not away from Applejack’s reach. This was going to be a good day.