“An’ just where the hay have you been?” Applejack eyed her little sister who had just walked in the door. "Do you have any idea what time it is, Apple Bloom?"
Looking down at the ground, Apple Bloom began scuffing one of her front hooves on the floor. "Sorry sis, ah had to stop by the library and do some research. Y'know, for the CMC."
Rolling her eyes, Applejack trotted towards the dining room. "Didn't I tell you not to rush these things?"
"We ain't rushing anything, we're just doing a little bit of extra reading is all..." Apple Bloom looked up and met her sister's gaze. "Y'know, to help us know what to look for!"
"You'll know it when you find it, now go wash up. It's time for dinner."
Dinner at Sweet Apple Orchards was always a simple affair outside of family reunions, and tonight was no different. It was Big Macintosh's turn to cook today, and he had prepared a few loaves of applebread with a honey oat spread to go on top. It wasn't much, but it was always delicious. Besides, it wasn't the food that counted. It was the family.
"So what else have you been up to today, Apple Bloom?" Big Macintosh asked around a mouthful of bread. "You can't have been at the Library ALL afternoon."
Apple Bloom looked up at her brother and smiled nervously. "Well... ah ran into Spike today and we talked for a while."
Applejack grinned, leaning in. "Oh really? Spike, huh? I never thought you’d fall for a dragon. You kiss him yet?"
Apple Bloom blushed, turning from banana yellow to beat red. "W-what are you getting at, sis?" she stammered out. "I ain't got a crush on him or anything. And besides, he's got that big ol' crush on Rarity, doesn't he? He'd never be interested in a little ol' Earth Pony like me."
"Oh? So what did you guys talk about?"
Apple Bloom rolled her eyes. "He's trying to figure out what Rarity likes but is too afraid to ask her himself. I didn't have anything to tell him about that, but I sure gave him an earful for not having the guts to talk to the girl he likes. A real man should be able to admit his feelings!"
Applejack snorted and shot a teasing look at her little sister. "Well look who's talking. You sure you ain't just the pot calling the kettle black?"
"I." Apple Bloom shouted around a mouthful of applebread, spraying crumbs over the table "DO. NOT. HAVE A CRUSH!"
"Whatever you say, sugar Cube," Applejack laughed. "Whenever you're ready to tell us who the lucky Stallion is, just give us a holler."
Apple Bloom buried her face in the plate before her to hide her blushing as she picked up another piece of bread, ignoring the honey oat spread getting on her nose. Applejack could be such a tease some nights, especially when she felt bad after giving her a scolding. Finishing her dinner, Apple Bloom announced that she was tuckered out and heading off to bed.
The next day dawned bright and early. There was no school that day, it being the week end, but that didn't excuse any pony on Sweet Apple Orchards from their morning chores. Apple Bloom had just finished up the last of her daily tasks when she heard voices coming from the barn.
"... broken into. She's all a tizzy over the entire thing, but then I guess she has a right to be. Haven't had anything like this happen in years! Everypony is gonna be suspicious of each other for a while."
"What was taken?"
"Oh nothing, but all of her stuff was mussed up and there was a broken vase. You know how Rarity gets over these things."
Apple Bloom gulped and tried to ignore the conversation as she walked past.
"And where are you going, little missy?"
Turning around, Apple Bloom looked up at her sister. "Ah was just going into town to visit my friends. We were supposed to get together today!"
"Oh no you don't, little sister. Not today. There's a criminal on the loose, and I ain't lettin you wander all around Ponyville all by yourself."
"So you mean ah can't go?" Apple Bloom put on the look she had practiced so many times in the past. Lip out, eyes watering. It had never failed her... except with sis.
"I ain't saying you can't go, just that you can't go alone." Applejack stamped her hoof for emphasis. "If you wanna go into town, either me or Big Macintosh has to go with you."
"But sis!"
"Don't you 'but sis' me! One of us has to go with you and that's final!"
"Fine..."
The atmosphere in town had grown tense. The best of neighbors glared out their windows at each other, eyes filled with suspicion. The pegasi patrolled the skies, keeping an eye out for any suspicious individuals. Nopony could quite believe that a break in had occurred in Ponyville of all places. And why break into Rarity's place? Chances are anything a pony wanted would just be given to them, such was her generosity.
"I'm sorry Apple Bloom, but my mom doesn't want me playing with anybody today," Scootaloo said, standing in her doorway. Sweetie Belle had much the same to say, neither ponies' parents wanted their kids out and about with a "thief" on the loose.
"I'm sorry, sugar cube. Everypony is all riled up by this thing, but they'll get over it. Ah'm sure you'll get to play with your friends once this all blows over."
Applejack's words were little comfort though, as they began their way back to the farm.
As they were walking, they came upon a commotion starting up outside Rarity's shop. "Now what in tarnation is happening over there?" Applejack wondered out loud and lead her sister towards it to see what was going on.
"Just admit it, Rainbow Dash! You were the one that broke my vase!"
"What do you mean 'I did it,' Rarity? I never touched your stupid vase!"
Apple Bloom gave a slight cringe.
Rarity stomped her hoof down and leaned forward, shouting. "You wouldn't HAVE to touch it! You could have blown it over with your wings! And it is NOT stupid."
Rainbow Dash sighed and began to fly off. "I don't have to listen to this."
"Oh yes you do!" Rarity's horn lit up, pulling Dash forcefully back down to the ground.
"Okay, that's it!" Rainbow Dash spun around and lowered her head. "It. Is. ON!"
"Wait you guys! Stop fighting!" Twilight Sparkle came dashing forward, breaking through the crowd that encircled the arguing ponies. "Just what has gotten into you two?"
"Why don't you ask her?" Rainbow Dash scoffed, pointing her nose in Rarity's direction.
"ME?! YOU'RE the one that broke MY vase!" Rarity accused.
"Girls, girls!" Twilight put herself between the two ponies. "Settle down! Rainbow Dash, did you touch Rarity's vase?"
"Of course not! Why would I?"
Rarity snorted. "Well obviously I must have offended her in some way. Maybe she took it the wrong way when I asked if I could trim those DREADFUL banes."
"You think so? Well maybe I aught to come over THERE and snip off YOUR hair"
"You wouldn't DARE!"
"Watch me!"
Finally, Apple Bloom couldn't take any more of it. "Waaaaaaaaaaaaaait!" she cried, galloping out into the middle of the circle. Applejack called for her to get back, but she didn't listen. "Rainbow Dash ain't the one that broke your vase, Ms. Rarity."
Rarity reigned herself in and sat back on her haunches, looking at Apple Bloom with surprise. "Really? And how do you know?"
Apple Bloom looked down at her feet, ashamed. "Because... because ah'm the one that done it." The crowd gave a collective gasp. "Ah didn't mean to break it, ah swear! It was an accident. ah'm so sorry..."
Rarity sighed, settling down. "That’s quite alright, my dear. But I DO expect you to work to pay it off, do I make myself clear?"
"Yes ma'am."
Rarity nodded. "Very good." Turning towards Rainbow Dash, she smiled weakly. "Um... I'm sorry about all the... you know... accusations and such."
Dash shrugged. "Don't worry about it. You were upset."
Applejack came up behind Apple Bloom and placed a hoof on her shoulder. "You. Home. Now."
Apple Bloom nodded and turned to leave. On her way through the crowd, she saw Spike standing there, worry in her eyes. She smiled weakly at him and, resigned, walked towards her fate.