Applebloom put on her special occasions bow, which was just her pink bow, but with sparkles on it. She took one last look in the mirror, checking everything to see that she was ready for her date. He better has kept his promise! Applebloom thought. After Applebloom accepted Snips date invitation, she told him she’d do it on one condition.
“Nobody,” Snips asked.
“Nobody. You can tell your family, but if Snails or somepony else finds out about this I will deny it and never speak to you again.” Applebloom proposed.
“I promise Applebloom! No pony shall hear of our plans if they are not of blood relation.”
“Other than that I’m leaving the date up to you.”
“So this is a date,” Snips asked.
“Yeah, yeah it is,” Applebloom replied smiling.
Applebloom had to hold up her end of the deal too. She was only allowed to tell Granny Smith, Applejack, and Big Mac. They could not tell anyone, not their friends, not the townsfolk, not even Big Mac’s singing group, the PonyTones. It was going to be hard keeping it a secret from her BFF’s. They shared everything together and now she had something she couldn’t share. Even if she could share it, she wouldn’t. Applebloom was still embarrassed over the fact that she was going on a date with Snips. Even though she said yes, Snips was still an awkward colt who had no charm. Please Celestia and Luna, don’t let this date be terrible. Applebloom prayed.
“Applebloom,” Applejack said appearing in the doorway of Applebloom’s room, “Snips is here.”
“Okay, I just need a minute,” Applebloom said shaking.
“What’s wrong sugar cube? Nervous?”
“Well, yeah. I mean this is my first date and I don’t want it to be terrible. Plus I’m with the most awkward colt in school.”
“Listen sugar cube,” Applejack said scratching Applebloom’s back for reassurance, “it’s gonna be alright. I know it’s a bit weird but who knows how the date will go. Just give him a chance.”
Applebloom sighed, “Okay, I think I’m ready.”
Applebloom walked down the stairs to the parlor of the house with Applejack behind her. At the bottom of the steps, stood Big Mac, Granny Smith, and Snips. Snips was wearing a jacket, it wasn’t anything special, just black with a zipper and pockets. He does look good I guess Applebloom thought.
“There’s my granddaughter! All ready for her date,” Granny Smith said.
“Applebloom,” Snips said as Applebloom stepped in front of him, “you look lovely. Here I got this for you.” Snips floated a pink rose in front of Applebloom. Applebloom took the flower.
“Thank you, I love roses,” Applebloom said.
Snips smiled at her and she smiled back.
“Have her back before nine okay Snips,” Applejack said.
“I promise.” Snips replied looking at his watch. It was almost six o’clock. Three hours? I can survive that, Applebloom thought.
After about five minutes of Applejack playing protective sister and Big Mac saying “Yep,” a few times, Snips and Applebloom were on their way.
“I’m sorry about my sister, she can be protective at times,” Applebloom said to Snips.
“It’s fine,” Snips said, “Besides, I told your brother where we’re going and it's not far from your home here on the farm.”
“Well, where are we going?”
“You’ll see. We’re actually almost there.”
Applebloom started to get confused. They were only beginning to leave where the apple trees were. There was no place near the farm worth going on a date. In the town, there are restaurants, the theater, and the arcade. Here on the farm there were apples and that's it.
“We’re here my sweet,” Snips said. Applebloom looked in front of her to find a picnic blanket with candles, rose petals, and a basket, which no doubt had food in it. The picnic site sat right next to the river that flowed through Sweet Apple Acres, with a perfect view of the sunset. “I figured we could eat some food, listen to the sounds of the river, and watch the sunset,” Snips explained sitting on the blanket.
Applebloom sat across from him and watched Snips unload the basket. This is amazing! Applebloom thought, fresh food, peaceful river, beautiful sunset. It’s all so simple and yet so romantic! Applebloom took in the sites, sounds, and smells around her. The feel of the soft, cotton, white and red checkered blanket with beautiful, unscented, wide candles surrounding it and the beautiful red, pink, and orange sunset. The sound of the water flowing downstream, hitting rocks as it moves. The smell of food coming from the basket though she could not figure out what the food was. Then she saw Snips take out some sparkling, lemon-flavored water.
“Would you like a drink,” he asked very gentlecolt like.
“Yes, thank you,” Applebloom said. Snips poured the water into two wine glasses and handed one to Applebloom.
“To us and a wonderful evening,” Snips toasted. The two ponies clinked glasses and sipped their sparkling water.
“Wow, this is really good,” Applebloom announced. The bubbles were not over whelming and the lemon was subtle but it was there and gave an extra kick to the bland water.
“Thanks, it's my uncle's secret recipe. He used to work in a cider factory in Fillydelphia.”
“Seriously? This should be sold!”
Snips laughed and floated out two bowls. He placed one in front of Applebloom and proceeded to take out a small pot.
“What’s in the pot,” Applebloom asked.
“It’s my mom’s recipe,” Snips said “it’s called loaded potato soup. It has potatoes, cheese, green onions, and chives in it. Would you like to try some?”
That sound delicious! Applebloom thought. “Yes, please,” Applebloom said.
Snips picked up a ladle with his magic and poured some soup into Applebloom’s bowl and then his own.
“Would you like some bread?”
“Yes thank you.”
Snips handed her a small dinner roll on a napkin and a spoon.
“Go ahead Applebloom. Give it a try,” Snips gestured.
Applebloom took her spoon on her hoof and lifted it into her bowl. She watched the soup pour onto her spoon. Watching chunks of potatoes, slices of green onions, and bits of chives float throughout the bowl. She then picked up the spoon and wiped the bottom on the side of her bowl to keep it from dripping onto herself and the blanket. She blew on the soup and placed the spoon in her mouth, sucking the soup off her spoon. Applebloom closed her eyes and began to savor the delicious flavor the soup had began to present to her. The tastes of the creamy, cheesy broth of the soup combined with the chewy chunks of potato were as Rarity would put it, simply divine. All the spices were in perfect harmony and did not overwhelm the soup. The potatoes were soft that any form of pressure would mash them easily. The feelings going through her body were relaxation and excitement. The same feeling you get when you eat anything incredibly delicious.
“Applebloom,” Snips said pulling her out of her trance, “do you like it?”
“I. Love. It!” Applebloom emphasized.
Snips took a sigh of relief, “Good I am happy. Eat up, if you would like more soup or more bread just ask.”
The two ponies sat on the blanket in complete silence as they ate their food. Applebloom had two bowls of soup before she was full. When the two were done eating they finished watching the last quarter of the sun disappear behind the horizon. Applebloom learned so much about Snips, she learned that he is the only child and loves to cut figures and pictures out of paper and cardboard but is afraid of ponies judging his work. He even told her how he got his cutie mark.
“I was just snipping out paper ponies and other figures when something felt different. I looked at my back legs and saw my cutie mark.”
“That's amazing,” Applebloom said.
“It’s really nothing special.”
“At least you know your special talent. I don’t think I’ll ever find mine.”
“Applebloom,” Snips said looking into her eyes, “you, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo will get your cutie marks when all of you are least expecting it.”
Applebloom smiled “you really think so?”
Putting his hoof on her cheek, “I do.”
Applebloom stared into Snips eyes as the two little ponies sat in silence once again. As her orange eyes met his dark brown eyes she contemplated everything that has happened in the past two days. The day he handed her the small wildflower bouquet and asked her out on this date. She also remembered being teased and laughed at for being liked by Snips. Then she realized that none of that mattered. She was actually having a good time. She got to watch the sunset and eat a great meal. Now she's getting to look at Luna’s moon and stars surrounded by candle light and next to a colt she was beginning to like. She never felt this way before, about any pony. She felt safe, relaxed, and appreciated. This has been an amazing date. I wanna do this again. I think I actually like him. Applebloom thought.
“Come on Applebloom,” Snips said, “I should take you home.”
“What about all this?” Applebloom asked.
“I’ll blow out the candles and come get the rest tomorrow.”
And that's what he did. He blew out all the candles, except for one. He also wrapped up the blanket around the basket to cover it. Snips picked up the one candle that was still lit and used it to light the way back to Applebloom’s house. The light of the moon through the apple trees and the candle from dinner made the walk home even more romantic. Before she knew it the trees ended and they were standing on the porch of her house.
Snips looked at his watch, “8:58, I have you for two more minutes. Anything else you would like to say?”
“Actually Snips yes,” Applebloom said, “first of all have you kept this a secret?”
“Yes, the only two who know about us are my parents.”
“Okay, good and number two. When can we do this again?”
Snips smiled. He took a step forward and kissed her on the cheek. “Whenever you would like to.” Snips looked at his watch, it said 9:00.
“I better go,” Snips took her hoof and kissed it, “good night Applebloom.”
“Goodnight Snips,” Applebloom said smiling as Snips walked away.
Applebloom stepped through the front door to her house to find her family standing there. She got scared, thinking they saw what had just happened.
“Did you guys see anything,” Applebloom asked.
“Nope,” Big Mac said.
“We don’t do that sugar cube,” Applejack reassured her.
“Oh, okay,” Applebloom said.
“So how was your first date?” Granny Smith asked.
“It was good,” Applebloom replied, “We ate dinner.”
“That’s it?” Big Mac asked, “Even I would have more to say than just that.”
“I know, it’s just I’m tired so I’m going to bed.”
Applebloom walked upstairs to her room and got into her bed. She tossed and turned for what felt like forever and finally gave up on sleeping. She looked at the pink rose that Snips had given her before they left. She picked it up from her bedside table and thought about the three hours she spent with Snips. I can’t believe the most awkward pony in my class just gave me, probably, the best night of my life. The food was incredible, the picnic site was beautiful, and everything was…..perfect. Just perfect. she thought as she finally fell asleep.