Rarity’s eyes carefully looked over the sketch in front of her, picking up every detail of the skirt as she pulled out the proper materials. She quickly cut and draped the fabric over the mannequin that stood before her, the fabric falling like a waterfall. The white mare began to weave a string in and out of the sky blue fabric, embroidering a detailed design. She worked and worked, eyes glued to the task at hoof. But soon, the design was complete. The skirt was sewn to the bodice and her blue eyes glittered with excitement.
It had been several hours since she had set to work on the ensemble. Rarity gazed at the final piece, it was perfect. The sky blue fabric was plain on the bodice, only decorated with a white peter pan collar. However, the skirt was embroidered with beautiful apple blossoms, each one glittering with a jewel center.
Smiling to herself, the mare lit her horn as she exited the room. Trotting through Ponyville with the gown tucked safely in a dress bag. Rarity’s smile lit up the slowly dimming town as Celestia’s sun dipped below the horizon. She finally arrived at the jewel of Ponyville, the heart of the tiny town, Sweet Apple Acres. Her hoof gently nudged the gate open and she trotted onto the property.
Rarity let out a small laugh as she entered the farm. Remembering the last time she had described this place as the jewel of Ponyville, it was when she had brough Trender Hoof here. She remembered how she had acted out of jealousy. At the time she believed it was because of her crush on Trender Hoof, but it was because of something so much deeper…
“Howdy, Rarity,” Applejack greeted, Rarity’s cheeks turned a delicate pink as Applejack gave her a soft kiss on the cheek.
“Hello, darling,” Rarity replied, nuzzling her blonde mane. “Where’s Apple Bloom?”
“In the kitchen, doing her homework. Why?”
“No reason.”
“Is that a dress?”
“Pffftt, no.”
“Rarity, you didn’t-”
“Oh hush now, just say thank you.”
“Thank you,” Applejack replied after a deep sigh.
“It wasn’t a problem,” Rarity called over her shoulder as she trotted into the farm house. “Good evening, Apple Bloom.”
“Hey, Rarity,” Apple Bloom said, looking up from her math text.
It felt like only yesterday her, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo had been fillies, searching for their cutie marks. Now the three were teenagers, searching for their forever special somepony. Which was exactly why she had been making the three dresses, the Spring Fling was just around the corner and each girl had found a date.
“I have something for you,” Rarity announced.
“What is it?” Apple Bloom asked, she then spotted the dress bag and her eyes lit up. “Did you really?!”
“Of course, I wouldn’t make one for Sweetie and Scootaloo but not make one for you.”
“Oh thank you, Rarity!” Apple Bloom tackled her with a hug.
“Go try it on,” Rarity lightly laughed.
As Apple Bloom raced upstairs, Rarity took a seat at the old table. She looked around the place, her eyes dancing over the pictures on the walls. Applejack’s parents, before their passing. Granny Smith on her 115th birthday, the last one she had celebrated before she had left to be with her son and daughter-in-law. Big Mac and Fluttershy on their wedding day, the pairs first foal (Blossom) who had been born just a few weeks ago. And lastly, Apple Bloom with Tender Taps, her new boyfriend. Much to her elder siblings scrutiny of the young stallion, he was truly good to her.
How Rarity longed to see a photograph of her and Applejack together, but that wasn’t going to happen anytime soon. The pair had been dating for quite a few months now, but Applejack had insisted on keeping it a secret. She wanted to make sure things would work before their friends and families knew. Rarity complied, but a part of her wanted to shout it from the rooftops. However, that would have been rather unladylike.
As these thoughts wound their way through her mind, Applejack walked in. She washed off her hooves, brushing some cold water over her brow and through her mane. The orange colored mare hung her hat over a chair before sitting beside the white unicorn.
Before either could speak a word, Apple Bloom walked into the room. The sky blue fabric laid perfectly on her apple green coat, the pink blossoms bringing out the vibrance in her eyes. Despite the earth pony having never bought a dress from the seamstress since fillyhood, and thus never been fitted, the gown was a perfect fit. She wore no shoes and her mane wasn’t done as it would be for the event, but she smiled with a radiance that made up for it all.
“What do ya think?” Apple Bloom asked her big sister.
“Aw, Sugarcube, you look beautiful,” Applejack smiled.
“You always say that,” Apple Bloom replied humbly.
“Darling, you look absolutely lovely,” Rarity said, making Apple Bloom’s eyes light up. “A little makeup to help bring out those gorgeous eyes, a nice hairdo to complete the look, and Tender Taps won’t be able to keep his eyes off of you.”
Apple Bloom blushed furiously, thanking Rarity again for the garment. Applejack shooed her off to get changed for bed.
“How much?” Applejack asked.
“Not a single bit,” Rarity answered.
“Rarity, I-”
“Applejack, you and I grew up together. Now Sweetie and Apple Bloom are growing up together, it’s the least I could do.”
Applejack stared into Rarity’s crystal eyes. Rarity stared into the calming green of Applejack’s. The pair were frozen in time, if just for a moment. The sound of hooves snapped them both to focus. They bid one another good night as the unicorn mare trotted off to her boutique.
***
Rarity fluttered around the three girls, each one dressed in the garment made by her hooves. Fixing Apple Bloom’s mane, adding a touch of make up to Scootaloo, swapping the shoes on Sweetie Belle. Last minute preparations were underway, as the girls’ dates were awaiting them downstairs so they could sweep them off to the Spring Fling.
“Rarity!” Scootaloo whined. “I told you that I don’t want any make-up!”
“Scootaloo, darling,” Rarity interrupted the young pegasus’ rant. “A touch of make-up won’t hurt you. Besides, don’t you want to look nice for Pipsqueak?”
“We’re only going as friends because neither of us could find a date!” the orange pegasus huffed, blowing on the stray strand of purple mane that fell over her nose.
“Regardless, a girl should always look her best,” Rarity reminded her.
“It’s just for one night, Scootaloo,” Apple Bloom offered.
“Besides, it wouldn’t be a dance if we didn’t dress nice,” Sweetie Belle said.
“There, now you three look absolutely perfect!” Rarity smiled, stepping back to look at them.
She lead them out to the kitchen of Sweet Apple Acres, where Big Mac, Applejack, and Rainbow Dash had likely just finished frightening the poor boys nearly to death. Tender Taps was dressed awkwardly in a suit that clearly needed tailoring, Button Mash’s tie needed fixing (which Sweetie Belle did immediately), and Pipsqueak was dressed perfectly in a tailored suit. Rarity knew it had been tailored because, well, she had done it herself.
Rarity took pictures and fawned over the girls. She had no need to terrorize Button Mash, she had done that ages ago. The six high schoolers left for the dance, escorted by Rainbow Dash and Big Mac. After locking up the door, Rarity turned to Applejack. She had been planning a special night with her secret marefriend.
Her heart sank. Applejack was passed out on the sofa, her hat hanging on her ear as gravity attempted to drag it to the ground. Rarity sighed to herself and levitated the blanket from the back of the chair, tightly wrapping the orange mare in the old family quilt. She moved the old hat to the coffee table and kissed her on the cheek.
A soft sigh escaped her lips as she gathered up her things and the picnic basket she had brought. It held all of Applejack’s favorite foods, along with a bottle of champagne. She had even brought candles and a bouquet of flowers. Taking one last glance at Applejack, she silently trotted out of the farm house.
“I can’t believe this,” Rarity muttered to herself. “We haven’t had a date night in nearly a month!”
It was true. Their last date night had been a concert, Coloratura’s concert actually. They had told everypony they were going as friends, even Rara. Since then, Applejack had gotten busier and busier. She stopped putting effort into their relationship, and Rarity just couldn’t do it anymore.
Then, she thought about Applejack. She didn’t want to leave her, but what else could she do? Besides, it wasn’t just the lack of date nights and attention that was affecting their relationship…
Rarity recalled the day Applejack had gone with her to Canterlot. They were going to check on her store and spend a couple of days in the city, just a peaceful weekend away from home. However, immediately after arriving, Fancy Pants invited Rarity to a party. Rarity was going to turn him down, but Applejack insisted because she knew it would be a great way to get Rarity some exposure. Rarity wished she had just turned him down after what happened.
Her and Applejack were at the party, enjoying themselves. Rarity was getting to meet a lot of important ponies who could be vital for the life of her career, while Applejack had met some ponies she found some common ground with. At least, they had common ground for a little while.
It wasn’t long before Applejack and the other ponies started arguing over something. It had somehow circled around to foreign relations. While Applejack was a full supporter of open trade and alliances with other nations, those particular ponies were not. As much of a minority as those types of ponies can be, Applejack somehow managed to get mixed up with them. Rarity was fully embarrassed when it turned into a rather loud and heated argument, Fancy Pants himself having to intervene. While Rarity agreed with Applejack, she was completely mortified by the earth pony’s behavior. It caused a huge argument between them, and they didn’t make up for over a week.
That wasn’t the first time their worlds had clashed.
When Rarity went with Applejack to visit some family in Appleloosa, things didn’t go too well. Rarity tried her hardest to be appreciative and pleasant, and it honestly wasn’t that bad. But they were there for a week, staying in a farm house similar to the one on Sweet Apple Acres. Rarity found herself living the farm lifestyle for the week, and then she started thinking about what would happen if her and Applejack were married.
They’d have to stay on the farm, but could Rarity handle this kind of life forever? And still run her boutiques? There was always work to be done, they barely had time to go out into town. And even then, there wasn’t much to do.
Sure, Ponyville was much larger than Appleloosa, but Rarity had lived there her entire life. She wanted to travel the world! Take in the sights, smells, tastes, and cultures of lands throughout and beyond Equestria. Applejack would never be able to leave the farm that long, nor would she ever go that far. The farthest she’d been was the Crystal Empire, and that was only for an extremely short period of time. Sure, Rarity could go alone, but she would want to go with somepony she cared for.
All of these thoughts of the future and what would happen caused Rarity a huge weight of stress. She had finally spoken with Applejack about it, and Applejack had assured her that everything would be fine. Would it really? Especially with how things were going when they weren’t even that serious yet?
***
The following day, just after lunch, Rarity made her way to her annual therapy visit. She had never thought to go before, but then her friends had told her how great this particular therapist was. Rarity decided to go for a visit and, she understood what they meant. He truly did help her sort through some things. Since that day, she had been continuing to see the good doctor.
Entering his office, Rarity took a seat on the sofa opposite the doctor. He sat in a tall backed chair that seemed rather large for him. His shirt, vest, and tie were - as per usual - perfectly clean and pressed. She watched his paw carry the pen over the clipboard, writing down a quick thought on the page.
“Good afternoon, Miss Rarity,” Dr. Wolf greeted.
“Good day to you,” Rarity answered in a light tone.
“What would you like to talk about today?”
“Well, I have been keeping a small secret from you; from everypony actually. And I want to talk to- No. I need to talk to somebody about it.”
“Alright, this is a safe place. So, if you would like, do share.”
“I have been seeing somepony, for more than a few months now. It isn’t too terribly serious as of yet, but I have a feeling it’s getting there. I would have told you sooner, but she made me promise that we keep it to ourselves until she feels ready to tell everypony. I would tell you her name, but I Pinkie Promised. I wouldn’t want Pinkie bursting in and making a mess of confetti in your office.”
“I see. How is your relationship going?”
“It was going well, very well. However, things have sort of changed. Lately I’ve just felt as though I have been doing all the work in our relationship, and then I don’t feel like I’m even noticed. We haven’t had a date night in a month! I’ve planned four of them, all of them have fallen through. I try to be understanding of her extremely busy work schedule, but all I ask for is at least an hour a week. We don’t even need to go out, just talk.”
“So, you have been feeling ignored?”
“That’s putting it lightly.” The unicorn huffed. “I could wander into the San Palomino Desert and she wouldn’t even notice!”
“I see.” He paused for a moment to take a note, considering his next sentence as he did so. “Have you tried talking with her about this?”
“That’s the problem! It’s not just date nights she doesn’t have time for, she doesn’t have time for anything but work.”
“Communication is the key factor in any good relationship. Was your relationship built on a good foundation?”
“Yes, we’ve known each other our entire lives. I know I can tell her anything, When we communicate, we communicate well. But there hasn’t been any in weeks.”
“What about the other aspects of your relationship? Are there other problems?”
“There always are,” Rarity sighed. “We are rather different, in a few ways. Well, actually, in most ways. I know they say opposites attract, but a part of me is wondering if we are too opposite. We have different tastes in just about everything, different views on society, and our lifestyles are about as different as one can get. The only things we have in common are work ethics and the importance of family.”
“What about the positive parts?”
“Well, I love to talk with her because I know that, even if it doesn’t make sense, she’ll listen. She really has a very sweet and kind heart, and I know that she would never lie to me. She can be romantic, and she remembers small things. Off hoof comments that I make about a play I wanted to see, or a book I wanted to read, or even a food I had wanted to try. She always remembers those, that’s more than I can say. And, well, she makes me happy.”
“Well, the two of you do seem to have a well built relationship with many positives. However, I think you need to find a way to get her to talk with you. If you can, perhaps talk while she’s at work. Or maybe meet her at home after. Either way, find a way to communicate. Even if it’s nonverbal, through letters perhaps. Maybe even arrange a day that you both are free where you have a date night. But also remember that a relationship goes both ways. Neither of you should be putting in all of the work alone, it must be a team effort for the relationship to work. If you can both communicate and both put in the necessary effort, I believe your relationship could grow even stronger.”
“I hope so,” Rarity said with a sigh, rising to her hooves. “Thank you for listening, Dr. Wolf. It was nice to have somepony to talk to after keeping it too myself all this time.”
“I’m glad that you trust me enough to tell me,” Dr. Wolf replied, smiling kindly. As Rarity left she paused for a moment as she closed the door. Listening intently, she heard Dr. Wolf take a deep breath and say: “It’s good to be helping.”
***
Rarity rose early that Saturday, she wasn’t sure if it was out of nervousness or excitement. She had spoken with Dr. Wolf on Tuesday and had decided that today would be the day she made Applejack communicate with her. It had been over a month since they last had any real communication, and enough was enough. Rarity had been lenient for far too long, and Dr. Wolf reminding her of how important communication and sharing the work was just the push she needed.
She made herself some tea to calm her nerves, watching the sky fade from pink to blue. There was a gentle breeze, but the warmth of the sun was enough to deter any chill. So, Rarity simply trotted downstairs, through the shop, and out into town.
Ordinarily, at this time, shopkeepers would be just getting up. Preparing to sell their goods to the ponies of Ponyville or anypony passing through. But not on Saturdays. No, no, for stores opened late on Saturdays. Very few ponies were up this early on a Saturday. The mail ponies, the weather team, and one other pony who never woke past six; even if she really needed some extra sleep.
Rarity trotted through the gate of Sweet Apple Acres and began looking around in the orchard for Applejack. As she made her way towards the barn, she heard the tell tale sound of hooves hitting wood and the falling of apples. Following the sound through the trees, she finally found the earth pony.
“Good morning, Applejack,” Rarity said lightly.
“Mornin’,” Applejack answered, not even glancing up at her.
“What are your plans for tonight?”
“Working, than Apple Bloom’s havin’ her friends over for a sleepover.”
“Oh, are you going to come over then?”
“No, why?”
Rarity’s eyes began to water and it felt like an ice cold knife had been shoved into her heart. She couldn’t believe it. No, perhaps Applejack was merely joking.
“Um, have you forgotten?” Rarity asked, trying to hide the pain in her voice.
“Forgotten what?” Applejack replied.
“Today, it’s April 17th.”
“Right, so?”
“You really don’t remember, do you?”
“Rarity, I don’t have time for this. I gotta go, I’ll talk to ya later.”
“No!” Rarity exclaimed, levitating Applejack and making her turn around and look at her. “No, not later. We’re talking now, because later never comes with you! I have been trying and trying so hard, and I have put all of the spare energy I have into this relationship. And what have I gotten in return for the last five weeks?! Nothing! We never talk, I hardly even see you! The only time you ever take off is when a mission comes up.” Applejack opened her mouth to speak. “And I know you’re busy, I understand. But all I ask for is an hour a week, just to talk. Just to be with you without the stress of work or the fate of Equestria hanging over us. I feel as if there’s a chasm that is just getting wider and wider, and I don’t know how to close the gap.”
At this point, Rarity had dropped Applejack to the ground and was sitting on her haunches. Tears pouring down her face and into the dirt. Her chest was shaking as she finally let every pent up thought and feeling pour out of her. Not sure of what to say, Applejack sat across from her.
“And the worst part,” Rarity sobbed, “it’s our six month anniversary.”
“Oh, Rares…” Applejack wasn’t even sure an apology would be enough.
The orange mare rose to her hooves and sat beside the unicorn, placing a hoof on her back.
“I am so sorry, I just…” Applejack’s words faded as she realized she was about to give the same excuse she gave for everything.
“Got so busy, you forgot,” Rarity finished, feeling her tears slow to a gentle stream.
“Where do we go, from here?” Applejack asked.
“I don’t know…”
“I-I don’t know what to do.”
“Applejack, be honest with me-”
“Hah, seriously?”
“Heh, right. Applejack, do you want this relationship to go on?”
“Well, what do you want?”
“No, Applejack. You have always gone by my wishes with our relationship, what do you want?”
“Well, I… I don’t want to sound harsh, but, for me, the spark has kinda...died. I still care about you, and I want you to be happy. I just, the romance is kinda gone for me…”
“Oh.”
“Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I was kinda feeling the same way…”
“Really?”
“Yeah.”
“So, is this the end?”
“I suppose so.”
“I hope things won’t be bad between us.”
“No, this is a mutual agreement. Well, I have to go and open up the shop. Good day to you, Applejack.”
“Rarity, I’m sorry. About everything.”
“It’s fine, really. Perfectly fine.”
Applejack may have said more, but Rarity wasn’t listening as she trotted away. She dried her eyes as she left the farm, taking a deep breath to calm herself. She smiled politely to every pony she met, wishing them a good morning. She acted as though it were an ordinary morning, and nothing had happened as far as they were concerned.
Once Rarity reached her boutique, she went inside and closed the door. Leaning against the cold wood and sliding to the ground. She stared at a patch of sunlight for Celestia knows how long, trying to process how she felt.
In the end, she got up and went about her day.