Negative Love
Dresses, food, music, invitations, seating, venues, scheduling, photographers, more music, more food… just planning for this is going to drive me nuts. Why can’t any of this be easy?
Know, what gives fuel to their fire:
My love, though silly, is more brave,
For may I misse, when'er I crave,
If I know yet, what I would have.
-Negative Love,
John Donne
“There we go!” Rarity stepped back and admired her work from all angles at once. She had set up the mirrors in her boutique to let her see an entire ensemble at a glance. “What do you think of this dress?”
“I’m not sure,” Twilight answered. “I can barely see myself.” She contorted her body, trying to get a good view of the mirror. The shoulder puffs on the gown (the nineteenth that she had tried on so far) were each nearly as large as her head. In her efforts to see around them, she twisted herself so far that she almost fell over. She couldn’t see Spike, but she could hear him giggle. “You know what? I don’t think this will work. I can barely move in this thing!”
“That would be quite a problem,” Rarity admitted. “It is designed for ponies with somewhat” —she searched for the proper word— “lanky proportions.”
“Then why did you make me try it on?” Twilight grumbled as she began to extricate herself from the mass of frills.
“Well, I started out with the designs that I believed would suit you best, but as you did not make a definitive selection, I figured we could continue down the line.” She tapped her chin with her hoof. “I think we can strike the more ostentatious dresses from the list. Simple designs fit you best.”
“I could’ve told you that,” Twilight said as she wriggled free of the frilled monstrosity that she had just tried on. “I think I’m done with dresses for today.”
“Very well,” Rarity said. “I believe we’ve made plenty of progress.”
“Progress?” Spike asked. “But she hasn’t picked a dress yet.”
“Of course she hasn’t,” Rarity answered. “Do you really think I would let Twilight simply wear a dress off the rack?” She shuddered. “Perish the thought! No, I merely wanted to narrow down the styles.” She waved her hoof at the three dresses Twilight had indicated she preferred over the others. “This is merely a starting point. I’ll begin sketching out some more designs, and before long, we’ll be fitting you with a bright, brand new dress!”
“Another fitting session?” Spike winked at Rarity. “I’d be up for that.”
“Oh, joy. Three more hours of standing on that pedestal while you pin bits of material to my flank.” Twilight stretched. “The wedding isn’t for months yet, and I’m already sick of all these preparations.”
“Trust me, Twilight. When the big day approaches, you will be exceedingly grateful that I convinced you to begin preparing early.” Rarity began to hang the numerous dresses back on the rack. “You will find yourself busier than you think you will. I dare say that you have it easier than most ponies.”
“Yes, yes, I realize that.” Twilight flopped onto Rarity’s fainting couch. Her legs felt like jelly after standing for so long. “I really do appreciate you going out of your way to handle the dresses for us.”
“Think nothing of it, Twilight,” Rarity said. “I simply want you to have the best.”
“And I have no doubt that I will,” Twilight said. “Spike, what other preparations do we have on the list?”
“List? Oh, right.” He dug his clipboard out from under a pile of discarded dresses. “Let me see. Fluttershy dropped off a list of songs for you and Applejack to look at so she knows what to teach her birds. Pinkie wants the two of you to drop by Sugarcube Corner to try the wedding cake samples. You’ll also need to check with Rainbow Dash when you pick a date to make sure that there isn’t any rainfall scheduled. And then Lyra and Bon Bon want—”
“Okay, okay,” Twilight said. “Three is enough.”
“You weren’t kidding when you said you were busy,” Rarity said.
“I’m always busy,” Twilight said with a sigh. “And that’s only the wedding-related items.” She didn’t even need to tell Rarity about all of her research-related duties.
“Of course. Just remember to take a little time to relax. You wouldn’t want to overtax yourself.”
“Got it covered,” Spike said. “She’s scheduled an extra half-hour after dinner before she starts studying.”
Twilight stretched, her back popping. “So when do you want Applejack to come by for her fitting?”
“I’m not sure. The day after tomorrow, perhaps.” Rarity pursed her lips as she examined the dresses Twilight had selected. “By then I’ll have a good idea of what your dress will look like, and I’ll be able to make sure that Applejack gets one that is a suitable complement.”
“Alright, I’ll let her know.” Twilight reluctantly left the couch. “Thanks again.”
“You are most welcome. I look forward to putting together an ensemble for Applejack. Until tomorrow.”
“Goodbye!” Twilight waved as she walked out the door. “Come on, Spike.”
“I was gonna stay and help Rarity clean up a bit,” Spike said, a hopeful smile plastered on his face.
Twilight couldn’t help but grin. “But you said you were going to help me with dinner, remember?”
“Oh,” Spike mumbled, his spines drooping. “I did, didn’t I.”
“Go on, Spike,” Rarity said, shooing him towards the door. “I have things well in hoof here. Twilight needs your assistance more than I do.”
“Alright, fine.” Spike begrudgingly followed Twilight out of the boutique. He held up the clipboard as he stepped over the threshold and into the afternoon breeze. “Dress fitting, check,” he said.
“Okay, so the Cutie Mark Crusaders will handle the flower filly duties, right?” Spike’s pencil hovered above the empty box on the checklist as he waited for a response.
“Yes,” Twilight said. “I’m sure we’ll have no trouble getting them to volunteer.”
“And check!” Spike said. “And the ringbearer?”
“Applejack thought you should do it. Are you up to it?”
“Am I ever!” Spike winked and then checked it off. “Rarity even says she’ll make a new bowtie for me! And now, the most important question!”
Twilight braced herself. “Alright, shoot!”
“What should I make for dinner?”
Twilight chuckled. For a moment she had thought that something important had slipped through the cracks. “Whatever you want to make. As long as I won’t break my teeth on it.”
“Stew it is!” he declared, thrusting his claw in the air. Then he paused. “We do have potatoes, right?”
Twilight nodded. “They’re in the pantry.” She took the list from him. “We’ve certainly made some progress today. Checked off… three things.” Her ears drooped. “I thought we had gotten more done.”
“Well, one of those checkmarks took like three hours,” Spike said with a shrug. “Why don’t you just relax? We already finished up everything we were planning with time to spare. I’ll get dinner fixed up, and you can go see Applejack. She’s probably done with work for the day.”
Twilight’s eyes lit up. “I can go give Applejack the folder that Fluttershy dropped off so she can help pick the music!”
“Ugh.” Spike shook his head. “You know you could go talk to her without all of the wedding prep stuff. The actual thing is still months away.”
“I know, but Rarity was right; it’s always good to get an early start.” She straightened the papers in the folder before putting it into her saddlebag.
“Alright, whatever,” Spike said. He pulled an oversized chef’s hat out from behind his back. “Just get back here in time for dinner. Or at least let me know if you’re going to stay over there longer.”
“Of course. I won’t be long.” Twilight slid into her saddlebags. “Don’t make a mess, okay?”
“Yeah, yeah, I won’t,” Spike mumbled as he watched her walk out the door. “Not if I have to clean it up.” He adjusted his hat. “Oh well, if she’s late, that just means more for me.” He picked up the checklist and gave it a final perusal. It did look pretty daunting, even by Twilight’s standards. Hopefully she’d make it through everything with her sanity intact.
“Come on, Twilight.” Applejack plucked her hat from her head and used it to wipe the sweat from her brow before hanging it on the peg next to the kitchen door. The kitchen was still nice and cool; Granny hadn’t started on dinner yet. “I just got back from two solid hours of haulin’ apples. Can’t the weddin’ stuff wait? I just want to get some cider and relax for a bit before dinner.”
“Well, you don’t have to choose the music now.” Twilight rolled her eyes as she placed the folder on the table, nudging the corner to make sure it was straight. “Oh, Rarity wants to set up an appointment to start putting your dress together. Are you free tomorrow, or will it have to be next week?”
“How about next month?” Applejack poured herself a mug of cider and drained it in one gulp. “Or the month after that. Last thing I want to do right now is stand still all day while Rarity wraps me up in stuff. I wish I could just pick something without havin’ to spend so long tryin’ stuff on.”
“Rarity just wants the dresses to be the best they can be.”
“I know that,” Applejack said. “I just wish she could do it a bit quicker. When I get a day off, I got things I’d rather be doin’ than bein’ her dress model.”
“Well, so do I, but I figure that if I do it now it means that I won’t have to do it later. At the very least you won’t have it hanging over your head.”
“I guess,” Applejack said reluctantly. “I swear, if she tries to make me wear a girdle I’m showin’ up to the wedding wrapped in a bedsheet. Just givin’ you fair warning.”
Twilight thought of what Applejack would look like wrapped in a bedsheet. She smiled. Then she imagined what Rarity’s face would look like if Applejack dared to show up at the wedding like that. She chuckled. “Maybe you should just do that.”
“What, and be on Rarity’s bad side for the rest of my life? I don’t think so.” Applejack took another gulp of cider and started flipping through the pile of sheet music. “This wedding’s gonna be a great big hassle, ain’t it?”
“Rarity says that weddings usually are.”
“Do I even wanna know what other preparations we gotta make?”
“Well, there’s dresses for the bridesmaids, music, food, invitations, seating, decorating the venue, the cake, the entertainment at the wedding reception—”
“Alright, that’s plenty!” Applejack reeled from the onslaught of prep work. “Alright, so we got Fluttershy doin’ the music—”
“Some of the music,” Twilight corrected. “We wouldn’t want her to do everything. There’s the prelude, the processional for the bridesmaids, the wedding march, special music during the ceremony itself, and a recessional and postlude!” She paused to take a breath. “Then there’s the reception.”
“Ugh.” Applejack wrinkled her nose. “So that’s what, like three different ponies we’re gonna need to do the music.”
“At least.”
“Well, I’m fine with just about anything you want to do,” Applejack said. “I’m sure Rarity or Pinkie would know somepony who could do it.” She closed the folder. Looking at it now made her head ache. “I’m too tired to be thinkin’ about this now. Why don’t we plan for some of the fun stuff.”
“Fun stuff? Like what?”
Applejack smirked and raised an eyebrow. “Y’know. Like where we want to take our honeymoon. Accordin’ to Rainbow Dash, Los Pegasos is real nice. She says she can get us a great deal on a hotel, too.”
“Los Pegasos, huh?” Twilight considered the idea. “You just want to visit Applewood, don’t you?”
Applejack’s eyes darted back and forth. “Maybe. But come on, you can’t tell me that you wouldn’t want to see the Daring Do film set.”
“That would be pretty cool. And there’s a nice beach in Los Pegasos, too.” She glanced wistfully into space. “I don’t think I’ve been to the beach since I was a filly. Though I was thinking that it might be fun to go to Manehattan. There’s a ton of things to do there.”
“Hmmm…” Applejack considered the idea. “It would be fun to spend some time in Manehattan, just seein’ the sights. The only times I ever go down there is to visit relatives. Or that time that Rarity dragged me to her fashion show.”
Twilight nodded. “And then when we get back we can...uh…”
“We can what?” Applejack asked.
“I just realized that I don’t know where we’d go after that.” She scratched her head. “I mean, obviously we’ll want to move in together, but… how the hay have we never thought that far ahead?!” Her face rapidly began to pale, and the edge of her mane began to crinkle. “What are we going to do? I can’t afford to buy a house, even with my job at the shop! I’ll have to start working double hours. Or maybe I could convince Bon Bon to give me a raise. I guess we could take out a loan, but—”
“Twilight, calm your flanks for a second!” Applejack grabbed Twilight’s head to stop the fidgeting before it could get started. “You’ve got time to figure this out, okay? Seriously, you’re on good terms with like, three different princesses. Even if you did have to buy a house for some reason, I’m pretty sure you wouldn’t have much trouble. And there’s no reason to go buyin’ a house anyway.”
“Oh, right.” Twilight shook her head at her own mental lapse. “We have the whole library! We can just live there! Unless you were dead set on us getting our own place.”
“Uh…” Applejack bit her lip, and was silent for a distressingly long time. “Actually,” She said carefully, “I was thinkin’ that it would be best if you moved onto Sweet Apple Acres.”
“You want me to move here?” Twilight said, a little more incredulously than she would’ve liked. “I mean, not that I have anything against it, but… where exactly would I go?”
“What do you mean, where would you go? You’d be in my room.”
“I know that,” Twilight said. “But we’d need a lot more space for everything. I have to bring at least some of my books along, and I would probably need someplace to do my research. And we’d need to find a place for Spike.”
Applejack shrugged. “We got plenty of time for renovations. Granny and Big Mac have wanted to add some expansions to the farmhouse for quite a while anyway.”
“But why go to all that trouble when we already have plenty of space in the library? We’ve got the whole basement to store stuff in. It’s more than enough room for your extra hats and a couple barrels of apples.”
“Well, that might work if it were just us, but I can’t just up and leave the farm. My family needs me to be here.”
Twilight rolled her eyes. “Applejack, the library is like a ten minute walk, tops. Five if you’re in a hurry. It’s not like I’m asking you to move out of Ponyville or anything.”
“It’s not that simple, Twilight.”
“Well, what’s complicated about it?” Twilight asked. “It just makes more sense for us to move in somewhere where there’s already room rather than spend a bunch of bits on an expansion. And it would free up more room in the farmhouse for your family to use.”
“It’s not just that,” Applejack said. “I know that I wouldn’t be goin’ very far, but I’d still be leavin’.”
Twilight’s eyes narrowed. “So I’m supposed to move my entire life over here just so that nothing has to change for you?”
“Twilight, you know that’s not what I’m tryin’ to say.” She frowned. “I’m just sayin’ that I got a lot of stuff tyin’ me down here.”
“What, and I don’t have a lot of stuff tying me to the library? All of my research materials are there. And Spike would have to move, too!”
“N-not necessarily,” Applejack said hurriedly. “I bet Spike could live just fine on his own. And you could still study in the library even if you don’t live there.”
“And you could still work on Sweet Apple Acres even if you don’t live here,” Twilight said sharply. “Spike might be more independent now, but I’m not sure if he’s ready to live on his own yet.” She could feel her entire body tensing up, as if she were a spring in the process of being wound. “Why are so you being so” —she wanted to say “stubborn”, but thought better of it— “adamant about not moving into the library? Is there something wrong with it?”
“No, it’s not that,” Applejack shook her head. “It’s… I don’t know what to say, Twilight. It’s got nothing to do with you or Spike. I just… leavin’ the farm is a big deal, you know?”
“I’m sure it is,” Twilight said, resisting the urge to roll her eyes. “Just like getting married. I know it’s a change, but it’s nothing we can’t work through.” In the distance she heard the clock tower chime. “I have to get going. I promised Spike I’d be back for dinner. But we need to talk about this. You know, get to the bottom of it.”
Applejack swallowed. “I know, Twilight. We’ve been through a lot already. We’ll work something out.” She smiled, but Twilight could tell that she had to make an effort. “See you later.”
“Yeah,” Twilight smiled back. “You too.” As she headed out the door, she couldn’t help but feel like her hooves were a little heavier.
Spike rolled his eyes. Twilight had been home for an hour now, and aside from a brief greeting and a few compliments on his stew, she had spent most of that time talking to herself. He ladled himself another bowl and contemplated saying something. Normally he was content to stand by and let Twilight ramble; when she did so she generally managed to talk herself to a solution. But sometimes she took after her old record player and started to loop.
On one claw, at least it meant that she wasn’t digging herself into a hole of despair or anger. Years ago, back in Canterlot, she had broken her last quill during a 2 A.M. study session, only to find that the stationery shop was closed. The resulting feedback loop of frustration had ended with her being chased by a flock of angry pigeons, and her bed being set on fire. Spike wasn’t quite sure how the fire had started.
On the other claw, the loop would probably go on indefinitely until somepony knocked her out of it, and the last thing she needed was for something else to stall the relationship. He took a bite of stew and waited for her to reach a point in her ranting where he could get a word in edgewise.
“I could understand if there were some pressing duty on the farm that she’d have to stay there for, but there isn’t anything to do that Big Macintosh couldn’t handle!” Twilight muttered to herself in between bites. “And Apple Bloom! If she were a bit younger I could understand. She’d probably be really emotionally attached to Applejack and would have trouble letting go if she moved away. But she’s old enough that she ought to be able to cope with it, and she’s been getting more and more independent lately, so that’s not a problem. I just don’t understand why Applejack is so averse to moving in! It’s not that big of a change. I mean, I’ve moved a couple of times and it took some getting used to, but it’s not that hard to adjust.”
She paused to take a breath, just long enough for Spike to jump in.
“Uh, Twilight? Applejack hasn’t moved anywhere before. She doesn’t know what it’s like.”
Twilight opened her mouth to say something, but instead stuffed a biscuit into it and began to chew. Spike decided to take advantage of her silence.
“Think about it! She has no idea what it feels like to go move to someplace else. She’s lived on the farm her whole life!”
“I know that,” Twilight grumbled. “But even then, it can’t be that bad. I‘d lived in Canterlot my whole life before moving to Ponyville! And when I got here, my social life was totally different!”
“Yeah, you actually had one,” Spike muttered under his breath. “It’s not the same, though. Remember where we lived before we moved to Ponyville?”
“Of course. We lived in the dormitory at Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns. What does that have to do with anything?”
“Well, we weren’t living with family anymore,” Spike said. “We visited Mom and Dad a lot, but for the most part we lived on our own. Do you remember what it was like when we first moved out of the house?”
“Yes, that did take quite a bit of adjusting,” Twilight admitted. “But we survived just fine! I could finally study without having to listen to Dad’s polka music.”
“Yeah, that’s true,” Spike admitted, “but it wasn’t like you were moving in with somepony else. I remember that you almost decided to stay at home when you realized you might have a roommate.” He paused. “Besides me, anyway.”
“A roommate would’ve driven me crazy,” Twilight said as she popped a chunk of carrot into her mouth. “What would’ve happened if my roommate was a slob? It would’ve been a disaster! What does this have to do with Applejack anyway?”
“I’m just saying that she might feel the same way,” he said with a shrug. “She’s been doing things the ‘Apple Family Way’ for her whole life, after all. I’m pretty sure that’s not quite the same as ‘the Sparkle Way’.”
“‘The Sparkle Way’? There isn’t any ‘Sparkle Way’!”
“I know that!” Spike put his claw to his forehead. “What I’m saying is that Applejack has lived pretty much her whole life on Sweet Apple Acres, and it’s kind of a big deal to give that up.”
“So I’m supposed to give up my life?”
“I didn’t say that either,” Spike said with a frown. “Seriously, by now I thought you two would’ve figured out how to find a middle ground.”
Twilight looked at Spike for a moment, then down at her bowl. It was a long time before she looked up again. “We do need a middle ground, don’t we?” She was quiet again for a moment. “Spike?”
“Yeah?”
“What do you think about all this?”
He shrugged. “I guess I’ll have to get used to whatever you two decide. The last thing you need is me making everything more complicated.”
“I don’t want to leave you out of the considerations completely!”
“Well, I don’t think you will. And that’s enough for me.”
Twilight smiled.
“Besides,” Spike added, “regardless of who moves where, I’ll end up getting my own room and you won’t bother me about my comics everywhere.”
Twilight sniffed. “I’m just saying, letting them get crinkled causes them to depreciate.” She shook her head, trying to get all the tangled thoughts to separate. “You’re right about Applejack, though. We need to figure out a compromise.”
“Great!” Spike said. “Now that you’ve had your little ephi...enpha…”
“Epiphany?”
“Yeah, that!” Spike nodded. “Now that you’ve had one, would you like some cookies? They’re peanut butter!”
Twilight chuckled. Spike sighed in relief. He could tell a real laugh from a crazed laugh, and fortunately this was the former. “I think some peanut butter cookies would hit the spot right about now.”
“Alright, I’ll go get them.” Spike hopped off of his chair and went to go retrieve the dessert. Even after everything she had been through, Twilight still managed to find things to worry about. Hopefully Applejack was good at helping her figure those things out.
Because once they do move in together, I probably won’t be doing that anymore.
The next day, Applejack kicked at a tree. The majority of the apples tumbled into the baskets that surrounded it, but some still clung to the branches. Applejack glowered at them. She could barely remember the last time she had failed to buck all the apples off of a tree. Well, she could remember the occasion: it had been her embarrassing-now-that-she-looked-back-on-it attempt to harvest the whole field herself. She couldn’t remember the specifics. Fatigue did that to a pony.
But today, the problem wasn’t fatigue. At least, that wasn’t all it was. She hadn’t exactly slept well, but she had done better work on less sleep. No, the problem was that her mind was elsewhere. As much as she wanted to keep focused on the apples, a splintery little thought at the back of her mind kept poking at her consciousness. The fact that she couldn’t get rid of it bothered her almost as much as the thought itself did. She prided herself on her ability to put her worries aside while she was working. But at the moment it seemed impossible.
She groaned. Was this how Twilight felt all the time?
She bucked the tree again, and this time the last few stubborn apples fell. She grabbed the edge of one of the baskets and dragged it towards the cart. Or at least, that was what she was going to do, but when she turned around she found herself face-to-face with Fluttershy.
“Oh, hey. How are you doin’? Did you need your music back or something?”
“No, I’m just checking up on the fruit bats,” Fluttershy answered. “They haven’t been eating too much, have they?”
“Nope. Well, we had to chase some out of our strawberry patch a few weeks ago, but since then they haven’t been any trouble.” She paused as she considered whether she should say what was on her mind. As much as she liked to solve her own problems, this was probably beyond her. At the very least, maybe telling somepony else could get it off her mind. “Um, if you’re not in a rush or anything, could I talk to you about something?”
“Of course.”
“It’s about Twilight.”
Fluttershy gasped. “Oh no! Did you have a fight? Is it about the wedding? Is the wedding still going to happen?!”
“What? No! I mean, yes.” She shook her head. “No, we didn’t have a fight, not really. And the wedding is still happenin’. It’s just… we just had a disagreement about something and I just want to talk about it with somepony so it doesn’t turn into a fight next time Twilight and I talk.”
“Um, well, I don’t know how much I’ll be able to help, but if you need somepony to listen, I can do that.” She nudged Angel with her muzzle. “You run off and play now. I’ll be done soon.”
Angel nodded and hopped off, disappearing into the orchard.
“And don’t eat any apples!” Fluttershy called after him. Then she turned back to Applejack. “So, um, what happened?”
Now that she had a listening ear, Applejack was a bit embarrassed to explain, but it was too late now. “We were talkin’ yesterday about weddin’ stuff, and naturally we got to talkin’ about what was gonna happen after the wedding.”
“Oh.” Fluttershy’s entire face turned pink, and she looked away.
“What?” Applejack thought for a moment about what had caused Fluttershy’s reaction. Then it was her turn to blush. “I’m talkin’ about our livin’ arrangements!”
“Oh,” Fluttershy said again, this time with a sigh of relief. “That makes more sense.”
“Anyway, we were talkin’ about it, and we realized that we never did get around to figurin’ out where we’re gonna live after we get hitched.” She sighed, and pulled her hat down over her eyes. “She wants me to up and move into the library with her.”
“Okay,” Fluttershy said. She was quiet for a moment, presumably waiting for Applejack to continue. When she didn’t, Fluttershy said, “And?”
“And I don’t know if I can move off of Sweet Apple Acres.”
“So there are jobs that you have to live on the farm to do?” Fluttershy asked.
“Well, not exactly.”
Fluttershy tried again. “You don’t think your family could handle you moving somewhere else? I suppose that Apple Bloom is still a bit young and might take it hard.”
“Actually I think she’d be okay with it. She asked me a few days ago if she could have my room when I moved out.”
“Okay…” Fluttershy had to think before she hazarded another guess. “Spike doesn’t want you to move into the library?”
“If he doesn’t, that’d be news to me.”
Fluttershy scratched her head. “So, what is the problem?”
“Like, I said, I don’t think that I can leave the farm. And what’s worse, I don’t know how to explain it.” She shoved one of the baskets into the back of her cart. “At least not in a way that she’d understand. And the thing that bugs me most is that I can’t give her a real reason.”
“So you’re” —Fluttershy spoke carefully— “afraid of moving away from home?”
“Well…” Applejack didn’t like the word “afraid”, but she couldn’t think of anything else to replace it with. “That makes it sound a bit too much like I’m a filly gettin’ all nervous about my first sleepover, but I guess I kinda am.” She picked an apple out of the basket. It was still shiny enough that she could almost see herself as she stared at it. “I mean, Sweet Apple Acres is my own. It’s always been. I’ve gone plenty of other places, but I always knew I’d be comin’ back here.”
“I’m sure Twilight won’t mind if you want to visit,” Fluttershy said gently. “She knows that you’ll miss your family.”
“That’s not it, though. I know I’ll see my family almost as much as I usually do and that I’ll still be workin’ on the farm and all that. It’s just that I know even if I still come back a lot, it’s not gonna be my home anymore.”
“I suppose it would be tough leaving the place where you lived your whole life,” Fluttershy admitted. “But I know you can do it! Remember that time you tried to move to Dodge Junction and work on the cherry farm?”
Applejack cringed. That whole excursion hadn’t been one of her finer moments. “That wasn’t supposed to be permanent, though. I was just gonna stay there until I earned the money I said I’d bring back. But this… it’s just so final. Once I move out of my home and in with Twilight, there’s no goin’ back.”
“Well, you may be moving out of your old home, but you’re moving into a new home! I think it would help if you thought about how great it’ll be to live with the pony you love.”
“Yeah, I guess so.” The thought made Applejack feel a bit better. The whole question still weighed on her mind, but it was a little lighter now. “It just feels weird to think about it. It’s not a bad feelin’, but I just don’t know what to do about it. It’s just… too new.”
Fluttershy nodded. “It might be, but that doesn’t mean that it’s bad.”
“I know that,” Applejack said. “Doesn’t make it any easier.”
“Well, a lot of things that are good for you are hard to do,” Fluttershy said. “I know all about that.”
“I know that too,” Applejack muttered. “I just wish I knew why Twilight seems to be so opposed to the idea of movin’ in. I mean, sure, it might not be the most convenient thing, but it’s not like it’d be a new thing to her. She’s moved around before.”
“Um, I don’t think that’s really the… uh… problem…” Fluttershy’s voice trailed off.
“Then what would you say the problem is?”
“It’s… well… if I had to take a guess…”
“Just tell me,” Applejack said sharply.
Fluttershy took a deep breath. “Well, I don’t want to put any words in Twilight’s mouth, but I think it might be that she feels like you’re… maybe having second thoughts.”
“What?!” Applejack could hardly believe her ears. “Why would you think that? I never said that I didn’t still want to marry her!”
“Well, no, but… it’s just… she might feel like you’re just asking her to change everything so you don’t have to.”
The words stung.
“But maybe I’m wrong and it’s something else,” Fluttershy said quickly. “I just… I thought that might be what it is. Maybe.”
“If that isn’t it, you’re probably pretty close,” Applejack said. “I need to talk things over with Twilight and find out how she really feels. I sure don’t want her to give up her whole life, even if she does move in with me.”
“I’m sure that Twilight knows that,” Fluttershy said softly.
“Even if she does, I want her to hear it from me.” Applejack closed her eyes and tapped herself gently on the forehead. “I just have to figure out how to explain how I feel. But how am I supposed to get her to understand? I don’t want her to feel like I’m tryin’ to control her or anything.”
“Don’t worry, I’m sure you’ll find a way to say it,” Fluttershy gently put a hoof on Applejack’s shoulder. “You two always manage to work things out.”
“Yeah, I guess.” Applejack pushed Fluttershy’s hoof away. “I got a lot to think about. Thanks for your help, Fluttershy. I needed somepony to talk to.”
“I’m glad I could help,” Fluttershy smiled. “Is there anything else you wanted to talk about? Because I should really get to checking on the fruit bats.”
“Yeah, you can get back to that,” Applejack said absently. “I just need some time to mull things over. Let me know if you need help with the fruit bats.”
Fluttershy nodded. “I’m glad I could help. I’ll see you later. Have a good day!”
Applejack barely heard. Her mind was already somewhere else.
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I think you might have confused yourself a little bit ofer the course of writing and editing.
Probably. The rest of the conversation treats it as a likely possibility. Y'know, that thing Twilight said to her face.
I can understand Applejack. Living in a place most of your life and consider it your home and suddenly moving is very scary...
But Fluttershy is right. Change does not have to be bad. Besides, you can feel in your home near the one you love.
Don't worry too much about the gaps between chapters. Your style of writing is well suited for delays; the chapters are long and you don't abuse cliffhangers, so it's easy to leave the fic alone for long periods of time. It's also remarkably easy to pick up again, and the chapters are reliably phenomenal. I for one don't mind the waits if this is the quality waiting permits you to write.
So, the chapter itself. I didn't see any syntactical errors. It's a little slower than I'm fond of, but that's more personal preference and the pace works well for this fic. Characterization is spot on as far as I can tell, especially given character development within the fic. Not much actually happens, but you still manage to convey how busy Twilight is (or at least, soon will be). I'm a little surprised how readily AJ asked for advice from Flutters, but you did emphasize how much it was bothering her enough to make it understandable. My only comment on the dialogue, beyond noting its quality anyway, is that Twilight isn't as pedantic as I'm used to seeing. Might be contamination from reading other fics, though.
Not much else to comment on. Good chapter of a good fic. I'm looking forward to more.
Woot! Getting closer to the wedding! Please tell me we will get to see life after that. Would love to see how they grow with each other as well as possible children.
Minor thing, and it could probably be fit into the next chapter if you want. What about the time Applejack moved (visited?) the oranges in Manehatten? She did return, of course, and the whole point of that sequence is her realizing that Sweet Apple Acres was her home, but I think it deserves a mention.
4876608 Ugh, yeah, this went through so many edits that that slipped through. I'll have to touch it up.
4876714 Thanks.
4876748 Unfortunately, I'm going to have to say that probably won't be happening. I've had plenty of fun writing this story, but after nearly two years of keeping at it, I'm not sure I could keep it going that long without getting sick of it. Introducing kids would be a huge tangle in the story and while it would add some really interesting content, it would be an incredible amount of work.
4876914 I actually deliberately left that for the next chapter.
Why am I having dirty thoughts. Why.
Oh, and I want them to move in to Twilight's. As much as I like AJ, she could use a change of scenery from time to time.
There's one more thing they forgot on weddings: a bachelorette party!!!
Night Light listens to Polka music?!!?!?
If Twilight and Applejack really do love each other here's an advice: Actions speak louder than words.
This chapter confuses me a little, but it seems like the problem is with Applejack here. She is procrastinating on the wedding preparations. After years of running an apple farm and knowing how to pace projects to allow for time for harvesting, she's not even falling back to that type of planning to get everything done. The biggest concern that she had was a full day to have Rarity start working on their dresses. Applejack could either split the day into two visits or tell Rarity she could only be around for a few hours. Twilight pretty much did most of the planning because all Rarity has to do is make it work around Twilight's dress.
Another thing is the part about moving out. It's not only a while down the road, but she has lived in Manehatten for an indeterminate amount of time. Granted, she was young, but she has had the experience of actually living somewhere else other than the farm. She wasn't planning on going back then, but then sonic rainboom and all that.
I can feel why Twilight might be a little upset that she would have to move to Sweet Apple Acres. She's had her own brand of privacy all her life and if she did move onto the farm, she'd lose that with all the Apples underhoof constantly. Maybe Applejack would think the library too quiet? They're going to have to figure something out, regardless.
It feels like if anypony is having second thoughts, it's Applejack.
"desert" should be "dessert" (it's so good you need two servings of the 's').
I always love seeing this fic pop up in my feed. It's so different than a lot of the other romance fics on the site. The way it explores everything about the relationship is great. It's nice to watch the characters grow. So, thanks for that.
4876943 You know I can understand completely and while unfortunate I will take what I can get.
But still...
WRITE MONKEY! WRITE FOR MY AMUSEMENT! MUH HA HA HA HA HA HA!
I'm pretty sure the Donne quote is "whene'er", not "when ere". At least, it's slightly less really hard to parse that way.
lovely chapter in an even lovelier story.
I enjoy reading it and hope to be able to read more of it
4877025
This is actually going to be addressed in the next chapter.
4877036
4877191 I've seen a couple different versions. I'll probably change it to be easier to follow, though.
...And then they'll both look like idiots a year or two later when Tirek blows up the library,
To be honest, I think there's a rather clear solution here: Move the library over to Sweet Apple Acres. Twilight probably has the magical raw strength to lift it (and knows an alicorn or three who would probably be more than willing to help if she can't), and the Acres are close enough to town that it wouldn't be a problem for the whole Public Library part.
4877476 ...I honestly never thought of that. It's certainly possible, though it might be a bit cartoony for the story.
Maybe Twilight would just like AJ all to herself.
Wonder how this will work out.
Is it weird that I want to see this thing escalate with Spike? Not because I want him to suffer but because I want there to be a crucible that sorta... helps Spike's low self-esteem, and helps him face the fear that he's not really an important part of a family, which has been stated .
It also makes me want to solve this with them moving onto the farm, so that Spike can't avoid being treated like part of a larger extended family, that treats family pretty different from how Twilight's family presumably did.
4877588 4878184
Spike could be the one to point out the "Move the building" solution. Leave it to him to point out the compromise when everyone else is being a drama-head :P
This is always the problem when you're dealing with insecure high-achievers like Twilight and ponies with barely-suppressed inferiority complexes like AJ. They'll always find something to argue about, usually because they're both panicking about the subject. I just love how AJ and Twi keep on ending up sitting there, talking to friends and getting talked down from a panic attack. Not that different from real-life affianced couples, really!
There may be a middle ground to find. The simplest thing is to build Twilight a library at the Acres. The next simplest thing is to build a whole new house at the exact geographic centre point between the Library and the farm-house.
Yay update!
I always imagen that they would have a house built somewhere along/on the edge of the farm and ponyvile, bigger than her old library yet still "on" the farm so she could still do her work and pony's could still get books and AJ won't have far to go for her work...(I thought this before the end of season 4) but then again your twi has a job that is not to run the library... they could still do this just not quite the same way...
Either way thanks for this update and I'll be waiting for the next one!
4876943 <GASP> I'm psychic!
I'm just glad to see they've moved past the point of outright blowing up at each other over their own insecurities. At least for this time.
I was wondering when Applejack and Twilight were going to start talking about where they would live after getting married. It's clearly a long-overdue conversation.
Personally, I think Twilight moving to Sweet Apple Acres is the optimal solution. For one thing, Applejack has lived at the farm much longer than Twilight has lived in the library. For another, space is at a premium in Ponyville itself, but not on the farm. It seems to me that Applejack's ties to the farm are stronger than Big Macintosh's and Apple Bloom's, and that those two would be the ones moving away when they get married or explore other opportunities. Somepony has to, after all - Granny Smith's siblings and their descendants aren't still living there.
... and maybe getting too attached to the library isn't such a great idea, if Tirek is still out there.
Still, it's always nice to see the ponies having sensible adult discussions about these things, and at least they're not at each others' throats about it.
4916260 Okay, I fully understand that the whole "Spike running the library" thing comes out of nowhere, but I do feel like I have to point something out:
Twilight isn't really much of a librarian. Seriously, she's never been shown actually doing that, and she only really has that position because she happens to live in the library. The show has never actually shown her acting as librarian. So I figured that in the context of the fic, the library has been kinda neglected anyway, so Spike taking it over isn't really that much more responsibility for him.
Though I probably should've worked that into the story more.
So, to start this off, I'll get it out of the way that I'm really not much of a fan of the series. Most of that, I suppose, I can blame on a chunk of the fandom; I know too many people, online or in real life, who are irritatingly vocal about the show, and so for the longest time, I actively avoided it. I did eventually start watching the show when some of my less-than-crazy friends would talk about it, primarily because I like to at least be able to hold a conversation about any particular subject, and also because, as it turns out, I actually think it's not all that bad.
How I managed to find this story is a different matter entirely. Because I'd been looking up ways to handle different forms of love for a fic of my own, I found myself on the TV Tropes page 'The Four Loves', and ended up finding this story being referred to in the Phileo section. I'm not entirely sure what it was that convinced me to read it, but I'm certainly not unhappy with my decision. A lack of a consistent internet connection has kept things going at a slow reading pace for me, though I must say that it was worth the hassle.
All-around, I've liked the story so far, and while it's traditional for someone to say that they can't wait, or belt out an immature "MOAR", I'd like to say that, as a matter of fact, yes, I can wait. Sure, there are errors (whether they're through no fault of your own or otherwise, damned Google Docs), but how well you write, how it flows, makes such things little more than a trifling afterthought, to the point that I have to actively look through the work to catch anything. I say that I can wait because I'd rather you steadily churn out exceptional work than pump out chapter after chapter of mediocrity.
In the words of George Savile, "A man who is a master of patience is a master of everything."
Normally, I don't do slice of life, because it can get pretty boring. Such is not the case here, and I'd have to say it's because, save that it's set in a fantastic universe with deformed ponies capable of human speech and earth-shattering supernatural feats, it feels very much like real life. Just about everything in it is relatable to some degree, and so my brain is always reminding me of what each scene is comparable to, but the differences keep things... refreshing, maybe? Not entirely sure of what word would be best to describe it, but the point is that it's still got enough of that something in it to keep me from being bored about it.
Unfortunately, I'm probably not going to make any comments as of yet on specific chapters, mostly because I'd have to reread everything, and... well, with thirty-four chapters breaking into the thousands in word count, I think my head would be all tuckered out by the time I'm done, and I'd like to still be capable of coherent thought by the time your next chapter is completed. I'd love to see what you have in mind,, and I've got faith in you and your abilities, so I highly doubt that I'll be disappointed when the wait is up.
4959806 I'm glad you enjoy the story. And thanks for making such a well thought out comment.
4960139 You are, in fact, quite welcome.
Because where would be the fun in that? And, yeah I know what's coming this chapter, you'll wish this was the only issue you had.
.. Even for Rarity....
To bad we can't actually see a montage of all the horrible ideas for a dress AJ and Twi need to go through.
Ya think?!
I really like this, some minor complaining about things like having to deal with the dresses and what not, not really being happy with doing it. But still appreciative of her friends hard work on her behalf, even if she does find the process frustrating and tedious. Just, love when stories can nail that kind of feeling.
This is Twilight's wedding, and the 'list' is able to fit on a single clipboard? unless, that is just their list for that day, and the master list is a massive roll of parchment to large to carry they just have hanging in the library and unroll to find the days stuff.
I'm pretty sure Tia will give you some time off, or at least with reduced 'duties' while you get ready for your wedding.
Good idea. Get Twi's done to narrow down the choices before starting on AJ's, so her fittings won't take as long. Twi might complain a bit bit still stand there. AJ.... will complain a lot more and more likely to get fed up and need to take a break.
...
CUTIE MARK CRUSADER FLOWER FILLIES YAY!
But, yeah Twi does have a really easy time prepping for this thing, she basically just has to copy Shining Armor and Cadance's.
And how will she let you know without coming back?
It's the little touches like this that really really help to make your stories so damn good.
Umm, Rarity said to tell AJ the day after tomorrow, not tomorrow.
So AJ is the stallion in the relationship then?
Please try to make her wear a girdle, please try to make her wear a girdle....
Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie and the rest of the Apple family. Maybe Bon-Bon adding some sweets. Just copy the announcements list, Seating... that one is going to be epic trying to see Twi work out, More Rarity and Pinkie, Pinkie, Again Pinkie, provided she still has the 'summon DJ' spell prepared. So yeah that's not really a lot she and AJ have to do, just give their friends plans the okay and let them take care of things.
Fluttershy, Lyra, and then book Octavia.
Like whose going to be tied to the bed first after the wedding. Oh right, not that type of story. But, still....
Double Typo?
Also really prefer Las Pegasus as Pony Vegas.
Shouldn't that be 'dragged us'?
Hmmm, what is that odd whistling sound.. almost sounds like the cartoon sound effect of a bomb rapidly falling through the air about to land in a massive explosion....
That, is actually quite easy. And do love how this was foreshadowed. Each of them just assumed the other would be moving in with the them. Not, made a decision they would just, kind of automatically assumed it subconsciously. Very well done.
Oh shit... it's been so long.. better hope this thing still works... we are at Twicon 3 ponies! I repeat, set Twicon condition 3!
Why jump to 'buy a house' when you both already have places to live? Also, makes Spike's "I'll just get m own place" even that dumber.
AKA ALL of them. But, kind of odd seeing a pony finally bring this up.
Does make sense from a practical stand point. Easier to fit AJ in the Treebrary then Twi in the Farmhouse. Though, not so good for AJ to be that far away from the farm.
Again yeah from a purely logical standpoint, it does make sense, but also can see why AJ wouldn't really like that idea.
Thank you!
The value of having a large vocabulary.
Yes just keep that in mind. And, yeah nice job with both the set up earlier, and this first blow in the fight. Twi, is right from a purely logical point of view, it does make the most sense. But, while it's hard to express it clearly because it's not logical, or rationale, but emotional. AJ not wanting to leave does also make sense.... only option.. move the Library TO SAA. Both are happy.
And there is the issue. AJ has NEVER moved. Closest she ever came was the few weeks as a filly she lived in Manehatten. She has spent her whole life in the house. She's gotten far more attached to it then you ever did to a place. For you, most places were just, houses. Buildings. Not homes.
.... if you mean, actually existed after that, then yeah.
Don't stop that.
AND he listens to Polka? Seriously you NEED! To write a story about Shiny and Twily as foals dealing with their parents!
What isn't known, is that Twilight actually WAS given a roommate, and she was a slob. The resulting disaster was so huge Celestia broke out the Star Swirl the Bearded Wing spells and rewrote time to erase that from ever happening.
AKA, Best cookie. nice job Spike.
No, she does kind of need you. You know her too well and are better able to be blunt enough to get right to the point and aren't afraid to slap her upside the head when she needs it.
No, her's is much much MUCH worse. that is just a shadow of how she feels.
Yes, no, yes.
he's going to pack away a whole tree on his own now, isn't he?
... Do I want to know why she needs an extra room? Eh who am I kidding, of course I do.
Not a logical one. But still a real one.
Also this. es very very well done making her worries clear, and feel realistic. And also valid, but at the same time, not be logical or able to actually explain them.
Where's Sweetie Belle when you need her?
That's not the issue, she's just more upset with how hard you rejected even the idea of moving off the farm then the idea of moving onto it herself.
^This^
Well, all I knew going into the story about future events was they would get married, and this fight. And, damn was it well done. Both sides had good reasons and, yeah it wasn't just some stupid lack of communication but, both sides having different views on things. They stopped fighting before they got to heated to back off and think things over. Just, amazingly well done all around, can't wait to see the solution... since you nixed the one I like the best.
Commence read.
Planning a wedding, all the stress.
I certainly like how you have taken a deep look into each character's thoughts and feelings throughout this story.
When reading, you can see how stressful the wedding preparations are. You can sympathize with the characters.
Hehe, Rarity makes me laugh with how eager she is about romantic events/matters. She always takes them into her own hooves. She's so in character in this story.
First thing that came to mind, mainly because I was thinking about it yesterday, which is weird:
"We are in Buckingham Palace, the very heart of the British nation. Sherlock Holmes, put your trousers on!"
I thought that at first, too. Then the talk about Applewood--I remember there being mention of a sign at some point in the fic, though I might be wrong about that--made me realize it's not Las Vegas. It's Los Angeles. Then it made perfect sense.