“Oh my, the two of them really did? And what did he do?”
“Hehehe! Well, the good Doctor hurriedly trotted over to where I was, dancing on the tips of his hooves the entire way, and slammed down his entire bit purse. He told me that the ‘fate of Equestria was in the balance’ and that he ‘needed to borrow one of my finely crafted bouquets’. He didn’t even wait for me to get my mouth open before snatching one after a quick glance, and then running like his tail was on fire after the diminishing form of miss Doo.”
“He most certainly could have been correct, a mare’s wrath is a terrible thing to behold, afterall. Although I’m sure he didn’t mean any harm, I’m suspecting it’s going to take a few more bouquets to make up for his little slip of the tongue.”
“Oh, I’m sure the two of them will be fine in no time. But, I’ll make sure to keep a few ready at a hoof’s reach from now on, just in case he happens to need another.” Rarity and Junebug both giggled as their gossiping reached its end, and with it, the two of them parted ways after saying goodbyes.
Rarity smiled to herself as she trotted down a street. For being an early morning, today was already promising to be yet another splendid and beautiful day in Ponyville. Rarity greeted the many hustling and bustling ponies on her way, who certainly had good reason to make Ponyville feel like the busy streets of Manehattan.
The Princesses would make a visit to Ponyville that afternoon and everypony was running head over hooves to get everything ready. Rarity, having had the foresight to see this happening, had already done everything crucial she needed for the day, and was free to help others, as she had just done with Junebug. She and several other mares needed a tiny bit of assistance and an artistic eye to get their assortments of flowers arranged just so. When she spotted a lone apple farmer pulling a cart, she knew she had found the next mare in need of a helping hoof.
“Applejack! Good morning,” Rarity greeted enthusiastically over the many ponies scurrying about, causing Applejack to halt and look around.
“Oh! Mornin’, Rarity,” she greeted back once she spotted her.
“You have the looks of a busy bee, much like everypony else. Would you happen to need any help?”
“Well, if you could help with one thing, I would be awfully grateful for it, sugarcube.”
“Say nothing of it, I will gladly assist.”
Applejack nodded, and they made the short distance to the Apple family stand. Even on a busy day like this, the market was running normally, the ponies getting ready for the impending visit making everything so much more lively.
“Here,” Applejack said as she placed a small crate of Apples on the stand. “If you could deliver this to Pinkie, I’d be mighty obliged. I meant to do it earlier, but with how much everypony else is galloping around, I’m running late as it is.”
“Of course, darling. I assume these are going straight in to the catering for the visit?”
“You betcha.”
“And you’ll be staying at the stand?”
“Since school is canceled for today, Applebloom is taking care of the chores at Sweet Apple Acres, and Big Mac is taking care of the other things around town. I’ll be staying here for as long as the market stays open.”
“Oh, it must be very hard for you,” Rarity said with a devilish smile. “I bet you are dying to meet your winged sweetheart,” she teased.
“Urgh...I’m never going to live that down…” Applejack moaned, slumping over her market stand while Rarity giggled.
“Oh, Applejack darling. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but this is probably going to last for a while longer. Seeing either one of you blush from the simple mention of the others name is too adorable, and when you are in the same room...ah, you two are so precious,” Rarity stated and brushed her friend’s mane with her hoof.
“It was just one kiss…” Applejack bemoaned.
“One kiss in the right place can make all the difference,” Rarity giggled again and hugged Applejack. “Besides, a little bird told me that you two have been spending some time at her cottage,” Rarity asked, eager to know every detail.
“Hmh. I helped her with a few things that needed fixing, and uhh, she had some tea. So, I stayed for a while after,” Applejack explained as she stood up.
“Mhmm,” Rarity hummed with a singsong voice, but noticed the unsure demeanor of her friend. “What’s wrong?”
“I umm... I need... I could do with some advice,” Applejack rambled, awkwardly twiddling her hooves.
“Of course, darling. What’s on your mind?”
“It’s...well, Fluttershy…umm, Fluttershy asked if I wanted to go on a picnic with her. Just the two of us,” Applejack disclosed, a slightly pensive look on her face. Rarity smiled warmly.
“She’s asking you for a date, darling.”
“Yes, uhh, I got that.” Applejack rolled her eyes with a wry smile.
“Then what’s the problem?” Applejack’s ears went down, and her posture became more reserved.
“I’m not sure how to answer.” Rarity pondered the reply for a while, waiting for Applejack to perhaps add something, but the usually forthcoming mare kept silent.
“Don’t you want to? Go with her, I mean,” Rarity finally asked.
“Well, that’s just the darndest thing… I-I don’t know. I would like to...but…”
“But?” Rarity encouraged.
“Rarity… I’m not really looking to, to settle down...with anypony.”
“Oh.”
“I mean I do like Fluttershy, I really do!” Applejack hastily added. “She is a great mare, and we are very close friends. But I don’t know if I can…’date’ like that,” Applejack explained as she gestured animatedly with her hooves. “I mean, I have the whole Sweet Apple Acres to take care of, for heaven's sake! Not to mention looking after Applebloom and Granny Smith, and on top of that, we are the gosh darn Elements of Harmony, and we have all that business to worry about! It’s just... I don’t know.” Applejack slumped against the stand again after finishing her small tirade.
“And you are afraid that if you, hmm, got together, with Fluttershy, it would interfere with everything else?”
“With how many irons I already have in the fire, I’m not sure if I’d have the time to date her properly. And if I made the time for that, then something else would have to give. That’s umm, why I never asked her out before.”
“But you did consider it?” Rarity wanted to confirm, to which Applejack nodded.
“Me and Fluttershy have always done well together, and I think she is...v-very good lookin’,” Applejack blushed slightly, similar to a filly admitting her first crush. “We both work hard to take good care of what’s important to us, me with Sweet Apple Acres, and her with her flock of animals, and we often help each other out. It has bound us together in that regard. But like I said, I never got far with any thoughts about dating her, because I knew it would be hard to balance dating anypony with all the other work I have. That, and I have no need to settle down with anypony when I’m still so young. I didn’t even know she was open to the idea of...uhh, me, I guess.”
“Hmm…” Rarity hummed, processing all the information.
“Rarity, what do I do?”
“How have the two of you been doing otherwise? Have you spent any time with each other beyond having some tea?”
“Not more than usual. I reckon we have talked more often. And uhh, Fluttershy smiles more, I guess? We haven’t gone on any ‘dates’ or anything.” Applejack went back to fidgeting with her hooves.
“But now she asked you for one.”
“Yeah. It took her a minute to gather her courage... Was afraid she was going to fly off, with how nervously her wings were a twitchin’,” Applejack added with a tiny smile.
“Still, it was very bold, especially from her, to ask you out. It shows how much effort she’d be willing to put in to the relationship.”
“Yeah...and that’s why it makes me feel so bad to even consider turning her down…” Applejack replied, her ears drooping sadly.
“Oh, Applejack,” Rarity comforted her friend with another hug. “I know it must be a terrible feeling, but promise me you will not go on a date with her just because you don’t want to make her sad. That will only hurt both of you more in the long run.”
“Y-yeah.”
“Other than that, I’m afraid that there’s isn’t much help I can give you, Applejack,” Rarity told her friend, and placed her hoof over Applejack’s barrel. “This is a matter of your own heart, and you need to be the one to decide what you are going to do.”
“Hmmmh…I know. I just...I just feel so unsure,” Applejack sighed disappointedly.
“If you truly are of the opinion that it would be too hard for you to date her because of how much time other things in your life take, then you should decline, and explain this to Fluttershy. She will understand, I’m sure of it, even if it is going to hurt for a while,” Rarity offered with a sympathetic smile.
“Hmmh.”
“However, if you ask me, I’d hope that you give this a second thought.”
“Huh?”
“Applejack, love is never an easy affair,” Rarity explained with a gentle smile. “It demands time from you, no matter who you end up going out with. There’s never going to be a perfect time for when you can start dating somepony. It’s only a matter of recognizing when the opportunity presents itself, and taking it.”
“...”
“I know that you and Fluttershy could be happy together, if you just gave it a chance. And if you are still worried how you will have time for everything, you can support each other, and ease your burdens while spending time together. Dating is not only about going out to do something exciting, but little things as well.” Rarity caressed Applejacks cheek with her hoof, to which Applejack slightly leaned in to. “But if you are feeling unsure, you should talk to Fluttershy about it too. I’m certain you two will be able to talk it out.” Applejack let out a genuine smile.
“Thanks, Rarity.”
“You’re welcome, darling,” Rarity concluded, and the two of them hugged briefly. “Now, let’s put that to the backs of minds for now, and focus on today. We have an important day ahead of us, after all.”
“Yeah. Do you think we’ll get everything ready for the Princesses visit?” Applejack asked, while both of them glanced at the flurry of activity all around them.
“I certainly hope so. I know that both of the Princesses have wanted to meet with Scruffy for a long time now, but waited because of the language barrier. It would be terrible if their first meeting would go awry.” Rarity shook her head, remembering one particular visit from princess Celestia and her phoenix. “Let’s hope that Scruffy is not feeling too overwhelmed by all of this. He has been feeling a bit under the weather recently. You stopped by the library this morning, didn’t you? Has Twilight gotten the amulet working properly yet?”
“Oh...erm…”
“Applejack?”
“Ehm...T-Twilight probably has everything under control, heh. I reckon everything’s fine.”
********************
“Everything’s not fine!” Twilight moaned.
First comment
Get shreked haters
Edit: btw nice chapter kinda cleared up a few things with the AppleShy ship
Ha ha
It seems poor Applejack is out of her element here. I get the feeling that she has never been in any relationship before. Hopefully Rarity knows or picks up on it and helps her friend along.
That ending! I must read the next chapter ASAP! It guarantees to be hilarious!
8405715
No rest for the wicked, back to writing.
a flutterjack ship can honestly say I never saw that coming
Oh my god you are like crack dealer, man we are hooked, no need for the teases, daddy needs his hit now!
But seriously, great chapter, look forward to the next.
Heh, I wonder what went wrong this time? I mean it's PONYVILLE so something has to go wrong... I'm just curious about the specifics. Also, nice talk between AJ and Rarity, felt like a perfect heart to heart between friends. Hopefully Rarity's words will help AJ with her decision.
The teaaaasee we need more, I feel the chapter coming!
Didn't this used to be complete? Or did I already ask this?
Damn! Cliffhanger.
tease
Hope they work out their relationship as I think the pairing of Applejack and Fluttershy or 'Appleshy' as I like to call them is a really nice fit.
8405827
The whole next chapter (or more, depending on how it writes) is already outlined, so it's just a matter of him having time and inspiration for those devilish details, as the saying goes.
8405896
No, you must be confusing this with something else.
8405997
They're the two most reserved of the Mane6, imo, but they still shine in their unique ways. Maybe I shouldn't say this, but ... nah, I won't risk it.
Sorry.
Done with the shipping? Can we get back to the actual story now?
+
Honestly, at this point, I kind of want to recommend that you simply start writing a second story that's entirely Fluttershy/Applejack romance, because it's just awkward the way you're trying to mash those separate story concepts together. They're completely distinct and have no real thematic or in-story connection except for the fact that they're both happening in the same story. Even if you manage to make that work, it'll just mean you'll always be pissing off at least one group of your readers, because it'll either be people angry that they're not getting enough pony shipping or people annoyed that the story they're actually reading this fic for is suddenly put on hold for something unrelated.
You're already seeing some of that in the comments to this chapter. Not even saying you're not doing a good job writing it - it's just simply a bad idea to suddenly shift priorities like that and it makes it look like you don't know where you want to go with this story anymore.
Welp, if the Princesses didn't want a big reception they should have explicitly said so
So, AJ forgot about one important thing in every relationship, whether it is platonic or romantic. Communication, girl! This will be interesting.
Hah, Twilight will be really neurotic now. Poor thing. This will be amusing.
8406323
I agree, at this point the shipping feels a little shoehorned into the plot. My biggest problem is that while it exists it's not adding anything to the plot and takes away from the story rather than adding to it. I don't hate the ships but they feel out of place in this story and even if you did want to add shipping to this story it the way you added it seems rushed and very sudden, I too think that you should make a sperate story that details the romance of this universe because right now it's not doing you any favors.
8406500
Hmmm, the twenty or so new people favoriteing this story from this interlude speak of the opposite.
8406323
You mean...I could just stop annoying people?
All joking aside, that's not actually a terrible idea. I did have a plan for a side story if my Patreon reaches a certain amount, it's one of the goals I have. So maybe all the kissy kissy stuff can be put there if I ever reach the goal.
And of course I know where I'm going with this story. I have a map and a compass for that reason!
...
What do you mean that doesn't work?
8406443
I'm not sure if it would have helped. Twilight's the one who most likely going to be organizing the reception after all, or informing the town if nothing else. She has already been kicked to overdrive, and nothing can stop the craziness anymore.
8405946
Curse those unfathomable desires of mine to tease people.
8406590
I know, right? The idea that I could just choose to stop doing that was a complete revelation for me.
I wouldn't make it dependent entirely on reader donations, because putting it like that just comes across as a bit greedy from someone writing fanfiction about someone else's creative property, but it's what I would personally recommend. "AJ and Flutters" is clearly a story you very much want to tell and that's just fine, this simply isn't the best place to do it. Many stories here end up having "side stories" where things go that the author wanted to write, but that would've broken up the flow or felt inappropriate in the main narrative itself. Going that route would give you more space and reduce friction between the two different storylines.
8406598
The time has come to embrace the madness, eh?
8406602
I wouldn't put 30 dollars a month as greedy necessarily. The more I get from patreon, the more I should write, no?
8406608
i.pinimg.com/originals/65/46/9f/65469f02e381abf2dd3e8f54f32edec8.jpg
8406615
True, the way you were phrasing it you just made it sound more like "either I get this much or I'm not writing it," is all. It's something I've seen people do here and it always kind of pisses me off. It's not like even one writer on this site actually owns any aspect of this intellectual property. It strikes me as profiteering off of the popularity of someone else's work, even if you're writing a good story in your own right with it.
8406623
Understandable. But I need my tea man. Can't write if I don't get my fix.
8406602
Splitting it off is something that crossed my mind at some point, but the idea flew off somewhere before I could tell the author. His wouldn't be the first I've seen do that under similar circumstances. It's actually a good idea, but he was just about to get to the main story again, so putting that plan in action now would meaning putting everything on hold. It would also mean rewriting a few bits here and there because the perspective would be changed. But, I'm in general agreement with your points here.
8406626
It's an interlude for the interlude!
What do you mean that isn't how this works?!
Great stuff as always. And I'm going to attach a gps tracking beacon to you so I also can watch the direction of your story.
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I didn't steal your joke, how dare you!
Hmm, does the amulet glitch and only translate stuff into Spanish?
8405664 You are a fucking legend. Respect.
I normally don't upvote a story, even if it deserves it, until it's finished. I always feel bad about later changing my mind if it's bad.
In this case though, I upvoted. Not because of the quality of the story, though that's exceptional, but because I had to put in the 1337th vote. Pretty leet.
8413208
As good of a reason as anything I suppose.
My guess for what's "not fine" in the next chapter?
They can't find an amulet chain in Scruffy's size.
I kinda feel like the appleshy was kinda out of the blue, but I don't think it's a problem...
8405664
If not for that edit, I'd be hoping for the mods to temp ban you, with this for the reason:scontent-cdg2-1.cdninstagram.com/t51.2885-15/e15/11055468_787890314640391_1004482973_n.jpg
Because first! posts are one of the banes of the internet.
8413608
I have only one thing to say...Johnny Karate.
This story, at the time of typing up this comment, has 1337 likes.
It is 0013 PST.
8414244
Cannabis.
8422440
Cannabis who?
8425213
Cannabis stop 'ere? I needs ta git downtwn ta git me groceries.
8405783
Probably because it came out of nowhere.
My feelings on Flutterjack shipping aside for the moment, as far as friendly pokes go considering that they acted while drunk bringing it up again makes it funny, but at this stage in the story an actual romance subplot feels....forced. Like getting a YOLO tattoo when you're lying on your deathbed.
8812657
For me it dosent just feel forced but sorta unnecesery to have it to since i doubt it would do mutch story wise with scruffy
8812657
9010330
*Sigh*
Seriously ya'll, Just take it as a side dish to the main course, don't get too bothered by it. This is not the main event by far.
Personally I feel fine with an Interlude chapter giving a bit of clarification what was going last chapter, especially after that mess of comments being posted, where some people got so hung up about relationships.
That happened, now they consider dating, here is AJ confiding with another friend in a bit of feelings, pro and contra, or some 'whynots', the end.
Again, it's just something put in an interlude chapter and we'll probably not hear from it for a while now.
Now let's move on.
The princesses are coming after all!