The question came from down the hall and the farmer turned to see Trixie approaching her. They weren’t exactly friends but they were friendly. Things had gotten better after the thing with Wallflower. Trixie has started to hang out with Sunset more and that had started to bleed over more into the rest of them being friendly with Trixie. “What can I do ya for, Trixie.”
Trixie smiled at the farmer and struck a bit of a pose when she got to her. “The great and powerful Tr...”
Applejack rolled her eyes, she by far had the least patience for Trixie’s boasting. “Trixie, cut the chaff and just give me the wheat.”
Trixie wasn’t entirely sure what the expression meant but she obviously got the gist as she moved on from her bluster. “Trixie saw that video of you making Rarity a new closet.”
Applejack grinned widely and nodded. “I’m glad ya liked it, Trixie.” Technically that hadn’t been said but not even Trixie would seek her out just to berate it.
Trixie nodded. “It was most impressive!... If a bit long.” Trixie chortled to herself a few moments before getting back on topic. “Trixie would like to ask if you could help her redo her room?”
Applejack frowned slightly, that had been a lot of work, Rarity was one of her closest friends. "Uh... Well, Trixie..."
Trixie snickered as she shook her head. "Trixie is no asking for free, Applejack! Trixie will pay you."
Applejack let out a small chuckle, well that was less presumptuous on Trixie's part. She tilted her head slightly, stuck between the desire to help her burgeoning friend and not do all that work again so soon. Then she smiled as an idea struck her. “Tell ya what Trixie. Keep yer money, you help me out on the farm in trade instead?”
Trixie nodded. A bit more readily than Applejack would have expected but girls like her and Rarity really liked their frou-frou stuff. “Okay Applejack. Trixie’s not afraid of a bit of hard work!”
Applejack chuckled, the dainty girl didn’t look like she’d done a day of hard work in her life, but she could help Applebloom with some of the easier chores. “It’s a deal then.” Applejack stuck her hand out and got a surprisingly firm handshake in return. “Oh, though if ya need one of my trees that you’ll need to pay for. I don’t think ya wanna do enough hours to pay for that.”
Trixie smiled, shaking her head. “We won’t, my dad has plenty of wood for you to work with. He likes to make his own props, when possible.”
“His own props?”
Trixie giggled a little. “My father is Jack Pot, Applejack.”
Applejack thought for a minute then vaguely recalled a stage magician by that name. Though Applejack figured he was probably pretty famous as she didn’t pay any attention to that kind of thing and she knew of him. “Ahh, yeah I remember seein’ a sign for his show.” With that Applejack checked off needing to get the wood. Nothing she did to the room was structural so she assumed the wood would do. Just so long as wasn’t plywood. “When about were you planning?”
Trixie shrugged a little. “This weekend?”
Applejack thought for a few minutes before nodding. “Mmm... Yeah, I can at least scope it out, dunno about getting it done this weekend.”
Trixie blinked before she snickered a little and shook her head. “Trixie’s room is about half the size of Rarity’s.”
Applejack stared for a moment, she wasn’t sure why but she’d always imagined Trixie with a large room. “Well, we might get it done in one shot then.”
Trixie grinned a little wider. “Great! The great and powerful Trixie will finally have a room worthy of her! Mostly.”
“Mostly?”
Trixie snickered a little and shook her head. “Trixie just wishes it was bigger is all.” She dug around in her pockets for a moment, pulling out a piece of paper and holding it out to Applejack. “This is my address.”
Applejack laughed as she shrugged. “I could use a bit of a smaller room myself, more space than I need. Rarity’s room is huuuge!” She reaches out and took the paper, pocketing it. “What time?”
Trixie snickered a bit, waggling an eyebrow at the other girl. “From what I hear you probably spend a lot of time in her bedroom.” Trixie chortled at herself, thinking that’d be the end of it then. “Morning work for you?”
Applejack clenched her fist in annoyance, Trixie was lucky she was only a distant friend, close friends who dropped that line got a punch. “No... Me an' Rarity aren’t 'a thing,' Trixie.” Applejack was too distracted to think about Trixie’s room anymore.
Trixie blinked then shrugged. “Oh, guess the rumors weren't true.” Applejack started to relax, not expecting it to have ended that easily. She realized she should have known better at Trixie continued. “Trixie guesses she shouldn’t listen to rumors.”
Applejack chuckled a little. She personally hated rumors but that one always amused her. “Yeah, you come out and everyone’s instantly starting rumors about you an’ yer friends.”
Trixie Bounced on her heels, clasping her hands behind her back. “Oh, so that part of the rumor is true...?”
Applejack shrugged before narrowing her eyes at Trixie slowly. Most people these days were very accepting but not everyone.”That ain’t a problem is it?”
Trixie raised her hands defensively shaking her head. “No, not at all! It's great really! Well, Trixie doesn't mean great, she means it's perfectly normal and all. If you want to date girls instead of...”
Applejack grinned putting a hand on the other girl’s shoulder. “Trixie, calm down. I’m still just Applejack. You don’t need to give me any special attention or consideration, ok?”
Trixie blushed slightly in embarrassment but nodded, smiling at Applejack. “Yeah, sorry about that Applejack.”
Applejack just laughed, waving her hand dismissively. “See you Saturday, Trixie.”
Trixie nodded, grinning widely. “Yes! See you Saturday.”
Applejack looked up at the house in front of her. This was Trixie’s place and it looked perfectly normal. Chuckling to herself she knocked on the door, she really shouldn’t be surprised. It wasn’t like Trixie’s parents were about to let decorate their house in her beloved stars. Raising a hand she knocked firmly on the door only to notice the doorbell, laughing gently at herself she also rang the doorbell.
The door was opened by a rather frazzled looking Trixie. Her hair was a mess, her star-spangled costume hat askew like she'd just thrown it on and her cape wrapped around her shoulders, blocking out her pajamas, mostly. "Yeah, I'll sign f... Applejack!?"
Applejack was just barely raising a hand in a hesitant greeting when the door was slammed in her face and she heard yelling from inside. Though she wasn't one to smirk at other's misfortune Applejack couldn't help but grin at Trixie's embarrassment. Applejack wasn't sure what prompted Trixie to open the door like that though, Applejack would have never done such a thing outside of her house being on fire.
After a few moments of waiting, while Applejack considered if she should knock again the door was opened by a middle-aged man. "Hello, I take it you're the Applejack Trixie was yelling about?" Applejack snickered a little as he let her in.
"I assume you are Jack Pot, sir?" Applejack was confident in her assumption. He looked like what little she could remember of the posters, and he was a man in Trixie's house far, far too old to be an older brother.
Jack Pot nodded. "I am, it's a pleasure to meet you." He chuckled a little, looking up the stairs. "And such manners, I hope that you might rub off on my daughter a little with that." He motioned upstairs. "Trixie's room is the first one on the right. Make sure to knock first, not that that seems to stop her from embarrassing herself." He chuckled to himself as he walked off, and Applejack did her best, but ultimately failed to suppress her snickering.
Applejack climbed the stairs, grinning a little as she took a moment to look over the family pictures that lined the stairway. Smiling to herself as she saw they seemed to be a happy little family. She had no idea what Trixie's mother did but there were also pictures of Trixie helping her father in his performances. Applejack could tell, that despite the obvious 'smile because you're performing' smile, Trixie did seem to be legitimately enjoying herself. Which made sense, the girl wanted to be a stage magician, so she'd no doubt love performing with her father.
Knocking on the door that she'd been directed to she called through the door. "Trixie, it's me." After a few moments, the door was opened by a properly dressed and groomed hostess.
A bit overdressed and groomed once Applejack thought about it for a moment. Trixie had put on a very nice shirt that was somewhat revealing. A nice pleated skirt that, that due to Applejack’s association with Rarity, she knew was a designer skirt. The hat and cape were abandoned, hanging on hooks next to Trixie's bed. Applejack was not particularly surprised, the girl was almost as big a show off as Rainbow Dash.
Trixie blushed gently, causing Applejack to chuckle. Trixie frowned and raised her finger to point at Applejack. “Trixie did not answer the door in her pajamas, Applejack!”
Applejack shook her head gently as she pushed Trixie gently out of the way. “Don’t worry about it Trixie, it was cute.”
Trixie mumbled quietly, “Well if she thought it was cute...” Applejack started to turn but Trixie walked past her speaking in a normal voice. Apparently Trixie hadn’t realized she’d mumbled. “Well, what do you think about the room?”
Applejack looked about the room, pacing around it as she did so. She smiled a bit, the room had a fairly nice paneling already, she wouldn’t need to redo that. The closet was sizeable and had nice shelving for Trixie’s shoes. Applejack had to pause for a moment, did Trixie have more shoes than Rarity!? But with a quick eye roll Applejack continued around the room. Shaking her head a little Applejack looked at Trixie. “Hey Trixie, this place is pretty well put together, I’m not sure I could improve on it.”
Trixie tilted her head as she looked around the room. Licking her lips as she bounced on her heels. “Well... Trixie thinks that... Hm... What about...” After a few moments Trixie shrugged, her room was fairly fancy. “Trixie supposes...”
Applejack gave another small shrug but smiled, clapping her companion on the shoulder. “Oh well. If you just wanted a new look you should talk to Rarity. She’s got tons of ideas on that kinda thing.”
Trixie nodded, smiling a little. “You know she would be good at that! Trixie hadn’t thought about it but she could use a new look for her room!” Trixie missed Applejack's look of confusion as the magician looked around the room in apparent delight. Though the smile disappeared from her face as she looked at Applejack. “What’s the matter?”
Applejack has placed her hands firmly on her hips and leaned forward a little, getting a bit closer than most would be comfortable with. “What in the hay do ya mean ‘Trixie hadn’t thought about that?’”
Trixie pursed her lips slightly. “Uh...”
Applejack rolled her eyes and waved a hand. “Ugh, forget it. Whatever joke this was, haha, good one, Trixie. I’ll show myself out.” She turned to go only to be brought up short when she felt unexpected hands on her arm.
Trixie had lunged forward, grabbing onto Applejack’s arm and shaking her head. “No, please! Don’t be mad!”
Applejack sighed, rubbing the bridge of her nose. She wasn’t looking at Trixie but the girl did sound legitimately worried. “Let me guess, Trixie. Rainbow Dash put you up to this?”
“What!? No!” The virulence of the response surprised Applejack. Turning to the magician she noticed that Trixie was now blushing. “T-Trixie did this on her own!”
Applejack nodded, her annoyance giving way to curiosity. She was obviously missing more than just the joke here. “Ok, but what is 'this,' Trixie?”
Trixie shifted a little nervously, avoiding Applejack’s eyes. “Well... Trixie just wanted to spend some time with you.”
Applejack chuckled lightly shaking her head. “Ya coulda just asked, Trixie.” Trixie smiled, giving a hesitant nod. “So, What was your plan to do things after we didn’t work on your room?”
Bouncing nervously on her heels Trixie scratched her arm. “Trixie didn’t really think that far ahead....”
Applejack couldn’t help but let out another small chuckle. “You’re not great at this are ya?” Trixie nodded, mumbling something. “Hey, practice makes perfect, sugar cube.”
Trixie’s eyes widened a little and then a grin spread across her face. “It seems you’re warming up to the great and powerful Trixie!”
Applejack shook her head, still grinning. “Yep, but don’t let it go to your head, great and powerful Trixie.” Applejack turned and headed towards the door. “We can figure out what to do after I get back. Where’s the bathroom?”
Trixie walked over pointing to a door across the hall to the right. Applejack nodded but frowned as Trixie closed the door behind her. “What the hay...?” Applejack frowned at the door but shrugged. Wondering if maybe in Trixie’s house it was considered proper to keep all doors shut. However, this musing had an unexpected side effect as Applejack heard what Trixie presumed to be private gloating.
“She even has a pet name for me! Hehe!”
Applejack rolled her eyes as she headed over to the bathroom, she called all her friends sugar cube.
“I tell ya Rarity that poor girl is so awkward.” Applejack looked out over the soccer field where a small group of their friends were playing a skirmish. Though Rainbow Dash was, of course, the star player, Cloud Chaser was giving her a run for her money.
Rarity had silently been sketching in one of her pads as Applejack told her about Saturday’s events. After the room makeover fizzled they moved onto a movie and lunch. Applejack had had a good time but couldn’t fully express how odd Trixie had been acting. “Darling, we’ve always known that.”
Applejack chuckled gently. “I don’t mean her normal weirdness Rarity.”
Rarity smiled a bit at her drawing. “Well, you do take some getting used to darling.” Looking up and sticking her tongue out at her farmer friend.
Rarity had looked up just in time to shriek as a stray soccer ball came careening towards her. Luckily Applejack reacted in time to prevent Rarity from getting a face full of ball. Applejack grabbed and palmed the ball with relative ease. She chucked the ball back down into the field before looking back at her friend. Though Rarity seemed stunned the only damage was that her pad had been knocked off her lap.
Scooping the pad up Applejack took a glance down at the dress that Rarity was working on to find it was one of Rarity’s other drawings. Applejack started to snicker as she recognized that Rarity had been sketching two girls smooching. The snicker died in her throat as she recognized that it was herself and Trixie in the picture. “Hey, Rares... You wanna explain this?”
Rarity flushed and snatched the pad back out of Applejack’s hands. “I-It's rude to snoop darling!”
“Ya don’t really have a leg to stand on when it comes to 'snooping.' Now, explain.” To emphasize her point Applejack put a finger down on the page that had the drawing on it.
Rarity frowned for a moment then sighed. Sitting up a bit straighter she dusted herself off of imaginary dust. “Well, I suppose that not explaining would probably make it worse. Trixie has a thing for you Applejack.”
Applejack could only grumble as she facepalmed. “I got that you thought that from your picture. Explain why.”
Rarity couldn’t stop rolling her eyes, smiling at her honest friend. Honest, and oblivious. “Let me spell it out for you, darling. Trixie is normally a loud and rambunctious girl.” Applejack nodded. “She’s had no issues asking Sunset to catch a movie or me to go shopping.” New information to Applejack but she answered with a nod. “But she felt the need to lure you over under... at least exaggerated circumstances.” Nod. “She dressed up for you. And like you said she was extremely excited about what she thought was a pet name.”
Applejack groaned a little, rubbing her temples. “But why would she have a thing for me? We don’t have much in common Rarity! It’d be like you having a thing for me Rarity!”
Rarity chuckled, leaning forwards and saying quietly. “But I do, darling.” Applejack’s eyes widened for a moment before she felt the silky smooth hand of her friend running up her arm. Applejack let out a snort and Rarity wrinkled her nose. “Overdid it?”
“Yep. Ya almost had me there for a second.”
Rarity smiled and shook her head gently. “But seriously Applejack, in an objective way you are very pretty.”
Applejack shrugged a bit as she sat next to Rarity on the bleachers. “That’s not anythin’ ya build a relationship on.”
Rarity frowned at her friend. “How many relationships do you think start with the exchange of resumes, darling? Or is it those of us who do look good are shallow?”
Applejack grinned, looking skyward as she shook her head. “Not what I meant.”
Rarity let out a loud harrumph and stood up. “It’s close enough!” Her dramatic storm off was interrupted by a hand grabbing hers.
Applejack grinned, this was how it went with Rarity, she always had drama in her life. Be it real or manufactured. “Sounds like ya need to talk now, sugar cube.”
Rarity flushed and tried to pull her hand out of Applejack's iron grip. “I have nothing to say to someone who thinks I’m shallow!”
Applejack raised an eyebrow and released her friend. “Hey there, Rares, what’s the matter?”
Rarity but her bottom lip, sitting back down and grumbling. “I have a date tonight.”
“And why is that bad? Who’s the lucky guy?”
Rarity rolled her eyes. “I do believe that “pretty” isn’t something to base a date off!”
Applejack raised her hands defensively. “Ok, ok, I’m sorry Rarity. I didn’t mean it like that!”
Rarity huffed a little again, but decided to let it go. “Well, they’re from Crystal Prep.”
“Ahh, a fancy guy then? Bet you could out-fancy any of them!”
Snickering at her own private joke Rarity shook her head. “I’m not so sure about that, Darling.”
“Of course it is! Guys think with their...” Applejack rolled her eyes as she saw Rarity blush gently. “They don’t think with the head on their shoulders, okay? Just put on something slinky and show yer shoulders.”
Rarity continues her snickering as she shook her head. “I don’t think that’ll work in this case, Darling.”
“Hah! Yeah right! Unless he’s gay he won’t be able to take his eyes off ya.” Rarity’s snickering only intensified. “Uh... He ain’t gay... Right?”
Rarity grinned widely, barely managing her Sbicjers to allow her to talk. “Oh... I don’t think they’re straight...”
“What the hay Rares? It’s been a while since you had a boyfriend but a gay gu...”
Rarity couldn’t hold it in anymore as the answer burst out of her. “It’s Fleur De Lis!”
“Uh... Fleur De Lis... That's that pretty model girl from Crystal Prep, ain’t she?” At Rarty’s nod, Applejack was still completely lost. “Ain’t ya straight?” The answer was obvious but learning a fundamental change to one's world took some time.
Rarity grinned as she leaned back, fanning herself with her note pad. “I’ve discovered that a woman’s sexuality is more of a moving target, darling.”
Applejack chuckled. “Don’t have to tell me twice.” She leaned forward a bit. "So, you really think I should give Trixie a chance?" Applejack was still unsure. Once they'd gotten past Trixie's excentricities she was nice enough, but she was still really weird.
Rarity grinned, raising her fingers one by one. "She's very pretty. She obviously has good taste in girls." That managed a smirk from Applejack. "And I think if you got to know her she'd have other admirable qualities you appreciate." Applejack raised her eyebrow but Rarity shook her head, smiling. "She's my friend Applejack, I can't betray all her confidences."
Applejack chuckled and raised an eyebrow. “Well thanks, Rarity, I’ll go talk to her. I'll give it a shot.”
Rarity’s raised a finger grinning. “Don’t forget, darling. Somehow that happened.” Rarity flicked her fingers down at Fluttershy and a juvenile delinquent from the next town over, named Discord.
Applejack chuckled as she took a few steps down the bleachers. “Any other insights I should hear about?”
Rarity considered for a moment. Seeming to consider if there were any more secrets ut was ok for her to betray. Then she shrugged and grinned. “Trixie likes confidence. So maybe play up your self-assured ‘I’m always right’ side.”
Applejack scowled over her shoulder at her friend. “I am not Rainbow Dash!”
Rarity grinned and gave a small mock clap. “Oh, that dear! That self-confidence! Show her who's boss!”
Applejack opened her mouth before just throwing her hands up and storming down. Ignoring the snickers or the fact that Rarity was faking boxing moved behind her.
Applejack walked through the halls with purpose. She had taken Rarity’s advice in deciding to come at Trixie with confidence. Looking about she smiled as she located her quarry. Pausing for a moment Applejack nodded to herself. Confidence. Applejack reached out and grabbed Trixie’s hand. She felt her smile grow a little as she heard the surprise meep from Trixie. “Hey there, sugar cube. I’d like to have a chat if you have a minute.” Applejack grinned, proud of herself for managing to not phrase it as a request.
Trixie blinked, looking down at the hand holding before looking back up at Applejack. Blushing very gently didn’t stop her from nodding. “Y-Yes, Trixie has some time to spare.”
Applejack led Trixie to Miss Cherilee’s room. Applejack knew they’d have privacy as Cheerilee spent her time after school in the library. Grinning Applejack pulled Trixie over to Cheerilee’s desk. Trixie let out a small yelp as Applejack easily lifted the pretty magician and set her to sit on the desk. “Hey there, Trixie.”
Trixie shifted, squirming a bit under the other girl's attentions. “Uh... H-Hey, Applejack..."
Applejack grinned as she put her hands on either side of the girl, leaning in a bit. "I think I know why ya actually invited me over the other day."
Trixie blushed brightly, biting her bottom lip for a moment. Sitting up a little straighter and seemingly willing herself to be more confident Trixie answered. "Oh? Trixie told you why that was."
Applejack shook her head. 'I think ya wanted to go out. But you didn't wanna admit it, that right?"
Trixie let out a small huff, looking to the side and crossing her arms sulkily. "Well, there goes being subtle..."
Applejack chuckled a little. She had to admit she hadn't seen it because she wasn't looking. But after Rarity pointed it out it became horrendously obvious. Trixie didn't know the meaning of the word subtle. "Really, darlin', it wasn't that subtle." Applejack grinned and tilted Trixie's hear up to meet her eyes. "I could show ya a good reason to agree to a real date..." Applejack started to lean in before pausing for a long moment. Trixie's eyes just started to widen before Applejack let go of her chin. Taking a hesitant step back Applejack shook her head and took her hat off. "Aww, shucks! I'm sorry sugar cube but I can't do the agressive thing."
Trixie blinked, sitting there as she tried to process the events. Applejack had shown up acting strange, and then it got even stranger. "Uh... Trixie... Is confused..."
Applejack smiled as she replaced her hat on her head and just decided to be herself. Damn Rarity's advice. "I'm sorry about all that." She smiled, hopping up on the desk too so they were on the same level, more or less. Trixie was slightly shorter than Applejack. "I wouldn't mind tryin' out a date or two, Trixie. But I ain't no good at the entire 'being aggressive' and all that. If that's ok with you."
Trixie was still obviously a bit lost as to how she got into the conversation, but she understood it well enough. "Uh... Applejack, Trixie would like to date Applejack. Not Actorjack." Trixie snickered, proud of her pun.
Applejack gave a snort, she didn't legitimately find it funny, but it was unexpected enough to have amused her for a moment. "Well then why did Ra..." Applejack groaned and covered her face with her hat as she waited for the coming...
"What did Rarity say!?" Trixie was back to her old self, No hints of shyness or timidness about her as she tugged on Applejack's arm. Trying to get the arm out of the way. "Applejack! You can't hide from Trixie!"
Applejack could have held the other girl off forever if she had wanted to. But what surprised her was that it did actually take her effort to keep Trixie from pulling her arm away. The wiry girl was surprisingly strong for her slender form. It didn't come to anything as Applejack put her hat back on properly. "Hey there Trixie, nice of you to visit." Trixie flushed as Applejack smiled. "I don't want to date Actortrixie eit... Ok, that just did not work at all."
It did work in making Trixie snicker and drop some of the obviously hostile attitude. Tugging gently at Applejack's arm, though this time in a more attention-seeking way than a forceful way. "Please?"
Applejack's smile of amusement softened a little as she looked at Trixie, seeing that she was legitimately worried. "Hey now, nothing bad sugar cube. She just said that you had a thing for confident girls. So I was trying to play it up for you."
Trixie blinked then snickered, shaking her head. "You know, confident and aggressive aren't the same Applejack."
Giving a partial shrug Applejack smiled. "Well, I think this'll be some feeling out then? Because I thought that's what she meant, you know, the take-charge kind of girl."
Trixie went back to blushing a little. "W-Well... In certain situations..." Trixie bit her bottom lip as she met Applejack's eyes for a fleeting moment and both girls knew exactly what situations Trixie meant. "B-But I'd liked it if you were you."
Applejack smiled, her smile turning a little wicked after a moment. "Oh, I can think of a few times I might be more 'aggressive' than others..." Though just restating what Trixie had just said it for some reason caused the blue girl to blush a bit brighter. "But Trixie, why're you... I dunno, shy's not the right word... But... Well, I guess shy about this? You're normally so in-your-face."
Trixie frowned at the word choice. "I prefer the term confident."
Applejack couldn't help but let out a sharp laugh and nodded. "Ok, why aren't you the confident Trixie then?"
Trixie smiled, glancing at the closed door before looking at Applejack. "Because... Because being Trixie is easy." Applejack just stared at the nonsense statement. "Trixie's a confident, popular, talented performer. I... I want to date Applejack. I don't want to be Trixie with you..."
Applejack smiled after a moment of processing the statement and grinned at the girl. "Ahh, I think I can handle that." She reached up, gently pulling Trixie right up next to her. "I'll be confident for you, Trixie." She leaned in, pressing her lips gently against the pretty magicians.
