"I... uh..." Applejack brushed herself off and stood up straight. "I promise I ain't usually like this." She cleared her throat. "Representin' the Apple Family—one of the longest if not the longest standin' earth pony families in Ponyville—I find myself havin' to speak in front of crowds and motivate local farm ponies into workin' with one another all together-like. But... I... uh... I-I reckon that this evenin' ain't like all my other evenin's."
"I'm... s-sorry to hear that." Fluttershy remained squatting... trembling. "For me... this evening is just like very evening."
"Well, that's a cryin' shame!" Applejack smirked proudly. "Yer a bright young mare! You dun brought us a bunch of beautiful singin' birds to keep the place lively! You should be out in the thick of the crowd, livin' it up! Boastin' over what you've accomplished!"
"Oh no!" Fluttershy covered her eyes, grimacing. "I couldn't! I wouldn't!" She gnashed her teeth. "It's just... just so uncomfortable."
Applejack shrugged. "Comfort ain't always everythang. Most of the time you gotta sweat and ache in order to get thangs done."
"Then why aren't you 'out in the thick of the crowd, livin' it up?'"
"Oh... uhhhhhh..." Applejack winced visibly, sweating slightly. "You... uh... eheheh... you got me there."
"I'm sorry..."
"What for, sugarcube?"
"I can tell you're only trying to motivate me to be more social and assertive." Fluttershy sighed out the side of her muzzle. "A lot of ponies try and do that... but I'm such a hard pony to change or push myself... and then they all get impatient with me and give up. I... don't keep a lot of friends..."
"Awwwww... now don'tcha go sayin' that!" Applejack reached over and hooked a hoof around the mare's shoulder. "I'm sure you'd make lots of ponies happy just to get to know you! What... with you knowin' so much about birds and... uhm..." Applejack's eyes darted around. "... ... ...bein' skilled in hiding behind barn support beams where nopony can see you." She gulped. "Celestia knows I could use a bit of talent in that right now.."
"Actually... I... uhm..." Fluttershy brushed at her pink bangs. "I'm the town's official animal caretaker."
"Oh yeah? Since when?"
"Uhm... a f-f-few months ago?"
"Well, what a fine surprise!" Applejack grinned wide. "I'm standin' next to a practical celebrity! Yeeeee—" She froze in mid yodel, pupils shrinking. She squatted again next to Fluttershy.
"Oh... I-I wouldn't want to be a celebrity," Fluttershy said. "All of that attention and... mmmmm... pr-pressure?" She sighed, then put on a weak smile. "I-I'm just happy to bring so much comfort to so many cute and lovely animals."
"Well..." Applejack spoke in a hushed tone, her eyes wandering across the crowded barn to where she last spotted Silver Shadow. "I can respect that a whole lot."
"Really?"
"Darn tootin'," Applejack whispered, craning her neck anxiously. "It's a mighty fine thing when a pony has love and affection for her work."
"Oh. Oh yes." Fluttershy nodded. "I agree."
"Just... keep your heart on your work and nothin' else. Then life takes care of itself!" Applejack pawed at the floorboards with pensive hooves. "Yessirree bob. Just... lovin' work." She gulped. "There ain't no sense in lurvin' anything or... a-anypony else..." Her green eyes darted towards Fluttershy. "Is there?"
"That's hard to say."
Applejack breathed with relief. She smiled into the shifting shadows of the hoedown. "Heh... what's the sense in overthinkin' it..."
"Although..."
"???" Applejack's ears perked up.
Fluttershy spoke nervously, "I could have left with my singing bird friends half-an-hour ago... but... mmmmm... I decided to stay."
"Well, good for you!" Applejack patted the timid mare's shoulder as they squatted together. "See? You've got some gumption in you after all!"
"Well... it's not really for myself that I decided to stay. But... but..."
"Yeah?"
Fluttershy hesitated.
Applejack blinked at her, curiously.
"You... you've been so kind, Applejack. And... and I wish I could explain it, but... but you strike me as so nice and kind and honest. I feel like I could almost tell you anything... but... but I-I don't want to make you feel uncomfortable—"
"Hey. It's alright. As far as I'm concerned, you've made a friend tonight."
Fluttershy's feathertips fluttered. "I have?"
"Sure thang! I like work-oriented ponies who take care of the animal folk!"
"Oh... oh that's so wonderful..." Fluttershy exhaled, her voice turning melodic.
"Heheh... now... go on..." Applejack waved a fetlock, smiling kindly. "What's so special about this here hoedown that's gotten you to bite the bullet and stick around?"
"Well... it's not a what... but a who."
"Oh?"
"And... and ever since I saw this pony, I... I-I..." Fluttershy's cheeks flushed. "...I-I just can't g-get myself to leave."
"Err... which pony is it?"
"It's... it's the one over there..."
"Where?"
Fluttershy pointed with a trembling hoof. "Right... there..."
"Oh yeah...?" Applejack tilted her neck around and squinted across the crowd. "...which one?"
"The stallion... the one with soft eyes... and a gentle smile..."
"'Soft eyes and gentle smile' you say?"
"Right across from us."
"I can't see 'em..." Applejack cocked her head to the side. "Is he behind Big Macintosh?"
"Big Macintosh???" Fluttershy gasped. "Is that his name?" Then she deflated—her whole body anchored by a smile. "Ohhhhhhh that's so... nice."
"Hah! What a coincidence! I have a big brother by that name! Heh heh heh." Applejack smiled. Applejack blinked. Applejack blinked again. "Wait."