Main Characters: TWP, Applejack
Cameos: Apple Bloom, Big Macintosh, Rei
Original Write Date: July 5, 2012
Apple Bloom helps her sister brush her mane and tail. Applejack has a big date and wants to look her best. She borrowed a fancy dress from Rarity, and Big Macintosh is polishing her hat.
‘Why are ya gettin’ all fancy?’ Apple Bloom asks. ‘Ya never got this fancy fer any o’ yer dates befer.’
‘Ah just wanna look nice this time is all,’ Applejack replies. ‘Nothin’ more than that.’ She scrunches her face and her eyes dart.
‘But Ah ain’t never known ya t’ want to wear a fru-fru dress or brush yer mane this much. Ya didn’t even do this fer the Gala or the weddin’ or the cornet-ion .’
‘Course Ah did. Ain’t that right, Big Mac?’
‘Nope!’
Applejack snorts at her brother. She sets down her brush and ties her mane with a long, red silk bow. Apple Bloom ties her sister’s tail with a silk ribbon. She holds up a mirror so Applejack can check for herself. The mare smiles and blushes at the result.
‘Thanks fer the help,’ Applejack says. ‘Excuse me while Ah get dressed.’
Big Macintosh sets the hat down and trots away. Applejack lays out her dress and tries to figure out how to get in it.
Apple Bloom snorts. ‘Shoulda got Miss Rarity t’ do yer mane too. Rip off mah date with ‘im completely.’
‘Scoot!’ Applejack snaps, pushing her sister out of the room.
‘Daddy, are you feeling okay?’
‘I’m fine, Rei. Why do you ask?’
‘Well, your mane is all funny and you are wearing a tie.’
James stops combing his mane and turns to his daughter, his tie flapping around his neck.
‘I, uh, just want to make a good first impression, and that means wearing a tie.’
‘You didn’t wear a tie on your other first dates.’
‘I wore one with Twilight!’ James defends. ‘Besides, when did I ever have another real first date? Luna and Pinkie just show up when they want to do out, and Fluttershy... Let’s leave her out of this for now.’
‘You didn’t wear a tie for her sister.’
‘That was, uh, because, um... You’re grounded.’
James turns his nose up and trots out of his house, stopping to pick up a box of candy.
Rei snorts. ‘You didn’t get any of your other dates candy...’
The Nervous Physicist gallops to the town square. He makes sure his mane is in order before calmly trotting out to find his date for the evening. Applejack is a little embarrassed from all of the stares she is getting. She has never dressed this fancy for a date before. A throat clears next to her. She turns to see James balancing the box of candy on his nose.
‘I, uh, got Bon Bon to make some special apple candy for you. I hope y...’
The Stammering Physicist is cut off when Applejack jams her muzzle to his and gives him a big kiss. The candy falls, but the farm pony catches it with a free hoof. She breaks the kiss and smiles.
‘If that’s how you say thank you for the candy, I’m going to have to stop at the drugstore before you thank me for the date.’
‘Sorry. Ah got a little ahead o’ mahself there. Ah just saw ya and yer lips and...’
Applejack starts leaning in again but catches herself and blushes. The stallion offers a hoof and they trot away together.
‘You’re looking lovely tonight,’ James compliments. ‘The dress might be a bit much though.’
Applejack’s blush deepens. ‘Rarity said it was “me” and that it would get yer blood boilin’. ‘Sides, there is somethin’ wrong with yer mane.’
‘What? You keep telling me that there is something wrong with it but when I actually comb it, you keep telling me something is wrong.’
‘Ah... actually really like it all messy-like. Looks more you.’
James laughs and runs his hoof through his hair, instantly returning it to normal.
‘Better,’ Applejack laughs. ‘Now, Ah could tell ya had pasta fer lunch. Hope that ain’t where we’re heading.’
‘How did you..?’ -- Applejack sticks her tongue out, causing James to blush -- ‘Right. No, no. We’re going to the other fancy date spot in town, as well as some other things you may enjoy.’
‘Ah can’t wait t’ see what ya have in store fer me.’
Applejack gives James another peck on the cheek.
‘Me, too...’ the stallion mumbles.
The couple sits at their table in the restaurant. The waiter takes their menus and leaves them to talk.
‘Thanks fer takin’ me here. Ah’ve always wanted t’ come, but it is way t’ fancy t’ go with mah family.’
‘I don’t know. Put Big Mac in a tux. That might work.’
Applejack laughs. ‘Yer right.’
‘I am really surprised you asked me out, but it is nice to spend some time with you.’
The mare blushes. ‘Well, er, after what Ah said t’ ya at the beach and with Fluttershy saying it’s okay now... Ah just wanted t’ give ya a shot. Find out what Ah’m missin’.’
‘A free meal and entertainment out of the house is about it,’ the stallion grins sheepishly.
Applejack laughs. ‘That is more than Ah get most nights,’ she frowns and snorts, ‘and from most stallions...’
James leans forward. ‘You know Twilight and Pinkie are watching us, right?’
‘Hard t’ miss the poofy pink mane and the win’s.’
‘Yep. … Is that your hoof rubbing my cutie mark?’
Applejack giggles and winks.
‘Are you like this on all of your dates?’
‘Not all o’ them. If Ah like the stallion, Ah like testin’ him t’ see if he’s willin’ t’ take the bull by the horns.’
‘Or in your case, mare by the ponytail.’
‘Yer the first stallion t’ get that part right.’ She winks.
‘This a whole side of you I’ve never seen, nor expected.’
‘Everypony has a side o’ them they only let out on certain occasions. Ah let this side slip at the wedding and three o’ Celestia’s personal guards and Luna’s top lieutenant asked me out.’
‘Please say you accepted Luna’s guard. They are the nicest ponies, especially the one with the eyepatch. Sunshine deserves any break he can get.’
Applejack smiles and reaches across the table. ‘Ah’m hopin’ he doesn’ get t’ find out.’
James starts to reach back, but he jumps in his seat. He swats at his side. Applejack giggles as her hind leg returns to her side.
James and Applejack make their way through the Ponyville theater. Applejack is a little surprised that her date is taking her to a play. James leads her to an oddly-picked location toward the left side of the theater.
‘You’ll love this play,’ James says. ‘I slept through it twice.’
‘Twice?’
‘Last week with the wife and yesterday.’
Applejack laughs. ‘Well, we’ll have t’ make sure ya stay up fer this one.’
‘Best of luck,’ the stallion replies.
‘Why’d ya pick such an odd location?’ the mare ponders. ‘The view is fine, but it seems out o’ the way.’
‘Perfect location for sleeping. Few patrons sit in the area so nopony is really disturbed, and those that do sit back here don’t really care or are too busy focusing on the play to notice.’
‘So ya can get away with anythin’?’
‘Within reason. Why?’
Applejack looks over and grins. The theater lights lower as the curtain rises. The farm pony quickly switches seats, landing on top of The Shocked Physicist muzzle first. His cries of surprise are muffled.
…
The audience stands and stomps in support of the players. Applejack joins in with loud whistling. James stares in shock, Applejack’s hat on his head. The mare stops her cheering and turns to her date.
‘Yer right, that was a great play.’
‘So many Greek myths come to mind right now. The Odyssey for one...’
‘And fer us who don’ speak fancy?’
James smiles weakly. ‘It is a good read. I suggest it.’
Applejack huffs, ‘Fine.’ She takes her hat back. ‘Let’s get goin’ befer the crowd is too big.’
She tugs James’ foreleg. The stallion snaps out of his daze and follows his date out.
The couple sits at a coffee shop after the play. Both have a sugary treat in front of them. Applejack sighs and looks across the table. James looks up from his treat and licks some frosting from his muzzle.
‘Uh... Did I get it all?’ the stallion asks.
‘Would ya ever wanna move t’ the apple farm and help me run it?’
James is stunned. ‘Uh...... Since I know you want the honest answer, no. I couldn’t see myself being a farmer. I can’t even imagine the daily commute to town to run the store if you let me keep it.’
Applejack looks down at her dessert and moans, ‘Ah thought as much.’
‘Would you not want to run the store with me?’
‘Heck, nah!’ She gasps. ‘Ah mean...’
‘I didn’t think so,’ James laughs. ‘It is okay. I can’t really see you settling to the sedentary life I prefer.’
‘And Ah thought we had a good thin’ too.’
‘What? We can’t be good friends?’
‘Yeah, but Ah thought fer sure Ah finally found a good stallion.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘As much as Ah like spendin’ time with ya and Ah had a great time t’night, Ah can’t help but notice how diff’rent we are.’
James sighs. ‘I know what you mean. Just because we like each other doesn’t mean we’re each other’s special somepony.’
‘Right... Ah was hopin’ t’ set a good example fer Apple Bloom by findin’ the right stallion, but Ah just come across as fickle.’
‘At least you’re not like Big Macintosh and his, uh, rendezvous across town.’
Applejack snorts. ‘Best worst-kept secret on the farm.’
‘Eeyup.’
The stallion is kicked out of his seat from under the table. He laughs to himself as he gets back in his seat.
‘Ah really hoped we’d work out,’ Applejack sighs. ‘Yer smart, funny, a good listener... very handsome.’
James freezes and looks down. ‘Nopony has really called me handsome, not even Twilight...’
The mare giggles. ‘So Ah get one o’ yer firsts...’
James squeaks, getting another giggle from the mare. The Blushing Physicist looks up and meets Applejack’s eyes. They smile at each other.
‘I still don’t see why we can’t be good friends,’ the stallion says. ‘If you want a good example for Apple Bloom, we can at least give her that much.’
‘Ah guess...’
James reaches across the table and pats Applejack’s hoof. ‘Sorry that we didn’t work out.’ All the best since I still have the others chasing me. ‘I know you are going to make somepony really happy. Some very lucky pony.’
‘Not as good a p...’ the disappointed mare shakes her head. ‘Ah got mah date with ya. That was the least Ah wanted.’
‘Hey, you got to work out your pent-up feelings, too.’
‘Not all o’ them,’ the farmer mumbles.
‘Huh?’
Applejack blushes. ‘After our trip out west, Ah’m the last in our group t’...’
‘OH! I am sure eventually...’
‘Ferget Ah said anythin’ if ya like having yer own teeth.’
James squeaks in fear. ‘So, um, you were telling me about how much you were enjoying your dessert?’
Applejack laughs and sighs. Why can’t I meet a good farmer like him?
James trots with Applejack as she heads back to the farm. The apple orchard is really quiet at this time of night.
‘Jimmy, Ah’ve been thinking...’
‘Yes, Mr Purple?’
Applejack giggles. ‘Ah know we wouldn’ work out but if Ah need a stallion t’ go to fer anythin’, one who ain’t mah brother...’
‘You know you can rely on me for anything.’
‘Anythin’? Y’all would do anythin’ Ah need a stallion fer? Even if it is another date, as friends o’ course?’
‘Of course. I would never want to let a friend down.’
‘Thanks.’
Applejack leans against her date the rest of the trot home. Back at the house, the couple stops at the door.
‘Thank ya fer the date. Ah had a lovely time. Twi is a lucky mare t’ have somepony like ya.’
‘Thank you. I was honored to have your company for the evening.’
James leans in and gives Applejack a kiss. He starts to turn, but his hoof is caught by hers. He looks back and sees a crafty grin on the mare’s face.
‘Ya said ya do anythin’ Ah need a stallion fer.’
‘Well, um, I mean, uh...’
Applejack takes the stallion’s tie in her hoof. ‘Wanna come inside or do Ah have t’ get mah rope?’
‘Eep!’
The stallion tries to resist, but he is pulled inside the building.