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// Turn It Fortunate 
// Story: A Not So Proper Courtship 
// by BibiG 
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"Oh dear, oh dear, suppose I manage to mess up our situation even more?" Rarity found herself stuck in the limbo between knocking on Applejack's door and, obviously, not, Sweet Acres Farm's grass irritatingly tickling her feet. And stuck with Rainbow Dash, who flew a few feet above her.

"Rarity, I didn't listen to your hundreds of sorta plans before you got this plan, aka, just talk to her! Now hurry up, I'm more invested in this than I ever am and I just might get a storm cloud here if you don't." To add a realistic level of threat to her words, Rainbow Dash increased her altitude rabidly, clearly aiming for the few lone clouds around.

Rarity cupped her hooves around her muzzle, yelling, "I highly request you do not do that! I will knock, um... eventually!" Unfortunately, her words were instantly rendered moot as footsteps appeared, approaching the door.

"Rarity? Is that you out there?" Oh dear indeed. It appeared she was going to have to explain things properly right now. Suddenly, her throat felt dangerous dry. What if this plan was wrong? It was too simple, she should have come dressed up, rehearsed something! But Applejack would probably not accept something like that, simple and sweet was the way to go, after all, everything had been too, dare she say, proper currently... or was it?

Before her thoughts could spiral into the increasingly familiar pit of worry, that pit only grew each day, the door swung open, the squeak of metal and wood causing Rarity to freeze in nervousness more than she already has. Rarity seemed like the only pony having a small freak out, she doubted Rainbow Dash up above and out of sight would be having anything herself to be extremely scared about, while Applejack, thank Celestia she was the pony to open the door, simply held a confused look on her face.

Rarity quickly stood straighter, the dryness of her throat migrating to, well, every internal organ, it was the only way to describe the sensation. Hopefully her physical, internal struggle didn't show. "Applejack! Darling, isn't it a nice day, better day than yesterday now. I-In fact, the day can only get better, as it turns out, I do care for you, in ways I myself am attempting to figure out. So we will attempt more dates, less requirements, more chances, and actually be happy, and proper, and more!" Rarity ended out of breath and stood gasping for air, vaguely aware she must have tossed her head around during her frantic speech, as a strand of her impeccable mane now hung right in the middle of her vision, partially blocking Applejack's entire body and face.

But this block did nothing to obscore the shake of Applejack's head, and the almost annoyed crease in her forehead as she listened. "Rarity, you shouldn't lie to me, of all ponies! There's no need to be guilty or anythin', Ah know you don't like me the way Ah want you to, so-"

"No!" Rarity shot forward in desperation, fearing Applejack may shut the door right then and there, and found her hooves at Applejack's cheeks, nearly squashing that poor face of her's. However, she still gave a firm shake, succeeding in making Applejack look her straight in the eyes. "Applejack, everything I uttered was absolutely true. I was abhorrent to dance around both our feelings, and feelings that may yet appear, but I promise you, that will be over." She coughed, quickly adding, "But only if you wish to continue, of course.

Applejack put her own hooves over Rarity's, pausing for a few seconds and allowing the sensation of her fur to stick even while she deattached Rarity from her face. She didn't quite smile, nor frown, before finally saying, "Alright then. Maybe this'll be a mistake, but, we'll try again. Just, please Rarity, give a full chance for me this time around."

Rarity shook her head rapidly up and dow, no doubt ruining what was left of her styled mane. "Of course! Yes! Count on me, I will take you on a date that is not full of rules! Full of proper dating, that's all!" She felt herself began to ramble and shut her mouth, an action she often would be unable to perform, instead, she lifted a hoof stiffly up to wave as Applejack shut the door with a slow creak. She could swear she spotted the beginnings of a smile on Applejack, but could have just as easily have not. She would have to earn that now.

"Whoa, I never liked endings like that. You're a literal cliffhanger!" Rainbow Dash lighted down next to Rarity, and Rarity shook her head, chuckling.

"Well now, at least I am not standing in the middle of a tragedy." And she found she was okay with the nature of this end, she could fix things, develop things, break everything all over again, but at least she could do something. And that was better than nothing when she felt something for the farm mare, something small but there, and once again, that was better that having nothing at all there.