//------------------------------//
// Applejack 
// Story: She Kills Monsters 
// by chiko 
//------------------------------//

Rarity looked at the book in her hands. Even though she had an O&O session under her belt, the contents still remained elusive. There was a deeper meaning in there somewhere.

Her head was still pounding from last night. The shameful memories intruded her thoughts. She bit her cheek. She would have to send an apology email to Sunset sometime soon. If she could find the time, she could schedule a lunch meeting, preferrably a neutral site like at the little cafe by the park.

Looking down at her planner, she realized there wasn't much time to take a trip downtown. Perhaps she could just make it a working lun—

"Rare." Applejack's voice pulled the designer from her thoughts. "I've been here for five minutes now, and you haven't said a word."

"Oh." Rarity ironed out her dress with her palms. "I apologize. I haven't been thinking straight lately."

"I'd say so." She slathered a healthy helping of apple butter onto a cookie. "You never invite me over."

Rarity forced a laugh."I suppose I could be more inviting." Her tea was a welcome savior, allowing her to recollect her thoughts. "I just wanted to catch up with you. I know we're both busy women."

The farmer nodded. "It was hard to tear myself away from the orchard. Though, my brother can handle it on his own. Apple Bloom's been a big help, too."

"Right." Rarity tapped her fingers against the notebook. "Speaking of, can you thank your sister for bringing me this again? I don't think I could possibly say it enough."

"What is it?"

Rarity pursed her lips. "I suppose it's a storybook my sister wrote. From what I could tell, it's semi-autobiographical. You even make an appearance."

Applejack tilted her head. 

"That's, um, actually part of the reason I wanted to speak with you."

"Okay. Shoot."

Rarity licked her lips. "Do you recall a conversation with Sweetie Belle about sisterhood? Perhaps something about fighting?"

Applejack smiled. "Yeah. I think it was around the time I started giving your sis rides to school. She asked if it was normal for sisters to get into fights."

Rarity's nails dug into her palm. "And what did you say?"

"I told her it'd be weird if they didn't." She scratched the back of her head. "But when it mattered we knew we loved each other."

"Like the time Apple Bloom broke her arm."

Applejack laughed. "Did she tell ya that I drove her to the hospital myself? I didn't even have a license at the time."

The pair laughed, and Rarity felt her chest lift for a moment. "Thank you for telling me this."

"You're welcome, Rare. Just know any argument with your sis meant little in the long run. Sisters fight. It's what they do."

"At least you still have yours."

Rarity instantly regretted speaking. She didn't even know where the scathing resentment came from. It was mean spirited. Ruthlessly cold. 

"Don't be a stranger, Rarity." Applejack left without another word.