//------------------------------// // Applejack and Rarity: Part 1 // Story: White Demure // by Heitomos //------------------------------// Applejack waited impatiently for Rarity to finish her task. After having left the library, in order to get things prepared for the various trips required to get the plants for Apple Bloom's cure, the white mare, herself, and their two pegasus friends all went to the unicorn's boutique in order to get the fliers a set of warm clothing. The only trouble was the nitpicking of the dressmaker. "No... Those simply do not go with your eyes, Fluttershy. Here, let me try a different shade." Rarity said, removing the fabric from the pegasus' side and fetching another piece. "Oh umm... but we have to... oh alright..." Fluttershy replied shyly, wanting to address the urgent matter, but at the same time, not wanting to disappoint her spa buddy. "Come on, Rarity! Hurry up! We need to get going; right now!" Rainbow Dash shouted, hopping up and down in her impatience. "Shush, these things take time! We have to make sure you two are warm and snug, and look fabulous at the same time. Now, let me work!" The white mare said, taking on a haughty tone of voice. The farmer pony sat off to the side of the room, watching the scene as she gritted her teeth together. As the lot of them continued to bicker, her anger grew and grew. While her sister was in danger, they were all messing around with clothing, and it was grating on her terribly. After Rarity decided to try yet another color of fabric, Applejack caved, unable to take it anymore. She had to put her hoof down. And put it down she did, enough to shake the entire boutique, coupled with an attention grabbing bang. "Alright! Ah can't take none a this no more! Rarity! Give them a set ah warm clothes raight this instant! My lil' sister's sick as all get out, and yer here pickin' out fashion and silly fru fru nonsense! Can't ya see how important this is!" Applejack shouted, panting lightly after her tirade. After a moment, however, she calmed, "Please, hurry up, would ya? We ain't got a lot ah time." She said, looking to the white mare with the most pathetic, helpless look she had ever let her face bear. Rarity was taken aback, as were the other two, at the sudden outburst. But what hit her the most was the look on Applejack's face, a look that told her just how distressed the orange mare was about everything that was happening to them. She hung her head in shame, realizing just how bad her behavior was at a time like this, "I'm... oh, I'm terribly sorry, Applejack. You're absolutely right! I can't fathom how you feel right now, and I apologize for wasting time. Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, front and center, please." She said, apologizing and getting back on track. The two pegasi obeyed the white mare, one out of inability to say no and the other because she had a feeling this would get them moving faster. With a flourish of magic, thick cloth flew from the shelves and enveloped the yellow and blue mares, covering the two of them in the fabric needed to make their clothing. After a few quick and precise snips, followed by a flurry of needles and thread, they found themselves wearing a matching set of thick, red parkas with hoods, made from several layers of fabric to help block the wind and keep them warm. They didn't look fabulous, but they'd get the job done. "There, that should do. It's thick, so it should keep you warm. And I've used multiple layers of fabric that can fold out should you need a blanket. Your wings might get cold, however, since I don't think I can cover them without robbing you of your ability to fly. These are probably the second ugliest things I've ever made, but they'll get the job done. Now, off with you both!" Rarity said, commenting on her work before shooing the two pegasi out the door. "You don't have to tell me twice! C'mon, Fluttershy, let's get a move on." Rainbow Dash said, quickly zipping out of the door and in to the sky. "Oh, umm, alright. Thank you, Rarity. And don't worry, Applejack, I'm sure we'll find what Zecora needs to help Apple Bloom." Said Fluttershy. "Thanks, sugarcube. Now you run along now, don't keep Dash a waitin'." The farmer pony replied with a nod. Giving a small smile, Fluttershy turned to the door and made her way out, leaving Rarity and Applejack alone in the boutique. "Well, I believe we should get going then. I know for a fact that there's only one store in Ponyville that sells medicinal herbs, so we should start there, see if we can figure out how to get some of the herb before week's end." The white mare said. "Yeah, Ah'm thinkin' yer raight about that. Ahright, let's get goin' then. Ah got some bits at tha barn if'n we need it, and thankfully that ain't too far away. We should be the first ones back... which makes me nervous. Or rather, Ah know Ah'll be a nervous wreck waitin' on the others." "Oh, don't worry about the bits, I'll take some from here and you can pay me back some other time. As for the wait, well, I'll do what I can to keep you sufficiently distracted to the best of my abilities. It's the least I could do." "Well that's mighty kind of ya, sugarcube. Alright, let's get a move on." Rarity gave a nod to Applejack before levitating a nearby set of saddlebags on to her back, a fashionable accessory that she always kept stocked with a few bits just in case. This time, she was finished much more quickly, believing she needed little for a simple trip to a local store. "All ready! You can lead the way, if you like." "Mah pleasure." Together, the two of them left the boutique behind and made their way in to town. As much as Applejack wanted to run as fast as her legs could take her, she knew she was better off taking her sweet time. The more time she spent doing this, the less time she'd have to spend standing around feeling useless and worried. "So, I ain't never been to the store. What's it like?" The farmpony asked, trying to stir some conversation to help keep her mind off things. "Oh, it's just a small place, owned by the most wonderful of doctors. He's quite the handsome stallion and intelligent too, from what I've seen. He knows all manner of curatives and is quite well versed in languages. I once went in to buy some cough medicine for Sweetie Belle and he was reading a book written in some strange text that I'm sure could baffle even Twilight! Though, I'm not too sure on that last part." Rarity said, giggling lightly as she gossiped. "Well, that's mighty dandy then. If'n he's a smart one then he should know just what we need and how ta get it." "Oh, I'm sure he can. Oh! Look, there's his shop now." The unicorn said, pointing a hoof towards one of the smaller shops on the outskirts of the small town. The place looked simple enough, with a colorful sign hanging out front with a picture of a ginseng root on it. The inside was a little dim, lit only by a single candle and the light pouring in from the windows. Various plants hung in the windowsill in order to get precious sunlight and keep growing, while the front of the shop housed several plant gardens. The orange mare admired the scenery for only a brief moment before growing serious and making for the door. Since it was a shop, she didn't bother knocking and simply opened the door, barging inside. "Hello? Anypony home?" She called out, not seeing anypony behind the counter. "What? Oh, just a moment!" Came a voice from what could only be a back room. Moments later, a brown earth pony, with wild brown hair of a darker shade, and an hourglass cutie mark stepped out in to the open, a smile upon his face. "Oh! Customers, hello there." He said with a hint of an accent. "Ah was told yer tha doctor that owns this place, that raight?" "Oh, yes indeed! My name is Doctor Whooves, but you can call me Doctor." "Just... Doctor?" "Yes. Just Doctor, or The Doctor if you prefer. So, what can I do for you?" He asked. Shaking her head, Applejack got her thoughts straightened out, "Err, raight. You see, my lil' sister's real sick, and we need a plant to help fix her. Our friend, Zecora, said she orders it from you, but it was late or somethin'? Know anything about it?" "Oh my, I'm sorry to hear that. Let's see, Zecora... oh yes, that wonderful Zebra! Yes, I know just what she orders. Her whole shipment was late this month, something mucked up in shipping from my supplier. She gets the rare stuff that can't grow around here, you see, so I have to order it in. Remember the name of the plant you needed?" He asked, his mind already narrowing down the possibilities. "It... it was... oh consarnit! Rarity, do you remember which is was?" Applejack asked. "Why yes, as a matter of fact I do. I believe it was called Mandragora Solanales. At least, that's what Twilight called it before we left." Rarity replied. "Mandragora Solanales... ah, yes, I remember that one. Part of Zecora's package for sure. Well, I can't get any here, but if you really need it fast, I can tell you where to get some easily enough." "Ya can, where?" The farmer pony asked, excitement filling her voice. "Well, from the source, where I get all my special order plants. Orange Pharmaceuticals in Manehattan, it's one of their many business endeavors." He replied. "Manehattan? Oh! That's just wonderful! I've never been there before, but I've heard it's such a big city! Not quite as fancy as Canterlot, but filled to the brim with sophistication!" Gushed the unicorn. Applejack, meanwhile, merely stared ahead blankly for a few moments; until she brought up a hoof to her face and groaned. "You can't be serious! You mean that..." Rarity said, trailing off. Sighing, Applejack responded, "Yes, Rarity. Ah used ta live in Manehattan for all of a month or so. And yes, it was with mah Aunt and Uncle Orange, who just so happen ta be tha owners of that there blasted medicine comp'ny that has tha plant we need." "Now that is quite the coincidence, my dear. But how come you never told me you've ever been in Manehattan?" "Cause Ah had an awful time there, even if it did lead to mah cutie mark. Ah felt so outta place it wasn't even funny, Ah had ta be somepony Ah wasn't, and I was so darn homesick... So Ah don't like ta bring it up unless somepony asks me or somethin'." "Well, for a pony like you, I can see that being a problem. You and high class don't seem to... mix. But, that's just part of what makes you unique and wonderful, so don't get me wrong, Applejack." Rarity hastily added, smiling to her friend. The two had gotten along better and understood each other a little more after the sleepover at Twilight Sparkle's house; however, they still butted heads on occasion, due to them being from such different worlds. Applejack appreciated Rarity's attempt to be nice about the whole thing, and while the unicorn's gushing had been bothersome, it proved to be a good distraction to keep herself calm. "Yeah, Ah know that now fer darn sure. Ah'm not lookin' forward to seein' that place, but fer Apple Bloom, Ah gotta do it, no matter what!" She said, taking a pause to stand tall and proud for a moment. Rarity smiled to Applejack and admired her conviction to her family and loved ones, feeling thankful for having such a friend. "Well, then we best be moving faster then, hmm? If I'm right, the train to Manehattan is leaving in an hour, and with the station being so far out of town, we've quite a ways to go. I'm just glad I brought my hat to help keep me cool and not get all euch... sweaty." Applejack chuckled slightly at her friend's strange obsession with cleanliness as she thought about the last hour. The two had experienced very different reactions to learning that they had to go to Manehattan, and it was lucky for them that the daily train had not left yet. Since it was a long trip, they had decided to split up for a short time to get supplies. While Applejack just filled her saddlebags with apples and bits, Rarity brought a whole new outfit and sun hat for the occasion. With only a little over an hour to spare, the two made their slightly hurried way to the train station. "...jack? Applejack! Snap out of it, we're here!" The unicorn said, prodding the side of the orange mare's head. "Bwuh?" The farmer blinked and shook her head, "Oh uh... mighty sorry, Rarity. Ah was getting all worried about Apple Bloom again." The white mare merely smiled, "It's alright. In any case, I hope I can keep your attention while on the train so that you needn't dwell on your worries for the entire trip. It's a three hour ride and we still need to get tickets and get seated. You know the hassle we went through the last time we took a train! Though, that was mostly due to your tree..." She said, thinking back on it. "Heh... yeah, sorry about that. But that tree was mighty important ta me. But anyway, let's go get them tickets and sit down. Ah haven't had a wink ah sleep in... well, only about ten hours, but it's bin a harsh ten hours." Applejack said, her head hanging low to the ground for a moment as she sighed. "Well, no worries. Hmm... how about I help keep your mind off things for a little while, and help talk you to sleep. I have a lot of preparing to do if I want to I want to look presentable for Manehattan, so I'll probably use your nap time to sneak off and get ready!" Said Rarity, giggling happily about all of the sights she planned on seeing after they'd acquired the plant. "Alright. Sounds like a plan ta me." Together, the two walked up to the podium and bought a pair of round trip tickets. At 10 bits each, it dipped a bit in to each pony's traveling funds, but being the top business ponies in Ponyville, they had the bits to cover it. According to the round trip ticket, they had up to three days before it expired, but Applejack was hoping to be back in just one. She knew they'd have to spend the night, which made Rarity quite happy, but she hoped that it was only the one night. The two waited another fifteen minutes in line to get on to the train, looking around the area as they did so. This was a central hub station for a lot of the smaller towns, and sent trains in two directions; one train went even deeper in to the outlying regions of Equestria to places like Appleloosa, while the other went to Manehattan, where ponies could grab a second train if they wanted to get to Fillydelphia, Canterlot, and a couple of other major cities. Once on board, they rechecked their tickets and found they had a booth all to themselves; it was quite roomy, big enough to allow them to walk around a little, and two couches facing one another, each big enough to accommodate two ponies. Applejack took her seat near the window, leaving the other couch for Rarity, and set her saddlebags down on the floor to get comfy. "Alraight... time ta try not worryin' fer three hours..." The orange mare said as she sighed lightly, hating not being able to move around but having no choice in the matter. "Fret not! As I've said, I'll do what I can to keep your attention until you fall asleep. Now... is there anything you'd like to talk about, or shall I just go on about whatever comes to mind?" The white pony said, wanting to give her friend some peace of mind in whatever way she could. "Well uh... Hmm... anythin' happen to you today? Besides, you know, this." Applejack said, unsure of what to really say. "Well yes, this is quite the event, isn't it? Hmm..." Rarity pondered deeply, tapping a hoof to her chin, "Hmm… well nothing in particular happened today aside from that, as t'were, but, my week has been terribly exciting before hoof. You see…" She said, beginning the tale of the excitement within the fashion world. Applejack nodded along at what she thought were key points in the story, mostly nodding around whenever she heard extra emotion in her friend's voice. For the most part, she tuned it out, much too worried to really pay much attention. However, the sound of a friendly voice did help to calm her, and soon enough, she found her eyelids growing heavy. Once Rarity finished her story, she smiled wide at getting it off of her chest. However, instead of the comments about how amazing it was, or perhaps words of annoyance considering it was Applejack, she instead heard a familiar noise echoing throughout the cabin, one she hadn't noticed during her immersion in her story telling. It was the sound of Applejack snoring. The unicorn gave a soft smile, not minding the rudeness of having fallen asleep during her story. "You sleep tight, Applejack..." With her friend asleep, Rarity decided to watch over her for a just a little longer. Once she was satisfied that the farmer was indeed resting peacefully, she took out her supplies and began to dress herself up for the big city. "Manehattan, here I come!"