Applejack continued to stare. The girl, mermaid, simply stared back. Eye’s locked, mussels tense, ready to jump at the smallest of movements if it came down to it. Neither of whom seemed very sure of what to make of the situation. Until at last, Applejack spoke when she noticed the faint red that swirled around the girl.
“Um, you alright their… miss?” she asked
The mermaid (whom you probably guessed was the Rarity of this story) responded. Looking down at the blood, and then anywhere but towards Applejack.
“Look I-“ Applejack began, stepping into the water, feet deep. “Well…”
“I’m not… real!” Rarity said. Both girls blinked. “Ye… Yes! Silly little human.” To Applejacks asoinistment, Rarity lifted her arms out of the water and began to wave them in the air. “I am but an image from you working the fields too long. Wooo! Perhaps you should go home, lie down, and not mention this to anyone and- You’re not buying this, are you?”
Arm’s crossed, Applejack shook her head. “Nope. So, we can either keep stalemating until you likely bleed to death, or we can just accept this is really happening and go from there. What do you say? One way or another, I’m not leaving.”
Rarity raised a finger to protest. She held it there for a moment, going between the pros and cons. However, after wincing in pain, she dove back into the water. Only for her backside and tail end, which Applejack could now see was cut, and possible infected, sticking out of the water as Rarity swam slowly forward. Once across the shore, she poked out her head, and Applejack was able to get a good look at her visitors face.
“Um… Hi.” Applejack managed.
“Yes,” Rarity nodded, “I suppose introductions are in order. I am Rarity. Fashion designer, very real marooned distressed mermaid and such.” She said, placing a hand to her chest and bowing her head.
“Eh…” Applejack,” Aj responded. “Er, human, apple farmer and…” she rubbed her chin, smirking, before adding, “not crazy, nor had any reason why I’d be seeing things aside from being hit on the head by a fish’s tail.”
Rarity started to say something, then narrowed her eyes upon realizing Applejack was being funny. “Well I wouldn’t have slapped you if you had let me go when I told you too.”
“And I-“ Applejack shook her head. “First things first, let’s see about fixing that cut-“ As Applejack reached out for the tail, Rarity quickly slammed it back down into the water. Redding the part where she had splashed. “You want my help, or not? Could always go get help. Sure a lot of other humans around here would, love, to meet you and-“
“Oh, fine,” Rarity huffed, lifting her tail back up out of the water.
Applejack nervously chuckled as she went in. “Sorry. I guess tail touching is a sensitive topic?’
“Well, um… No!” Rarity stiffened as Applejack took hold of the tail.
Applejack looked sadly at it. “Dang. What happened? For that matter, how’d you end up all the way out here?” When no response came, Applejack looked down to see Rarity had gone deaf quiet and was looking away. “Oh, um, if you don’t mind-“
“I actually would mind.” Rarity quipped. Which caused Applejack to recoil. “Sorry.”
“That’s okay,” Applejack said, focusing back on the tail. It was clear the problem was the injury was trying to heal itself, only for it to swell back open once submerged. While she couldn’t guess how long it had been like that, she quickly realized if she was going to help, it couldn’t be here. “So, um,” Applejack thought, taking out her sweat band, wrapping it around the bruise. “You say you’re a fashion designer?” Of all the things she could have asked, it seemed like the best/less awkward things to get a conversation going between them.
“Oh, why yes!” Rarity perked up. “I had quite the collection and display back home.” As she went on, Applejack finished wrapping up the tail, and laid back down on the shore next to Rarity. “All kinds of odd ends and nicknacks.” She looked a little saddened. “You know what, never mind. I’m sure it will sound silly if I tried to explain.” Her tail started to go back into the water.
“No, No!” Applejack protested. While something like fashion seemed like one of the most trivial things in the world, she had to get the mermaids respect for what she had in mind. “Sounds interesting… although, living underwater, what do you use as fabric?”
“Ah! Why yes, I suppose when you think about on the mater, it is rather amazing we have anything that would work like your human materials.” She reached out a hand for Applejack’s pant legs, only for the farmer to jerk it away. “Oh! I’m so sorry. I didn’t-“
“No, go ahead,” Applejack, reluctantly, stretched out her leg to her. “I suppose it’s only fair after letting me touch your tail.”
Rarity gave a warm smile. “Why thank you, darling.” She then ran her fingers between Applejack’s pant legs. “Still, while I can, if you mind, use as an opportunity to learn more about your fabrics; The secret to our wears is a combination of things. Mostly seaweed, twigs and leaves, and the occasional fabrics that may drift into the seas. The trick, in those case, are recycling. That and while ‘human trash’ isn’t taboo,” she shook her head, “it isn’t illegal or anything. So then what you’ll need to do for more picky, uptight clientele-“
And so Rarity went on about all the way she could make mermaid clothing, and the types of things she had made. Applejack, meanwhile, listened, bordly at first. Even a little irritated that she was wasting time here on something silly like fashion when there was work she could be doing. In fact, she had planned to only allow her quest to raddle for about five minutes before getting to the more important things. However, as it where, she found herself… If not fully engulfed or mesmerized by what Rarity had to say, kind of intrigued. Perhaps it was watching the fire of passion in Rarity’s eyes as she explained everything you could do with shells. Or maybe it was more just the surrealness of the situation. Still, rather than rushing her on, Applejack even found herself asking questions about Rarity’s work. And as the sun was starting to set down, the farm girl found herself curious enough to be mindful of what everyone at CHS wore the following day.
“Now that doesn’t seem right.” Applejack protested. “I mean, I get mass appeal, but surely not everyone would want the exact same thing.”
Rarity sighed after telling the tale of her ‘famous’ princess dress. “Well what can I say about school mentality.”
“School…” Applejack blinked, before laughing. “I’m sorry, I just got what you were referring too. Although we humans call it; herd mentality. Igive you credit for sticking it out.”
Rarity nodded and smiled again. “Oh yes. Trend’s don’t last forever. And I was able to at last start creating new designs again. A bit more pocket money for the trouble.”
Applejack nodded. “Yeah. So-“ she looked up at the darkening horizon. “Ah, shoot! It’s getting late.” On the inside, she was both cruising herself on how wrapped up she had gotten into the conversation. And yet, she hadn’t felt as if it was all a waste. This Rarity sure seemed like an interesting- A look at the bandaged tail brought Applejack back to reality.
“Oh,” Rarity frowned. “I mean… I didn’t mean to take up so much of your time.”
“No, it’s fine!” Applejack said, truthfully, standing up.
“I suppose you have to get going?” the mermaid asked, deflating.
Applejack sighed and scratched her neck. “Yeah, about that… I know we just meet, but, um, how much do you trust me?”
Rarity looked up at her in suspicion. “Why?”
Applejack fiddled her thumbs.
“Well… It’s just that, I don’t think leaving you here in this pond with such a bruised tail is the wisest idea. You’ll need to keep the injury dry for a few days to let it heal.”
Rarity started to lower her tail into the water, before placing it on the shore.
“I mean, I’m guessing you need sleep, unless I’m wrong.”
Rarity huffed. “You are correct.” She patted her tail on the shore. “And I can see you concern if a less than generous as you have been human stumbles onto me. That said,” she squinted her eyes forward. “What do you have in mind?”
*****
“Trust me, you wouldn’t have liked it if I had used a wheel barrel.”
Rarity huffed, but continued to hold onto her new friend as she carried her across the fields. “Well in anycase, you better not be taking me to some science lab. Or… Or I’ll haunt you for the rest of your days.”
Applejack chose not to say anything smart as she felt the fear in Rarity’s words. She couldn’t blame the poor dear. Having no choice but to trust her, and no way to make sure she wouldn’t be betrayed. Aj would have been lying to herself if she hadn’t thought of how much revenue she could make for the farm out of this. But the better person, as telling herself that all a scientific find would do was boost her college pro-aquentine’s ego, thought better.
“Well, here we are!” she said as they approached the barn in question. “Give me a,” she used her hand that had been holding onto Rarity’s back to open the door. Causing the mermaid to wrap her arm’s much more tightly around the farmer.
Applejack stiffened at the tight embrace, as she opened the door, and flipped on the lights before holding back onto her friend. “right then,” she smiled warmly as Rarity pulled back from the embrace. “Not as homely as I’d like with the company, but we got what you need.” She was about to set Rarity down into the old tub they had stored in here, before realizing… Well, that it is old and rusty.
“Eh, you mind giving me a sec to clean it out?” Aj asked, noticing the disgusted look on Rarity’s face.
“By all means.”
Applejack then set Rarity down on the floor and proceeded to unwind the hose. Once set up, she turned it on and got to work making the tub acceptable to the quest.
“So,” Rarity inquired as she watched. “I told you a lot about myself, only fair you do the same.”
Applejack paused and looked away. “Oh, um… I’m not a very interesting person, sad to say.” She put a little extra arm power into her next scrub.
“Oh, I don’t believe that,” Rarity puffed. “You seemed to have a lot on your mind from what I heard.”
Applejack stiffened. “Eh… So how many days-“
“Quite a bit. And yes, I heard each and everyone of your rambles when you’re alone working your farm.”
Applejacks hide her reddening face. “Sorry about that! Didn’t mean to annoy you, miss!” she started to scrub hard before a warm hand touched her back. Turning, she saw Rarity with a deep worried look in her eyes.
“Hey, I didn’t mean to be rude. But it dose sound like you have a lot of things bottled up.”
Applejack tried to brush her hand away. “It’s fine. Don’t worry about it.”
“No it isn’t!” Rarity protested, clamping onto Applejack’s hand.
“Well, it’s none of your business!” Applejack said, trying to pry her hand apart. “In fact, isn’t it unlady like to be easy dropping?”
“Well excuse me for having no-where else to go!” Rarity huffed. “I’m surprised I didn’t babble yesterday from all the stress in your life I had just been unfortunate enough to be projected on.”
“Say’s the one who won’t tell me why she was in my pond to begin with.”
With that, they both glared at each other. Their anger wore off almost immediately.
“I’m sorry,” Rarity said. She let go of Applejack’s had and slumped against the bathtub. “You’re right.”
“No, I’m sorry.” Applejack sat down the brush to lean against the tub with her. “I mean… Even just a day or two would be enough to let you know I have a lot going on.”
Rarity smiled and looked to her bandage tail. “I suppose this fails to hide I had something traumatic happen.” She raised her tail in emphasis before setting it back down.
Applejack scratched her chin. “Well, she then tapped at the floor for a little bit…. “Maybe we can save that talk for another day.”
Rarity shrugged. “I suppose it’s not like I’m going anywhere.” They both laughed. “But I will tell you what happened.” She playful booped Applejack on the noise. “And, I will not expect you to tell me anything you don’t want to share in return.”
Applejack smiled and blushed. “Oh that’s not fair.”
“Seems fair to me,” Rarity added coly. “Well, what would be fair, is if you did at least tell me something about yourself.” She looked to the barn and all it’s tools with fascination. “I can’t imagine you wouldn’t have a lot to tell about apple farming if you had someone to share it with.”
Applejack chuckled. “Oh, well… I suppose.” She went back to cleaning the tub. “I mean, I guess it’s something during harvest season.” She looked over her shoulder to see she still had Rarity’s full attention. “So once we have all of the apple’s harvest for the year, we naturally have a lot to use for ourselves. There are a lot of things you can do with apples. Personal favorite is apple pie?”
“Pie?” Rarity asked, tilting her head.
“Um… well, I guess I’ll have to get you some samples, bit the best way I can describe it to someone who’s never had land food before-“
And on she went. Much like prior, I believe it, with the parts revised, Rarity listened with great interest. Asking questions (far more as it seemed the cultural gap on that end was wider), and filling Applejack with joy as she found herself giving the tub more detail then it need be to keep talking. Which, if this girl wanted to listen, she was all the more happy to share. Even once she had filled up the tub and placed Rarity inside, she continued to share her wisdom on apple farming, and anything else human that came up, to her enthralled audience. Feeling much more satisfied than… well, than she honestly ever had been in a long time.
“So, you’re able to set a fire, inside a wooden house, without burning the house?” Rarity asked, in a combination of preplexington and interest.
“Well, I mean,” Applejack explained. Having leaned against the tub to be eye level with Rarity. “Accidents can happen. Which is why you should pay attention. However, for the most part-“ a bell started to ring that caused Rarity to jolt back. “Whoa there, missy, it’s alright!” Applejack assured as she pulled out her cell phone.
New message from, Big Mac, Brother
BM: You okay? You’re never late for dinner. Finally meet somebody ;) <3
She then noticed the time. “Yikes! It’s getting late,” she turned to Rarity, who seemed just about to ask what that was. “I’ll explain it later.” She started to stand up.
AJ: I’m okay! Just, working hard as always. Be right there, tell granny not to worry.
She started to slide her phone into her pocket. “Will you be okay?”
“I, suppose so.” Rarity answered, leaning into the tub. “You… Won’t tell anyone else, will you.”
“Of course not,” Applejack said, a lot less hesitantly than she would have thought. Which seemed to put the mermaid at ease. “I’ll come back either later tonight or in the morning with some magazines or something to keep you entertained while you heal.” She thought for a moment to possible leave her cell phone to keep Rarity’s boredom at bay, before shutting that idea out at all the possible ways that could go wrong.
“That’ okay,” Rarity insisted. “I’ll be fine.”
“Okay then.” Applejack gave a reassuring smile as she headed towards the door. “I’m sorry, but I’m going to have to turn off the lights. Last thing either of us needs is one of my kin coming out here to turn them off.”
“Oh. Oh! No, no! It’s fine, I’ll be fine, dear. Now run along before they come out here looking for you.”
Applejack nodded before shutting off the lights, and leaving the mermaid alone in the dark. Nowhere to go, nowhere to swim if need be. Fortunately, being a creature that lives underwater, it didn’t take her eyes too long to adjust. The moon being half full outside, she was able to see somewhat the same if applejack had left the lights on. It didn’t stop her anxiety as her tail end continued to hang outside of the bathtub.
“Won’t do you any good, if you don’t get your beauty sleep.” She told herself. Lowering her head under the water, she soon found a comfortable enough position to sleep in. Still, it took her awhile to actually fall asleep. Staring upwards, mind racing, but for the first time with awhile, they were of peaceful, and happy thoughts to occupy her dreams.