//------------------------------//
// Don't Drink The Punch 
// Story: A Hearth's Warming Party To Not Forget 
// by Jhoira 
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"Well, how do, stranger." Applejack cantered up to the pretty white unicorn. "I reckon that your the prettiest mare here."

Rarity's eyes widened slightly as she placed her hoof over her mouth. "Oh my! How forward! Why would a strong farmmare be looking for the prettiest mare?"

Applejack grinned as she walked a few steps closer. "I notice that you're standing under the mistletoe..."

Rarity looked up in feigned surprise. "Oh my! You are correct my dear! Whatever shall do we about this!?" She grinned as she looked back down at Applejack, giving her best half-lidded look.

"Oh... I think I can think of a thing or two to do about it..." Applejack smiled as the two stared at each other for a long moment before they both burst into laughter. 

"Well that was quite the introduction wasn't it, darling?" Rarity grinned as she extended a hoof to the pretty earth pony. "I'm Rarity. Forgive me for being forward, but I don't remember you ever coming to my shop. But you still seem very familiar."

Applejack chuckled and shook her head. "You're forward? I called ya the prettiest mare here."

Rarity grinned a bit wider. "Well, that's not being forward. That's just being honest, darling."

Applejack smiled and inclined her head. "That's true. But I'm not usually so forward. I dunno what came over me."

Rarity nodded and walked over to the other mare. "Either way, I'd be happy if you were interested in being my companion for the evening."

Applejack couldn't help but grin herself. "I think I'd be happy with that too. I'd offer you some punch but it seems they took it away after I had some. Too bad, it was delicious." Applejack took a few steps back inclining her head slightly.

Rarity nodded in agreement as she started to walk with the farmpony. "Ahh, thank you, darling, but I already had some. It was delicious. If I recall correctly you are the matriarch of the Apple family?"

Applejack nodded. "More or less. Applejack's the name. Granny Smith is the oldest, and Big Mac is older than me. But they more let me run the farm. Big Mac ain't the most assertive of ponies. You run that boutique in town don't you?"

Rarity clapped her hooves happily. "Oh yes I do, darling! You simply must come in for a dress! You would look stunning in one!"

Applejack chuckled and shook her head. "I'm sorry, Sugarcube. I ain't much for fancy dressin'." But Applejack made the mistake of glancing over at Rarity's big doe eyes. Sighing she shook her head, this time in defeat. "I suppose visitin' wouldn't be a problem."

Rarity beamed at her companion. "Oh! That is great! I will pick out the best thing for you! You'll be so pretty you'll have to beat the mares off with a stick."

Applejack shook her head. "Nah, I'm already..." Applejack frowned and stopped walking.

Rarity paused, frowning slightly. "Oh, uh... I'm sorry I didn't mean... I didn't realize you were spoken for."

Applejack frowned for a few moments longer. "Mmm... No, I'm not. I don't know why I was thinking that..." then Applejack grinned, coming up with a bit of a sly line, and quite proud of herself for it. "Maybe I just got a little ahead of myself?"

Rarity gasped, covering her mouth with her hoof and blushing. Though the puzzle of whether it was surprise or shock was answered by her delighted giggle. "Oh! Darling, that was truly delightful!"

Applejack's grin turned into a bright smile. "Well don't get too used to it sugar cube. I'm not usually that clever."

Rarity giggled again. "Well, the rarity will make them all the more precious."

Applejack chortled and nodded, amused. "Good one." She raised a hoof waving at Rainbow Dash across the party. "Hey, you know Rainbow Dash? She's a friend of mine. Well, kinda. More a competitor."

Rarity nodded. "Yes, I know her through my friend Fluttershy. Loud and brash, but Fluttershy likes her so I put up with her." They both chortled at the rainbow maned pegasi's antics.

After a few hours of pleasant conversation, Rarity sighed. "I do believe I should go mingle some more. But spending the evening with you was... Darling, it was magical to be frank."

Applejack nodded. "I agree there, sugar cube. I don't know why but I feel like we have a connection. But I don't think there'll be many others to mingle with." She motioned around time the mostly empty party.

Rarity giggled. "Oh my! Well, will I see you tomorrow then?"

"I'll come to your boutique then?" Before Rarity could answer Applejack leaned in and planted a kiss on her lips. She had lured Rarity back under the mistletoe from when they first met.




Rarity smiled at the door to her room. "That was a fine party. And that farmpony..." Rarity giggled gently, blushing faintly. "Why am I so enamored with a mare I just met?" She opened the door to her room and just stared. She stopped for an entire minute before screaming. "What happened to my room!? Where's my bed!?"




Applejack sighed as she reached her room. "That sure was a fun shindig." She chortled to herself. "That unicorn sure was pretty. I dunno why I can't stop thinkin' on her." She pages opened the door to her room and stared. Though she didn't stare for long as she twitched. "What in the hay... Who frou-froued up my room!?" She looked over at her larger, now four-poster bed. "And why do I have a picture of Rarity next ta my bed!?"




Twilight groaned as she stopped outside of her room. "Ugh! That was a close one!" She shook her head with a chuckle. "Spike went and mixed up the punch flavoring and the memory potion. Good thing we got it out of there before anyone got any." Twilight opened the door to her room and stared. "Mom!?" Twilight couldn't even begin to fathom the crib.