Rainbow Dash flew behind Rara, following her outside. Big Macintosh had set up four chairs and a hammock, and was dozing off in the chair besides Granny Smith.
"Is usually just the four Apples and Sugar Belle, so we only got the five chairs," Granny Smith explained. "But don't you worry, that there hammock is strong enough to support two ponies just fine."
"Dibs on the hammock!" Rainbow Dash immediately declared, zooming over Rara to reach the hammock first. She extended herself over it, a satisfied sigh leaving her lips. It was just as spacious as Granny Smith had said, and quite cozy. It almost beat out her usual cloud bed.
Almost.
"Fine by me," Rara chirped, taking the chair on the other side of Big Macintosh.
Soon after, Applejack walked outside with a drowsy Applebloom draped across her back. The combination of food, chores, and overall excitement of the day tuckered the filly out. Not wanting to exclude her little sister, AJ carefully laid the sleepy filly on the chair on the other side of Granny Smith.
Noticing all the other chairs were taken, Applejack silently trotted towards the hammock.
"Scoot your flank, Dash," Applejack said with a playful smile at her friend.
"Fine," RD rolled her eyes, returning the smile.
Rainbow Dash sat up to give Applejack space to sit besides her. Once AJ was comfortably seated, Rainbow Dash laid back down, her back hooves now draped across AJ's lap.
Neither mare thought anything strange about the arrangement. The two may not be prone to small, sweet gestures of affection like nuzzles. But, of all their friends, they were the most physically comfortable with each other. From Applejack using Dash as a pillow to Rainbow Dash always placing a casual hoof around the cowgirl, their physical touches were less showy and more... Comfortable.
Rara took note of the comfortable touch. Even with her, Applejack wasn't that... Well, comfortable.
Wanting to get a closer look, Rara stood out of her chair.
"Any pony want a glass of cider?" She asked casually, with an immediate 'yes' from everyone except Applebloom.
Rara served those in chairs before trotting over to the ponies in the hammock.
"I'm going to leave you one of the jugs," Rara said pointedly to Rainbow Dash. "I'm guessing you'll need it."
Rainbow chuckled unabashedly, sitting up to take the jug. She poured herself a mug, setting the jug on the ground
"Thanks sugarcube," Applejack beamed, sipping her now full mug of cider.
"Of course," Rara replied with a sly smile, looking back and forth between Applejack and Rainbow Dash suggestively.
But AJ didn't pick up the subtle suggestion.
"I'm glad you decided to visit, Rara." Applejack gave Rara a fond smile. "It's been real nice having you around today."
Rara beamed at AJ, temporarily distracted.
"No, I should be thanking you. You and your family welcomed me on such short notice." Rara laughed. "I still can't believe you have the energy to help me and do your chores. Like today, I took a nap while you bucked trees!"
Rainbow Dash cracked a smile as she listened in the conversation.
"That's Applejack for you," Rainbow said in a bragging tone. "Ponyville's best freakin' athlete!"
Applejack's cheeks went a slight pink.
"Aw shucks, Rainbow," AJ said. "S'no big deal."
Rara noticed Applejack's blush, smiling slightly.
"Well, with Ponyville's best athlete helping me, I'll be in shape for my concert in no time."
Applejack beamed in pride, but Rainbow Dash frowned.
Did Rara only come to use Applejack?
Rainbow felt a growing resolve in her chest. No pony takes advantage of Applejack.
"Wait wait wait. Lemme get this straight." Rainbow Dash gave Rara a shrewd look. "You're only visiting Applejack because you need a favor?"
Applejack's eyes widened, while Rara looked taken aback.
"What?" Rara exclaimed flabbergasted. "Rainbow Dash, of course not!"
Rara closed her eyes and inhaled sharply, exhaling slowly. Once she had regained some composure, she opened her eyes again.
"You're right. I shouldn't have come because I needed something," Rara looked glumly at AJ. "I've wanted to visit you for sooo long. But I've been so caught up with singing and performing..."
Rara trailed off, looking down t her hooves.
"So when I got the opportunity to visit you and work, I had to make it happen. Applejack, trust me," Rara looked back up pleasingly. "I came to visit and get help, not to visit because I need help."
Rara glanced over at Rainbow Dash, who was unimpressed by the explanation.
Rara sighed. She didn't want to be on bad terms with Rainbow Dash who, if she was right, meant a lot to Applejack. More so than maybe any other pony.
Rara looked back at Applejack, her expression more serious.
"Rainbow Dash is right, AJ. I've been a really bad friend," Rara admitted. "I've been performing nonstop since I rebranded as Rara. I had forgotten how much singing and performing makes me happy, and I only remembered because of you, AJ." Rara reached to hold one of AJ's hooves. "I wish you could see how much better I've performed ever since I came to Ponyville and you helped me. You're such an amazing friend, and you deserve great friends, too. So I hope to make it up to you during this visit."
AJ's expression was serious as Rara spoke, but by the end of it, she had an understanding smile.
"Rara, I'm just glad you're here. And don't worry. No matter how much time we spend apart, I'll always be here for you," Applejack said, pulling the mare in for a hug.
Rara returned the hug, but her face was still glum.
Good, Rainbow Dash thought to herself, satisfied to see genuine remorse on Rara's face.
And, while watching Rara hug Applejack made Rainbow's insides feel weird, it felt good to know that Rara wasn't as perfect as everypony said she was.
Once Rara pulled away from the hug, she sighed heavily.
"I wish there was a mini Applejack I could carry around. Then I could travel and perform and just keep you in my pocket," Rara said with a slight smile. "Then I'd be doing what I love with some pony I love."
Rara suddenly squealed, her gasp giving Pinkie's a run for their money.
"Oh my stars! Applejack, I just had an amazing idea." She squealed again, her excitement changing the seriousness of the conversation. "You should come with me to the tour's kickoff concert in Canterlot! We could perform together, since you'll totally know the choreography better than me by the time we finish training. And, if you like performing, you can join me on the tour! We'll go all over Equestria and the other kingdoms, like a road trip! Isn't that a great bonding experience?"
AJ's eyes widened, caught in a state of shock. But most shocked of all was Rainbow Dash.
What. The. Hay? Rainbow internally freaked out. Did Rara just ask AJ to leave Ponyville for who knows how many moons? That's just so... Selfish. Rainbow Dash clenched her mug tightly. Rara just wants to do what she likes to do while keeping AJ. Why should Applejack have to sacrifice something for her?
Rainbow Dash felt like this was the ultimate proof of what she's known all along.
Rara was just a selfish superstar.
Noticing Applejack's silence and Rainbow Dash glare, Rara chuckled nervously.
"You don't have to give me an answer right now. Just... Give it some thought."
Rara patted AJ's knee affectionately, quickly going back to her seat. She did not like the daggers Rainbow Dash was glaring at her.
Once Rara was out of her sight, Rainbow Dash took a shaky sip of cider.
I just wanted to call Rara out, Rainbow Dash thought darkly. I never thought she would try to take Applejack away.
A sick feeling grew in the pit of Rainbow Dash's stomach. It was a feeling she had felt before, long ago.
When Applejack had went off to Canterlot to compete in a rodeo and never came back, Rainbow Dash had been absolutely devastated. So when they found her at Dodge Junction and convinced her to return to Ponyville, Rainbow Dash had actually cried. Cried! Her tears had been a combination of relief and of pain— pain she had carried those few days of not knowing when Applejack would return to Ponyville.
This was Dodge Junction all over again.
Except this time, it would be Rainbow Dash's fault if Applejack leaves and never comes back.