From an outsider's perspective, the atmosphere at Sweet Apple Acres would be deemed absolutely peaceful. Fireflies and stars illuminated the night, and the vague smell of dew and apple trees was a delicious fragrance. The night may have gotten a bit chillier, but no pony dared break the serenity of the evening by getting up for a blanket.
Yet, Rainbow Dash was anything but at peace.
Stupid Coloratura and her stupid offer, Rainbow simmered in anger. What gives her the right to invite AJ on a tour all over the kingdoms? It's such a dumb idea! It's as dumb an idea as if I invited Applejack on the next Wonderbolts tour!
Except... If she thought about it, it really wasn't such a dumb idea. Rara had promised Applejack 'earth pony fun.' And, as Rainbow Dash learned today, earth pony fun was just an umbrella term for pastimes pegasi like her would never consider trying. Except for the odd pegasi like Fluttershy, they typically lived in the clouds and enjoyed hobbies to do with their flying.
But Applejack was an earth pony. She could sing, dance, play various instruments, and was skilled in cooking and manual labor. If she wanted to, she really could travel the kingdoms and would survive well enough on her own.
Rainbow Dash remembered what Pinkie said that morning: Applejack and Rara could have "endless fun" together as earth ponies. The thought caused Rainbow to create a mental list of other points of difference between her and Rara's friendship with Applejack.
1. Rainbow Dash had gone to flight school: Applejack and Rara went to summer camp.
2. Rainbow Dash lived in the clouds her whole life: Applejack and Rara lived on the ground.
3. Rainbow Dash toured with the Wonderbolts performing aerial shows: Rara toured with her team performing concerts, something AJ could do because it's all on the ground.
Rainbow Dash chugged her mug of cider, but her throat was still dry. She grabbed the jug and refilled her mug, jugging another.
You know it's bad when even cider can't cheer me up, Rainbow thought glumly, giving up and setting the items on the ground again.
Without needing to sit up anymore, Rainbow Dash laid across the hammock again, hooves still across AJ's lap. She looked towards Applejack, curious to see the pony's reaction to Rara's recent offer.
Applejack was facing the orchards, the home of her beloved apple trees. But her eyes were distant, her mind obviously elsewhere.
Maybe she's thinking about seeing something besides those apple trees, Rainbow thought morosely. Maybe shes thinking about all the places she could see, about all the cool creatures she could befriend. Heck, maybe they'll be better friends than me or Rara ever could be.
The final thought shot a stabbing pain through Rainbow Dash's heart, making her physically flinch. There goes another similarity between her and Rara: neither of them were good enough friends for an amazing mare like Applejack.
Rainbow Dash's sudden movement brought Applejack back to the present. She caught Rainbow Dash staring at her, and her eyebrows immediately scrunched together in concern.
"You okay, sugarcube?" AJ asked in a low whisper so as to not disturb the others.
Rainbow Dash quickly nodded, scrambling for an excuse.
"Yup! Just really full and, ah, cold! Yeah. Cold."
Rainbow Dash mentally kicked herself for such an obvious lie. Pegasi rarely get cold, since they're used to the chilly temperatures of flying high. But Applejack, trusting that everypony around her was just as honest as she was, didn't question her friend.
"Rainbow, you should've just said so."
Applejack plopped her Stetson onto the floor, laying on her side to snuggle besides to the pegasus. Instinctively, Rainbow Dash shifted to give AJ more room. The hammock was wide enough to let the mares lie side by side.
Applejack rested her head comfortably on Rainbow Dash's shoulder. Interesting enough, the physical proximity to Applejack calmed Rainbow Dash.
Woah. Applejack is really cold, Rainbow noticed.
Just as Rainbow Dash was about to extend her wing around AJ, she stopped herself.
Oh, she wanted to. Like, really wanted to.
But if she hugged Applejack, Rainbow Dash wasn't sure she'd ever let her go.
Rainbow Dash couldn't stand the silence, nor could she keep in her thoughts much longer.
"AJ, can I ask you something?"
"Of course, sugarcube."
"You're not thinking about going, right?"
A long pause followed.
Rainbow Dash's heart began to beat faster. This close together, Applejack would surely to notice the increase in tempo.
Finally, Applejack replied.
"You know how we Pinkie Promised to make time for each other?" AJ whispered, but didn't wait to hear Rainbow's affirmative. Of course she remembered. They had made that promise a mere hours ago. "Well, isn't that what Rara is doing? She's trying to find a way to spend time with me."
Applejack inhaled sharply. "I don't know, RD. I haven't seen Rara in so long, I had almost forgotten how much I love her company, her energy... The whole pony.
So who knows. Maybe these next few weeks with her might not be enough for me."
Silence followed.
In a weird way, Rainbow Dash could understand AJ's feelings; it was how Rainbow felt about her. Tonight's dinner reminded Rainbow Dash how much she loved Applejack's company, her energy... The whole pony.
Rainbow's heart clenched. If Applejack went on tour, she wouldn't be around anymore at all. Which meant that Dash may only have these next few weeks with her.
Applejack shivered a bit, the cool night air getting to her. But this time, Rainbow Dash didn't hesitate to put a wing around her. She started when Applejack's cold coat pressed against her, but didn't move. She had a reason to hug Applejack.
Their hugs may be numbered.
"Dash, what would you do if you were in my position? If this was your best friend?"
Before Rainbow Dash could say she would follow Applejack anywhere (with maybe a joke about how it would probably be Applejack chasing the relatively more famous Rainbow Dash), AJ elaborated, "What would you do if Fluttershy up and became a model or something? And you didn't see her for years and, one day, she asked you to travel with her. What would you do?"
Oh right. As Rainbow Dash's childhood friend, Fluttershy was technically the right allegory for Rara.
But she wasn't Rainbow's best friend. That spot belonged to the pony currently in Rainbow Dash's embrace.
But since the hypothetical was about Fluttershy, then technically Rainbow Dash's response to the question wouldn't be a lie. It's conveniently what Dash wanted AJ to do, so she didn't correct her on the whole best friend thing.
"I wouldn't go," she replied. "Fluttershy would never ask me to choose her over Ponyville and the Wonderbolts. If she was actually a good friend, she would find some way to spend time together without either of us sacrificing something super important to us.
Like today was a good example. You and Rara hung out together and had fun. Yes, you took time to train her, but she respected the fact that you still had to work on the farm."
Rainbow Dash hesitated, but pressed on.
"Applejack, don't you think Rara's offer is a little... Selfish? If you accept, you'd be sacrificing a whole lot for somepony who—"
Rainbow Dash stopped her rant. What she wanted to say wasn't exactly super flattering.
But this was the Element of Honesty she was talking to. Of course Applejack would want the truth.
"'For somepony who' what Rainbow?"
Rainbow Dash sighed.
"For somepony who hasn't really sacrificed anything for you," she pointed out. "Like this visit isn't exclusively to see you. And I know she apologized for that, but if she wanted to be with you 24/7, wouldn't you be the priority over her dream?
Don't get me wrong, there's nothing bad about prioritizing a dream. Trust me," Rainbow Dash chuckled dryly. "I know. But I also know that I'd stop being a Wonderbolt any day if it meant I'd never get to hang with you."
A long silence followed Rainbow Dash's speech, making her internally panic.
Did I say too much? Was I too honest? Maybe I shouldn't have been blunt and said Rara was being selfish. Or maybe—
Applejack suddenly shifted so she was on her stomach, partially laying on Dash. In that position, their faces were mere inches apart.
This close to Applejack, Rainbow could see every speckle of color in AJ's green eyes. She had noticed before the speckles of yellow and hazel, but the moonlight made the speckles shine like stars in the night.
"I was wrong, Rainbow," Applejack murmured, interrupting the brief silence. "You and Rara aren't alike. Similar, maybe. But not alike." She cracked a small smile. "Not alike at all."
And, just like that, AJ leaned forward and nuzzled Rainbow's nose. It was a gesture of affection Rainbow Dash had seen Applejack do countless times today with Rara, and often with Applebloom, Fluttershy, Rarity, and even Spike.
But never with Rainbow Dash. If Rainbow Dash and Applejack were ever nose-to-nose, it was during a competition or out of anger/rivalry.
But never out of affection.
And before she could reciprocate the gesture, it was over.
Applejack pulled away and smiled fondly. She didn't even bother explaining her comment, sliding off the hammock and stretching her hooves.
"Alright y'all, I think we're all plum tuckered out. Let's call it a night," she called in her normal voice.
By then, the rest of the Apple family had fallen asleep. Only Rara lay awake, straining— but failing— to eavesdrop in the whispered conversation between Applejack and Rainbow Dash.
Rara slid off her chair, mimicking AJ and stretching her hooves in between a yawn.
"This was nice," Rara said with a slightly sleepy smile. She trotted over Applebloom and carefully placed the sleeping filly on her back. "Don't worry, I'll take her to bed."
"Thanks Rara," Applejack said gratefully, a fond look reaching her eyes as she watched the pair.
Rara trotted to the door, pausing momentarily.
"Good night Granny Smith. Good night Big Mac," she called, to which the two mumbled a tired 'good night' as they stumbled out of their own chairs.
Rara turned to Rainbow Dash, who was still laying lazily in the hammock. "Hey Rainbow Dash, are you joining us for brunch tomorrow?"
"Brunch?" Rainbow Dash repeated quizzically, turning to Applejack for an explanation.
"Pinkie is hosting us at Sugarcube Corner for brunch so the girls can get to know Rara," Applejack looked hopefully towards Rainbow. "It's at a later time, so if you can make it around ten, we'd love to see you."
"TEN is later for you?" Rainbow exclaimed flabbergasted. Her loud tone made Applebloom stir, earning her a glare from Applejack.
"I'm going to take her up," Rara said quickly. "Good night, Rainbow Dash. I really hope you can make it tomorrow."
With a genuine smile, Rara trotted into the farmhouse. She was soon followed by Granny Smith and Big Mac, who both bid Rainbow Dash a good night.
Big Mac having already put away the chairs, Applejack collected the glasses. Rara's question from earlier in the night returned to Rainbow Dash's mind.
'The mare never rests, does she?'
Before Applejack could refuse the help like she did Rara's, Rainbow Dash zoomed off the hammock and snatched the mugs out of Applejack's hands. She flew inside in a streak of rainbow, washed them, and put them to dry in record time.
There. Now I can feel less guilty for not offering to wash dishes earlier.
Rainbow Dash flew back outside. Applejack was back on the hammock, laying outstretched as Rainbow Dash had been all night. Rainbow flew towards her, flying a ways above Applejack's head.
Applejack gave Rainbow Dash a small smile.
"Thanks Rainbow," Applejack said quietly. She was looking at Rainbow Dash a little strangely, but not in a bad way. "So did you decide if you're gonna come to brunch tomorrow or not?"
Rainbow pretended to think before theatrically replying, "Well, since you want me and my awesomeness there so bad, I guess I can fit it in my schedule."
Applejack chuckled, rolling her eyes.
"I'll save you and your awesomeness a seat then."
For a moment, the two mares just stared at each other with silly smiles plastered on their faces. It took Rainbow Dash a few moments to realize that they were just gazing into each other's eyes.
And that it was time for her to go.
Oh. Right. Applejack lives here, Rainbow mentally facepalmed. I should be the one leaving.
"Well, I should head out," Rainbow said, saluting Applejack. "G'night Applejack. See you tomorrow."
Applejack gave Rainbow Dash a soft smile in return. "G'night sugarcube. Sweet dreams."
But something was missing from the goodbye. It didn't feel... Complete.
Before Dash knew what she was doing, she flew down at Applejack's eye level, closed her eyes, and leaned forward to nuzzle AJ's nose.
"G'night AJ," she repeated herself softly, pulling away and opening her eyes. AJ's expression was surprised at the sudden gesture of affection, but not unpleasantly so. AJ nuzzled Rainbow's nose back before the pegasus pulled away.
Rainbow Dash gave Applejack one last winning smile before flying away in a rainbow streak.
She didn't know what the hay possessed her to do that. But she could see why Applejack did it so often: the little action reinvigorated Rainbow Dash. The extra jolt of happiness gave her the energy to fly all the way to the Wonderbolts compound instead of flying to her much more nearby cloudominium.
So, even though Rainbow Dash was still upset by the prospect of Applejack leaving, she couldn't help but focus on the happy realization that she and AJ nuzzled noses.
Maybe this night hadn't been so terrible after all.