The week following Applejack's departure went by too slow yet too fast. While Rainbow Dash yearned to see AJ again, she knew that when she did, she would have to execute her and Rara's crazy plan.
A plan that, if it goes badly, Rainbow Dash would never be able to live down.
Luckily, the week also gave Rainbow Dash time to gather her thoughts. The night of the party had been an overload of information, with the most important being Rara's inside knowledge that Applejack liked her back.
But despite Rara's encouragement (and the rest of her friends' not-so-subtle commentary), Rainbow Dash couldn't bring herself to fully believe it. It felt too good to be true. Only in hearing the words from Applejack herself would Rainbow truly accept it.
Thankfully, her friends had given Rainbow Dash the privacy she asked for. After eating a slice of cake, Rainbow Dash left the party early and flew back to the Wonderbolts compound, only to find the whole team waiting for her. The moment she enteredthe sleeping quarters, Spitfire blocked her path.
"Tell me Crash," her captain had said with a poker face, "Did you at least get the girl?"
Rainbow had given Spitfire a reassuring smile coupled with a salute. "I'm working on it."
Spitfire had nodded, and hadn't brought it up since.
On the other hoof, Soarin would not shut up about the concert. He had already been ecstatic when Rainbow Dash confirmed Rara and Applejack weren't dating. But the news that Rara had specifically expressed interest in seeing him at the concert was too much for the seasoned Wonderbolt: he had literally fainted.
"I think it'll work out just swell for us, Crash," Soarin boasted after he had woken up. "I'll get my chance with Rara, and you'll get to keep your Applejack."
After Soarin started using the term 'your Applejack,' Rainbow was all too willing to listen to him prattle on about his ideas for wooing Rara.
The week passed, and it was Saturday morning.
The day of the concert arrived.
Soarin awoke the entire team with his loud racket. He flew from one end of the room to the other, very much overpacking for an overnight trip. He was the only Wonderbolt to join Rainbow Dash on the early train to Canterlot. The rest of the team was heading out in the afternoon, but Soarin had said he needed "to have plenty of time to get ready."
Rainbow Dash groaned. She had wanted to sleep until she absolutely had to get up. But, with Soarin's noise and not-so-quiet jovial humming, she decided to get up and just head out.
Right before they flew to the train station, Spitfire called out to Rainbow Dash.
"Good luck Crash," Spitfire saluted. The perceptive captain suspected that the concert was going to be another colorful evening.
Rainbow Dash saluted back, determination growing in her chest. The plan was crazy and stupid and irrational... Enough so that it just might work.
Rainbow Dash was silent on the train ride, ignoring the chatter of the other ponies in the car. Onboard was Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Starlight Glimmer, the immediate Apple family, and the rest of the Cutie Mark Crusaders. Rainbow Dash had overheard that the majority of Ponyville, as well as AJ's past students from the School of Friendship and her extended family, would be taking a later train into Canterlot.
After AJ and Rara's sneak peek last Friday, every creature wanted to see what else the mares could do.
Rainbow sat in a corner booth, looking out the window in silent contemplation. She mentally went through the plan again and again, making sure she knew it inside out. Once she saw Canterlot approaching, her stomach started to do summersaults.
How can I do dozens of Wonderbolt performances, but this one plan is making nervous? Rainbow Dash grimaced. Get it together, Rainbow. It'll be okay, it'll be okay, it'll be okay—
"Lot on your mind, Rainbow Dash?"
Rainbow Dash jumped in surprise. Granny Smith sat down in the seat besides her, giving her a sympathetic look. Since their trip to Las Pegasus, Rainbow Dash absolutely adored Granny Smith, a feeling that was very much mutual.
"Heh... You could say that again, Granny," Rainbow chuckled nervously.
Granny Smith gave Rainbow Dash a knowing smile. "I don't claim to understand everything that's going on between you and Applejack," she said with a maternal tone. "But I do know one thing. That girl's a sunflower following the sun when you're around. I ain't ever seen Applejack push herself as hard as she does when you challenge her, or smile as brightly as when she looks at you."
Rainbow felt a bubbly tingle in her heart. If what everypony has been saying is true, then Rainbow Dash's plan was bound to work. Not because it was crazy and extravagant, but because AJ felt what she felt, too.
"It'll be okay, Rainbow Dash," Granny continued. "It's Applejack. Just give her the truth, and the rest will fall into place."
After getting off the train, the ponies went their separate ways. The Apple family, despite Twilight's invitation, had decided to stay with family. Soarin had booked a hotel with the rest of the Wonderbolts. Everypony else was staying at the castle.
Twilight was waiting in the castle parlor to greet them. She had grown a few centimeters since they last saw her, and her wings and horn were slightly bigger too. Any another day, Rainbow Dash would have definitely teased her about it.
But today, Rainbow Dash only had one focus.
"Where's Applejack?" Rainbow asked once greetings had been exchanged.
"She's off with Rara doing a final run-through of the show. But they'll come back for lunch soon," Twilight replied.
"How soon is 'soon'?"
The group exchanged smirks, with many ponies (well, just Rarity and Sweet Belle) giggling. Rainbow Dash ignored her amused audience, not to be deterred from her inquiry.
"Around midday. So once you all get settled, come straight to the dining room. AJ and Rara should be back by then," Twilight replied in confusion, noticing her friends’ smirks and knowing smiles. Having been in Canterlot, she missed out on everything that had passed between Applejack and Rainbow Dash since her coronation.
But that was gossip to share once Rainbow Dash was out of earshot.
Everypony dispersed to their rooms, though Starlight stayed behind to talk to Twilight. If Rainbow Dash had been more observant, she would have noticed that everypony was giving her a look. They were all invested in Applejack and Rainbow Dash's relationship, more so than was probably necessary.
Once in her room, Rainbow Dash quickly unpacked. She hesitated as she held Tallulah; should she give her back now or wait?
Rainbow carefully tried on the Stetson, flying to a mirror. She's worn the hat before, but wearing it now felt different... It meant something different. AJ had leant it to her willingly, instead of Rainbow stealing it or wearing to spite her.
There was a loud knock on the door. Forgetting to take off Tallulah, Rainbow rushed to open it.
"Howdy Rainbow," Applejack grinned, her eyes shifting to the top of Rainbow Dash's head. "Glad you liked the hat. Are you—"
"APPLEJACK!" Without waiting for Applejack to finish her question, Rainbow Dash lurched to embrace her friend. Seven days without her had been seven days too many.
Applejack was startled, but returned the gesture willingly. The two hugged for a long moment until Applejack broke it up.
Rainbow Dash flew a few inches of the ground, giving AJ an embarrassed, almost shy, smile.
"Hi AJ."
"Hi Rainbow."
An awkward pause followed.
"Oh! Um, this is your's," Rainbow took off the Stetson and plopped it on AJ's head.
Applejack had a pleased look on her face, happy to have her hat back. But she took it off and placed it back on Rainbow Dash's head.
"Why don't you give it back after the concert?" Applejack suggested. "I won't get to wear it till then anyways."
Her eyes strayed to Rainbow Dash's hoof, her smile growing. The choker she had given Rainbow Dash was now being used as a bracelet. At the same time AJ noticed that, Dash noticed her gift was being worn too. Her bowtie held Applejack's ponytail.
Rainbow Dash's heart almost burst.
Surely this is a sign, right? She pondered in glee. I mean, I've only ever seen Lyra and Bon Bon do the whole 'marefriends wear each other's stuff' thing. It means something to wear your special somepony's cutiemark.
"Anyhoo," Applejack cleared her throat, having also been lost in thought. "The girls are all downstairs for lunch. You coming?"
Rainbow Dash's stomach growled, "Um, yeah. I'm kinda hungry."
The two ponies laughed, heading downstairs. AJ caught Rainbow Dash up on everything she's done the past week. From meeting Rara's Canterlot friends to integrating costumes and special effects into their choreography, Applejack had been kept busy.
Meanwhile, Rainbow Dash didn't have much to share. Besides sending secret letters with Rara to smooth out the final details of their plan, nothing new had happened.
But Applejack trying new things isn't bad, Rainbow Dash reminded herself. She isn't one of those mares who wants to go off and see the world. She's already seen the world— actually, scratch that. She's saved it so many times, she's tired of it.
So what that she had fun this week? Doesn't mean she's going to change her mind about the tour.
Right?
The dining room was loud and full of laughter. Twilight sat at the head of the table, with everypony else already seated. Applejack had a seat saved by Rara, while the last available seat was on the opposite end besides Fluttershy. On seeing Rara, Rainbow Dash smiled in greeting and saluted, a gesture Rara returned with an even bigger smile.
Everypony noticed that Rainbow Dash was wearing Applejack's hat, but didn't comment. And Twilight, now caught up on all the gossip, knew to say nothing, too.
The ponies spent the lunch catching up, with plenty of stories to be shared. None of them (besides AJ and Rara) have seen Twilight in weeks. Between eating and catching up, no one had time to notice that Applejack and Rainbow Dash, usually two of the louder voices in the room, were abnormally quiet. As much as they wanted to be with their friends, they would have preferred time alone, though for different reasons. Applejack was still expecting an apology and explanation; Rainbow Dash just wanted to be physically close to her again
After eating, Applejack and Rara headed out to get ready for the show, with everypony wishing them luck.
But it made Rainbow Dash's stomach churn. The next time she'll see Applejack, AJ will be performing and Rainbow Dash will be executing the plan.
While the larger group planned to go into Canterlot and explore before the concert, Rainbow Dash made an excuse to stay behind. She claimed she got no sleep the night before (which was true) and was going to nap (which she hoped would be true). Making Fluttershy promise to wake her when they got back to the castle, Rainbow Dash returned to her room.
This is insane. A crazy plan. A crazy plan that could totally embarrass me, Rainbow Dash spiraled once she got to her room. And, even if it does work, my reputation as the awesomest, coolest pony to ever live will be totally ruined.
Rainbow Dash groaned loudly and face-planted onto her bed.
“I can always just find Rara and call it off,” Rainbow Dash mumbled to herself.
But no.
I can't do that.
"I won't do that."
Rainbow Dash's resolve solidified. She flew off the bed, declaring aloud, "I'd rather be teased forever with Applejack by my side than abort the plan and always wonder if it would have worked. Sure, there are less embarrassing ways to go about telling AJ how I feel.
But those ways are boring. They're for boring, average ponies."
Rainbow Dash smiled to herself. "But me and Applejack?"
"We're not average ponies."
If this is going to be the beginning of our relationship, it's sure as hay not going to have an average beginning.