//------------------------------// // Ch.3- Marriot and Mae // Story: Relationship Problems: Code Blue...Blood // by Seanessy //------------------------------// “And she had the nerve to say I was bein’ inconsiderate and mean!” “I see…” Applejack paced back and forth in Twilight’s library as all the words she withheld yesterday came flying from her mouth faster than hungry parasprites at a dinner party. The purple unicorn flipped through her relationship book as the country equine continued to talk. “Ah mean, how in the hay can she expect me to understand somethin’ like that? She’s crazier than a bucket fulla parasprites!” “Well one thing is clear Applejack.” “Don’t I know it? Rarity–” “Is absolutely right.” Twilight said as she closed her book. At hearing those words, Applejack’s pacing came to such an abrupt stop, that she tripped over her own hooves and face planted into the ground. She shook her head as she sat up. “Say what now?!” “According to Dr. Marriot, your jealousy has exceeded to a level in which you have now become controlling. It’s perfectly natural for a significant other to want to explore repressed feelings. You would have generated a more positive response had you reacted more favorably to Rarity’s news.” Applejack’s gaze focused on Twilight. In her head she was trying to contemplate how such logic made sense to the purple mare. She raised her hooves in the air in frustration. “Twilight! She lied to me! About dern near everythin’!” “She lied to protect you. She very well may have kept it a secret so she could spare your feelings. The trip to Fillydelphia was no more than a self-test to see where her true emotions lie. Now that you’ve responded so poorly to that, subconsciously she may rebel against you and believe she actually has stronger feelings for Blueblood.” “Ya gotta be kiddin’ me!” Twilight used her magic to levitate the book and opened it up to the page she referenced. “The book doesn’t lie, Applejack.” Applejack slapped the book from her sight and it hit a nearby wall. She stood up and pointed at the book and stared directly at Twilight. “That’s what I think of yer stupid book! I don’t care what Rarity, you, or that silly doctor says,” she curled her lips and lowered her head as tears began to well up in her eyes, “ya don’t say ya love somepony unless ya really mean it.” A frown swept over Twilight’s face and she went to wrap her forelegs around her friend. “Applejack, I’m so sorry.” Applejack gently pushed the unicorn away. “I gotta go.” Without another word the earth pony stormed out of the door, leaving nothing behind her but gentle droplets of tears. -- Rarity sighed as she sat across a round table from Blueblood. The two ponies were currently at the Canterlot Cuisine restaurant inside the train station. The pain in Applejack’s eyes after their last conversation plagued the unicorn’s mind. She lied to the earth pony and said what they had meant nothing knowing it wasn’t true. But, before Applejack, all she knew was the Blueblood of her dreams, and now she had him. Yet, somehow, it didn’t feel right. Rarity attempted to rid her mind of these thoughts as to not dampen the mood. She used her magic to unfold her napkin and place it in her lap. Blueblood cast a concerned gaze towards the mare noticing a lack of interest on her face. “Is everything alright Miss Rarity?” “Yes Blue, everything is fine.” “Are you sure? Would you like to talk about it?” Rarity’s shoulders drooped as she let out a sigh. “It’s just that–” “Well howdy there!” a voice rang from across the room. Rarity’s eyes perked up, she turned her head to be greeted by a yellow earth pony. Her resemblance to Applejack was almost uncanny. She had the same dazzling emerald eyes, same freckles, her own cowboy hat and from what she could tell, the same thick accent. The only difference was her mane and tail were strawberry blonde, and were kept in two braids flowing down both sides of her head and of course her cutie mark, which was a crossing knife and fork. “My name is Sally Mae, and Ah’m gon be ya’lls server this evenin’.” The chipper pony pulled out two menus from a nearby drawer and placed them on the table. “Can I get ya’ll anything to drink while ya look through the menu?” “A sparkling water please.” Blueblood said. “Alright, one sparkling water, and fer the miss?” Rarity’s mouth hung open slightly as she continued to gaze at Sally Mae in shock. It was if the cosmos themselves were trying to speak to the unicorn. The yellow pony raised a brow in concern at Rarity’s frozen facial expression wondering if she was possibly having a stroke or if she had just been given a revelation. “Everythin’ alright sugarmuffin?” Rarity blinked and shook her head. “Yes, I’m sorry, you just remind me of someone. I’ll also have a sparkling water, please.” “Welp, with that look on yer face, that pony must really be something special to ya.” Sally Mae shot the unicorn an innocent warm smile, one that mimicked Applejack’s perfectly. “Ah’ll be right back with yer waters. Take yer time, we gotta lotta good stuff on the menu. Ah’ll tell ya’ll bout some of our specials when Ah get back.” The yellow earth pony trotted off to the other side of the restaurant. A gentle smile covered Blueblood’s face. “If I may say, you look absolutely divine tonight.” “Thank you.” Sally Mae returned with a large platter in her teeth that held two glasses of water and a plate of pastries that looked freshly made. The unicorns obliged her by using magic to take the sparkling waters as Sally slipped the pastries off the metal disk before accurately tossing it back into the kitchen. “Thank ya’ll kindly. Here are yer waters, and some complementary apple turnovers.” Rarity’s gazed at the fresh pastries that sat before her. “Apple turnovers?” “Yes ma’am, made ‘em myself. Ah apologize, but just gimme ‘bout another few minutes and Ah’ll be right back to talk to ya bout some of the best selections on our menu!” As Sally Mae rushed off to attend to other duties, Rarity inhaled the sweet scent of the apple turnovers. She picked up one using her magic and gently bit into it. It was delicious, but it couldn’t hold a candle to the ones Applejack made. The unicorn closed her eyes as she reminisced on the times the country mare would bring her the home made pastries fresh from her farm. Applejack made a living off of selling apples and apple based treats, but that never stopped her from generously giving a batch or two to the unicorn knowing she had well over enough bits to pay. A sigh exited her smiling lips. “Oh, Applejack…” Rarity thought. “Rarity?” The unicorn raised her head to be greeted with a warm smile from the colt sitting across from her. “Yes, Blue?” “I can’t express enough how grateful I am for the second chance.” “No problem, I had a great time with you.” “And, tell me, are you having a great time now?” “A fantastic one, Blue.” “Good, that makes this question I’m about to ask much easier…”