SCENE TWO.
To put it plainly, the rain bothered her. She didn't normally hate the rain - Rarity couldn't count the number of times that gentle pit-pat against the window had inspired her. However, Twilight Sparkle would return from canterlot in just a few hours, and Rarity would have to trudge through the rain to meet her. That was what bothered her today. Having to go out in it. How do you wear both a sensible waterproof outfit and a fashionable party fit? Sure, she could put a coat over one of her evening gowns, but wouldn't that just clash? She dreaded to think about getting a dress all wet and muddy. Weather is always nicer from a distance. Paintings of snow don't require you to layer up.
The gentle pit-pat grew louder, less gentle. Rarity had far too many other outfits to deal with before even thinking of her own. In front of her lay sketches, basic forms of a dress for Apple Bloom. Something slick, simple. The sort of dress a pony can dance in, can draw attention to - that’s what Rarity was going for at least. She stared at the mess of fabric and paper for a moment, and gave up. She just tapped her hoof against the table instead.
The pit-pat had now become some new sound, some hoof smashing against window glass. It didn’t help to think about all the mud she'd have to wade through outside.
Tap tap - hoof against table. That horrible smashing - rain against window. And now, some grumble. Rarity had forgotten to eat breakfast again. It was already past her typical lunchtime. Maybe forgotten isn’t the right word - it just hadn’t occurred to her in the first place. She was hungry now. She really should have something to eat - get out of this chair, stand up, go to the kitchen, look through the fridge, the cabinets, get out the ingredients, spend all that time mixing and making… Maybe it could wait a bit. Staring at these designs, inspiration may prop back up any moment. Rarity shouldn’t have to give that up for a bowl of oats.
No - no, she’s better than this. Nasty habits form awful routines. She needed something to eat - this isn’t up for debate, it wasn't some difficult choice. It’s a basic fact of life. So Rarity stood up, she went to the kitchen, she looked through the fridge, the cabinets. She got out oats to cook on the hob - measured the water to cook them with. She set the bowl on the table. Set everything to be. Played her part.
She stared now, not at half formed designs on a cold table, but fully formed oatmeal on a slightly less cold table. It was warm. It was nice. Nice enough.
She ate a couple spoonfuls of the oatmeal. With this weather, Rarity couldn’t risk the chance of mud. She’d need boots. Boots don’t typically work into party fashion - especially not muddy ones - but she was sure Twilight wouldn’t mind if she left them to dry by the door. An umbrella too - easy to carry, easy to put away. An umbrella wouldn’t clash with fancy attire - especially a grey or black one. Those go with anything.
A few more spoonfuls of oatmeal. Maybe it was over the top for her to worry so much about what to wear - she’s only meeting her friends. Not that that isn’t a big deal, of course, but it’s not like she’s meeting some big fashion pony. Rainbow Dash isnt going to cause a fuss over what anypony wears.
More oatmeal - she needed it. She tells herself she didn’t, but she needed it.
Ponyville looked nice in the rain. Somehow, those grey clouds above did little more than remind you of the warmth - warmth of the cottages, the roaring fires inside, the ponies sitting beside them. The rain calmed down - no longer the clumsy knuckle rapping it once was. Mud pooled up at the sides of cobble paths, grass tufting out from inside, weaving between hoof prints of foals playing in the dirt. Some streets away, a golden ray of sunshine beamed down from a hole in the sky where some ditzy pegasus had pushed a cloud the wrong way. Caught up perfectly in the middle, some bare tree; leaves already stripped by the wind. Rarity would laugh if it wasn’t so beautiful.
She was early, of course. Not as early as Pinkie Pie - SOMEPONY had to prepare for it all. Having fun is serious business. The door was already open, so Rarity trotted inside. She wiped her boots on the welcome mat, shook the umbrella dry outside, and left them perched in a nook just beside the entrance.
“Rarity! YOU’RE HERE!” Pinkie was perched awkwardly on a stack of books, balancing herself so that she could pin up some streamers. She tried to bend over and wave at Rarity, but stuck some hoof out too far, jostled the book tower too much. The whole thing came down in an awkward thud - Pinkie laying wrapped up in streamers, covered in tomes and dictionaries. “Oops.” She grinned.
“Oh, goodness.” Rarity rushed over to help her. The two struggled for a bit - ravelling and unravelling Pinkie as she squirmed in her streamer wrapping. She was eventually able to wriggle free. “Perhaps I should put these up for you…” Rarity’s horn glowed, as the streamers raised their way, pinning themselves above bookshelves. She considered it for a moment - “No, no. This won’t do.” - and went about rearranging all the decorations - placing them here, and there. Complimentary colors and abstract patterns.
“Oooh!” Pinkie was content for now, just watching from the floor.. A private show of shade and light - of objects traipsing around the edges and ceiling, dancing to some unheard waltz. A magnificent wallpaper unfolding to somepony’s private reverie. “I think this might be my best party ever! And it hasn’t even started yet!”
“You say that every time, Pinkie.” She barely looked away from her decorations’ procession.
“Well, I’m always right.” Pinkie was still laying on the floor, despite having been freed. She punctuated her statement, crooking her head towards Rarity and poking her own face with one of her hooves. “Besides, TWILIGHT’S COMING BACK! HOW COULD THAT NOT BE THE BEST PARTY EVER?”
“I’ll admit, you make a persuasive argument.” Rarity quickly rearranged a few ornaments here and there - that flower collection certainly complimented this side of the room much more - and brought her full attention back to Pinkie. “How was work at the bakery this morning?”
“Sugarcube Corner? It was great! I saw Big Apple again this morning, which I guess isn’t that strange since he comes in like every day, but he also came in today and he was soooooooooo sad and I looked at him and I thought he was going to start crying, but then I started crying and it was even more sad! But then, he looked at me and said ‘Aww don’t start cryin’ Aunt Pinkie’ and then I started crying even more but it was because I was so happy instead of so sad, and then I gave him a free cake! It was the most beautiful thing that I think’s ever happened to me… He’s my favorite customer! Except maybe you. Or Applejack. Or Rainbow Dash. Or Fluttershy. Or Twilight. Or Miss Cheerilee. Oh, and remember when Celestia visited? That was great. OH, and Big Macintosh. And who can forget Golden Harvest?” Her smile faded. She began to well up. “Who can forget Golden Harvest…”
“Oh, well…” Rarity considered for a moment. “Maybe I shouldn’t say this. I don't think it's really appropriate." She sought Pinkie's approval. Pinkie didn't say anything. "You know, I did forget about her. The other day, when I was with Applejack. I don't know what came over me. I'd like to be able to say that I didn't forget about her, I forgot about losing her. That would be lying, though, wouldn't it?" Pinkie kept quiet, starting to her hooves. Breaking from the floor. "Pinkie, do you think that makes me a bad friend?"
Rarity stared on, refusing to break eye contact with Pinkie. Pinkie Pie could only manage a single word - "Uhhh…"
"Right. No, that's…" Rarity cleared her throat. "Yes. Well. I-" The air was warm and thick. She cleared her throat again. "When do you suppose everypony else will arrive?" and some half grin to hide behind.
"I told everypony to get here in like an hour, but I think Rainbow Dash is gonna be late. She has to help clear away some of the clouds this afternoon." Another half grin. "It's gonna be so great! Just Imagine it - Twilight Sparkle getting off the train to Ponyville just as every cloud clears away - sun BEAMING in her eyes, rainbows everywhere! Just as she has the BEST PARTY OF HER LIFE!" She waved her hooves about to prove the point.
Rarity paused for a moment and let herself get caught in her thoughts. "Say, has Princess Luna ever visited Sugarcube Corner? I mean, Princess Celestia has come to you for catering and such…I’m curious."
"Nope. One time I thought she did, but it turned out I was just dreaming. Why'd you ask?"
"Oh, just curious. I actually dreamt of her myself. Last night. She visited me at Carousel Boutique. I'm afraid I can't remember much more than that… Sometimes I wonder where we stand with her. Being such an awkward first impression and all." The room drifted into a lull, some brief silence, before conversation picked up and carried on. Carried on until somepony else finally arrived.
"Oh, um… Knock knock?" The door was open but Fluttershy still wanted to be polite.
"FLUTTERSHY!" Pinkie practically screamed. "comeincomeincomein!!!"
"Sorry I'm a little early, but I was just so worried about turning up late…" She cantered on through to join the others.
"Darling, if you think you're too early, why I must be a sinner!" Rarity followed up with a giggle.
"Well if you two think you're early, I've been here since sunrise!" Pinkie now.
"I thought you were working at Sugarcube Corner this morning." Rarity, bemused.
"Oh yeah. I was. Nevermind!" Pinkie again!
"Oh…" Fluttershy smiled. "I'm glad to see you two are already having so much fun. I hope I didn’t interrupt anything."
“Nonsense. I’m glad you’re here - Pinkie was starting to… repeat herself.”
“It’s not my fault it was such a good story! And you have to admit, it was EVEN BETTER the third time.”
“Ooh, I’d love to hear it!” Fluttershy drifting along into the conversation.
“Let’s see… It started with a dream I had last night.” Pinkie was stroking her chin as if it wasn’t the fourth time she was going through this today. “Not the one with Princess Luna. This was a different one. Wait, did I tell you about the one with Princess Luna?
“Basically, I was working at Sugarcube Corner and Princess Luna was there and she ordered a cake and I was all like ‘don’t you want a NIGHT CAKE instead?’ cause it was night time and Princess Luna is like all about night time and she was all ‘I don’t understand. What’s a night cake?’ and I was all ‘I dunno, maybe it’s some kinda cake that can only be made at night.’ and she was all ‘Do you have any of these night cakes?’ and I said ‘Nope!’ and then she just got a regular cake instead. I think she was gonna say something else but the night cake thing was more important. Then I woke up! That’s the story about when I dreamt about Princess Luna.” Pinkie sat back, satisfied.
“Weren’t you going to tell the story about the other dream?” This wasn’t rhetorical - at this point Rarity was genuinely unsure.
“Ohhhh, that one. I dreamt about…” Pinkie beat her hooves against the floor, trying to build up suspense. “TONIGHT! I dreamt about tonight!!! You were there, Fluttershy! And so was Rarity! And Applejack and Rainbow Dash and Twilight! Oh, and I was there too! Even I was there! Twilight came back and she was so happy to see us and she cried a little, and I cried a lot and I think everypony cried at least a little. We all kept talking and crying and talking about how great it was to see each other again and then Rainbow Dash accidentally spilled the punch all over the floor. Yep, it was just about the best party ever.”
Fluttershy considered it for a moment. “That’s… nice.”
“I think it was a vision. All my other visions turned out to be wrong, but my Pinkie Sense hasn’t let me down yet! Anyway, how have you been, Fluttershy?”
"Apart from Angel making a big fuss this morning, my day's been rather uneventful. Just how I like it. Can you believe that Angel wanted to go to the party with me? He knew that it was going to end past his bedtime, but he still made a fuss! Oh, I just don’t know what to do with him sometimes."
The conversation fades out of focus. The room fades back in - hardwood flooring, walls covered in books, little oak statuettes dotting counters and shelves. The streamers, the balloons - all the decorations making themselves seen. Rarity did a good job decorating. She could feel the floor beneath her. Tests it with her hooves. Small talk can be hard, can’t it? Thinking back, what had she done? Those last few days, what had she done? Stayed home? ‘I’ve mostly been staring at a blank page for three days’ doesn’t make for a great conversation topic. The lights now - looking at the lights, the candles around. It’s not dark. They don’t need to be on. They look beautiful when they are, though. She tests the floor with her hooves, different angles. Just tapping slightly, the hoof against the wood. Testing it. Pinkie Pie makes a goofy face and Fluttershy laughs away. Testing the floor with her hooves and then her legs start up and Rarity is walking away. Just up to the door, still open. She looks out to the rain - not so heavy now, but still there - grey clouds. Tests her hooves against the welcome mat. A little wet. And she could hear the rain against the window - just tapping away slightly. Kindly. Lost there - between the windows and the door, lost into the weather and the world. She hadn’t really left the Carousel Boutique in days.
“-rity? Rarity? Are you alright?” The softness of her voice, it’s a wonder Fluttershy ever managed to get anypony’s attention.
“Oh? Yes. Yes, I’m quite fine. I’m just- It’s a bit cold to keep the door open, isn’t it? We wouldn’t want to freeze Twilight when she gets here.” Rarity tacked on a chuckle at the end. “You wouldn’t mind If I went for a quick walk, would you? I should have the time. Before Twilight arrives, at least.”
Hoofstep, hoofstep.
Pebbles and mud. A light wind tickled her face as she shut the door behind her.
Hoofstep, hoofstep.
Take it in: The trees stripped of leaves, the grass, tamped into itself with the rain, the ponies going past. Every house had somepony inside - it seemed that way at least. You could almost hear them. Talking. Laughing away. Little slices of life, scenes from a relationship. Everypony had them - Rarity forgot that sometimes. It was almost unbearable to think about, every step away from her, every house, every print in the mud - another life tangled up so wholly in another, in several others, all working outwards. Playing round robin with each other’s lives 'til it tangled back into Rarity’s. A pendulum swings, a record skips, a boulder rolls down a mountain. Soon enough the pendulum swings back. The record skips again. The boulder gets pushed all the way back up. Rarity stares at her blank page. Rarity stares at the mud.
Hoofstep, hoofstep.
How far away was The Everfree Forest? A place so tangled up in life, in so many lives. It must be. It was tangled up in hers to be sure - her friends too. It tangled them all up together, some web they still haven’t been able to escape since. Why would they ever want to? No matter what, they always end up bound by the same spool of string. That spool of string she could swear she saw if she tried hard enough, swear she saw it wound round every building in Ponyville. Wound through all her triumphs and trophies, wound right round her body. Her hooves. Wound through the trees and paths and apples and carts and stalls and clouds and rainbows and cakes. Just if she looked hard enough, there it would be.
Hoofstep, hoofstep.
She didn’t care where she was going, she followed her own steps after they happened. Just zigzagging here and away through town. See where she would end up. Rain tripped down from the sky, made itself known on her fur, her coat, her mane. Hoofstep, hoofstep. The stripped oaks and stilled pines gave way to apple trees. She found herself caught back up right in that spool.
“Fancy runnin’ into you out here!” Applejack was just on her way to Golden Oak Library. “Matter of fact, fancy you bravin’ the elements in fancy clothes like that.” She laughed.
“Oh, yes. I… Forgot I was wearing this.” She smiled, biting down on her tongue behind it. Biting down hard.
Applejack stares at Rarity for a moment. Furrows her brow. Her maw hangs open for a second or two before it shuts itself. She looks away. “I s’pose we better head on over to Twilight’s library.”
“Y’all ain’t never gonna guess who I ran into on the way over here!” Applejack practically slammed the door open. “Why I was just on the walk over here, mindin’ my business when Rarity bumps right into me!”
“Yes, it was… Rather unexpected.” Rarity sheepishly giggled to herself.
“Rainbow Dash ain’t here yet?” Applejack, a little disappointed.
“Oh, no. She said she was going to be late… because of all the rain today, they need as many pegasi as they can to clear away the clouds. Oh, I wanted to help, but goodness, I’d just get in the way…” Fluttershy started to stare at the floor. “I’m just so glad we all get to be here to welcome Twilight together. It's been so long since I’ve seen everypony all together.”
“It’s been soooooooooooooo loooooooooooong… I can’t take it! It feels like she’s been in Canterlot for fifty moons!!!” At some point, Pinkie had gone back to laying on the floor. She flailed her hooves in the air.
“I’m sure she’ll arrive soon enough. In the meantime, shouldn’t we try to appreciate the ponies that are here?” Rarity.
“Hey, I just turned up and I ain’t seen Fluttershy in forever!” Applejack. “How in the hay are you doin’?”
“I’m fine. I’m doing well. I’ve been ever so busy with so many of my animals getting ready to hibernate… It happens every year, but I never feel ready.” Fluttershy.
“Heh, sounds like harvest season to me.” Applejack.
“Oh no, I wouldn’t say that… You were so busy this year, Applejack. I’m sure you had it a lot more difficult than me.” Fluttershy dug her hoof into the floor.
“Aw come on, now. If you've been busy then you've been busy. Don't matter what I was up to.”
“I suppose that’s true. Oh, but I can’t complain. I just love talking care of all of them, even if they can be a pain sometimes…”
Applejack looked around the room. “Say, while we got the time, Rare, do you mind tellin’ me about that dress you’re makin’ for Apple Bloom?”
“Of course. I was just doing some sketches for it this morning. I’m trying to work on the form, keep it fun but als-”
“Hey now, let’s not bore Fluttershy and Pinkie here. Why don’t we go talk about it elsewhere? Leave ‘em be.” Applejack tapped Rarity's side once or twice.
"Oh- Um, of course." Rarity, with a weak grin.
Applejack just nodded, quickly sauntering up some stairs. She didn't turn to see if Rarity was following, she just carried on ahead. Head straight, hooves in perfect procession. If she looked back, they would die. If she stopped, they would die. Even as she found herself in Twilight's study room, she kept pacing around, examining imperfections in the floor. Hooves not stilling themselves. She only looked up, finally came to a stop, as she heard Rarity's hoofsteps.
Rarity looked around the study. Her mouth hung open - just slightly - for a moment before she spoke. "Like I was saying, I was sketching out the dress this morning and-"
"Will you go to dinner with me?" Applejack's eyes widened before she shut them, she swallowed through an empty throat.
Rarity hung for a moment before starting to laugh. Applejack opened her eyes. Rarity gave a simple response: "If you're worried about making the other's jealous, I'm sure they'd be fine."
"That's not-" Applejack couldn't make eye contact. She just took in a few deep breaths. "I meant, like, goin' together. Y'know…" She tilted her head to the side and back as if it meant something.
Rarity didn't know. She just stared.
"Like a- Like a date!" Applejack brought up some will inside herself and made eye contact again.
Rarity blinked. "Oh." She looked away, then back at Applejack. "I-"
"Nevermind. I don't- I dunno. Nevermind." Applejack looked back towards the floor. Dug her hooves into it.
"Oh." Rarity blinked.
Back downstairs, a letter. Something came up. Twilight was needed in Canterlot, just for another day. She wouldn't make the party.
"THIS IS THE WORST DAY OF MY LIFE!!!" Pinkie's wail could be heard even up in Twilight's study. A perfect conclusion to a half formed conversation. An excuse.
"Well now, what in the hay is going on here?" Applejack was down first. She made sure of it.
"TWILIGHT'S NEVER COMING BACK!!!" Pinkie again.
"Oh, well that's… not true… She can't make it to the party." Fluttershy was more level headed, nodding as if to reassure herself of the words she spoke.
"TWILIGHT'S NEVER COMING TO THE PARTY!!!" Pinkie, obviously.
"Aw, for goodness sake. What happened?" Applejack.
"There was this letter that spike sent and we read it, you see. It said that Twilight was too busy dealing with the princesses to come back today… Oh, I just hope it's not anything dangerous…" Fluttershy. Then a pause.
"Well that certainly puts a damper on things." Rarity. "Does Rainbow Dash know?"
"She's still on duty!" Pinkie, between sobs.
"Then I suppose we'll have to wait for her. Let her know." Rarity.
Some nods. More silence.
"I'm gonna go take a breather. Get some fresh air." Applejack already found herself heading towards the door.
The rain had cleared up for the most part. Pegasi, working hard, moving holes in the clouds, holes that let up to the darkening sky - Applejack was still shocked at how early it got dark sometimes. Just the time you get used to it and it starts getting dark late again. Then wait a few moons and begin all over.
She sat on the dirt. On all counts, today was one of the worst days of her life. No - no. No. That's not true. She's had a lot worse. Wounds yet to heal. But today still sucked, that was true. It sucked. If she was at home, she'd put on some record. Just lay down and take in the music. That wasn't an option out here, so just breathe. Breathe in the air.
Little drops of rain still managed to trip down, dripping onto Applejack. So few though. In a way, it was comforting. Dirt. Cold. Rain. She took her hoof and patted down the mud. Back and forth, flattening out, this little section right in front of her. A little square of mud. She should be home right now. After everything - and Twilight's not even turning up now - she should be home.
She looked back to the library - she was just outside after all, just by the windows. She wasn’t one to wander. The lights were on now, the windows glowing orange. Glowing warm. There was talking, but it was quiet.
The door opened. Rarity. She walked up to Applejack. "Are you alright?"
Applejack looked up to Rarity, then back to the mud. "We had a big argument back on the farm this mornin'. Big Apple wants to move to Manehattan, like I did. Big Mac don't want him to." She was still patting down that little square in front of her, already flattened. "Big Mac almost came to tears. He don't do well in arguments. Got back his stutter for a minute there." Patting down even harder now. Messing it up. Bringing mud about. "I should never have told Big Apple. About goin' to Manehattan. It was stupid. Don't know why Granny Smith ever let me." Applejack looked over to Rarity. "You know, I ain't heard Big MacIntosh stutter in forever. It's not right." Slamming some little hole in the ground with her hooves. Then she slowed. Stopped.
Rarity wanted to speak, but she had nothing to say.
"You ain't gonna tell anyone what I said, are ya?"
"Darling, I would never gossip about any arguments you happen to find yourself in." Rarity held her hoof to Applejack, trying to comfort her.
"I meant earlier. 'bout us two." Applejack just stared at Rarity. Powerless.
"Oh. Yes. I've been thinking-"
"No, no. Rarity, please." Applejack shrugged off Rarity's hoof.
"I've been thinking. I never said no."
"Rarity. Come on." Applejack looked away.
"I'll go with you." Rarity tried to place her hoof back.
Applejack pushed the hoof away. "Rarity!" She shouted it, loud enough for anypony inside to hear. "Rarity." And then the two just stood, locked in silence.
Rarity tried to speak again. "I mean it. I'll go out with you, Applejack."
"Oh, well thanks for takin’ pity on me. It's very generous of you, Rare." Applejack chewed on the words as she spoke them.
"Well in that case, I appreciate your honesty. I do.” Rarity considered herself for a moment. “I’m saying yes. And not for your sake. If you’ve changed your mind, that’s fine. But I’m saying yes.”
Applejack just stared down at the floor. “I don’t know. It don’t matter now. I dunno.” Looked back to Rarity - “Will ya just promise not to tell anyone that I asked?”
“Of course. If that’s what you want.”
Applejack sighed. “You’re a nice pony, Rarity.” She stood up and began walking back to the library. “Don’t let me get in the way.”
“Oh, Celestia!” Rarity managed to stop Applejack in her tracks. “Come on now, Applejack. Don’t be so… pathetic. And I’m sorry for saying this, but pathetic really is the right word here. ‘Don’t let me get in the way.’ You’re not getting in the way. I can barely think of anypony who manages to get in the way less than you! Frankly, it’s annoying sometimes. Let me take you out. Let yourself get in the way. Please.”
Applejack just stared. “I don’t know why ya think callin’ me ‘pathetic’ is gonna sweeten me up.”
“I’m not trying to sweeten you up. I just thought you might appreciate some honesty. If you don’t want to go to dinner, that’s fine, but for the love of Celestia, please stop trying to be some lonesome… thing. You can’t just disappear into yourself! You can’t wipe away your hoofprints every time you leave the farm.” Rarity dug her hoof into the mud, trying to prove something. “No mare is an island. Ruin my life if you must. At least I’d enjoy it.”
Applejack didn’t bother responding. She just walked back inside.
SCENE THREE.
It felt weird, going to the Ponyville train station without her family to wave her goodbye. Every time she could remember, Applejack had at least somepony from home to send her off. Now she didn't. She didn’t want them to see her. For the love of Celestia, how did she get convinced into doing this?
“One return to Canterlot, please.” She handed the bits over and got her tickets.
Only Rarity would schedule a whole trip to Canterlot for a first date - after all, ‘none of the restaurants here in Ponyville quite capture that… je ne sais quoi’. Funny, right? She doesn’t visit Canterlot the entire time Twilight stays there, then Applejack finally rushes to visit almost as soon as Twilight gets back. Ha ha. That wasn’t funny. Applejack laughed to herself about it, but it wasn’t funny.
She started towards the platform. As she walked, she thought. She thought about turning around. It rang through her head - TURN AROUND, TURN AROUND, TURN AROUND. It made its way through her body, her veins - GO HOME, GO HOME, GO HOME. But just as her legs started to catch up to this, she was already on the platform.
Applejack looked around. The train wasn’t here yet. There were a few ponies waiting with her. Goodness. She looked to the ground and began to breathe in, breathe out. Let herself settle. This was a bad idea, right? Being here? She heard some hoofsteps and looked up. It was Rarity. Breathe carefully. In, out. Get the words ready and let them go. “You ain’t wearin’ nothin’ fancy?”
“I thought I would… Try to be modest. For you.” Rarity wasn’t wearing any dress, any fancy outfit. Not even some nice accessory. “I see that you’ve dressed up, though.”
Applejack had found - and put on - one of Big MacIntosh’s old bowties. “Heh. This was the only thing we really had. Other’n that, it was… Granny Smith’s old weddin’ dress, but she don’t want me to wear that til I get married.” Applejack chuckled awkwardly.
“I think it suits you. Though it could do with a little… adjustment.” Rarity began fiddling with the bowtie. She tried to adjust it with her hooves, but when that seemed bleak she resorted to magic, taking it off and redoing it entirely. “There. Perfect!” She clapped her front hooves together to celebrate. “Canterlot, here we come!”
“Heh. Here we come.” It wasn’t long before Applejack started fiddling with the bowtie herself. It was too tight.
The train came soon enough. The two found seats after a short ordeal trying to decide who would get the window one - ‘No, you take it. I insist.’ Eventually, Applejack gave in and sat down - ‘But you're gettin’ it on the way back’ - and the train found itself working, falling into motion.
Ponyville, in the windows, falling behind them. Slipping into some smudge, a well-meaning blur. It was strange. A sight she'd seen maybe a hundred times, the mixing and melting of little trees and houses and pathways and ponies into one rush, but it managed to feel so… different today. Applejack stared a while, just out the window. Everything rushing by til it was just plain countryside. Ponyville, now just some forgotten memory. She reached for the blind, covered up the window. It wasn't anything she needed to see. It wasn't anything she wanted to see.
“So… Canterlot, huh?” Applejack needed to say something.
“Oh, this is just so wonderful! You know, I really am glad you agreed.” Rarity was grinning.
“Well, you can be convincin’ when you mean to be.”
“I'm just surprised that after our fight-”
“That weren't a fight. Trust me. You'd know if we was fightin’.” Applejack was blunt.
Rarity quieted a bit before she spoke -“In any case… I'm glad you changed your mind.”
Applejack looked to the blind, as if the window was still open. Staring right through it. “You were talkin’ more sense than me, simple as that.” She looked back towards Rarity. “Really don't need much more thought. I mean, I ain't too familiar with the datin’ scene but I don't s'pose it's normal to start up with an airin’ of grievances.” She chuckled to herself.
“No, no. You're right on that front. I'm sorry.”
“Aw, don't be sorry now. We just gotta… Uh, we gotta get… romantic.” Applejack struggled with the words. “Like, um… You're lookin’ finer than a sweet tea in the Appleloosa sun.”
Rarity just laughed.
“Oh, come on. Don't laugh! I'm new to all this…” Applejack stared at Rarity for a moment, before she started laughing too. “Okay maybe you can laugh a little. I s'pose it was a little funny.”
“A little, yes.” Rarity shoved her hoof to her mouth, trying to stop herself from giggling even more. “You can work on it. You’ll be a pro in no time, I’m sure.”
“So, where're we goin’ exactly? I mean, I know we're goin’ to Canterlot. But like, uh, a restaurant, right?”
“The Silver Platter. Only the BEST restaurant in Canterlot. Probably all of Equestria!”
“Well that's… A mighty high expectation to give.” Applejack thought about it. “The Silver Platter. Some reason I'm guessin’ they ain't do cornbread there.”
“Cornbread. No.” Rarity shook her head. “Maybe next time you can choose where we go. Cornbread…” She grimaced.
“Next time? Hoowee, I must be doin’ alright.” Applejack poked Rarity's side. “We barely even started yet!”
“If there is a next time, darling. I'll have you know my standards are quite high.”
Applejack knew this wasn’t true. She resisted her urges to comment on it. If she did, she would have said something along the lines of ‘What, four legs and a mane?’ but as it stands, Applejack did not comment. Instead she simply said “My… Qualities. Are quite high. So that shouldn't… be a problem.”
“I think you need to work on your flow. You're putting in a lot of awkward stops here.”
“Hey, I already said I was new to all this!”
“Yes, and I am simply helping you get better. How can you improve if you don't know what to change?” Rarity tapped Applejack's snout with her hoof. “Oh, isn't this wonderful? It’ll be just like when Sweetie Belle did that Pygneighlion musical.”
“Pig what now?” Applejack was shocked. “Now I know you just didn't call me a pig.”
“No, Pygneighlion. I did say it was a musical.”
“Right. So, you're gonna teach me to sing?” Applejack's shock gave way to confusion.
Rarity shook her head. “You know what, it really doesn't matter, Applejack -” she waved her hoof about in the air “- forget I said anything.”
“Oh, uh. Okey-doke.” Applejack drummed her hooves against her legs, trying to drum out some thoughts. Some sort of speech. “Ain't it kinda funny how as soon as Twilight gets back, we're off to Canterlot ourselves?” The one thought rattling back and forth, and the only one she could summon into speech. “I mean, we don't visit her and then… She must think we're avoidin’ her!” No awkward laugh could paint over her guilt. She tried anyway.
“Some of us did manage to visit her in Canterlot. The garden opening itself was… booked. I did end up meeting her afterwards though.” Rarity looked at Applejack, and saw that she wasn't helping. “Oh, but we all managed to meet her after she came back! Even if the party fell through, we did manage to meet up. Remember?”
“‘Course I remember. I may be gettin’ on, Rare, but I really ain't that old yet. Got my head on straight at least.” Applejack grinned, for a moment.
“No, of course.” Rarity chuckled. “Twilight was very happy to see you.”
“She would’a been happier to see me more.”
“Yes, and I would be very happy with a million bits.” Rarity leant in as she spoke, punctuating some point she was making. “She was happy, Applejack. She is happy! And what about you?”
Applejack thought for a moment. “What about me?”
“When we went to see Twilight. How did you feel?”
“It was… nice.”
“Right! It was nice! Everpony had a good time. It was good.”
“Lotta things are good. Don’t mean they can’t be better.”
“Not everything has to be- Not everything has to be better. Can’t you… Enjoy seeing your friends? You can’t do everything.”
“Well, I can try! Ain’t that what you said a week or two ago? We keep ourselves goin’, or what have you? We’re the ones that try! That keep pushin’!”
“Well, I-” Rarity sighed.
“Anyway, this ain’t even about that. I’m talkin’ about friends here. Family! You tellin’ me you’re okay just… Wastin’ time? Every second I spend ignorin’ my friends is a second I don’t get back. You know I ain’t got the time, but if I do, why would I… And what if she didn’t get back? She was delayed the first time! Goodness knows Canterlot ain’t never gonna run out of problems. Am I just gonna sit around here, doin’ nothin’? What about- What about- Wh…” Applejack shook her head.
“Well you’re out with a friend. You’re out with me. If you don’t want to waste it… don’t. Enjoy it.”
Applejack stared at Rarity for some time. “Right.” She looked back to the covered window. “Right.”
Rarity frowned.
Sleek - The Silver Platter was sleek. Cold. Angular. Applejack tapped her hooves against the smooth surface of the table. Rarity stared at Applejack as she did it, but Rarity wasn’t going to make a fuss. Maybe she should have - The Silver Platter was an important establishment. It deserved respect. Still, Applejack continued to tap away.
“You won't believe the trouble I had to go through to get this reservation. It's very exclusive here - they're really quite popular.”
Applejack looked around. “Looks pretty empty to me.”
“Yes, well would you want a whole crowd watching you eat?”
“Why'd they be watchin’ me? They ain't got more important things to pay attention to?”
“More important than the diners of The Silver Platter? It's very exclusive here.”
“...right.”
“You know, that day the party fell through… As soon as I got home, I tried to make a reservation and today was the earliest I could get.”
“You knew I'd change my mind?”
“I hoped you would change your mind. And if you didn't, I could always take…” Rarity trailed off. “Well, I could take somepony, that's for sure.”
“I’m glad ya took me.”
“I’m glad you came.”
Applejack laughed to herself. “I’m glad you’re glad.”
“Okay, we don’t need to do this all evening.” Rarity pressed her hoof into the table.
“If ya say so… I coulda kept it up.”
“I’m sure you could.”
“Well, I’m glad you’re sure!” Applejack slapped down on the table and grinned.
Rarity did not laugh. She did not smile. “Have you looked over the menu?”
“I think I got a headache readin’ all that. Looks like a buncha hokum to me. Do they do hayburgers here?”
“Oh, do they do hayburgers, darling you just…” Suddenly Rarity stopped laughing. “Oh. You’re serious.”
“Y’know, maybe you should just order for me. You probably got a better idea of what's good here than me.”
“That is just a delightful idea! I think you’d love the tempeh and couscous.”
“I don’t even know what that means.”
“It means you’re in for a delicious meal!”
“Well, now you’re makin’ me hungry. Should probably order soon.”
“Good idea…” Rarity started to wildly wave her hoof about. “Waiter! Oh, waiter!”
Applejack hid behind her hooves as Rarity continued to wave and wail. Soon, as instructed, a waiter arrived.
Rarity began to order - “We’ll have the tempeh with couscous and the stuffed peppers. Oh, what do you want to drink, darling?”
Applejack thought for a moment. “It’s a special occasion, what the hay… How about a Prancesecco for the table?”
“Oh, no… I don’t drink. We could get water.”
“Uh, if water does you that’s fine but, uh… I’m gettin’ some Prancesecco.” Applejack grinned at the waiter. The waiter took his notes, nodded, and left. Applejack leant into the table, narrowed her eyes. “Hey, I didn’t know that ya don’t drink.”
Rarity smiled. Tapped her front hooves on the table twice before answering. “I’m straight edge, as they say.”
Applejack was left more confused. “...as who say?”
“It’s a popular expression in… Certain circles.” Rarity awkwardly chuckled - perhaps she showed too much of her hand.
“Like some kinda fancy Canterlot speak?”
“Not quite. Haha.” Rarity found herself kneading the cushion of the seat beside her. “Uh, there was this pony. Named Straight Edge - singer for an old band, you know. Anyway, he made a point of not drinking, not using, even avoiding caffeine! I don’t go that far, though. Haha. Oh, but his fans, a lot of them followed his lifestyle so they all said they were doing the ‘Straight Edge lifestyle’. Right? So it sort of… Became a phrase. In these circles.”
“Now I ain’t heard of this ‘Straight Edge’ so I’m just gonna go out on a limb and guess this pony weren’t singin’ country music.”
“No… He was in a, uh…” Rarity began to whisper. “He was in a punk band.”
“In a what-now? You’re gonna have to speak up.”
Rarity raised her voice. “He was in a punk band.” It was just barely audible.
Applejack burst out laughing. “Punk band? Hoowee, I did not expect that from you, Rare.” She shook her head. “Punk band…”
“Yes, I was a fairly rebellious teenager. I don’t listen anymore. All that ‘down with Celestia’ stuff loses a bit of its lustre when you actually make friends with her.” Rarity chuckled. “Trust me, the genre is in a bad state anyway. I mean, The Equibats are more punk nowadays than any of the poseurs in Blank Flank.”
“Ya know, ya seem pretty opinionated for somepony who don’t listen anymore.”
Rarity looked away for a moment, embarrassed. “Well, I listen a little. You know. Nostalgia and all.” She smiled at Applejack. “Anyway, we don’t need to talk about this nonsense.”
“Nah, this ain’t nonsense. I’m curious now. Tell me about your teenage rebellion.” Applejack was grinning. “Hey, it’ll be a trade. You tell me about your punk days and I’ll tell you somethin’ dumb from when I was a filly.”
“Hmm… I wasn't really that rebellious. I mainly just listened to music too loud and… wore ugly clothes.” Rarity winced at her own words.
“Ah, c’mon. I know you got a better story than that.”
“I suppose I did try and sneak out to a concert once. It was just after dark. I was up in my room and thought I could… Climb down from my window. I got about halfway through when I just fell out - screamed and hit the ground. I didn’t actually get hurt, luckily. Anyway, my parents rushed out to make sure I was okay. They made a big fuss, I just tried to ignore them but eventually they figured out what was going on and they actually offered to take me themselves. The whole thing was so embarrassing, I just stayed home and threw away some of my punk records…”
“Threw away ya records? Why?”
“I was just so embarrassed. I wanted to forget the whole ordeal, and those Lunatics records weren’t helping.” Rarity shook her head. “It’s a shame, those go for a fair few bits these days. A vintage copy of Lunacy could probably finance an entire season’s worth of supplies!”
“That much? Yeesh, I shoulda been listenin’ to punk too!” Applejack laughed to herself. “I doubt any’a my old records are worth diddly-squat. Even still, don’t think I’d be able to get rid of ‘em. I can be a sentimental fool sometimes. Oh, whoop - looks like our food’s on the way.”
Sure enough, it was. A waiter pony trotted over, floated the dishes down to the table. The water and wine soon followed, a glass placed and poured for each pony. Rarity was ready to tuck in. Applejack just stared at her food.
“Are you alright, Applejack?”
“Yeah, this is just, uh…” Applejack pushed the tempeh and couscous around a little. “I dunno what I was expectin’ but it weren’t this.” She tried on some weak smile. “Those peppers sure look nice, though.”
“Do you… Do you want my meal? We can swap.”
“No, no. I’m fine. You have the peppers.”
“Really, I am not bothered. You can have the stuffed peppers if you want.”
“Aw, it’s what ya ordered, Rare. I don’t mean to take what ya want! ‘Sides, I haven’t tried… this. It’s prob’ly fine.”
“Fine or a delicious meal? If I’m taking you to The Silver Platter, I want nothing but the best for you. I’m sure you didn’t come all the way here for just fine.”
“Well, Rarity, I came all the way here for you.”
“Oh, you charmer.” Rarity blushed. “Didn’t I say you’d be a pro in no time?” She followed this up with a giggle. “Wait, hold on. Don’t distract me with your charm. We’re switching meals. That’s final.” Rarity swapped the plates.
“I'm fine. I swear.” Applejack tried to swap them back, but was no match for Rarity's magic.
“No, no, no! Tonight is about you!” Rarity firmly resisted.
Applejack stopped her struggling for a moment. “Ain't it meant to be about both of us? Like, ain't that the entire point?”
“You're right. Yes. No, you're right.” Rarity shook her head. “Us.” She put the plates back as they were.
Applejack started to eat. “Y'know, maybe the peppers would be better…” She immediately clarified: “I'm jokin’! I'm jokin’, don't- I'm just messin’ with ya.”
Rarity sighed. “I believe you owe me an embarrassing story of your own.”
“Did I say embarrassin’?” - Applejack scratched at her chin - “I don’t think I did…”
“Oh come on. It was implied.”
“Alright, alright. It was on the farm, back when I was a filly. I was new to doin’ all the chores; it was my first time feedin’ the pigs by myself. Y’know, Big Mac or Granny Smith used to be there helpin’ me, but that time I was all alone. I had to go get the food, but I didn’t have a clue where it was. I looked all around for that pig feed and I just couldn’t find it. Didn’t wanna let the pigs starve so I did the only thing I could think and went into the pantry. I got out some of the corn we were meant to be havin’ for supper and… went an’ fed it to the pigs.”
“...And? Then what?” Rarity gestured towards Applejack, flinging her hoof about in the air.
“No and.” - Applejack just stared at Rarity - “That’s it.”
“That doesn’t seem all that embarrassing to me.”
“Well, everypony called me Cornjack for like a month afterwards.”
“I do suppose that’s embarrassing.” Rarity nodded. “It’s not as good as my story.”
“I didn’t know it was meant to be a contest!”
“Oh no, it’s not a contest. But mine was better.”
“I guess.” Applejack sipped from her Prancesecco. “I weren’t all that into music when I was young. Or carin’ how I looked. You certainly got me beat on that.”
“I try…” Rarity grinned. “Not to suggest that you don't, of course. I do love that little bowtie.”
“Ah, thank Big MacIntosh for that. S'pose I should get him a dress or somethin’ to make it even!”
“I don't think dresses would… suit his form.”
“Never know ‘til you try. Might end up lookin’ quite the belle. ‘Course, he still keeps around a few of Golden Harvest's dresses but I get the impression they ain't fit…”
Silence came over the table. Held it for some moments. Applejack pushed food around her plate, and took another few sips from her Prancesecco. She couldn’t quite make eye contact. “Are you alright, Darling?” Rarity was worried.
“I’m- I’m alright. Just slipped away for a moment there. Heh.” Applejack looked up now. Looked into Rarity’s eyes - right there in front of her. Just like they’d always been. And she couldn’t help it now - Applejack, that warmth right across from her, she couldn’t help it. “What d’ya think happens? Y’know, when we’re… Gone.” - she whispered this bit - “Dead.”
Rarity took one breath in - sharp, deep. She was interrupted before she could speak.
“I mean, I spoke to Twilight… Not about this. About science an’ all. She was tellin’ me about energy. How it never goes away. Did y’know that? No matter what, it never disappears. Just moves around, thing to thing.” She quickly finished off her glass of wine. “And- and ponies. There’s so much energy inside us, right? All that work, that love… It’s gotta go somewhere. It can’t just disappear. I mean, that’s science. It can’t just disappear. Ponies can’t just disappear. We gotta go somewhere. Gotta, like… like- like- Like seeds in the wind. I mean, right? I- I dunno.” Applejack stared back at her plate. “Sorry.”
A frown came across Rarity as she tried to respond - she couldn't quite form the words. “I… never really think about that sort of thing.” She looked down to her plate. It was empty. She was still hungry. “You know, the desserts here are to DIE for.” Rarity looked back up to Applejack and smiled, best she could. “Well not like- I mean… That isn't really what I meant to say.”
Rarity strengthened her smile against Applejack’s agog expression.
Applejack just snorted a little, then grinned right back.