//------------------------------// // Part Family // Story: A comforting voice // by DauntlessRainbow //------------------------------// If I want to beat her to my farm, i’m going to have to run faster than I’ve ever ran before! Applejack and Rainbow Dash have always been competitive with each other, especially when it came to athleticism. Applejack was intent on getting back to her farm before Rainbow made her full trip. She galloped as fast as her legs could take her, the wing blew against her face as the country side passed in a blur. After a few minutes of endless running, she could she her home, with the setting sun behind it. “Aw shucks, it’s sunset already, knowing Rainbow, she’s probably already takin’ a nap in ma couch” She pushed on with heavy breaths until she reached the door. Before entering, Applejack made sure to catch her breath and recover. If RD is going to make fun of me for being slow, at least she’s not going to make fun of me for being out of shape. She chuckled to herself as she opened the door, fully expecting to see the Rainbow pegasus taking a nap in the living room. “Hey sis! Welcome back, you have no idea the day I just had with Sweetie Bell! I can’t believe wait to tell you all about it.” Applebloom instantly ran to the door as soon as she heard it open. She was basically jumping from excitement at seeing her elder sister. “Oh, uh hey Applebloom, have you seen RD?” Applejack looked around in confusion, looking for any signs of the pegasus. Applebloom also looked around, scanning the house. “Nope, in fact now that you mention it, haven’t really heard much from her since the last time she was here way back after the coronation day… Why? Is she in trouble?” Applebloom looked up at Applejack with a slight hint of worry. “Naw, that pony ain’t ever in a trouble troubling enough for her to be in trouble with, but it’s just that we was meant to meet up here, and it was a race, kinda… at least it felt like it was meant to be a race… but the point is, I thought she’d be here by now” Applejack takes off her hat and sits down in the dinner table as her little sister gives her a glass of water. “I guess I should go look for her, seeing as she’s never late in a race” She drinks her water and rests for a few minutes, but then stands up and puts her hat on once again. ==================== Applejack could feel her heart beating against her chest, she felt completely winded, but she had finally reached her destination, “Rainbow’s house… it looks so mighty from the outside” Applejack thought to herself as she looked around the premises. Something in the dark glimmered, a small little flare among the tall grass under the floating house caught Applejack’s attention, and as she walked closer to it, more glimmers appeared, and if a whole bunch of tiny mirrors were laid out on the ground. “What in the… oh no…” As she got closer, she could finally tell what it was that she was looking at, a shattered trophy, the olympic trophy smashed to bits lay on the field beneath Rainbow’s room. “She… she broke it? The most important trophy that she had ever received and it’s… broken, forgotten?” Applejack couldn’t even wrap her head around the idea of Rainbow Dash denying a trophy, let alone a trophy as important as this one. After a few moments of silence, she adjusted her hat and began to make her way up to reach the doors. Once up there, she gently pushed the big doors open and stepped in quietly. The house was once again dark and silent, but now it felt different, an eire silence filled the house. “R- Rainbow Dash?” Applejack whispered out to the room, as if she was afraid to break the silence. “Hey Dash, I’m real sorry for not having gone to the event with ya, if I were to have realized how important it was for you, i’da not skipped it for anything in the world” She continued to traverse the house until she came in front of Rainbow’s door, as she got closer she could hear some silent sobs and whimpers coming from inside. Applejack slowly pushed open the door, and walked inside. As soon as she did this, the crying stopped, and in front of Applejack was a bundled up Rainbow Dash under her covers. “Hey there Rainbow…” Applejack attempted to begin a conversation to no avail. She let the awkward silence brew for a few seconds before continuing on, “I just wanted to say I’m sorry, I’m sorry for not going to the Olympics with you. I know that that is an experience that will never again happen, and it really hurts to know that I missed the opportunity to watch you at your absolute best performance. If- If I were to have known how important this was to you, I would have dropped everything just to watch you” Mid way through, Applejack’s voice began cracking a bit as a few tears rolled down her face, “I know that you told me about it, and I know that you told me the magnitude of the event, and you have every right to be furious at me for not listening to you, I’m sorry Rainbow and I sincerely hope one day you can forgive me, even though I know there is no making up for it.” A few more seconds passed of silence, and Applejack turned to leave, with tears still rolling down her face. Before she could step out she heard shuffling behind her, “I forgive you” The most shaky, quiet voice spoke behind Applejack, and she had to turn to look at Rainbow in the eyes to make sure it was really her. “What was that?” Applejack asked. “I forgive you” Rainbow repeated once more in the same tone. Applejack had never heard Rainbow like this, she was used to the loud, flamboyant and raspy voice of the best athlete in the world, but this voice was frail, quiet, vulnerable. “You do?” She took a step closer to Rainbow. Rainbow simply nodded without saying a word. “That- that’s great to hear! And to make it up to you just a bit, Imma serve you the tastiest cider you ever done have, come on now, let’s head on to the farm!” Applejack began walking out of the room, but soon realized Rainbow was not moving a muscle. “Everything alright Dash? You do want cider right?” At this, Rainbow gave another nod. “And you don’t hate me do you?” Rainbow now shook her head. “So what’s wrong? Why aren’t you moving?” “I don’t want to go to your house” Rainbow spoke in that same fragility. “Well why the hay not? You love the house don’t you? You treat Applebloom like a sibling, you like the family.” Applejack was confused. “You don’t get it” Rainbow began sinking back into her covers. “Well I can’t ‘get it’ if you don’t speak up, so just tell me what’s wrong!” Applejack raised her voice a bit as she got slightly agitated, which she realized was a mistake when she saw Rainbow’s eyes began to water up. “Rainbow- I’m sorry… I- I didn’t mean to” She began to step closer to Rainbow once again, but then Rainbow sprung out of bed as tears poured down her face. “I’m scared ok!? I’m scared because I get to walk into your perfect little life for a few hours but the very next night I have to return to this miserable dump! It’s like dangling a piece of hope right above my head that I can’t reach! I mean seriously, Twilight is gone! And none of you care! All of you began living your own separate lifes all content, all of you have somepony! I- I’m all alone, YOU left me all alone!” Rainbow collapsed back to her bed as she began sobbing once more. “I’m sorry Rainbow Dash, I didn’t know you felt this way, I guess I just kinda assumed…” Rainbow cut off Applejack, “Assumed what? That i’d be fine watching our friend group slowly crumble and spread apart? How in Equestria would I be ok with it!? Why are YOU ok with it!?” That last question stung Applejack, she almost had trouble responding. “I’m not ok with it… it does hurt, but I do have my family to keep me company.” A few more seconds of intense silence filled the room before Applejack gained the bravery to speak up once more. “You know Dashie, I always saw you as the tough one, the one that could never be broken… you were always the better athlete, the best in the world in fact, and you always were full of confidence and a sense of direction that it feels just… wrong to see you so- so broken.” Applejack once more stepped closer to Rainbow Dash while taking a deep breath. “Coming to the farm… you’re afraid of it because you have to leave eventually?”. Rainbow nods, calming down from her outburst now. Applejack thought for a moment in silence, contemplating if what she wanted to say should be said. “Well… what if you don’t have to leave? You can move in, i’m sure we’ll find a spare room for you… or you can share a room with me” Rainbow’s ears perked up at hearing Applejack speak. “Look, I’m sorry alright? I should’da been honest with you, and should’ve tried harder to keep our bond tight… just give me another chance, for real this time” Applejack waited for Rainbow Dash’s response with uneasiness. Rainbow played with the idea of living with the Apples in her mind for a while, contemplating waking up so close to Applejack every morning. After a few moments, she got out of bed and wiped her eyes dry. “Alright, i’ll go” Applejack nodded with a content smile running across her face. The two mares made their way back to the front of the house and down to the ground together, “Race ya there?” Applejack got her legs ready to begin galloping, but to her surprise, Rainbow Dash softly landed on the floor next to her with a shy smile, “Actually, could… could we walk together?” She still spoke in a soft tone, Applejack could tell she was still in a fragile state, so she just nodded and began walking calmly in response. ====================== By the time the two had gotten to the farm, it was so dark that nothing was visible, but to both of their surprise, the lights of the farm house were on. When they entered, they found the Apples on the dining table, “Hey sis! I saw that you left in a hurry without eating your dinner, and none of us wanted to miss Rainbow’s visit like you said she was supposed to be here so we decided to wait!” Rainbow Dash gave an expression of surprise as she sat down on the table, “Waited for me? All of you?”, Applebloom nodded with a happy smile, “Well duh! We love when you visit, it’s like you’re already part of the family” Applejack gave Rainbow a look of ‘I told you so’ while Rainbow gave the brightest smile she had produced so far. “Wait- what do you mean ‘already?’” Rainbow questioned the oddly specific choice of words. “Well, she hasn’t said it yet, but my sist-“ Applebloom began speaking but was cut off by Applejack, “That enough out of you filly- Why y’all come to the living room instead? lots more room to lounge about” Everyone made their way to the living room, and sat and talked for what seemed like hours, but soon ponies left to sleep one by one until it was once again just Rainbow Dash and Applejack left. “I told you my family loved you, I think they’d like if you stayed, gives Scoots another excuse to come play with Applebloom too” Rainbow gave a content sigh, “yeah you were right, thank you for this… and yeah, I think I’ll stay” They enjoyed each other’s company for a while longer before Applejack stood up and sighed, “Well, it’s gettin’ mighty late and the farm work never stops so I’m heading to bed, make yourself comfortable” Before walking away, Applejack felt a hoof grab her, “Rainbow what in Equ-“, as she turned to look at Rainbow Dash, she got pulled in close, and felt the soft touch of the blue mare’s lips on her own. They held this position for a few seconds, Applejack was running out of breath, with hear heart beating heavily on her chest but she stayed in contact until Rainbow Dash separated. Rainbows eyes quickly turned from tired to a look of panic, “Oh no, I just messed things up didn’t I? I- I’m sorry I didn’t mean to… I wasn’t thinking straight” She began to panic and breathe heavily, thinking she just ruined the good things that were going on. Applejack took a moment to return to her own mind, but when she did, she placed a hoof on Rainbow’s face and pulled her in for another kiss, this one lasted longer even longer. “glad you were honest with your feelings… I’ve been wanting to do that for years” Rainbow Dash chuckles with a bit of embarrassment, but still looked into Applejacks eyes. “Well i’m glad we got that out of the way… what now?” Applejack still held Rainbow close while speaking, “Well i’m still tired so i’m headed for bed, although… I wouldn’t mind sharing it with you” Rainbow Dash smiles, looking into Applejack’s eyes warmly, regaining months of happiness previously lost. “I’d like that, I’d like that very much”