Chapter 3: Heats And Hooves Day
As the days became warmer, love began to fill the air once again. It was Hearts and Hooves Day and the citizens of Ponyville were with their special somepony. It would also be the first for a certain fledgling mare couple.
Twilight read a novel while lying beneath a shady tree on a hill in Sweet Apple Acres. As she enjoyed the book, so did she enjoy the view. Nearby, her own special somepony raced through the orchards bucking apple trees left and right. Twilight watched Applejack at work with admiration; she reflected back to the day they had met when she thought saw applebucking as a strange way to harvest fruit. But as she watched Applejack ram her powerful hooves into the trees, it was now quite exhilerating to see, like an athlete at the Equestrian Games.
As Twilight stared on at her hardworking marefriend, a deep male voice was heard from behind.
"Howdy."
Twilight turned around suddenly. "Oh, hi Big Macintosh," she smiled at the big red draftpony. "Hope I'm not getting in the way."
"Not at all." Big Macintosh replied. "Ya know, Applejack's been talkin' a lot about ya lately."
"Um...she has?"
"Eeyup. She's been goin' on about how smart and good with magic you are; she even says yer pretty. Ah don't know why, but she seems mighty...um..." he looked to the side to think of a word.
"...infatuated?" suggested Twilight.
"Eeyup, that." He grinned.
Twilight began to blush. "Wow, she really said I was pretty?"
"Just thought Ah'd let you know; it's kinda weird. But Ah gotta say, Ah can't blame her. Why, Ah think yer beautiful too."
"You do?" Twilight raised her eyebrows.
"This probably seems a might silly," said Big Macintosh as he scratched his head. "But Ah've kinda been crazy about you fer a while."
Twilight paused, suddenly feeling awkward. "Oh, uh, that's really sweet of you, Big Mac. I had no idea."
"Well, Ah just wanted to get that off my chest. Ah'll see ya 'round, Twilight." He walked off, beginning to blush himself.
"Yeah, have a nice day." Twilight replied, then thought to herself as he left. This sudden truth from Big Macintosh had her pondering. She always thought he was a nice stallion, but never knew he was smitten for her. But she srugged her pondering off, feeling that his sister's love was stronger.
As she returned her mind to reality, she heard the sound of tired panting approaching her and looked up. Applejack walked over to her with sweat dripping down her face.
"Whew! Beat my record!" she said proudly. "I'd like to see my brother top that."
"You certainly know how to build up a workout." Twilight nudged her lovingly. "Why don't we get some cold cider?"
"Actually, Twi, I kinda wanted to ask you somethin'."
"What is it?"
Applejack took her time, wiping the sweat from her brow and slowing down her breathing. "Uh, I was wonderin', ya know, since it's Hearts and Hooves Day n' all, um, if you wanted to, uh...go out tonight?"
"You mean on a date?"
"Uh, yeah, a date."
Twilight paused for a moment, then smiled. "I'd love to! I was even thinking about asking you the same thing."
"Oh, heh heh, that's great." Applejack tried to calm herself. "Um, I was thinkin' we could get dinner at Hors d'Oeurves tonight."
"Hors d'Oeurves? That's the fanciest resturaunt in Ponyville. You sure you want to pay for that kind of place? It's awfully expensive."
"Well, I just wanted to make our first date the best one."
"Applejack, that is so thoughtful." Twilight touched her shoulder and laid a kiss on her cheek. "So, uh, how about we meet tonight at seven?"
"Sure thing; I'll drop by the library after all the chores are done."
"Great." Twilight then wrapped her hooves around her. "Our first date! I don't think I can wait all day."
"Me neither, sugarcube." Applejack returned her embrace. "I'm gonna make this Hearts and Hooves Day a special one."
...
That night, Applejack walked up to the Ponyville library with a bouquet of flowers in her mouth. She knocked on the door before quickly hiding the roses behind her back. As she breathed on her hoof, checking the odor, the door opened a crack and a purple face poked out.
"Are ya ready?" asked Applejack with a smile.
"You bet I am." Twilight answered and opened the door the rest of the way.
Applejack gasped. There in the glow from inside was Twilight in her gala apparel. She looked positively astonishing in her big midnight blue dress with embroidered star designs, and teal glass shoes with the same theme. Even her mane looked especially beautiful, as she must have been using herbal conditioners borrowed from Rarity. Applejack stood with her jaw hanging, as she gazed at her dazzling date.
"What do you think?" asked Twilight.
Applejack shook herself off. "Lansanks, Twi, you look amazin'!"
"Well, I just thought I'd take Rarity's advice for a night out." She fluttered her eyelashes, imitating Rarity.
"Ah gee, now I feel rediculous for not dressin' up."
"Don't worry about it, AJ, you're beautiful with or without your dress."
Applejack blushed, then remembered her gift. "Oh, uh, I got ya these from Rose." She held out the bouqet.
Twilight lit up. "Oh Applejack, they're lovely!" She took the flowers and sniffed them. "You certainly know how to please a mare."
"I guess you have to be one to please one. Shall we, uh, mosey on over?" Applejack extended her elbow.
"Absolutely." Twilight took her foreleg and the two were off on their first night out.
It wasn't long before the couple arrived at the ritziest resturaunt in town. Stepping inside, they became surrounded by snappy dressed ponies seated at clothed tables and plush booths, chatting over elaborately prepared meals. Being it Hearts and Hooves Day, there were many couples toasting to their anniversaries, young and old; even a few stallions got down on one knee and popped the question. Now it was Twilight's and Applejack's turn to take in the high class romantic atmosphere, as they stepped up to the maitre d'.
"Bonjour, madames," greeted the head waiter with a Prench accent. "You have a reservation?"
"Applejack, party o' two, please." Applejack answered with a wink to her date.
The maitre d' checked the list then replied. "Right zis way, madamoiselles."
The two marefriends were led to a neatly set table for two next to a window, as the maitre d' gave them their menus. "One of our waiters will come along to take your orders shortly."
"Thank you, sir." Twilight replied as he left. She then turned to her date. "Wow, this place is so classy. I've never been here before."
"Neither have I," said Applejack. "But what better time to try somethin' new?"
As they read through their menus, a waiter approached the table.
"Good evening, ladies," he greeted. "May I start you two off with something to drink?"
"Um, we'll have a bottle of your finest cider." Applejack answered, but then turned to Twilight. "I mean, if that's okay with you." She was met with a nod.
"Very nice; I'll be right back with some nice Chateau Golden Deliscious."
With that, Twilight and Applejack were left in awkward silence. Nothing was heard except for the ominous chatter and the soft piano playing from afar.
"So uh...what should we talk about?" asked Applejack.
"Well, I guess we should do what these other ponies are doing and tell a bit about each other."
"But we already know everything about each other."
"...Oh yeah, good point."
They sat in silence a bit more.
Twilight tapped her fork in thought. "Um...I have a dentist appointment in a week."
"Hmm." Applejack took a sip of her water. "I uh...I just bought a new set of work boots. Yup, they're perfect for dirt...and mud...so yeah."
"That's nice." Twilight muttered.
As even more silence settled in, the waiter returned with a bottle and two glasses. "Here's your cider, ladies." He said, pouring them both a glass.
"Thanks." Applejack immediately took a sip.
"And are you two about ready to order?"
Twilight looked at the menu. "Yes, I think I'll have the stuffed daffodils with the Prench onion soup, please."
"Sounds good." The waiter replied and turned to the other mare. "And for you, miss?"
Applejack stared at the menu, unsure. She hadn't even decided yet since most of the items on the menu seemed less than appetizing, being in small delicate portions. But, not wanting to look like a foal in front of her date, she picked the first thing from her mind.
"Um, I'll have yer biggest veggie steak, medium rare. And with mashed taters on the side."
"Excellent choice, ladies. I'll take your menus and have your meals ready soon."
"Thank you." Twilight said as he left.
Another minute passed and still, the two marefriends sat with no conversation.
Twilight sighed. "Wow, do we really have nothing to talk about?"
"I'm sorry, Twi, I feel mighty awkward. This used to be so much easier when we were, you know, just friends."
"Well, we could talk like we're still just friends. I'm sure it won't be any different now that we're dating. Why don't you tell one of your farmers' jokes?"
"Oh yeah!" Applejack smiled. "Uh let's see...ah, I got one. Did ya hear the one about the thief who stole a rooster and a steer?"
"No, what about it?"
Applejack snickered as she tried to keep back a laugh. "Never mind, it's a cock and bull story!" She then burst out in uncontrollable laughter, drawing stink eyes from the table behind her.
Twilight tried her best to chuckle along. "...heh heh..."
After several more minutes, the waiter finally showed up with two covered plates which he placed before them.
"Here you are, ladies. Stuffed daffodils and a veggie steak. Enjoy."
"Thanks again." Twilight said and gazed at her meal happily. "Mm, these look so good."
Applejack looked down at her cut of the resturaunt's biggest veggie steak, which couldn't have any larger than her hoof. But she took solace in the tantalizing cooked color and reached for a fork. Then, she hesitated when she saw five different ones next to her plate, along with three different knives and four types of spoons, all varying in size.
"Um, which one is the steak fork?" she asked awkwardly.
Twilight replied. "Just start on the right and work your way across."
"You mean I have to eat steak with a spoon?"
Twilight giggled as her date hovered her hoof over the silverware.
"Eh, I'll just start with the mashed potatoes." Applejack shrugged. "Tarnation, this is more confusin' than when I visited Appleloosa."
"Wait, what?" perked up Twilight. "You never told me about that."
"Oh I didn't? Well, it's nothin', really; just this whole crazy thing."
"Oh come on, tell me. I'd love to know."
Applejack smiled, realizing that she finally had dinner conversation. "Well you see, Braeburn n' I were tryin' to pull this prank on Sheriff Silver Star. But then, a swarm of locusts came and...
From that moment, the date was going off without a hitch. They finally began chatting and sharing past events as they ate their five star meals and drank their sparkling cider with joy. Still feeling hungry even after her veggie steak, Applejack felt like spurging a little and ordered desserts for the both of them. She soon started chomping away at a slice of chocolate cake, while Twilight delicately ate a bowl of pure vanilla ice cream. With bellies full, the two eventually asked for the bill which the waiter brought right away. Twilight stared at the paper with a straight face.
"Somethin' wrong, Twilight?" asked Applejack, finishing off the cider.
"Uh...you might want to keep sitting for this." Twilight showed her the bill.
Applejack spewed the drink from her mouth after reading the total. "Sweet Sun of Celestia! That can't be right!"
"Well, everything we ordered is on here; and it's quite a lot. Is it too much?"
"Uh...no," stammered Applejack trying not to lose her cool in front of her marefriend. "Um, you don't mind splittin' the bill do ya?"
"How are we going to split $91.43?"
"I don't know, you're the smart one. Can't you use some fancy unicorn algera or somethin'?"
"Applejack, I'm a librarian, not a calculator."
"Is there a problem?" asked the waiter who approached the table.
"Oh, no problem, it's fine." Twilight gave a fake smile.
The waiter then turned to Applejack. "You know, if you're having trouble paying your bill, don't worry about leaving a tip. You seem like you probably don't have that much on you."
Applejack cocked an eyebrow at him. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"Well, I was a bit surprised at how much you ordered. No offense, but you don't look like the kind of pony who could top a bill like this."
"Are you sayin' I can't afford a darn dinner?" retorted Applejack a bit peaved.
"Applejack, let it go." Twilight whispered.
"No, no," continued the waiter. "All I'm saying is that I don't mind taking a bit off for a simple blue collar pony like you."
"Listen, buckaroo," glared Applejack. "I don't need no snobby wait staff tellin' me what I can and can't afford. This is my date, and I can darn well pay for it with double tip!"
The waiter scoffed. "Look, why don't you just split the total with your pretty little filly and go back to growing your potatoes."
"That's it!"
Putting her napkin on the table, Applejack stood up from her chair and gave the obnoxious waiter a nice swift applebuck. The kick made him spin in place then collapse to the floor, causing surrounding customers to gasp at the brutish behavior. As the piano music came to a stop, Twilight used her magic to lift up the dazed waiter's head.
"Ugh, hey thanks, babe," he said to her. "Listen, if you ever start liking stalions again, why don't you ditch this hillbilly and come with-"
Without letting him finish, Twilight's magic aura began slamming his head onto the table repeatedly. She narrowed her eyes as she spoke.
"She...doesn't...grow...potatoes!"
As the waiter fell to the carpet again, Applejack sat back down. She looked at Twilight, surprised at her sudden aggressiveness. "Uh...thanks." She said.
"Don't mention it." Twilight smiled again.
Applejack then scratched the back of her head again. "Um, Twilight, I gotta be honest. I actually don't have enough money on me. I guess I overdid it with the orders."
"No worries, AJ, I'll pay for everything."
"Are you sure? I mean, I'm the one who asked you out after all."
"It's the least I can do."
Applejack smiled back at her. "Thanks a bunch, Twi."
Just then, the maitre d' arrived to assess the situation. "Sacre bleu, is zere a problem?" he asked worriedly.
"Yes, I'll have you know that yer busboy here was just rudely insultin' us." Applejack answered pointing to the unconcious waiter.
"Oh mon dieu!" replied the maitre d'. "I am terribly sorry, madame. I would not allow such a disgrace in my wait staff. If it will make you feel better, I will take away your bill and your meals will be free of charge."
"Really? You will?" lit up Twilight.
"Bien sur! I cannot let two beautiful mares like yourselves be insulted on such a romantic day. I do hope you both have a lovely evening."
"Well thank ya kindly, mister!" replied Applejack as the Prench pony walked off with the bill. She then turned to her date. "See? Don't I know how to take care of you?"
Twilight laughed before leaning over to smooch her lovable companion.
Later that night, the date ended with Twilight and Applejack sitting together on the balcony of the library. The two gazed at the shimmering stars in Luna's night sky as they were coated in the warmth from inside. Applejack cuddled up next to Twilight whose dress matched the dark sky and her mane glistened under the moonlight.
"Ya know, you can keep any fancy resturaunt," said Applejack. "All I really need for a perfect date is being next to you."
"I couldn't agree more." Twilight smiled. "Happy Hearts and Hooves Day, Applejack."
"Same to you, Twi."
As they held each other in a soft embrace, they both laid a long and passionate kiss on the other's lips, holding for several seconds. That is, until a friendly voice called from the air.
"Twilight! Applejack!"
The couple parted suddenly and looked up to see Fluttershy floating above the balcony, flapping her wings.
"Congratulations, guys." She said to them. "I'm so glad to see you two are dating now. You'll make such a great couple. Well, have a good night!" Fluttershy flew off without another word.
Twilight and Applejack looked on as the mood was slightly doused.
"Oh yeah, forgot about her." Applejack said.
Twilight spoke while still looking on. "You still want to make out?"
"Yeah sure."