//------------------------------// // Seedlings of love // Story: Love Is Magic // by TwinkleSparkle //------------------------------// One week before It was a sunny day in Sweet Apple Acres. The sky was clear, there was nothing out of the ordinary. AJ was just walking out of her house to start her morning chores. She was planning to pick the trees of the north field today. It was the cider season after all, and all the apples should be juiced fresh. She was just getting her buckets ready when she saw Rarity trotting into the farm from the front door. It wasn't something odd for Rarity to pay a visit to Sweet Apple Acres, especially when she wants some place to clear her mind and somepony to talk to after a stressful day. But that day she had a different purpose in her mind. It has been a while since she had got her mind straight about her feelings for Applejack. And she came here to spill it out. But the lady inside her made her begin with a hinting fight first. But the worrying question was, will Applejack feel the same? Or she will get her heart broken against the wall of rejection? “Good morning Applejack.” Rarity said with a smile. “Good morning Rarity. How are you?” Applejack said while waving her hoof to her friend. “I’m fine thank you. How are you?” “Ahm well too.” “So, what are you doing?” “Just gettin’ to my mornin’ chores. The cider season is comin’ and ah need to get all the apples off the north field today.” “You seem busy. Perhaps I should come sometime else.” “Nah, it is fine. You can stay here as long as you want to.” “Are you sure that I won’t interrupt you or anything?” No no, actually I usually get bored from workin’ and you can help me concentrate more.” The two mares headed to the field. Where Applejack had got her buckets set up under the trees. Just as they arrived Applejack started bucking the first tree, forcing all the apples in the tree to fall into the baskets. Rarity has always admired the strength of the tan mare. How she got all the apples from the trees with a single strong kick. How her muscles were finely toned. How her soft fur rippled with every buck. She admired all of these features in that stubborn mare. “So, Ahmm, Applejack.” “What is it Rarity?” “Well, I have this client who wanted me to make her a dress. She has the same body form as yours. You’re maybe an inch taller and a lot stronger. Also her coat color is the same as yours, maybe a tone or two lighter.” “And why are you tellin’ me that?” “Because I might need your help model the dress for me. That’s if you want to, of course.” “Well, Ah don’t see a reason to say no.” “That’s great. Let’s say, tomorrow at noon?” “Sounds good to me. But can I know the style of the dress?” “It’s a, ahm, a tight soirée dress.” “Tight as in skinny tight, right?” “Well, kind of.” “What do you mean?” “The right description of the style is that it’s a spicy style.” “Hmmmm, spicy.” “I hope that this doesn’t bother you.” “Hehe, na.” “So you’re still going to model it, right?” “Yeah, of course I will.” “Oh, just one thing you want to know.” “What is it?” “It comes also with ‘spicy’ leather socks.” The tan mare’s cheeks turned red when she heard about the socks. Then there was a moment of silence. The two mares had a fast eye contact that Applejack broke by looking away. Rarity just adored the scene of the shy mare, but she had to break the silence before the situation got more awkward. “If you refuse to model it, I’ll completely understand.” “No no, Ah know it’s important to ya so I’ll do it. “Thank you, really.” “Don’ mention it.” They continued moving on as Applejack was bucking tree after tree like it was nothing. And it was kind of amusing to Rarity how she did this job with such ease. But she was always curious about the mechanism the Apple family used to do that job. Or maybe she was just willing to keep the conversation going with her crush. “Applejack, Can I ask you something?” “Sure, go ahead.” “I was wondering about how you manage to get all the apples from the tree with one kick. Also how you get them all in the baskets without dropping any apples on the ground at the same time.” Applejack smiled a little. “Well, you aren't the only one who asked me the same question. And ah would always say that was mah secret. But I’ll tell you only if you promised that you never tell anypony.” “I promise. You have my word.” “You have to do a Pinkie promise.” “Do I have to?” “If you want to know. Yes, you have to.” “Okay fine. Cross my heart. Hope to fly. Stick a cupcake in my eye.” “Okay then. You see, all the tree’s branches are connected together with each other. Also with the stem the fruits and leaves with the wooden fiber of the stem. This fiber is hard enough to transport the energy of my kicks to each and every branch and fruit without losing much of power in the form of waves. The trick is to hit the tree right in the center of its gravity with the right power. An inch wrong or hitting too hard or too soft, and you won’t get what you want.” “And do all the trees have the same gravity center?” “Nah, they differ from tree to tree.” “And how do you determine it?” “Ah just memorize it from the shape of the tree. All the trees of the same shape have the same gravitational center.” “Wow, you really know a lot about trees.” “Well, Ah’ve been raised in an apple farm. And all ah know is about apples and apple trees.” “And pastries.” “Pastries?” Applejack said as she raised her eyebrow. “Yes, you’re the best baker in Equestria, besides Pinkie Pie.” “Ah stop it really, Ahm not that good.” “Oh don’t be so modest, even though it’s one of your best qualities.” “That’s really nice of you Rarity. Thanks.” “No need to thank me darling. After all I’m not complimenting you; I’m stating a fact.” Applejack’s cheeks turned as red as the apples she was picking. Then an awkward silence covered the place. The two mares looked each other in the eyes in a state of admiration. And to take the opportunity to shuffle up their cards for the next and the last round of the emotional duel. But Rarity was sticking to her normal strategy. The game started again by Applejack this time with tossing out the casual card of questioning about Rarity’s work. She knew that she wouldn't care for a second about what happens in the fashion world. But this was a good way to get the conversation going again and break the awkward moment. “So, how is your work?” “It’s good; I have been working on my new spring collection. I’m getting it all from nature’s beauty, using mostly the hues of green and blue. But I’m trying to stay on the simple outlines this time as it’s the new trend in the fashion world.” “Ahm sure that whatever ya’ll come up with is gonna be on top of the market’s sales.” “Oh! Thank you for your nice compliment.” “Ah thought you knew me better than that Sugar cube. Ya know ahm not the complementing type. And what ahm tellin’ ya is the honest truth.” With these words Rarity’s cheeks became a radiant red. The thing that made Applejack giggle a little as she bucked her last tree of the day. “Well, Ah think we’re done here.” “Wow, it didn’t feel like it took that long.” “Ah know. Ah gotta admit, being with ya makes time fly by.” They just looked at the clear sky of that awesome afternoon. The sun gave out that beautiful warmth to their coats. It was a little break from that emotional battle they were having. Rarity had a hard round, but she wasn’t willing to give up just yet. “Ah don’t know about you but all that buckin’ made me starvin’. Care for a bite?” “No thank you darling.” “Are you sure, ah have got fresh baked apple pies.” “Well, if that’s the matter. I think I’ll have a slice or something.” “Ah know that ya won’t be able to resist it. Come on it’s in the house.” They both headed to Applejack’s house. Both were silent as they were thinking about what they will do next. But Rarity knew that it has to be done now. They both entered the kitchen. There were two apple pies freshly baked and ready on the table and the smell of it would have made Rarity drool. But she got hold of herself. “These smell simply delightful.” “Ah hope you like its taste as you like the smell. It’s a new recipe ah’ve been workin’ on.” “I’m sure it will taste as good as it smells.” “Ah hope so, Tea?” “Yes, please.” Applejack had already got the pot boiling. Then she cut a slice of the pie for herself and her companion and poured the tea. “Here ya go.” “Thank you dearly.” Rarity said as she levitated the plate and the cup to herself from her friend’s hooves. Then she picked up the fork with her magic, put it in the pie, and slowly placed it into her mouth and started chewing. “So, what do ya think?” “It’s marvelous. The crispiness of the shell placed with the moist and tender insides which have that desired bittersweet flavor. How did you get that recipe?” “You see, Ah had that problem that some of the pies ah’ve been making were kinda dry on the inside. So ah thought about adding extra water but it just made the pie crust loosen up. But when ah used strong cider it kept the pie together, moistened the insides and gave that bittersweet flavor as an extra bonus.” “That’s genius, I love it.” They started eating when both their eyes met and just didn't want to separate. Each one’s eyes were calling the other. Their minds worked at the same time and spoke the same words. “Rarity ah-“ “Applejack I-“ They both gave a little giggle at that. Then Rarity said. “You go first.” “Nah, ya go first.” “No, you first, please.” “Nah, ya first.” “Apple Jack please, I insist.” “Alright, Well, ah- am…..,” Applejack started as she began trembling and sweating. “We’ve been good friends for a long time now.” “Yes, for about two years I suppose.” “Yeah, so ummmm. Ah was thinkin’ and ah want to tell you that a –“ The mare has been interrupted by the lips of her companion. Applejack was shocked at first but recovered quickly and it was replaced by sheer delight. As she closed her eyes and met with her in that blissful kiss. They stayed in the embrace for as they could then they drifted apart when their lungs cried out for air. “So, ya-“ “Yes, I love you, you silly goose.” “And all this time ah’ve been hidin’ it. Ah’ve loved you for ages.” They just stayed with their forelimbs around each other for a while. Each lost in the eyes of the other mare’s eyes, thanking Celestia for that blissful love. They both were shattered from that tug war they were having. But it was all worth the first second of that wonderful moment. “Rares.” “Yes darling.” “There’s somethin’ ah need to show ya.” “Of course, where is that thing?” “It’s a place I like to go to. It’s at the west corner of the farm.” “Okay. Let’s go.” “Just finish your pie sugar cube and we’ll head there straight away.” Rarity devoured the pie in front of her. Then they went to that place. They walked straight for about thirty minutes then they reached a hill. “Are we there yet?” Rarity said. “Almost there, it’s just above the hill.” Rarity sighed then started to climb the hill with her lover. It took a lot of effort as the hill was high. But the view from above was all worth it. She saw a view of the wide green plains of Sweet Apple Acres with all the apple trees and the river. She also could see Ponyville in the distance. What made the scene more perfect was the sunset behind Ponyville. The whole thing was breathtaking. “Ah like to come to this place when I need to relax or to have a moment with myself.” “It’s magnificent Applejack. Thank you dear for showing me this wonderful place.” Applejack replied with a smile. She wrapped her forelimb around Rarity’s waist. Rarity also did the same thing. Then they watched the sun going down.