The Ocean

"And ever has it been known that love knows not its own depth until the hour of separation."
—Khalil Gibran

Applejack welcomed the cool, refreshing night air. Normally, in the heat of the summer, she endured the scorching sun, toiling all day in the fields without a second thought. Recently, the weather-pegasi had tucked away the remainder of the clouds for the season, hiding them until fall arrived in hues of yellow, orange, and red. The mercury would continue to rise for the last few weeks of summer.

So, tonight, relishing her reprise from the heat, Applejack did what she was born to do.

Pulling a cart full of empty baskets, Applejack trotted into her south orchard. Scores of apple trees awaited her, their branches heavy with ripe, tempting fruit. Coming to a halt, Applejack unyoked herself and flung the first basket beneath one of the towering trees. She then ducked under the tree and bucked her powerful, iron hindhooves into the bark, sending a wave of apples into the vessel below.

Most of the apples fell neatly into the basket. Several rebelled, bouncing off the rim of the basket and rolling towards freedom. With a soft chuckle, Applejack gathered up the strays and resumed her work, bucking the first tree until its branches were empty.

Basket-buck-check. Basket-buck-check. Pause. Wipe sweat from the brow. Move to the next tree. Let the wind tease the mane. Grab a hold of the Stetson, keeping it in place. Basket-buck-check. Basket-buck-check.

Repetition defined Applejack's life. The seasons were constant and unchanging, as reliable as the exchange of alicorns in the sky. New life arrived in spring. Summer and fall were the time to reap the bounty and buck the harvest. Winter was the dormant silence, the quiet slumber of the fields beneath a blanket of white. Four seasons falling into place.

With the seasons, Applejack knew, came economy, came cyclic income and expense. Three seasons out of the year, four Apples tightened their budgets and counted their bits, seeing winter on the ever-approaching horizon. Cider season. Zap Apple Jam season. Sales at the market. Sales to other cities. Preserving and preparing their own food, their own goods. All falling into place, one thing after the other.

Applejack grinned in triumph as another mighty bushel of apples fell to the welcoming earth, embraced by her basket.

Pleased to see the stars out in full swing, a blanket of black pierced by pure, unending light, Applejack leaned up against one of her trees and rested, stretching her hooves. She looked up at the tree and smiled. "Why, mighty nice ta see ya ta-night, Blossom. Do ya miss yer brother Bloomberg?"

Blossom replied by raising her branches towards the Ponyville skyline. Applejack sighed and removed her Stetson, letting a gentle breeze play with her mane. She continued the conversation, unfazed by Blossom's silence. "Braeburn says apples are doin' great this year. Bloomberg's doin' jus' fine way out there in Appleloosa. Sure he misses ya, though. Ah'll have ta pay 'em both a visit soon."

She brought a forehoof to the tree's bark, certain she could feel the life pulsing through it. Although mute, Blossom was very much alive. "Appleloosa's mighty far 'way, though, Blossom. Ah don't know if Ah've got the bits ta go there fer a while. Not 'till we see how the fall harvest an' sales do, Ah think."

Applejack winced. She couldn't lie, not even to a tree. In all honesty, there was a place other than Appleloosa that she'd much rather visit.

Slumping onto her back, Applejack enjoyed the pleasant sensation of grass tickling her fur. She whinnied slightly, closing her eyes. Lying here, connected to the source of her strength and soul, she indulged in one of the few guilty pleasures she could enjoy without remorse.

Above the edifices of ponykind, triumphing over all construction and obelisk, Princess Luna painted a masterpiece tonight. High in Canterlot Castle, the alicorn of the night stood vigilant over her city while her sister slumbered. In a similar manner, Rarity peered out the window of her apartment while Sweetie Belle slept peacefully.

Rarity stole a glance at the snoozing filly and giggled into a forehoof. The poor dear was thoroughly exhausted from her train ride into Canterlot. Rarity assumed that their parents accompanied their youngest with the Sandmare now, judging from their frazzled manes that afternoon. Escorting a rambunctious filly from Ponyville to Canterlot was no simple task.

Nevertheless, Rarity was grateful. It'd been a month since she'd taken the leap of faith—or, as Pinkie called it, the "hop, skip, and juuuuump!"—and moved into the capital. It'd been almost a week since she last saw her sister, mother, father, or any of her friends.

Turning away from the window, Rarity trotted over to Sweetie Belle, keeping light on her hooves. Sweetie was sprawled on top of the blankets, too tired to even bother with tucking herself in.

"Oh, Sweetie, darling, you'll catch a cold sleeping like that," Rarity said quietly, sparking her horn. With a mist of gentle blue magic, she levitated her sister and pulled back the sheets and blankets, then lowered her into the bed. Sweetie Belle stirred but didn't wake, murmuring softly at something in her dreams.

Tucking her in snugly, Rarity kissed the foal's forehead and smiled. "Goodnight, Sweetie Belle." Another quick spell doused the lamps in the room, extinguishing light to darkness. Careful not to disturb her sister, Rarity made her way out of the room, dodging creaking floorboards underhoof.

Normally, Rarity would've crawled in beside Sweetie, holding her close and tight in this strange city. Sweetie Belle had never spent a night in Canterlot before. She seemed excited rather than scared, but one could never be too sure.

However, even as the moon rose to its highest point in the night sky, sleep eluded Rarity. Instead of calling it a night, she climbed down the stairs from her bedroom to her work studio, settling in the epicenter of her most recent project.

Rolls of fabric scattered the floor. Pairs of scissors, reams of measuring tape, spools of thread, and the occasional needle completed the mess. Three mannequins lazed about in the corners, covered in discarded ideas. In her carrier, Opalescence snored and pawed in her dreams, eliciting a chuckle from her owner.

"Oh, Opal, how could I let this mess linger this long?" Rarity laughed at her rhetorical question. She spent the next several minutes straightening out her studio, placing everything back where it belonged.

Once finished, Rarity slumped onto a couch near her workbench, stretching her back. Several joints popped and groaned. She flinched and glanced at the clock. "Almost midnight. I should be tired, but I'm not." Flopping onto her stomach, she rested her head on her forehooves and sighed.

A long day's work behind her, Rarity knew she should retire for the evening. She'd done nothing but work her hooves into the ground since she'd arrived in Canterlot. She'd worked harder than she ever had before, filling the orders of some of the most elite and influential muzzles in the city—Fancy Pants, Sapphire Shores, and Hoity Toity among them.

Consequently, her name and trademarks began to proliferate throughout the regal city. Rarity's hard work was finally starting to pay off, and not a moment too soon.

Trying to relax, Rarity looked out her lower-level window, staring at the stars. They were simple and elegant—a traceable pattern, one that could be predicted and relied upon for generations to come. Predictable. Reliable.

A mixture of agony and joy flared up in Rarity's heart as she closed her eyes and remembered...

"I wonder why Rarity wanted us to meet her here?" Twilight looked up at her four friends. All five ponies occupied a booth at the Hay Street Cafe. Rarity had sent an urgent telegram only hours prior, requesting that all of them meet her here at three o'clock.

None of the muzzles staring back at her had an answer. Twilight shifted uncomfortably in her seat and frowned. "I hope everything's alright."

"Oh, me too..." Fluttershy let her mane fall in front of her face and ducked behind it. "Especially since we're in such a... p-public place..." She glanced around the interior of the cafe, huddling a little closer into her seat. Thankfully for the timid pegasus, the cafe's outdoor seating was full.

Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes and blew a raspberry. "You two are such worrywarts! I bet she just wants us to help model some dresses for her or something again." Crossing her forehooves, she added from the corner of her muzzle, "And I'm not falling for it this time. There wasn't any cake, and there never will be!"

Pinkie Pie squirmed on her side of the booth, pounding her forehooves rhythmically on the table. "Oooh, my Pinkie sense is telling me that whatever Rarity is gonna tell us is a doozy! And you know how doozy doozies can be! Oh! Maybe this is the dooziest of all doozies!"

Applejack shook her head disapprovingly towards Dash. "Dash, be nice. Ain't like Rarity ta do this," she said pointedly, glaring at Dash.

Per her nature, Applejack spoke the truth. Rarity preferred to spill her secrets behind closed doors. Applejack looked around the busy cafe, searching for any sign of their guest of honor.

"You're right, Applejack. It isn't. That's why I'm worried." Twilight tapped her chin. "Well... maybe if she wants to talk to us here, it won't be so bad after all," she said, perking up a bit. Three of her friends murmured their agreement, while Rainbow Dash just yawned.

A wait-pony approached their table, setting down five menus. "What can I get for you fillies?" he asked politely, levitating a notepad and quill with his magic.

"'Nother menu, ta start," Applejack said. "We're waitin' on a friend. Give us a bit, will ya please?"

"Certainly, madame." The stallion smiled as he trotted away. He returned a few moments later with another menu. Applejack thanked him again, but nopony said anything else, too focused on waiting for Rarity.

They didn't have to linger much longer. After a few more minutes, Rarity finally emerged from the front doors of the cafe, scanning the tables for her friends.

Pinkie Pie was the first to notice her arrival, hopping straight up into the air. "Rarity! Oh! Rarity! Over here, Rarity! Hey! Rarity!"

As she walked, Applejack noticed something different about her. There was a definite spring in her step, making her light on her hooves. A bright smile graced her muzzle, genuine, sincere. While Rarity didn't hop over to their table, (as Pinkie would've, perhaps) "floated" was a better verb to describe her entrance. She was so elegant, so swift, each step taken with determination and purpose.

"I'm so happy you're all here!" Rarity said, shaking Applejack from her thoughts. Rarity slid into the booth beside Twilight, beaming at the group. "And on such short notice, too! Why, I can't thank you all enough!"

Twilight grinned and nodded. "Of course, Rarity! And you're welcome. So," she said, putting a forehoof on Rarity's shoulder, "I'm guessing by your demeanor that it isn't any sort of bad news, is it?"

Strangely, Applejack felt her brow furrow without her consent. Her lips drew back into a frown, some foreign part of her wanting Twilight to remove her hoof from Rarity.

Once she realized what she was doing, Applejack snapped herself out of it, shaking her head. Foalishness, pure and simple. She was being ridiculous.

Rarity chuckled and nudged Twilight in response. "You are correct, darling! And it's not just good news—it's great news!"

"Oh, my! That's so wonderful, Rarity," Fluttershy said, nodding her meek agreement. "I'm so glad to hear that. I was beginning to get a little worried."

Rainbow Dash huffed and shook her muzzle. "Well, if it's nothing super bad, why did we all have to meet right now?"

"Rainbow Dash!" Pinkie shot a glare her way. "Don't you see? Rarity has to share her extra-special, super-duper-exciting news so we can throw a congratulations party as soon as possible!" Snapping her head back around, her eyes bulging from sheer glee, she begged, "Oh, please, oh please, Rarity, tell us! Tell us the big news!" Pinkie began to hop up and down in her seat, prompting another groan from Dash.

"Now, now, darling, settle down," Rarity scolded, lifting up a forehoof to halt her. "Why don't we all order some lunch first? I'm sure everypony is famished."

"Ah said," Applejack repeated, making eye contact with Rarity, "Ah ain't hungry." She shifted uncomfortably in her seat, feeling keyed-up and on edge. She groaned. "Ya had us all meet ya here soon as we could an' wait Celestia knows how long fer ya, so since yer here now, why don't ya jus' spill it?"

Twilight protested, "Applejack, it's been a while since we've all gone out for lunch together." Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy cheered and murmured their agreement. Rainbow Dash nodded and patted her growling belly. Twilight turned to Rarity and smiled. "I think lunch is a wonderful idea, Rarity. You can tell us your news whenever you're ready."

Involuntarily, Applejack felt her muscles tense beneath her coat, as if she were a viper withdrawing into a coil. Gritting her teeth, she shook her head. "Ah'm... Ah'm mighty sorry, Rarity, but Ah have a lotta things ta do ta-day, so why don't ya jus'—"

Rarity scowled, her brow furrowing in frustration. She leaned forward, bring her muzzle closer to Applejack's. "Applejack, dear," she said with a huff, "perhaps you haven't considered this, but maybe part of why I invited everypony was because I wanted to spend some time with you all?"

"You can spend any time ya want, but don't put it under the guise o' somethin' bein' wrong!" Even as she spoke, Applejack questioned her words. Her anger flowed from some untapped vein, some hidden wellspring rising within her. Truthfully, she could stay and eat if she wanted, but her hunger was forgotten.

Twilight blinked, looking at each of her bickering friends. Fluttershy hid behind her mane, choosing to stay out of it. Rainbow Dash yawned in annoyance. Rarity and Applejack having a spat was nothing new. They'd always seemed to be that way, starting from the day the group had set off into the Everfree in search of the Elements of Harmony.

Pinkie Pie, however, frowned worriedly at the two mares and suggested, "Maaaaaaybe we should just go home and have a—"

"Fine! You want to know what the news is so you can leave, Applejack?" Rarity snapped, pressing her snout against the larger mare's.

Applejack flinched and backed away, surprising herself. She was never one to back away from an aggressor. She'd even gone muzzle-to-muzzle with Filthy Rich after the haughty stallion's daughter made her sister cry—something that nopony dared to do. Now, instead of a wealthy, arrogant stallion, she submitted to a delicate mare, pulling back into her seat.

When Applejack failed to reply, Rarity began speaking to all of them, but stared at one mare in particular. "My parents returned from a trip to Cantlerlot a few days ago and came back with some real estate flyers. There's a vacant workstudio-slash-apartment for rent there. It's an absolutely perfect location for a Boutique.

"I managed to get in contact with the agent who owns the building," Rartiy said, her smile threatening to split her muzzle, "and since I've saved my bits from last season's sales, I'll be able to move there, maybe even as soon as next month!"

"That's right!" Rarity pulled away from Applejack, but not before she shot her a dirty look. She then turned to Twilight and the others, clapping her forehooves together. "It's been my dream for as long as I can remember to live in Canterlot and design dresses for the noble-ponies!" She let loose a squeal of delight, closing her eyes and clapping several times more.

Fluttershy flicked her mane from her face and sat straight up, her wings fluttering in shared excitement. "Rarity! That's just wonderful! Congratulations! Oh, I know how much this means to you!"

Pinkie giggled and started hopping up and down. "Whee! Rarity's found her dream home! She's gonna go live in Canterlot with all the prissy party ponies, and listen to all the fancy bands, and—wait!"

Pinkie froze, rounding on Rarity. Her pupils dilated and her muzzle upturned into a pout. "Oh, please Rarity, please tell us we can visit you, or you can visit us, or—"

"Pinkie!" Rarity chuckled, nodding. "Of course you can visit, darling! And I'll be visiting, too. When I have the time, of course." Running a forehoof through her mane, she said, "Since I'll be in such proximity to all of the great designers, socialites, and artists, I imagine I'll be much busier than I usually am."

Twilight beamed, relishing her friend's joy. "Wow! That's right! You'll be near Hoity Toity, and Photo Finish, and Sapphire Shores..."

"And Fancy Pants, and Fleur de Lis, and Jet Set," Rarity added, her eyes shining. "Oh, you should've seen me when my parents brought me that listing, Twilight! It was like my birthday all over again!"

Although she shared no interest in fashion (and wasn't exactly the closest to Rarity, either), Rainbow Dash smiled and said, "Congrats, Rarity! That is pretty awesome. Not as awesome as me, but you know, pretty darn close."

Rarity's gaze fixated on her, boring holes into her skull. Trying to avoid her eyes, Applejack started to sweat, cursing herself silently. Why was it so hard to answer? Why hadn't she said anything yet?

Rarity was achieving her dream. If that wasn't something to celebrate, what was? Besides, the farther away from Ponyville she'd be, the better! At least then there'd be nopony to argue with her then. That would be best. Right?

Five pairs of eyes focused on her, Applejack said the only thing that came to mind. "Ah don't know what Ah think."

"Huh?" Pinkie tilted her head sharply, looking at Applejack upside-down. "How can you not know what you think, silly? Do you have some foggin' in your noggin?"

"Beg p-pardon?" Applejack stammered, bringing her forehooves off the table and close to herself.

"Um, Pinkie," Fluttershy said gently, turning to her, "this isn't the most... easy situation..."

"Why's that?" Rainbow stretched a wing to preen. She scoffed as she poked a feather into place. "Rarity's gonna fulfill her dream! That's awesome! Simple as that."

"Yeah, Ah guess yer right." Applejack looked up into the eyes of her soon-to-be-departing friend. She painted a smile across her muzzle, the grin as flimsy as autumn leaves. "Congratulations, Rare."

The rest of the conversation would be a mystery to Applejack. In all honesty, there were apples to be bucked, chores to be done, and errands to be ran, but they were not of vital importance.

If she wanted, Applejack could've remained there at the Hay Street Cafe, listening to Rarity describe her new home in intimate detail, murmuring her excitement and agreement with the rest of them. She could've had lunch. She could've waited.

But something wouldn't let her. Something inside her screamed to retreat, and so she did, before the wait-pony could even return and rustle up a glass of water to soothe her oddly-parched throat.

She said a quick goodbye to her friends and cantered all the way home, pausing only once she'd enveloped herself in a soothing veil of apple trees.

Applejack lost herself in the orchards for a few days after that, until somepony found her.

Applejack's eyes slowly opened, peering up into a thick blanket of night. Certain her name was a part of her dream, she rolled over onto her side and closed her eyes once more.

"Huh?" Rolling over, Applejack met a pair of red-orange eyes looking down at her. "Apple Bloom?"

Apple Bloom stood in front of her, clutching a lantern in between her jaws. Setting it down, she mumbled sheepishly, "Sorry ta wake ya, Sis. Ah was jus' gettin' worried."

Stretching, Applejack slowly rose to her hooves, shaking her mane free of its tangles. She shook her muzzle and clicked her tongue. "Apple Bloom, ya know yer not s'posed ta be out here this late."

"Ah know, Ah know!" Apple Bloom sat down on the cool, dew-kissed grass. She played with the handle of the lantern, avoiding her sister's gaze. "When you didn't come ta supper, Big Mac said ya were probably jus' busy, an' he saved ya a plate. But he an' Granny took naps after dinner, an' it's been a while, so Ah wanted ta come find ya an' make sure yer alright."

Applejack smiled and ruffled the filly's mane, teasing a giggle from her. "Apple Bloom, that's mighty sweet o' ya, but Ah'm alright. You shoulda woke up Mac if ya were so worried."

Applejack snickered. "That's our brother. Quiet as a mouse when he's awake an' rested, snarlin' like a timberwolf if ya interrupt him when he sleeps." Grabbing the lantern, she started towards the farmhouse. "C'mon, lil' sis. It's time fer bed."

Apple Bloom stomped a hoof into the ground, refusing to budge. "But, Applejack!"

Applejack turned around, clutching the lantern in her teeth. "No buts. Time fer bed."

"But! But! Ah was... Ah was hopin' we could spend some time together." She frowned and scrunched her snout. "You've been workin' so much that Ah barely see you."

Setting the lantern down, Applejack took a seat on the grass next to her sister and sighed. Lifting Apple Bloom's chin with a forehoof, she said, "You know ya can spend time wit' me anytime ya want, don't ya, Apple Bloom? Jus' come an' look fer me when Ah'm workin', an' Ah'll find somethin' ya can help me wit'. We can talk durin' that."

Applejack's ears drooped. "Ah, well..." She rubbed the back of her neck. "Ah'm not sure what time yer referrin' ta, but—"

"It was that day Sweetie told me Rarity was movin' ta Canterlot," Apple Bloom said, leaning close to her sibling. She fidgeted with her forehooves, staring at them with guilt in her eyes. "Ah didn't mean ta spy on ya. Honest!"

Remembering, Applejack pulled the foal in close for a hug, leaning down to nuzzle her. "Sugarcube, Ah know ya weren't. Don't worry."

"But..." Apple Bloom sniffled. "But if you knew that, then why did ya get so mad?"

Applejack sighed. "Sometimes ponies take out their troubles on others, sugarcube, even if they don't mean ta." She wrapped both forehooves around Apple Bloom and embraced her tightly, nuzzling her cheek with her own. "Don't ya ever think Ah don't want ya 'round, Apple Bloom."

When they pulled away, Apple Bloom looked up at Applejack and asked, lowering her voice so the stars wouldn't hear, "Ya miss her, don't you?"

In the darkness, the younger could barely discern the older's blush, but it couldn't be hidden completely.

Applejack deflected, "You always miss yer friends when they're gone, Apple Bloom."

Applejack furrowed her brow again. "Hush now, Apple Bloom. That's 'tween..." She gulped. "Me an' her."

Her smirk growing wide, Apple Bloom said nonchalantly, "Ah think yer more than that."

"Now, what would ya know 'bout things like that?" Applejack huffed, clearing her throat and looking away.

While Big Macintosh and Granny Smith had been privy to certain details, she hadn't shared them with the youngest member of the family yet. Certain that the foal wouldn't understand—and, thus, didn't need to know—Applejack never thought to bring up the subject.

Apple Bloom giggled. "'Cuz, Applejack, Ah see how flustered ya get when ya talk 'bout her."

Applejack felt her muzzle flush crimson, her cheeks becoming as red as Big Mac. She glared down her snout at Apple Bloom and picked up the lantern with her teeth. "C'mon, it's time fer bed."

"Ah will neither confirm nor deny that!" Applejack trotted ahead of her sister, calling, "Now, follow me back inside o' it'll be a whoopin', missy!"

Rarity wove her way through an endless labyrinth of identical apple trees. Well, identical to her, at least. She was sure Applejack had names and personality traits for each, and would explain them all if one were to be patient and willing enough.

In spite of her furrowed brow and visible scowl, Rarity chuckled at the thought. As usual, Applejack was the mare who'd brought her out of her element, and she traversed through the maze in pursuit of her.

Rarity ducked under a low-hanging branch just in time, her eyes focused on her hooves. Dirt. So much dirt around here. How could Applejack stomach it?

She snorted at her own rhetorical question. Applejack was far too much of a tomcolt and a brute to care. Rarity cringed at the memory of Applejack spitting on her forehoof and offering it to her to seal a deal. Horrid.

The sun was hanging low in the sky, casting a brilliant masterpiece of a sunset on the horizon beyond. Rarity paused for a moment and smiled. If she took a page from Applejack's hastily scrawled book (her hoof-writing was beyond atrocious), Rarity had to admit that Applejack was the cause of just as many of her smiles as she was her frowns. She met that unpleasant memory of Twilight's first slumber party with one they'd made just a few months prior.

Right after they'd freed the Crystal Empire from its phantasmic tyrant and were making their way to the train to return home, Applejack said something that planted itself in Rarity's mind, unable to be uprooted. Not that she wanted to forget it.

"Good things are better when they're a rarity," Applejack had said, winking at her.

She pressed on through the orchard. Yes, for every irritating, frustrating, or awkward moment with the stubborn mare, there was another to counter it, and, over time, another and another. Even for all her faults, she didn't want to lose Applejack.

Which brought her here, searching through the groves of Sweet Apple Acres. Nopony had seen nor heard from Applejack for almost three days. She'd disappeared after that cafe meeting. However, her brother spilled the beans when asked of her whereabouts.

"AJ should be in the fields," Big Mac told Rarity about an hour beforehoof, pointing towards the orchards. Rarity had thanked him and set off into the maze of trees, determined to find her.

Despite their little spat, Rarity wanted to make peace with her friend. She wasn't sure how much they'd be seeing each other after a few weeks, and didn't want to end things on a bad note.

Just as she started to contemplate giving up, Rarity came across a small clearing in the middle of the orchards. Propped up against a sole tree in the middle, Applejack snored, a full basket of apples and an empty cart beside her.

Rarity paused, staying quiet this time. She stood a few feet in front of the slumbering mare, perplexed. Was she dreaming about—

Applejack blinked rapidly, slowly opening her eyes. When the world finally came into focus, she gasped and jumped back, smacking her back against the bark of the tree. She groaned and closed her eyes, gritting her teeth to catch the pain.

Rarity rushed over and stood beside her friend. "Applejack, are you alright? I didn't mean to startle you!"

"Then," Applejack muttered, rubbing a quickly forming bruise on her back, "why did ya?"

"How long were ya spyin' on me?" Applejack shakily stood up, her hooves slow to support her.

Rarity brought a forehoof to her chest, taken aback. "I wasn't spying on you!"

A faint tinge of pink spread across Rarity's cheek. "Er, I mean... I was only here for a moment," she corrected, ashamed. "I said your name three times, and then you woke up."

Applejack snorted, refusing to buy it. Nevertheless, she let it go with a shrug and shook herself further awake. Leaning down to heave the full basket onto her back, she glanced at Rarity curiously. "So, why were ya out here, anyway? Pretty far out in the fields, y'know."

"Well, er..." A strange discomfort washed over Rarity. She played with the locks of her mane, avoiding Applejack's piercing gaze. "Nopony has heard from you for a few days, so I wanted to make sure you're alright."

Tilting her head, Applejack asked, "Why didn't ya jus' ask Bloom, Mac, o' Granny?"

"Well," Rarity answered, flicking her mane, "I didn't ask him where you were. I asked him where to find you."

Applejack groaned and trotted over to the cart, flinging the basket off her back and into it. "'Course ya did."

"Yer nosy, per usual." With a scoff, Applejack slipped under and into the collar of the cart, securing it around her neck. "Ah'm fine. Don't fret. Ya can tell everypony Ah'm busy if ya want."

Applejack tugged at the collar, making sure it was snug. "Ah'll come an' hang out when Ah've got time, but fer now, Ah've got a lotta work ta do."

Ignoring the insult, Rarity flicked a blade of grass with her forehoof. "Oh! Well, I suppose I understand..."

"Eeyup." Applejack looked over towards the far orchard on the other side of the clearing. She turned around and mustered a small smile. "Thanks fer checkin' up on me, Rare. Ah'd best be goin' now."

Rarity paused, watching Applejack start to pull the cart away. Mere seconds passed before she cantered up to her, exclaiming, "Wait, Applejack!"

Applejack groaned and stopped in her tracks, turning her head towards Rarity. "What now?"

Rarity stood right in front of her, that same, strange discomfort proliferating through her veins. She stole a glance at Applejack, at the sweat glistening on her muzzle and neck and the toned muscles rippling beneath her coat. Celestia's sun wrought its vengeance upon the unicorn, leaving her cheeks scarlet. "I, er—"

"I'm sorry about... about what happened." Rarity mumbled, "I-I didn't mean to snap at you like that."

Rarity sighed and looked at the ground. "No, it's not. I shouldn't have announced it the way I did. I mean, I'm happy, but... It'll be hard being away from the rest of you all. Only a few more weeks before I leave."

Rarity smiled. "Good." She said quietly, "Believe it or not, I'll miss you very much, Applejack."

A thought passed through Rarity's mind. It was not an unfamiliar, nor unwelcome one. Usually, she dismissed similar thoughts, lacking the courage to act upon them. Besides, this was a long shot—a ridiculous one.

This time, however, something lent credence to that forbidden, ridiculous notion, and there was a possibility it could be true. A microscopic possibility was a possibility nonetheless.

Before she could stop herself, Rarity leaned in and kissed Applejack on the cheek. She let her lips linger in the kiss, brushing softly against Applejack's fur. She pulled away slowly, almost reluctantly.

Immediately, Applejack blushed a deep shade of crimson, snapping her head around.

Rarity's blush matched Applejack's own. "S-sorry about that, A-Applejack." She took a few hesitant steps backwards. "I should go..."

Applejack met her eyes and unyoked herself from the cart, then strode slowly towards Rarity. She stopped a few feet in front of her, close enough to read her eyes. Close enough to see the same possibility reflected in her own.

Applejack had realized out there, working the orchards until her hooves ached, why she'd been so angry at Rarity. At Twilight. At herself.

Far from a liar, Applejack reckoned that the reason was true for her and her alone, not for the elegant, sophisticated Rarity. But, maybe...

"Rarity," Applejack said firmly, willing herself to be brave, "what did ya mean by that?"

Applejack was too close to her now, her words leaving their mark on Rarity's muzzle as she spoke. She smiled, letting her mask fall away. Cursing her fear, she choked, "T-the... kiss, Rare."

Rarity's eyes darted back and forth between Applejack, the ground beneath their hooves, and the sky above their manes. "I just—I don't know, it just... felt right."

Rarity gulped and looked back up at her friend. "I'm sorry. That was highly inappropriate of me, wasn't it?"

Leaning in, Applejack said, "Not as much as this," and kissed Rarity on the lips.

Alone in the clearing, Rarity fell into Applejack's embrace, kissing back deeply.

All doubt cast aside, she let everything go, and so did the stubborn mare. Soon, they were a tangle of lips and tongues and hooves and tails, speaking what they never could before, in a language they were just beginning to learn.

The soft patter of little hooves sneaking their way down her stairs pulled Rarity from her half-slumber. She rolled over and opened her eyes. "Sweetie Belle? What are you doing up?"

Sweetie stumbled drowsily down the rest of the stairs, nearly tripping over her own hooves. Yawning, she walked over to Rarity and hopped up on the couch beside her. "Rarity, I'm thirsty," she mumbled.

Sweetie Belle curled up into a ball and snuggled into the warm couch, struggling to remember her dream. She knew that it involved the other Crusaders and some minotaur, but not much else.

Rarity made her way to the kitchen and fetched a fresh glass of water for the filly. When she returned, Sweetie Belle was spacing out, staring at no point in particular on the opposite wall.

Rarity laid down and levitated the glass with her magic. "Sweetie? I've got your water here."

"Huh? Oh!" Sweetie tore her eyes away from the wall and smiled at her sister. Accepting the glass, she said, "Thanks!" and drank it all in one big gulp. With a joyous belch, she passed the glass back to Rarity, who gave her a stern glare.

"That's better." Rustling her mane, Rarity asked, "Are you ready to go back to bed now?"

Rarity raised an eyebrow. "Why's that? And don't you say it's because you want ice cream," she warned, raising a forehoof. "It's far too late for dessert."

Rarity giggled and shook her head. "Not going to work this time, Sweetie Belle."

Forcing a scowl, Sweetie Belle crossed her forehooves and mumbled, "Fiiiiiine." She couldn't hold up her facade for long, however, her half-hearted whine sending both sisters into a fit of laughter.

Once they'd composed themselves, Sweetie rolled onto her back. "But really, there is something I wanted to ask you before I go back to sleep."

"Oh?" Rarity locked eyes with her sister, a faint smile on her muzzle. "What's that, darling?"

"Um..." Sweetie looked away for a moment before resuming eye contact. "When will I get to see you next?"

"I'm not sure, Sweetie." Rarity sighed as she pulled her sister in for a hug. "I hope it'll be soon. Once I get through this season and all it entails, I'm guessing things will calm down. Ponies are really starting to notice my work, you know."

"Yes and no, dear. I'm very happy to be here, to have my work noticed, to forge the friendships and connections I've gained." Rarity's smiled softened a bit more, almost disappearing. "But it is difficult being away from you, and Mom and Dad, and my friends, and—"

"Apple Bloom kinda..." Sweetie swallowed, offering her sister a nervous grin. "Um, saw you and Applejack out there in the orchard."

Channeling Big Macintosh, Rarity's pristine, white coat darkened to a cherry-red. "H-how much did she see?"

Sweetie Belle giggled. "She saw Applejack get mad at you and start to pull away, then saw you kiss her on the cheek. Then, she saw Applejack kiss you, and she said she ran away after that." Sticking out her tongue, she retched and mimicked a faint.

"But don't tell Applejack I told you!" Sweetie rolled back onto her stomach and gave Rarity puppy-dog eyes. "Pleeeease, Rarity? I don't want Apple Bloom to get in trouble!"

"On a more serious note, Sweetie," Rarity admonished, raising a forehoof, "you should know that those kind of things are between the two ponies involved. It's not polite to get involved in everypony's private affairs."

Rarity clicked her tongue. "It's way past your bedtime. Come on," she said, getting off the couch, "let's go back up to bed and get some sleep."

Sweetie nodded, hopping off the couch and following behind the older unicorn. Together, they ascended the stairs and trotted into the bedroom.

Inside, the blankets and sheets were tossed about, the shutters of the window left open. "Sweetie Belle, did you make a mess? And why is the window open?"

"Oh. Heh, sorry." Sweetie's ears drooped. "I toss and turn a lot when I have a dream."

"A shooting star!" Sweetie pranced over to the window, leaning up against the sill. She pointed excitedly to the constellations above. "I didn't get to see the whole thing, but maybe it'll come back!"

"Sweetie," Rarity said firmly, joining her sister at the window, "shooting stars don't work that way."

"But," Sweetie said, looking straight at her, "you said before you left that everything that goes comes back again."

Smiling at her little sister's wise words, Rarity wrapped her forehooves around Sweetie Belle and nuzzled her, one eye on the stars. "Yes, Sweetie Belle, I suppose you're right."

The next few weeks were a blur. Rarity spent as much time as possible with her friends—spa dates with Fluttershy, tea and light conversation with Twilight, modeling new outfits with Rainbow Dash (there was cake this time), planning the party with Pinkie, and of course, spending time with Applejack.

The pair made lunch and dinner for each other, took walks through the orchards and Ponyville Park, and spent hours talking, laughing, and getting to know each other all over again. Their friends caught on quickly, even when Applejack was hesitant to tell them. Their families caught on as well, and though no words were said, they approved.

Relationships between mares were not necessarily common in Equestria, but all except for the most old-fashioned of ponies had no issue with them. Dash and Twilight poked a little fun the couple's way, but were generally in good spirits about it, as were the rest of their friends. It wasn't much of a surprise, after all.

Time, as the saying goes, flew by, slipping out of Rarity's hooves with each passing day. She went to Canterlot a week before the move to finalize paperwork for the new apartment. She began to pack that same week, quickly running out of suitcases and duffel bags. Rarity purchased a few more and packed up the rest of her things, unwilling to part permanently with anything from Ponyville.

Rarity and Applejack rarely spoke of the elephant in their room. It followed them around but didn't stir, tucking away its tusks for the time being. Rarity was following her dream, she told her friends and her mare, but would not be gone forever.

Soon, Pinkie's farewell party for Rarity arrived, complete with an entire shop's worth of streamers, balloons, confetti, cake, and punch. Rarity and Applejack had the most fun they could, dancing until their hooves ached and filling their bellies with sweet treats. There were games of "Pin The Tail On The Pony," and gifts, and memories, and well-wishes shared.

Among their group of six—and, to some extent, their extended friends and family—there were tears mixed in with the joy, promises of letters and visits made insistently.

After the party, Applejack asked Rarity to accompany her into the orchard one more time. Rarity couldn't say anything but yes, and followed her into the dusk.

Apple Bloom protested under her breath as Applejack led her into her room, "Ah'm not tired, Applejack!"

Reaching the door to the foal's bedroom, Applejack opened it and pushed her sister inside. "Too bad, Apple Bloom. It's bedtime, so you'd best calm down an' get ta sleep, ya hear? Ah don't want ya wanderin' 'round outside after dark 'gain, either. Never know what you'll find in them orchards."

Climbing up into bed, Apple Bloom scowled. She slipped under her sheets and blanket and crossed her forehooves over her chest. "Ah'm a big pony. Ah can take care o' maself!"

Pulling the blankets up to her sister's chin with her teeth, Applejack mumbled, "Sure ya can." Once tucked in, she kissed Apple Bloom's cheek, making her giggle. "Now, go ta bed, Apple Bloom."

Trotting over to the window, Applejack closed it tightly, banishing the chill of the night. She leaned up on her hindhooves, stretching out on the windowsill. She turned around to smile at Apple Bloom. "Try an' sleep, alright? Ah know yer all excited from bein' outside, but ya need ta go ta sleep."

Fighting the urge to yawn, Apple Bloom settled beneath her covers and stretched all four hooves. "Mmm... alright, Sis."

"Good." Applejack strode over from the window to Apple Bloom's bed one more time, tucking her covers in snug. "Goodnight, Apple Bloom."

Smiling, Applejack strode over to the window again, taking in the peaceful sight one last time. Ah wonder, she thought, if yer lookin' at the same sky.

"That's good." Apple Bloom snuggled up in her blanket. "She makes ya happy, Ah think."

Above, a shooting star rocketed through the night, a streak of blinding brilliance against the black. Applejack watched the comet's tail fade into the atmosphere. "She does, sugarcube.

They laid in silence in the same clearing where they'd found each other. Applejack propped herself against the same tree, and held Rarity in those same hooves. They let the silence sing a lamentation, dreading the setting sun on the horizon. Tomorrow. Tomorrow, Rarity would board a train to her dreams and away from Applejack.

No matter how much Rarity tried to assure her, Applejack feared that this would be the end of their very, very short beginning. Despite all speculations, only Celestia knew how much they'd get to see each other, if at all.

"Are you alright?" Rarity looked up into Applejack's eyes, her own shining with concern. "You're very quiet tonight, Applejack."

Rarity leaned up against the tree and her mare, gently shifting Applejack's muzzle to face her. "Tell me what's on that beautiful little mind of yours."

Applejack plastered on a smile and stroked Rarity's mane. "It's nothin', sugarcube."

Applejack was silenced by a pair of lips on her own, a pair of forehooves around her neck, and a pair of brilliant sapphire eyes staring into her. She closed her own emeralds and melted in the embrace of the mare with diamonds on her flank, falling into her. Two muzzles darkening to scarlet amplified the process of metamorphosis. The rough mare became tempered by the heat and pressure of her gem, pushing her down into the grass and answering her doubt with something as certain as a kiss.

Rarity broke their caress, staring down at her mare. A gentle smile tugged at the corners of her muzzle. "It'll be alright, Applejack," she whispered, running a forehoof through her mane.

"Heh... Heh..." Light-headed, her cheeks burning, Applejack tried again. "Ah'm jus'—"

Regaining control, Applejack carefully flipped them so that she was on top. "Who said Ah was worried?"

"Even the strongest mares get hurt sometimes." Taking Applejack's forehooves in her own, Rarity said, "And I can see something is hurting you right now, Applejack, even if you don't want to admit it."

An owl perched in one of the apple trees above hooted his agreement. Chilled northern winds blew from the Crystal Empire and made their descent into the valley of Ponyville, sending both mares clinging to each other tightly. Applejack, lost for words, merely rolled the pair onto their sides and nuzzled Rarity's neck.

"So," Rarity murmured, returning the gesture, "are you going to tell me what's bothering you, Applejack? Or would you like me to spell that out for you as well?"

Applejack froze. "Huh?" Starting to panic, she bit her lower lip and shifted her gaze to the skies. "Ah, um, well, ya see, Ah—"

"Ah..." Shaking her muzzle, Applejack huffed before she said, "Ah know. Ah'm terrible at this. At all o' this."

Concerned, Rarity lifted Applejack's chin, turning her muzzle to face her. "What do you mean?"

"Um..." Pausing to breath, steadying herself, Applejack replied, "These, erm, feelin' things. Ah ain't never been very good at this, Rare."

Rarity chuckled, placing a forehoof on Applejack's chest. Her strong heart raced beneath it, adrenaline coursing through her blood, sweat dripping down her neck and forehead. "Applejack, please, relax. You know you can talk to me about anything, don't you?"

Teasing the truth from the Element of Honesty was an exercise in patience that far outweighed any complex spell Twilight could cast. Rarity would rather contemplate the finality of paint drying than dance around the bushes with Applejack. Other than square dancing, Applejack wasn't too great of a dancer. When it came to the truth and hiding it, she was a downright awful liar, but a persistent one.

"Please," Rarity urged, bribing the reluctant mare with a soft kiss on the cheek, "please, Applejack. Please, let's talk about this. We can get through this. We can—"

"Are ya sure? How can ya be so sure?" Applejack's heart was pounding painfully now, threatening cardiac. An entire orchard of heavy-branched apple trees seemed preferable to this conversation. This wasn't the way things were supposed to go. This wasn't the way things were supposed to be.

Tonight was the last night before everything changed. Tonight may be the last night of all. Tonight was supposed to be special and silent of the things that worried her the most.

Rarity nodded, strong in ways that fascinated her mare. "Of course we can, darling. You love me, don't you?"

"What else is there to it?" Rarity's gentle smile transformed into one of steely determination. Holding Applejack in her hooves, she spoke from the very bottom of her heart, the epicenter of her soul. "Applejack, I know this hurts. I know you're hurt. It hurts me, too. It hurts... badly," she finished, glancing away for a second.

There was a time for everything, including a time to weep. Tonight was another time. A time to love. A time to rejoice.

Muzzle-to-muzzle with her, Rarity managed a smile. Stroking Applejack's mane, she said, "I wish things didn't have to be this way. I wish we could live together—and by live together, I mean right now. But, unfortunately, darling, as terrible it is, it's true...

"This is going to be difficult, yes..." Rarity squeezed one of Applejack's forehooves between both of her own. Applejack's fetlock was rough and calloused, borne of orchard work and endless labor beneath a vast sky. Rarity's was delicate, polished, prim, and proper, but possessed a careful, gentle touch that calmed her partner's wild heart. It was only for a second, but it was enough.

Rarity leaned closer, inches away from Applejack, seeing herself reflected in those emerald eyes. "Even now, lying here with you, it hurts to know that I have to leave tomorrow. It hurts, A-Applejack..."

Rarity's facade began to crack as her words trembled. Two strong forehooves wrapped around her back and stroked it reassuringly.

Whereas Rarity's voice broke high, Applejack's broke low, as it struggled past her vocal cords and shattered the silence. "Ah... Ah know it hurts. It hurts too much, Rare. It's...

Rarity sniffled, wiping away her tears. "Life isn't fair," she said, disappointed that the simplicity wasn't as flat and final as she'd thought it would be. She shook her head. "It isn't fair, Applejack. But... you know what?"

Her confidence rising, Rarity switched their positions, lying on top of Applejack once again. "Someday—someday very, very soon, I hope—I'll move back to Ponyville, when my business has taken off enough that I can re-establish here. When we're ready to set—"

"Yes." Applejack kissed Rarity's cheek and whispered, "Ah'm ready ta be wit' you, sugarcube. Forever an' always."

"That's why it hurts so much," Applejack explained. "Ah've tried ta talk ta other ponies 'bout it—our friends, Granny, hay, even Mac—but they come at it like it's no big deal. Like..."

Applejack groaned, turning her muzzle up into a scowl. "Like, so what if we're gonna be apart fer a while? It ain't a big deal. An' if it is such a big deal, why don't we jus'... give up?"

"But ain't that the silliest thing?" Applejack forced a hollow laugh. "Ain't that the silliest thing ta give up on somethin' jus' 'cuz it hurts, o' cuz it will hurt? Especially when—"

"Especially when," Applejack said, lowering her eyelids, "ya know it's the thing you've wanted the most in the whole world."

Rarity started to gush, blushing hotly, but was interrupted by the caress of her mare. Hooves and lips and tongues connected, fur and keratin and muscle entwining. They cleaved to the other, two becoming one, unable to be separated.

When they finally pulled away, rising up from the depths of their ocean, they were no longer the farmer and the fashionista, Ponyville and Canterlot meeting in the middle. They were sword and chalice no more, no opposite of the other, no longer worrying how they would breach the coming miles and hours between them.

When Rarity finally whispered back the words, "You are what I've always wanted, too," there was no distance anymore.

They knew, in that moment, that there was no going back, no debate, no retreat. They knew then that days and weeks and months were pithy obstacles, little hurdles for lesser ponies of weaker hearts and weaker love.

Applejack and Rarity knew then that the distance was just a test, and that they would pass with flying colors.

Lying in each other's hooves, the two mares didn't fear the sunrise, or any more to come.

That night, oceans became ponds, rivers became streams, and the mountains bowed to the lovers, allowing them to cross the distance. Ponyville and Canterlot became insignificant dots on a map.

Time ceased to be when Rarity looked out her window, hugging Sweetie Belle tightly. Time failed to matter when Applejack tucked Apple Bloom into bed for a third time, catching a glimpse of a second shooting star from the corner of her eye.

Miles and miles away from the other, two mares numbered the stars in the silence, and knew, if only for a moment, that they were looking at the same moon.

The Ocean

by Bad_Seed_72

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