//------------------------------// // Slept right through the dawn // Story: Inflorescence // by Reptilicus //------------------------------// As the warmth of the sunlight faded and the small specks of light scattered, the two ponies and dragon found themselves exactly where predictions said they'd be. Out on the flowered lawn of the Canterlot Bed & Breakfast Royale. A few of the nightshift butlers and gardeners glanced over, giving the three a very confused look as they took in their surroundings. The three untangled themselves and made their way off the lawn to the path to the front door, suddenly hearing a familiar voice call to them. "There ya three are!" Applejack trotted briskly up to them, her little sister on her back clinging to her neck. The tiny filly quickly scrambled off her elder sister's back, looking worried. Rainbow Dash wasn't far behind, losing altitude as she came in for a landing looking annoyed. "So I 'ssume everythings alright?" Applejack asked. "Rarity thought everything was gonna be fine once the real moon went up but when we din' see hide nor hair of y'all me and Rainbow figured we should go and investigate." "Yeah so what happened?" Rainbow landed beside the other two. "I hear people shouting in the street Celestia had been poisoned, me and the others panic looking for you, and then a few hours later everything was calm and ponies were talking about a false alarm and stuff. Did Discord pull a prank that got out of control or somethin'?" "Nope. Actually he was very helpful...in his own...unique way." Twilight smirked. "Actually the whole pandemonium was...because...well... was that Celestia is very allergic to pineapples." "Aw shoot." Applejack looked at the ground in shame. "I helped y'all make that pineapple cake too. Shoulda trusted my gut and used normal apples instead of the pine variety. Never trust apples in wolf's clothin' granny always said. Oh Applejack, when will ya learn? Celestia ain't sore at me, is she?" "It's all been sorted out, Applejack." Fluttershy answered softly. "We all had a very long talk about...all sorts of things and uh... and everything is going to be ok. Celestia didn't even care where the fruit came from. And best of all Twilight can finally take a long break from work, on Celestia's orders." "So Celestia's healthy or.....?" Rainbow raised an eyebrow. "Well....the food she ate caused some internal bleeding and swelling in her esophagus but...she'll be fine now." Fluttershy grinned meekly. "Although she's going to feel awful until her tummy heals and all the medicine is out of her system." "Fluttershy saved Celestia!" Spike shouted, waving his stubbly arms. "She's a national hero now. Like...even more than usual from all the world-saving you guys do anyway!" "Oh...well...not really..." Fluttershy whispered, hiding her face in her hair. "Just trying to help." Twilight picked Spike up with her magic, depositing him on her back and nuzzling him lovingly as she turned to trot inside the building. "You should be in bed, Spike." Applejack nodded and turned toward Applebloom. "It is gettin' awfully late. You should be in bed too, Bloom. We got a big day of fun tomorrow, then we all get to go back to Ponyville." "That sounds swell." Applebloom yawned, suddenly being hoisted into the air by the scruff of her neck, the nape clutched gently in her elder sister's teeth. "I miss Big Mac n' Gran already." **************************************************** One little filly was wrapped up in her sleeping bag, its bright green color patterned with red and yellow prints of apples. She smiled happily as she snoozed, unaware that her best friend was a few feet away, not nearly as pleased about the prospect of going to bed. "I'm not sleepy!" Scootaloo growled obstinately, her small orange face scrunching into a pout as she sat on her rump, arms crossed, in front of Applejack, Pinkie, and Rainbow. Rainbow winked at the other two adults as she pranced over to the filly, picking Scootaloo up in her arms and holding the filly against her body in a warm embrace. "Not sleepy, huh?" Rainbow asked, with a slightly mocking tone in her voice. "You sure about that?" "Mmm hmm! Not sleepy. It's way....too early...for bed..." Scootaloo mumbled, the effects of being pressed against her caretaker's chest becoming evident as the natural lullaby of Rainbow's heartbeat began to lull the foal to sleep. She yawned and tried to struggle one last time as her orange eyelids began to droop against the comforting cyan fur of her adopted parent. "I dunno, Scoot. You look pretty sleepy to me." Rainbow challenged with a gentle smile as she covered the filly's eyes with the elbow of her wing, shrouding the child's face in darkness. Almost immediately Scootaloo's body went slack, and small snores could be heard from under Rainbow's wing. With a cheeky smile, Rainbow placed the sleeper into the sock drawer and gave her ward a gentle kiss on the forehead, turning with a proud smile to the other two. "Check that out. Every time she doesn't want to sleep, I do that." Rainbow chuckled. "Works every time. Like clockwork." "Well ain't that the sweetest thing!" Applejack smiled brightly as she glanced at the foals. "And to think the other night you were bellyachin' about how ya weren't good with kids." "I'll probably need to learn how to do that when the twins get older." Pinkie mentioned, giving Rainbow a hug. "Usually these days Mrs.Cake just nurses them for a few minutes and then they go out like a light. Boop!" "Food always does the trick with young'uns. Glad Applebloom never gives me any trouble when bedtime rolls around. Some warm brown betty and the lil' darlin' just keels over." Applejack stretched her back out as she stood up. "Well, I think I'm gonna hit the hay as well." "DID YOU ASK RARITY IF SHE LIKES YOU YET?!" Pinkie blurted out, causing Applejack to cringe and freeze in her tracks, her eyelid twitching. "Whoops!" "For heaven's sakes, Pinkie!" hissed Applejack. "Bloom is sleepin' right over there!" Angrily, Applejack shoved Pinkie and Dash out of the room, through the hall, and out the front door onto the lawn, quickly surveying around to make sure nobody was listening while Dash snorted with laughter. "And to answer yer question, NO." Applejack muttered. "I wasn't plannin' on tellin' her and I still ain't. That was YOUR idea, Pinkie." "But why not!" Pinkie's lower lip trembled as she pouted and flopped onto her stomach. "Ouch!" "Pinkie don't do that." Dash mumbled placing a hoof on the stitches on Pinkie's leg wound. "You're gonna open this thing back up." Dash huddled next to Pinkie, stroking her friend's side softly, grinning sheepishly as Pinkie leaned her head on Dash's shoulder. Applejack rolled her eyes and cleared her throat. "Besides, y'all are givin' me guff when you two ain't even come clear that yer a thing now." Applejack retorted, causing Dash and Pinkie to both blush and look at the ground. "Worst job at hidin' anything ever." "WHAT!? How'd you figure it out?" Dash asked, a slight tone of annoyance in her voice. "Well....for starters you two were eatin' each others faces up in that there tree in the park." Applejack shook her head. "I've told ya once, I've told ya a hundred times, Dash. Bein' up in a tree don't make ya invisible. I'm just glad the little'uns didn't see what y'all were up to. Puttin' all sort o' questions in their heads. I'm still dreadin' the day I have to give Bloom...the talk." "The talk?" Pinkie asked, as her face broke out into a smile. "Oh you mean the birdies and the bees! You mean where baby ponies come from?" "Yes, that. After Mrs.Cake had her twins I was dreadin' her askin' me how it works. For the time bein' the stork story is workin' but eventually she's gonna need to know how it all actually...goes down. Hopefully no time soon. And I know Granny is gonna make me tell 'er when the time comes." Pinkie stuck out her tongue and blew a raspberry. "That's silly, AJ! You should have told her that baby ponies come out of cabbages. The stork story is so old and dumb!" "Yer implyin' that baby ponies comin' out o' vegetables is less silly than a big bird politely droppin' em off at yer doorstep?" Applejack deadpanned, raising her eyebrows. "Yes. Why would I want a baby being held by a big creepy birdy? And not one from a nice veggie?" Pinkie shot back. "Don't you know how birds feed their own babies? They barf worms into their mouths. Would you want a baby pony full of bird worm barf?" "OKAY....." Dash interjected. "This argument is stupid and is getting weird really fast. And we've gone totally off-topic. AJ why don't you want to tell Rarity how you feel? Ask her about the photo? You have a pretty good chance of her feeling the same way, if your story about the photo is anything to go by." "Because....." Applejack sighed. "This trip....has gotten me thinkin'. Seein' all Rarity has accomplished. It wouldn't feel right. It wouldn't be right. Even if she said yes....it wouldn't be polite for me to bug her about that now, ya know?" "No, I do not know!" Pinkie tilted her head with a worried expression. "What are you trying to say, AJ? Ponies always say I don't make a lot of sense but I think you're making less sense than I usually do!" "Rarity deserves someone better than me." Applejack stated flatly. "And if I ask her about this now she'll probably think I'm just after part of her fame n' fortune. She knows I work hard so I can support myself and the farm. I don't want her thinkin' I'm cozying up to her just to sort of....get stuff from her or somethin'. I ain't gonna ruin our friendship. She deserves a pony as successful in life as she is. Simple as that." Pinkie's eyes widened as Dash frowned. "You're kidding me right, AJ?" Dash growled. "You're top tier material. You're pro. You're just below me on the list of ponies most likely to be rad. Rarity would be lucky to have a special somepony as awesome as you." "Yeah Applejack just teeeellllll heeerrrrrr." Pinkie begged, waving her arms. "Y'all don't understand. I'm in this position cause I underestimated Rarity. Cause I don't understand Rarity." Applejack hung her head. "Goin' on this trip just reminds me of that. Look what Rare accomplished without our help. Without my help. She's got everything she always wanted. And as much as I like hanging out with her and bein' her friend, the truth o' the matter is....Rarity is a high-class mare. And I ain't. And I never will be. She's out of my league, hon." Pinkie and Dash fell silent as Applejack sighed and shook her head. "I know y'all think it'd be cute if we were a couple but....it couldn't work. Me and Rare got nothin' in common. She hates dirt, working in the sun, manual labor, and that's all I do all day. Rarity is smart, creative. Stuff I ain't. Stuff I'll never be. She's elite. She's a princess to me. And she deserves a prince. Someone who can treat her how she deserves to be treated. Give her the best things in life. Someone who can give her a castle to live in. Not a barn. Not an old apple orchard. Not a financially strugglin' rancher filly trying to keep her daddy's dyin' legacy alive. She deserves more than that. She's earned more than that. Y'all understand that right?" "Aw c'mon, AJ. You don't really believe she'd be unhappy with you...do ya?" Dash asked, feeling a twinge of agony for her friend. "My mind's made up, sugarcube." Applejack mumbled. "Sorry if I disappointed ya." "Applejack...you shouldn't think that way." Pinkie said softly, her large sky blue eyes shimmering. "I liked Dashie for a really really really long time and...I never said anything cause I was scared I would hold her back." "Which was a dumb idea." Dash replied with a snort, holding Pinkie close. "It was a dumb idea!" Pinkie buried her muzzle into Dash's neck with a happy whimper. "But I was so scared, I ended up trying to think of reasons not to do it. I let fear keep me from being happy and taking a risk. I was a big meanie to myself for so long. Don't do this to yourself AJ. I did it and it hurts a lot. Don't be like me." "Yeah, AJ. This doesn't sound like you. This is like...Fluttershy logic." Rainbow grinned at the thought. "This is like...that think Twilight mentioned once. Pizzamism or whatever when a pony only sees the bad side of things. You're a brave pony who kicks flank on a daily basis. You shouldn't be afraid of Rarity. Quit being so stubborn all the dang time." Applejack rolled her eyes. "It ain't fear. I ain't afraid of anything but lettin' my family an' hers get hurt. It's common sense. Rarity is like family to me. And I ain't gonna hurt her by askin' her to compromise her life to be with me. I'm sorry but I just can't do that." Applejack looked over at Dash and Pinkie, who both looked hurt. "Awww c'mon now. Don't gimme that look. You gals dont need to worry 'bout me. Things will go back to normal soon enough." "But what about YOU, AJ." Pinkie squeaked. "Don't you want to try? Try and find happiness?" "What makes ya think I ain't happy?" Applejack replied, giving the two a half-hearted wink. "My life is pretty swell, I think. And sure, I'd love if under different circumstances, I was qualified to win Rare's heart but...I ain't. And it's ok. I got everything else I could ever want. I got some bits now, I got a job that I love, and friends that I adore. I got you two rascals lookin' out for my best interests. I don't have a special somepony but....I got love and family." "Well what if Rarity asks YOU?" Dash asked. "Then what?" "I'd tell her the same thing I'm tellin' y'all. That a mare as special and kind as Rare shouldn't be with a lumpy vegetable like mah'self. She'll probably think I'm bein' stubborn like y'all do. And maybe I am but I have good reasons for it. I ain't stubborn cause I'm scared or proud. I'm stubborn cause...I'm in love with Rarity." "What a pile of bunk." Dash snorted with anger rolling her eyes. "I wish I could change your mind, AJ." Pinkie said softly. "I wish I could convince you that you're worth it." "You're a good friend, Pinkie. You too, Dash. But y'all don't need to be sad for me." Applejack stood up shakily, her legs wobbling slightly. "I'm gonna be ok. I really am. My life is full of blessin's." Applejack yawned loudly, wiping her nose with a hoof. "Now I don't wanna talk 'bout this no more. It's late, and I'm tired n' turnin' in." Applejack went back inside the building, leaving Pinkie and Dash outside on the lawn. The quiet din of crickets and echoes from the nightlife of the town, being carried by the wind over the grass, settled into the melancholy atmosphere. Pinkie sighed and leaned into Dash, hugging her marefriend close. Despite the painful wound in her leg, she was joyful with how this situation had turned out. To be in the arms of the pony she loved most. Pinkie would give anything to let everyone feel this way. The love that is, not the wound part. But it was impossible. And Applejack was so stubborn, Pinkie would never be able to convince her otherwise. "There's one problem with AJ's theory." Rainbow whispered to Pinkie. "If Rarity likes her, she won't take 'no' for an answer. She'll pester AJ until she goes out on a date with her." Pinkie giggled at the thought of Rarity finding a new way of annoying Applejack. "I hope so. But it's been so long already." "Guarantee it. If Rarity want's something bad enough, she'll find a way of getting it. We just have to hope she does. And I bet she does. She's just waiting for AJ to make the first move." "Well......" Pinkie mumbled, looking up at Dash's ruby eyes. "Rarity...did...tell me a secret....before she left...." "Are you gonna tell me what it is?" Dash asked, squinting her eyes in a serious expression. "NOPE!" Pinkie squeaked joyfully, giving Dash an affectionate bite on the ear. "I made a Pinkie promise! If I spoiled Rarity's secret it could ruin my friendship with her FOREEEEEVER! Which is a very very very very very very long time!" "Ok." Dash raised an eyebrow. "What if...I asked you questions about the secret....and you didn't directly tell me anything. Just simple yes and no sort of stuff." Pinkie nodded, looking unsure if she liked the sound of this. "So...biggest question right at the start...does Rarity's secret have something to do with how she feels about AJ? Just nod or shake your head, it's cool." Rainbow grinned mischievously as Pinkie nodded. "Cool. Awesome. Well that was my only question." "Awwwww....I like question games." Pinkie said sadly, her ears flattening against her head. "Well at least now I know I don't need to worry about AJ. But while that stubborn mule of a pony decides to sleep, I am still full of energy. You know, Pinks, I've always wanted to see what the nightlife in Canterlot was like. Must be pretty good if Luna likes it, right? Why don't you and me go downtown and have fun?" asked Dash, as she took to the air, flying in small circles. Pinkie's eyes widened. "OHHHHHHHH like a date? This would be our first date, Dashie!" "Yeah...I guess it would." Dash thought for a moment, scratching her chin. "All the more appropriate for it being here in Canterlot. The city of love, or some schmaltzy junk like that. I hear the food here is the best in Equestria at some bar the Wonderbolts hang out in. Wanna test that theory with me, Pinks?" "I doubt they could have food better than the food in Ponyville but...YES...I'd love to!" Pinkie shouted, leaping upward as Dash flew down and wrapped her forelegs around Pinkie's middle, causing the pink mare to giggle loudly as she was elevated into the sky. Together the two flew over the topiary on the lawn of the inn and were lost to sight, eager to spend a night on the town as a couple for the first time in their lives. ********************************************************** Sweetie-Belle passed by Applejack in the hallway, her floral pattern pajamas on with her sleeping bag draped across her back. Applejack grinned down at the little filly as she passed by, clearly ready for bed. "If you're hopin' for a slumber party, I should warn ya that Scootaloo and Applebloom are already tucked in, Sweetie." Sweetie's smile didn't falter as she heard this news, scurrying past, her rosy curls bouncing. "That's ok! I want to be near them when they wake up! I don't want to miss a moment of all the fun we're gonna have tomorrow!" Sweetie slowed down briefly as she scrunched up her snout. "Oh, Rarity had a message for you miss Applejack. She said that she finished fixing your hat!" "Well thank ya kindly for lettin' me know." Applejack watched the tiny white filly get to the doorway and leap to get her teeth around the nob to let herself in. Applejack sighed and ran her hoof through her mane. While she wasn't particularly in the mood for talking with any more ponies tonight, she really needed her hat. It was a hat she'd won at the fair back when she was very very young. It was one of her last memories of spending time with her parents. She'd always hoped to one day give it to her own daughter, if she were lucky enough to have any offspring. It was a pretty important relic and Applejack always tried to keep it around, sometimes even forgetting to take the hat off when she went to bed. After having it missing for quite a few hours while Rarity used her tailoring skills upon it, Applejack was eager to reunite with her headgear again. Even if it meant having another awkward conversation with Rarity before going to bed. She stood before the door to Rarity's personal quarters. A large white sign with words on both sides, currently displaying the quote "the genius is IN" to anyone coming to visit. Applejack took a deep breath and knocked eagerly on the door, the way she always had at Carousel Boutique. Four loud knocks and a soft one, something she did every time to help Rarity identify who it was, lest she prefer not to be disturbed by potential customers or strangers if she was busy or trying to take some time off. "Oh! Who is it? Applejack?" called Rarity's voice from somewhere on the other side of the door. "It's Applejack. Sweetie Belle said my hat's done so I figured I'd take it off yer hooves." There was a soft noise like that of fabric against fabric, a few clicks of hooves, and then the quiet knock of something wooden being struck. Like a small door closing or an object being dropped onto an old oak floor. A silence followed with an eventual quiet whistle, like that of tiny chimes. The kind of sound only the horn of a unicorn produces. The doorknob glowed a light periwinkle blue, the hue of Rarity's own power, as the door swung open. The seamstress walked forward, wiping her face with a small lacy kerchief, and smiling warmly at Applejack, nodding to let the farmer know it was fine to enter. "Come in! Come in! I was just...writing a little. Do wipe your hooves before you come in, Applejack. I know it's not my home but I've already put the poor housemaids here through so much this month as it is. I fear I may need to live a very large tip if I want to be welcomed here again. Or at least not find saliva in my food." The inside of the room was exactly what Applejack would have expected of Rarity's travels. Dress form dummies on wooden pedestals lay against the far wall, the scraps of unfinished or undesirable dresses still laying over them in tatters, pincushions filled with myriad pins atop these. Spools of string and skeins of yarn lay in heaps, hoof-sketched sewing patterns pinned to the walls and some even on the ceiling, covered in lots of little notes. Photography of orchids, precious stones, and rare minerals were pinned to a pegboard for inspiration in design. A folding cutting table sat several yards from the bed, with two sewing machines and a small drawloom on top, next to quite a few rolls of fabric. Some manufactured, but quite a few hemmed by Rarity herself. Under the table sat a briefcase filled with stitching awls, leaning against the treadle of one of the elder of the two sewing machines. Crochet and knitting needles sat in plastic bags, all labeled. Travel chests and cases sat open, their contents filled with darning mushrooms, folded fabrics, silk, and paperwork. Ready to be packed away and sent back to Rarity's home at the Carousel Boutique in Ponyville. Rarity wasn't a fan of dirt or dust, but one thing the unicorn certainly was not was tidy. Applejack felt her face break into a grin as she entered the room, the chaos and mess from all of the bits and bobs Rarity required to make her dresses as nice as possible all making the room seem like a colorful explosion of clothing. She shuffled her way past the mat where she'd wiped her hooves. "Sorry about the mess. With all that's happened today, my mind's been a bit elsewhere. Still need to pack quite a few things up for the trip back home, you see. I started sketching some new ideas for my fall line and before I knew it, it was night." The pearly white unicorn did look tired. Her lower eyelids were puffy, and the normally clear whites of her eyes were slightly pink. Applejack nodded politely, wondering if Rarity was going to continue. A short awkward silence followed before Rarity tilted her head in confusion. "Oh um...what was it you were here for again?" "My hat." "Yes yes that was it! I did repair your tattered chapeau....I just uh....hm..." Rarity turned this way and that, her eyes peering about the cluttered room. "Well I must have it in one of the other rooms. Do make yourself comfortable while I go fetch it, Applejack. I shouldn't be long. Feel free to have a drink if you want." Rarity haughtily made her way into the bathroom, annoyed with herself. "It's a sherry that Hoity Toity gave me to celebrate our partnership. I don't know if you're a fan of white wine. Or even wine in general, its a bit of an acquired taste, but it's pretty delectable, in my personal opinion." "Well shoot, Rare. Just cause I love apple cider don't mean I don't like other drinks." Applejack called back, though Rarity had already exited leaving Applejack talking to the air, and then to herself. "I 'spose I might as well have a lil' sip. I do like some sorts o' wine. Though they're usually apple wines." The bedside cabinet next to the bed had Rarity's beautifying equipment. The herbal supplements she used to keep her hair gleaming, the very pale blue mascara she often wore when she was out. Applejack had always thought Rarity looked fine without her makeup, but the unicorn had insisted on wearing it every day. A particularly large bottle of wine sat amongst all the tiny cosmetic bottles, clearly being the wine. The white label had a stitched pattern of thorny thickets on its outer edge, with "Palomino de Karabakh from the Canterlot Gardens" in fancy calligraphy etched on by some old quill. It was clearly a very fancy wine, and Applejack knew it. Best to let it stay as a gift for Rarity. A small sip would do. Who knows how rare this wine might be? It'd be impolite to drink a lot of it. With a pop of a cork, Applejack had filled a small glass with about two inches deep of the amber fluid. Applejack wrinkled her snout at the scent. It smelled of yeast and grapes, with a scent of rice. As she sat drinking, a glimmer caught her eye. The glow of the lamp on the dresser catching on something glass, reflecting and glinting in the darkness while peaking out from the drawer of the bedside cabinet. Applejack gave the drawer a prod with her hoof to shut it, surprised to see it shut then creak open ever further, clearly very loose on its rolling hinges. She brought her hoof forward again to shut it slowly, only to feel her breath catch in her throat as she looked inside at the glass that had caught her eye in the first place. A small pink pictureframe, with a glass front to protect the photo within. The same photo Applejack had seen months prior at Flax and Wheatgrass's farm, in Rarity's personal quarters. The photo of Applejack trying to make a sultry face, trying her best not to laugh, hours before the gang had all gone to the Grand Galloping Gala. The photo that had changed everything. "Me lookin' at me." the thoughts echoed around Applejack's head, haunting her like this image had done so for months. This was the same situation she had been in before. Never the brightest pony, Applejack's mind went haywire as the last few minutes of her life and the events around her suddenly made sense. The wood knock before she'd entered the room had been Rarity trying to close this broken drawer. She'd been wiping her face when she'd answered the door, and her eyes had seemed pink. True, Rarity seemed tired but, could it be possible she'd been crying? Why would she be crying while looking at this photo? As if to answer her question, a chill wind blew in from the open window, sending a shiver down Applejack's spine. She finished her drink, realizing she was going to need it, before slowly making her way to the window. Dreading she was going to see something that would ruin possibly everything. And so it was, Applejack's luck had run out, for as the mare stood at the window looking down to the grounds below, she realized Rarity's room was just above and a few feet to the right of the entrance of the Canterlot Bed & Breakfast Royale. The hoofprints of Pinkie, Rainbow, and Applejack still sat freshly in the soil of the pathway to the entrance. Rarity had heard everything. The entire conversation and confession. And she'd been crying over it. She'd been hurt. Applejack mumbled a few cursewords to herself. In her panic to keep her secret from her little sister, she'd unknowingly revealed it to the exact other pony who should never needed to hear it. The sound of clicking hooves echoing from the other room made the hairs of Applejack's neck stand up. She quickly shuffled from the window back over to the wine, pretending to read the label as Rarity entered. "Well?" Rarity asked softly as she peeked her head into the room. "What do you think of the wine? For being so old and special I think it tastes a little too sweet. Almost like those cheap wines they carry at rest stops. Though I must admit it certainly makes one tipsy very fast." "It's uh...real good Rarity." Applejack bluntly stated, not turning around entirely so as not to look Rarity in the face. "I'm not much of a fan of uh....white wine but it's pretty good stuff, this here." A cold sensation enveloped Applejack's neck, the quiet ethereal whistling of Rarity's magic swirling towards her as she was spun gently on the spot, facing the unicorn. Her hat hovered gently over her head, being placed down with little force, pushing Applejack's bangs into her eyes. She felt the empty glass fall from her hoof as the pleasant tingles of Rarity's magic pushed her hair away. Applejack swallowed, she knew she needed this to stop, for Rarity's sake. But she couldn't deny how happy it made her feel. How beautiful she felt as Rarity untied the old red ribbon Applejack tied her ponytail with, her blonde locks falling around her shoulders. She felt her eyelids droop, the back of her mind feeling warm and empty, leaning forward. Her nostrils filling with the scent of aloe. She glimpsed at Rarity who had a small smile on her face as she gently worked. A tiny sense of panic filled the farmer as she realized she was leaning toward Rarity, slowly drawing closer. It was enough to snap her out of the sensation. "Perfect." Rarity whispered as she finished toying with Applejack's golden mane. "Um!...so thank ya for fixin' my hat." Applejack mumbled, sitting back and feeling her face burn, wishing she could slap herself right there. "And thanks for the wine, Rare." "Oh....." Rarity's expression didn't change, but the luster in her eyes was gone. "Well you're very welcome as always, Applejack. You know all I want is for us all to look our best." "Yeah I know. Can I uh...have my ribbon back?" Rarity levitated the small red piece of cloth in from of her eyes, casting a critical glance at it. "Let me wash these first. You clearly haven't cleaned it in some time. Its coated in soot, soil, and sweat. I'll assume the other one is just as bad." Applejack felt a small tug on her tail, the red ribbon she used to keep her tail hairs bunched up, keeping them out of the way as she worked. The ribbon unraveled and hovered over to Rarity, joining its brother. The fussy unicorn sniffed a bit at them before giving Applejack a friendly nod, the luster going back into her eyes again. As if she'd just thought up of a clever idea. "It should only take me a moment or two to get these looking like silk again." Rarity chided. "You're in no rush, I hope?" "Well...n-naw not really I 'spose." Applejack mumbled. "Excellent. Have some more wine! Pour me a glass, too." Rarity winked, turning and leaving the room. "We can talk while these get washed." The long purple curls of Rarity's tail brushed lightly against the tip of Applejack's snout, flicking into her face as the unicorn turned quickly on her white cloven hooves, swiftly exiting the room again. Applejack sighed with annoyance. Now if she tried to leave she was going to look rude. Not that being rude was something Applejack was completely opposed to, but to her friends? Unthinkable. She growled a bit as she poured two more glasses of wine. She wasn't sure who she was more upset with. Rarity for tricking her into staying in this room or herself for flatly not saying YES and leaving for bed. Why hadn't she said yes? Was being near Rarity that intoxicating? No. Applejack would ask for the ribbons back in the morning and go to bed. Then she'd go back to Ponyville and everything would go back to normal. "Alright they're washing. So...." Rarity began as came back into the room. "Look, Rare, I can't stay here and drink with ya. I should..." Applejack looked away from the glasses towards her friend, shaking her head. But she stopped and stared as Rarity entered. While in the washroom, Rarity had quickly rinsed her hair. It made the meticulously perm curls of her deep blue and purple mane fall slack, strands of indigo waving wildly off her neck, nearly reaching the floor. It was an uncommon sight as Rarity generally tried to keep her hair in tip-top shape, the only times it becoming like this were when the poor unicorn was dropped into the sea or caught in a rainstorm. But something about her mane seeming so relaxed made her look so wild, so untamed, so different to the cleanly huffy mare she was so commonly known as. Any excuse Applejack had immediately fell from her immediate thoughts, her mind entranced. "Fine then." Rarity huffed. "If that's how you're going to be." Rarity eyes glistened with angry tears as she grabbed the two glasses of wine, downing them both and making a sour face. She turned and sat haughtily at the window, glowering into the night. Applejack stood wearily, watching Rarity's silent sulk. For a moment the sight of Rarity in such a state made Applejack want to sit down next to her, comfort her, and maybe apologize. But she'd already said her piece. She made her way to the door, ready to let herself out. This had gone as badly as possible. Applejack sauntered to the knob, her head hanging in a glum expression of defeat. But the familiar almost silent whistle tingled through the air again. Applejack's green eyes darted up to see the door being shut gently with a small cloud of periwinkle magic. She felt her stomach knot up as Rarity spoke. "No." "No?" Applejack asked, turning toward the form of her friend at the window. "What do ya mean, no?" "I mean...I'm not letting you leave until we talk. We've been apart for months, we're finally here together after you apparently missed me so much and now you're suddenly avoiding me." Rarity's voice trembled, nearly robbing Applejack of her fear of having this conversation. "And I know why." "I don't feel like talkin' I feel like layin' down. I'll buck this door down if I have to, see if I won't!" Rarity spun around, her eyebrows quivering in an expression of grief, small tears finally forming under her moist eyes. Willpower left the farm pony as she silently removed her hat and set it on the floor next to the door. The quiet clacking of her large sturdy earth pony hooves leaving a dull echo in the room as she made her way over to sit next to her friend. Feeling tense and nervous, Applejack sat still, trying to seem polite even though she felt like bolting. She expected Rarity to talk, say something, but time ticked by and Applejack realized Rarity probably didn't know how to start. How could she? This wasn't the sort of event a pony ever prepared for, and as the silence continued to drive a wedge between them, Rarity finally cleared her throat, taking a deep breath. "We've been apart for two months. Our little group of friends. You and I. Two months and I've been miserable. So have you. And now here we are....together again. But it's not the same is it? And now I know why. I finally know why." Rarity let out a long sigh as she slouched. "Rarity...do you mind if I ask you a question?" The unicorn nodded silently. "Why do you keep a photo of me by yer nightstand?" Rarity grinned briefly. "You've asked me this before. And I gave you my answer before." "I know ya did but....there's more to it than that, ain't there? I mean......of all our friends.....why me?" "I think Applejack, the better question would be....why NOT you?" Applejack sniffed, rubbing the back of her neck with a hoof. "I dunno. We ain't been friends real long....n' shoot you like hanging out with Fluttershy or Aloe more than you do me. Why not either of them?" "Because I don't feel safe around them." Rarity said simply, turning back to look out the window. "Because they don't save my life on a regular basis. Because they didn't help me learn to not be so selfish. Because they lack a certain roguish charm and casual beauty that I find so very attractive. Because they aren't who I yearn for at night, when I feel insecure and frightened." Applejack tilted her head slightly as she thought. "Here's a better question." Rarity continued. "Do you remember what I said to you when we first met? It was in the market a week or so after I'd moved in from Manehattan. Applebloom was barely able to talk and Pinkie introduced us." "Heh...yeah I remember....I think ya just wrinkled yer nose and said 'yuck'." Applejack chuckled at the memory, it had been so long ago. "Yuck." Rarity said sadly, looking out the window down at the hoofprints in the soil. "My first word to you was yuck. And ever since then, even after we became friends.....I was always trying to make you less...yuck. And I fear I've hurt you. Really truly hurt you. Slowly chipping away at your self-confidence." "I'm fine, Rare." Applejack mumbled, feeling a chill go down her spine. "You aren't. The Applejack I met that day...whom I know....would never think she wasn't good enough to love a pony. The Applejack I know doesn't care what other ponies think of her. She does what she pleases, often in a very stubborn way, and she believes in what's right. But there's one exception. The pony she loves. The pony who made her feel imperfect. The pony who called her yuck." Rarity choked as she spoke the last few words, wiping her eyes and shaking her head. "This is my fault." "What?! No...Rare....I like when ya fuss with my hair. I like when ya try to make me pretty. I mean...I know...I don't say nothin' or even thank ya as much as I should but....you always make me feel special." "I don't mean that. I know you enjoy that. I'm talking about the times I've said you were a careless brute. Or pretended like your work on the apple farm wasn't as important as helping me with something. Or as important as my job. Or when I've criticized your diction. Or how you speak to others. Or how you solve problems. These things have hurt you." "I ain't hurt." Applejack mumbled, her voice barely audible. "I was so shallow. So shallow." Rarity whispered. "All I wanted, ever since I was old enough to understand love, was a prince. Or a rich husband. All I cared about was myself. I nearly drove my own baby sister away with my carelessness. I nearly shattered my family with my selfishness. And even when I learned how I'd wronged her....I tried to improve the situation only to make MYSELF feel better. Some element of generosity, I am." "Don't say things like that, Rare." Applejack nervously placed a hoof on Rarity's shoulder, hoping to instill some sort of comfort. "You ain't shallow. You're not a shallow pony. You're one of the most giving ponies I know. Shoot...look at me....I can't even say things I wanna say. I couldn't muster up the courage to tell ya how much I care for ya. Some element of honesty I turned out to be." "And still even after our talk that night......the night before the Sisterhooves Social....when you taught me how to connect with my sister, I carried on with my foolish dream. Hoping one day to live like an aristocrat. To meet Mr.Right. Some stallion who was wealthy and handsome. Kind, brave, and honest who would sweep me off my hooves. But after spending so long in the Crystal Empire...and spending even more time here in Canterlot....I've realized I don't want that." "You don't?" "No. You said it yourself, Applejack. Beautiful things are better when they are a rarity." Rarity turned her head to Applejack, shifting to move closer to the blonde earth pony. "And you are a rarity, Applejack. You may not be wealthy or handsome, but you are beautiful. Inside and out. And you are kind and brave AND honest. And even when I was at my most selfish you've treated me with nothing but respect and fairness. Treated me like family. Me. The pony whose first word to you was yuck." Rarity leaned in, fluttering her eyelashes as she continued to close the gap between her and Applejack. "I'm the yucky one. I've pushed you away and now you can't even see how special you are. Maybe...I can make you see...." She was stopped by a soft pressure on her chest, glancing down to see Applejack's hoof slowly pushing her delicately away. "Rare...I....my mind's made up." Applejack snorted, getting to her hooves. "I love ya, Rare. I honestly do. And I'm sorry what I've put ya through tonight but...this is exactly why....I ain't no good. Not for you." "Stop it!" Rarity barked sternly, narrowing her eyes. "I will not hear any more of this nonsense. You are perfection, Applejack. It is not you who is out of my league, it is I who is out of yours if anything. I was a monster when we first met. But our friendship has changed me. You've changed me. You've made me a better pony. And....I'd like to give us a try. Because we both know something is there." Applejack's green eyes searched Rarity's face for a moment, then glanced at the door. Back to Rarity, then back once again to the door. She wasn't quite sure how to take this apology, or this proposal. This conversation was winding up quite the opposite of what she'd expected. Rarity noticed Applejack's uncertainty and smiled as she came up with an idea. "Part of you wants everything to go back to normal. Part of you wants to walk out of that door and pretend this never happened. But part of you wants to stay. Because part of you is like me. Part of you is tired of laying alone in bed at night. Part of you has found ways to bury your problems with work. Part of you is tired of feeling so single on Hearts n' Hooves day, finding new distractions and avoiding the prying eyes of others. But most importantly...part of you is tired of going home after a long day of work and feeling......just so...." "...lonely." Applejack rasped, feeling her body begin to tremble, her throat beginning to hurt as she dared herself not to cry. "Applejack....I want to convince you to stay. To stay here and be with me, even when we get back to Ponyville. And I think I know of a way." "A way to what?" "A way to change your mind. A way to make you feel like the goddess I know you are." Rarity's cheeky smile widened as Applejack looked at her, quizzically. "And how's that?" Applejack asked, the words barely out of her mouth before a small cloud of periwinkle magic surrounded her body. With a grunt she slid forward, propelled by Rarity's magic, and felt her lips lock together with Rarity's. Truth be told, Applejack had never been kissed before. And for that matter, she'd never had a kiss from a unicorn, lips infused with magic. She had no idea how it worked outside of seeing paintings of ponies kissing. Or the occasional film. For a moment, she panicked. This was the opposite of what tonight was supposed to be about. But that half-second of struggle was quickly diminished as realization set in. Applejack had her friend, Rarity Belle, possibly the most beautiful and talented pony in the country, kissing her. And telling her that she was amazing. And holding her as if her very life depended on it. She was in love with her friend, and her friend loved her back. Applejack let out a happy whinny as she reached her powerful forelegs around Rarity's torso and seized the unicorn in a happy bearhug, feeling tears of joy form in her eyes as Rarity nuzzled her lovingly, making fireworks of joy and elation crackle in Applejack's head. And as she sat there snuggling Rarity, and awkwardly kissing her every few moments or so, Applejack truly felt like this was what she should have been trying to do this whole time. "Pinkie was right I guess." Applejack muffled voice was hard to hear as she buried her snout into the soft dimple of Rarity's slender neck. "I was just....too scared to tell ya...how much I love ya. So I started finding reasons not to do it." "And I'm sorry I contributed to those reasons." Rarity cooed as she kissed Applejack's scruffy orange shoulder, listening with delight as Applejack nickered loudly. "I love you, Applejack." "n' I love you too, Rare." Applejack chuckled happily, feeling distracted as she heard the clinking of glasses. "What's that?" "Well....since this is our last night in Canterlot...." Rarity began, hovering Applejack's hat over and placing it onto her own head, followed shortly by two more glasses of wine. "And since soon we'll be home and no longer have a reason to drink our miseries away....." "Ah, I getcha." Applejack grinned, accepting the glass. "I'd love nothin' more than to spend my last night here with you, Rare." Again, they came together and kissed, Applejack still not sure how kissing worked, but more than content to let Rarity lead. The unicorn clearly had more practice and expertise on the matter, sending fiery sensations passing from the tip of Applejack's muzzle to the tip of her hooves. She squirmed as Rarity's dark violet tail twisting and wrapping around Applejack's own golden tail. Rarity laughed out loud as she watched Applejack's amusing faces as the farmer reacted to all the sudden affection she was receiving. Applejack made a mental note to tell Pinkie she had been correct all along. It always surprised her how wise the pink mare could be at times. But for now she was more than content to sit, feeling Rarity's soft silky coat alongside her own rugged orange fur, feeling happier then she had felt in a long time. So happy in fact, that neither of them heard the door open. And neither of them heard the small shuffling of tiny white fetlocks upon the floor. But they both knew the voice that spoke to them and broke them out of their embrace. "Rarity! Why are you kissing Miss Applejack?" Sweetie asked innocently from the doorway, her eyes wide. "OH MY GOODNESS." Rarity's jaw hung for a moment. "Well....Sweetie....you see...that is...well...um...Applejack?" "Uhhhhhhhh." Applejack froze, staring down at the tiny pony. "And why are you both so sweaty? And why are you both blushing? And why are you both so nervous? And...and...." Much like a child who finds their christmas present stashed somewhere in the house early, Sweetie Belle's eyes lit up as she gasped loudly. "Are you each other's special somepony?!" In a flurry of motion almost too quick for Applejack to see, Rarity had managed to huffily pick her little sister up by the soft scruff of her neck, carry her down the hallway, and plop the filly back into her sleeping bag. There were a few whispers followed by the closing of the door at the end of the hall, before Rarity came striding back in, looking frazzled. "Well. I shall have to have yet another talk with her about knocking before entering." Rarity let out a long breath trying to calm her nerves, grinning sheepishly at Applejack. "I do apologize." "Aww it's fine. No harm no foul." There was a awkward silence as Rarity and Applejack sat, not quite sure where to take the conversation. A yawn escaped Rarity, causing Applejack to wrinkle her snout in a grin at how cute the unicorn was, feeling a yawn bubbling up her in her own throat. But this sparked an idea in the farmer's head. "Say, Rare...for your last night in Canterlot....I was thinkin....." Applejack shifted a bit uncomfortably. "I know you don't like....experiencing nature firsthoof but....do you wanna sleep under the stars tonight? There's a mighty comfy-lookin' hill just a bit to the east of this here shack. I mean...if that sounds too itchy or somethin' I'd understand I just-" She was silenced by a gentle cloven hoof pressed against her lips. Rarity smiled as she withdrew her hoof, nodding. "I'd love to."