//------------------------------// // Can't Say // Story: Blooming Fabulous // by Pirate //------------------------------// Can’t Say As Apple Bloom tilled the field, her mind was in turmoil. Big Mac had once told her that the reason he liked to till the fields was that it gave him a chance to be alone with his thoughts. And this was the same reason she hated it. Whenever she had time to think, her mind kept coming back to the same thoughts, over and over again. It had started as a wondering a few months ago. When Twist had gotten engaged, she slowly found herself wondering if she’d ever find her own special somepony. After all, Big Mac had settled down with Miss Cheerlilee. Maybe Applejack would start looking soon. Yet throughout her teenage years up till now, Apple Bloom couldn’t ever remember being interested in any colt that way. And when she did try and force herself to look for somepony, she had noticed it. She had noticed that her eyes would eventually end up looking over the mares, not the stallions. For weeks, she had forced herself to look for a stallion she could picture herself with, but time and time again, she ended up back at the fairer sex. More specifically, one mare in particular. While normally that would be no issue, especially not in such a progressive town like Ponyville, it did present a problem for Apple Bloom. The Apple family were a traditional family. They married mare and stallion, and they always tried to keep it mostly Earth Ponies. It wasn’t that they were against inter-tribal marriage. Apple Bloom had a few cousins that were Pegasus or Unicorn. She also remembered that during family photos, they’d had to cover up their horns. It was just unsettling, seeing the way some of her family considered an Apple from the other tribes less of a family member. And she had an Uncle who had a taste for stallions in armour, but the first time she had heard this, as a little filly she wanted to go over and ask him what this meant, but Applejack and Macintosh had steered her away. The pressure was still there, to marry an Earth Pony and raise up more little Earth Pony colts and fillies for the clan. It was the done thing. So imagine how hard it would be to admit to all of your extended family that not only did you want to get married to another mare, but one that wasn’t even an Earth Pony. As far as she could tell, no Apple had ever done this. Fallen for both the wrong sex and the wrong clan, well, in their eyes. Or maybe they had, and they were expelled from the Apple family tree? She wasn’t sure. Maybe she should just count herself lucky she had fallen for a pony at all! Imagine the looks on their faces if she brought a Donkey or a Gryphon home. As the sun set and Apple Bloom finished her work, she steeled herself. She was going to do it this time. She would wait till Big Mac and Applejack were inside, then she’d admit she was a filly fooler. Cheerilee was likely out of school by now, and if Apple Bloom came out, she was sure at least her former teacher turned sister-in-law would support her. So Big Mac would come round to it eventually. Then there was AJ …. As she entered the farm house, Applebloom felt like her throat was clamming up. She found her footsteps getting shorter and shorter, as if she was trying to prolong how long she could remain outside. They were all sitting at the table, not looking her way. Maybe she could just not say anything until they were looking over here. Could she really do it this time? Could she come clean? Apple Bloom took a deep breath, then tried just spitting it out it out. “Ahm ah f..” “Hey Applebloom, ah need a favour” interrupted her sister. Apple Bloom faltered. It wasn't like AJ to go around just interrupting. Then she realised that she had probably been so quiet that Applejack never even noticed her talking. Apple Bloom’s face fell. She had missed her chance. She couldn't do it now. Applejack turned round to face her little sister, with her hat in her hooves. “Ah tore my Stetson while working the fields. You mind running it on over to Carousel Boutique for me?” Apple Bloom nearly choked. “Huh, me?” she asked, a flutter in her voice. Luckily it seemed nopony noticed. She was just glad she had finished working. Looking at her, they’d assume the reason she was sweating so much right now was due to the heat. “But ahm all dirty. Ah’ve not even had a shower yet.” “Yeah, but ah’m meeting Fluttershy to go give the vampire fruit bats their annual check-up, and Big Mac and Cheerilee have an appointment. ‘Sides, we have a couple extra bits left over from the harvest. Ah was thinking maybe you could pick yourself up a new bow. Your old one is looking a little long in the tooth.” Oh great, another reason why she didn't want to go now. She couldn't show up covered in dirt AND with a messy ribbon. Cheerliee leaned forward. “Sorry Apple Bloom. I’d offer to do it, but we’re seeing the doctor today. Since we were going to start trying to start our family soon, we booked a check-up to make sure everything is okay with the both of us.” Apple Bloom slumped down, defeated. She couldn’t argue with that. She knew how much this meant to them both. “Okay, but can ah at least wash my hooves? You know what’ll happen if I drag any mud in there.” Applejack chuckled. “Yeah, true enough. Rarity’d tan yer hide and bend yer ear right proper for that.” “Eyup” agreed Big Mac. Applejack rustled her sister’s hair and handed her the hat as she moved past her to the door. “Thanks. I’ll meet y’all back here tonight for dinner. Fresh apple pie and cream tonight. And ah expect y’all back by 6. Don’t get too distracted just cos you’ll see Sweetie Belle.” “Right … Sweetie Belle” muttered Apple Bloom, shaking her head as she dashed into the kitchen to quickly wash her face and hooves. Once her coat was spotless she gave her mane a quick brush as she looked in the mirror. Applejack was right. This bow was getting a bit raggedy. Not wanting to show up to Carousel Boutique looking like something Opal had dragged in, she took it off. “Here Granny, can you watch this for me?” she asked, tossing it onto the kitchen table before grabbing AJ’s Stetson and running out the door. “KayThanksBye” Not wanting to be stuck in her own head again, Apple Bloom had quickly flagged down fellow ex-Cutie Mark Crusader Scootaloo for a lift. When the trio had gotten their cutie marks years ago, Scootaloo had decided to put her scooter skills to good use, and she had become the local town taxi, with a rickshaw tied to the back of her scooter, taking people where they needed to go and fast, just like she used to do with Applebloom and Sweetie Belle. As she got close, Apple Bloom heard Scootaloo whistle. “Hey, you got your hair loose. Lookin’ good. You trying to catch the boys eyes, looking like that?” “No, don’t be… of course not” protested Apple Bloom as she climbed into the back of the rickshaw. “Ah’m heading to Rarity’s to buy a new bow, and get Applejack’s hat fixed.” Scootaloo frowned as she buzzed her little wings, the cab speeding off. “Aww, shame. I was hoping maybe you and Sweetie wanted to go out tonight. Apparently there is this hot new club in Canterlot opening, and it’s run by an ex-Wonderbolt. Dash got me some tickets, and I was hoping we’d go out Crusading for some dates tonight. It’s been ages since the three of us have got together.” Indeed it had. Even since Apple Bloom’s revelation about herself, she’d felt uncomfortable around Sweetie. She’d tried her best to hide it, but of course Scoots had picked up on it. “Sorry, I have a family dinner tonight, and I’m just not up for clubbing tonight.” It looked like Scootaloo was going to say something, but thought better of it. The rest of the ride went on in uncomfortable silence. As Scootaloo helped Apple Bloom out the rickshaw, she placed a hoof on the farm pony’s shoulder. “Look. I know I’m not the best when it comes to stuff to do with feelings, but if you need to talk about something, I’m here for you, ok? Day or night, whatever it is, you want to get something off your chest, just come to me.” Apple Bloom felt comforted by that. “Thanks. I may take you up on that. I know I’ve been a bit distant lately. I’m just ….” She couldn’t finish. She couldn’t even tell Scootaloo, one of her closest friends who she had known for years. Apple Bloom felt pathetic. “It’s ok.” Scoots gave her a nudge on the chin and a wink. “Don’t force yourself. When you need me, I’ll be there. And the offer for tonight is still open!” Scootaloo suddenly found herself in an embrace, as Apple Bloom hugged her. “I know. Thanks.” Eventually they broke apart, and Scootaloo zipped off to find another fare, leaving Scootaloo to walk the rest of the path up to Carousel Boutique. As she got close, her knees nearly failed her. She briefly considered turning and running, but another part of her wanted to rush over. It was funny how sometimes the people you want to see the most are the hardest to face. Apple Bloom heard the little bell tingle as she pushed open the door and entered Carousel Boutique. She smiled as she came face to face with the object of her affections. “Hello, and welcome to Carousel Boutique where every garment is chic, unique and magnifique! Oh, it’s you Apple Bloom darling! How are things?” said Rarity, the Element of Generosity and most beautiful pony in Ponyville.