Celestia's golden sun shone high in the skies, casting Sweet Apple Acres in a beautiful light. Applejack and Big Mac had just finished up their chores for the day, so they decided to head home..
"Woo-Wee! Glad that's done, aren't you Mac?" Applejack exclaimed.
"Eeyep," Big Mac casually responded. After hours of hard work they had finally bucked all the apples in the south field.
"So got any plans for the rest of your day Big Mac?" Applejack asked as they walked back to the farm.
"Hmm, nnope." Big Mac replied.
"Really now? Ah thought Cheerilee might stop by. Ya know your schmoope poo," AJ teased.
Big Mac immediately reddened and huffed out a, "Nope!" Meanwhile Applejack was nearly busting out laughing at her brother's embarrassment.
"Oh come on, Mac! Ya were distracted the entire time we were working today and ah know it was her, ya were thinking of. In all seriousness why don't ya go see her Mac. You two obviously hit it off, and ya need to learn to relax more. What do ya say?" Applejack sincerely asked.
"Ah'll think about it," he mumbled but with a smile, "thanks AJ."
And with that he was gone.
'Well might as well head into town and see what everypony's up to,'
Applejack thought to herself. And with one last look at her handiwork on the orchard she turned and trotted off to town.
It was a beautiful day out, the birds were chirping and the wind was blowing just right.
Hmm... Might as well get something to eat? AJ thought to herself. I'll just get a daffodil sandwich, ah guess
As she walked off to the sandwich stand however the wind picked up suddenly and before she even had a chance to react, her beloved hat was swept up in the breeze and carried off.
"My hat!" She screamed as she tore off after it. Applejack chased the hat left and right, and in and out of alleys. But AJ was far to focused on the hat to notice it was heading for Carousel Boutique and the purple maned, white unicorn directly in her path.
Meanwhile at the Carousel Boutique..
"Ah! Now what is a mare to do with herself the rest of this glorious day," she thought aloud.
As she stepped outside she continued,
'Why I could meet up with Twilight or go to Sugar Cube Corner,' but she quickly shivered at the idea of having to read or being exposed to so much "Pinkieness" at this particular hour. 'And Fluttershy is out with Rainbow at the Butterfly Migration. I must ask how in the world she convinced Rainbow to go with her again by the way, I have no idea. Applejack it is then, we really haven't talked in ages...
"Wait is that Applejack's hat, " she said as she saw the familiar stetson blowing away. "Why I wonder where she...," Rarity tried to say as an orange blur sent her flying into her boutique and knocking everything down inside.
"Ow! My head," Applejack whimpered, "what did ah hit?"
"I believe that would be me darling," she heard a very annoyed, with a hint of worried, voice ring out across the store. That's when AJ saw Rarity lying underneath a mountain of clothes, accidentally wearing her trademark stetson. She was incredibly beautiful, that's not her opinion either. Everypony thought so.
"Oh my gosh, Ah'm so sorry sugarcube," AJ said as she offered a hoof to Rarity. Gladly accepting it she pulled herself up as she said
"Oh it's quite alright darling, no harm do...." However after a quick sweep of her now filthy boutique she corrected,
"Well only minor harm done."
As a blush spread across Applejack's face, she said,
"Ah'll clean it up, real fast"
"No need dear, this can be fixed easily. Besides I had just finished my work and was hoping to do something more fun. I was actually on my way to see you before we well... ran in to each other."
"Ya were?" AJ asked, "Well are ya sure ya don't want me to clean this up."
"Darling don't worry about it, now if you don't mind let's go do something fun, if you're not busy that is," Rarity said as she magically put the boutique back together again.
"Eh... Ok, sure. Ah do kinda owe ya now, and Ah have nothing planned anyway. So what do ya want to do?"
Applejack asked.
"Hmm... How about lunch?" Rarity suggested.
"Sounds good, Ah'm starved. But are you really sure you don't want me to pick up, Ah feel bad for wrecking your place," Applejack explained.
"No don't feel bad it's quite alright. Honestly it's a quick fix darling, however are you sure you don't mind accompanying me to a lunch. I would hate to inconvenience you."
"Nah it's fine sugarcube, where we going anyhow?" AJ asked.
"How about Sugar Cube Corner?"
Rarity suggested.
"Sure thing," Applejack said.
'Hopefully Pinkie will be less wild today' Rarity thought to herself.
"Ready?" Applejack gestured towards the door.
"Sure and thank so you much for joining me darling. I greatly appreciate it," Rarity said.
"Aw shucks, I don't mind at all sugarcube," AJ said as she started walking.
After a quick walk to Sugar Cube Corner and a nice lunch later.
"Oh I couldn't eat another bite," Rarity exclaimed dramatically.
"I know how ya feel! That was delicious, Pinkie's really outdone herself this time." Applejack agreed as she reached to long road back to the farm.
"Well this is my stop." Though AJ didn't really want to leave, she was having way to much fun.
"Oh I suppose it is," Rarity said saddened her fun was over.
"Hey Rares, Ah'm not really tired yet. So ah was thinking if your not either would ya want to come back and enjoy some cider with me. We just made a few barrels, trying to see if the apples are good enough." AJ asked.
"Who would I be to deny such fine cider? Of course I'll join you, darling." Rarity said excited.
"Yeehaw, well how about we make this more interesting? I'll race you back!" Applejack exclaimed.
"Now normally I would not indulge in such a act, that's more Rainbow's speed, but since I'm feeling a bit competitive today... You. Are. On. Sister!" Rarity said with a determined look on her face.
"Whatever you say Rares. Now don't be to upset when you lose," Applejack said as she stretched.
"Oh this fashionista may surprise you, yet 'sugar cube'."Rarity teased back.
"We'll just see about that! On three, 'darling'.
One.... Two.... Three!"AJ exclaimed.
Applejack and Rarity gleefully ran towards Sweet Apple Acres playfully pushing each other.
"I thought a 'lady' didn't act like this," Applejack yelled over the wind.
"A lady is allowed to indulge in such antics every once in a while," Rarity retorted back in a mock sophisticated voice, but soon started a fit of giggling.
"Applejack who is that colt locking lips with Applebloom?" Rarity asked.
"Oh Hayseeds No! Wait a minute, Ah don't see her. Rarity where is sh...." Applejack then noticed Rarity still running but bursting out laughing. "Now that's just unfair," Applejack said with a smile, " Get back here you!" The two mares chased each other the rest of the way back until they crossed over onto Sweet Apple Acres when Rarity said,
"Haha! And the fashionista takes the victory!"
"Yea, yea whatevah ya say.... cheater," Applejack playfully replied.
"It wasn't cheating, it was strategy," Rarity replied with a huff.
"Strategy my rear," Applejack mock grumbled. "Good race though, you're faster than you seem."
"Why thank you darling, it's good to know my stamina is just as good as my filly days," Rarity said. "Now where is the famous cider I was told about."
"It's in the barn, just follow me," Applejack said as she started walking towards the barn. The two mares walked inside, Rarity took a seat while AJ went to grab a barrel of cider.
'Though rustic, this place is quite charming," Rarity thought as she took in the scenery. "However it could use a new coat of paint.... And some new floors... And lace, it was in this season.'
"Fresh barrel of cider coming up!" Applejack exclaimed as she hauled one from their storage tank. "This is the kind for adults only though, the good stuff," she added.
"Fine by me dear," Rarity said as she grabbed a cup, "Cheers!" Applejack poured the cider in Rarity's cup and then poured herself one.
"Cheers!" Applejack responded.
1 cup later...
"Ya know Rarity, I just wanted to apologize again." Applejack said after their first cup.
Rarity poured then both another glass then said,
"Whatever do you mean Applejack? You have nothing to be sorry for."
"Oh but I do, I still feel just terrible about the whole Trenderhoof thing.
Ah... Uh... Ah'm sorry it didn't work out, Ah mean he musta been crazy to not go out with ya. Ah mean you're the most beautiful mare in town and Ah'm just a simple earth pony."
"Ah... Him. Well I won't pretend I'm completely over my.... crush, but I like to think I've moved on for the most part, so you have nothing to be sorry for. Second, never belittle yourself Applejack, you are gorgeous in your own right." Rarity said and then added with a growing blush, "Oh, and thank you for the compliment."
Applejack's face reddened as she replied,
"Hehe... You're welcome sugar cube. Thank you for calling me gorgeous."
"Oh well, yes of course dear." Rarity said quickly, failing to hide blush.
After a minute of awkward silence Applejack said,
"So have you uh.... met anyone else.... that you like Ah mean."
"Sadly no, I have not. I've been taking a bit of a break. The last two colts I've liked, Blueblood and Trenderhoof, obviously were complete failures so I thought I would really think about what I like in a special somepony before I seek one out."
"Come to any conclusions yet?" Applejack asked.
"Somewhat, yes. I've decided... they must be kind, that's important. But they must also be hard working, caring, and honest; but that's all I have so far." Rarity answered.
"Well all those traits seem very reasonable... and like you," Applejack said.
"Oh..." Rarity blushed, "Thank you for that compliment as well Applejack."
Applejack, realizing what all she called her friend, blushed as well and said,"Oh yea.... Yer welcome." However after thinking about it AJ really did think all these things of her Unicorn friend. Ever since the sleepover at Twilight's place, she knew she felt something for Rarity, beyond friendship. She never mentioned it though, to afraid of the possible rejection. So she just ignored her feelings, but they kept popping back up and emotion and cider was a bad mix. Doesn't help she's so darn beautiful, Applejack thought. Wait! Did I just call her beautiful again? Oh pony feathers I'm gonna be in trouble if Ah can't get my feelings locked down. Ah thought Ah shook these feelings a while ago, but darn it she's just to cute. Just relax AJ and calm down, these feelings will go away again.
"So how about you Darling? What do you look for in a special somepony" Rarity asked.
"Well Ah guess it's similar to yours, truthfully. Have to be a hardworker, honesty is obviously important to me, and they have to be loving. That's all Ah really need anyway." Applejack responded.
"So any luck in finding a special somepony who fits the bill?" Rarity questioned.
"Kinda," Applejack said,"but Ah'm still not quite sure yet."
"Ooh! Darling you simply must tell me who it is," Rarity said excitedly.
'Oh pony feathers did Ah just say that out loud,' Applejack thought, alright just think of something to say without revealing who you were actually talking about.'
"Uh...what now," Applejack said.
'Smooth AJ, real smooth.' Applejack thought angrily.
"Oh come on, don't be shy dear. We're best friends you can tell me who your crush is. Here let's start it off with a basic question, colt or mare?" Rarity asked.
"Uh well, mare," Applejack said a bit embarrassed.
"Darling don't be embarrassed, it's hardly taboo for a pony to be a fillyfooler. I mean the colt to mare ratio is ghastly low in Equestria, practically everypony goes both ways. I do," Rarity admitted.
"Ya do? Well that's comforting, at least. She's um... very pretty, gorgeous even. Hardworking like me and kind to the core, as well. She's also extremely gen... nice to every single pony she meets." Applejack cautiously said.
"Well she sounds positively delightful!" Rarity exclaimed. "Do I know her?"
"Ah'd say you've probably met her a few times." Applejack stated.
"Oh you must tell me, this guessing is killing me darling," Rarity complained.
"Ah'm not sure that would be the best idea Rares," Applejack said.
"Please, please, please, pleeeeease!" Rarity begged. "I know I'm a bit of a gossip dear, but you can always trust me."
"Ah trust ya Rares, Ah'm just scared of what you'll think of me." Applejack confessed.
"Darling why would I think any less of you, that's just silly. I would fully support you, no matter what you do. We are friends after all." Rarity simply said.
"Cause it's you, Rares! Ok, Ah'm in love with ya, and Ah have been for a long time, ever since the sleepover at Twilight's. Oh no! Did Ah really just say that? Ah...Ah...Ah'm sorry Rarity," Applejack said as she ran out of the barn with tears in her eyes.
Silence descended upon the barn after that, not even a mice was heard. Rarity was too shocked to say anything for the longest time, but eventually managed to sadly say,
"But Applejack... I feel the same."