//------------------------------// // Not That Kind of a "Social" // Story: Appledashery // by Just Essay //------------------------------// The ground switched from dirt road to springy grass beneath me as the three of us shuffled along. “Eeungh!” A dainty voice to my right whined. “Honestly, m-must they place the stands so terribly close to the pig pen? And why are there no awnings? I was promised awnings! Ohhhh... I will positively melt in this deplorable heat!” “Rarityyyyyyyyy!” Sweetie Belle's voice sounded off from my left. “You're embarrassing meeeeee! Stop complaining about everything!” “Well, if only everything would stop giving me things to complain about!” “None of the other sisters are whining! Why can't we be like them?” “What, and dress so unfashionably and... plainly? Ungh! Look at everypony! Not a single one has thought to bring a sash or a parisol! I do believe this engagement is called a 'Social.' One would think that such a thing carries an air of sophistication, hmmm?” “Could you just relax, please? We came here to have fun. Remember fun?” “Yes, and I also remember humidity and sun stroke. That doesn't necessarily mean I have to experience all at once.” “Ugh... for the love of Celestia...” Sweetie Belle sighed. Nevertheless, she took the time to glance my way and smile. “Thanks for coming along, Scootaloo. Seriously, you're a life saver.” “Oh! H-hey!” I looked back at her with a crooked smile. “Having the time of my life over here!” “Really?” Sweetie blinked, then squee'd. “That's so great!” her voice cracked. “And here I thought my sister's whining was just making you miserable to be here!” I rolled my eyes and looked across the farm. I saw older and younger ponies gathered in pairs, signing up for the competitions to come later. “Looks like they're still signing ponies in to do the obstacle courses.” “You hear that, Rarity?! Doesn't that sound so cool?” “Sweetie Belle, we've been over this. I'm only here to provide moral support.” “Awwwwwwwww...” Sweetie stamped a hoof. “But can't we just do one competition?” “Nay, Sweetie Belle. I'm risking perspiration just by being here.” “Oooh! How about the watermelon eating competition? I bet you wouldn't sweat doing that!” “Eeeuuu-ewww! How uncouth! Just to think! Making a gluttonous display of myself before everypony! It's positively revolting—” “Hey...” I pointed towards a tent where the twins from the Ponyville Day Spa were gathered. “Looks like there's a sponsored beauty contest going on.” “A...” Rarity's eyelashes batted. “A beauty contest?” She anxiously bit on the end of her hoof. “Hmmmm... that d-does sound... quite enticing actually.” “Oooh! Ooooh!” Sweetie Belle hopped up and down. “We should totally enter!” “Well...” “Oh please? Please please please please pleeeeeeeeease?” “A beauty contest?” I tried not to vomit all over myself. “Seriously, though?” “Seems that they're going for matching ensembles,” Rarity said. “Ah, I see. So it is one of the competitions that they have planned for today.” “Right! And I brought my favorite sister along!” Sweetie Belle squeaked. Rarity laughed airily and patted Sweetie's head. “Also your only sister, darling.” “Eugh...” I groaned. “Count me out.” “Oh, Scootaloo, where are my manners?” Rarity smiled my way. “You and Apple Bloom had plans of meeting up and being—how did you put it—'sisters for a day,' yes?” “Eh... I guess...” “We should arrange that before anything else. It's only fitting.” “Nah, it's alright.” I sighed and glanced up at the sky. “Really. I-I just came here for 'moral support' too. I knew I wasn't cut out for this stuff today. I mean... I haven't got a sister—” FWOOOSH! Something bright and blue rocketed its way across the sky. My eyes twitched. All around me, ponies and their filly siblings gasped. “Whoahhhhhhh!” “Didja see that?!” “That's so awesome!” “Of course it's awesome! It's Rainbow Dash!” “Rainbow Dash is h-here?!” “Yeah! Look at her move!” “Wow! That can only be her!” “Woohooo!” “You rock, Rainbow Dash!” A body corkscrewed overhead, knocking loose the clouds and sending sparkling mists scattering across the morning sunlight with intermittent prism beams. Time slowed as the acrobatic flier in question spun about with a devilish smirk, saluting with a bright blue hoof. I felt my blood freeze and melt all in one second. My feathertips flapped and I stood on the edges of my hooves. “No... friggin'... way...” I grinned so hard, my jaw nearly popped. “She's here! She's really, really here!” “Eeyup!” Applejack trotted up, along with Apple Bloom. “Ain't a gorgeous day unless Rainbow here kicks it clear!” The air thundered from Rainbow's soaring wings as Applejack tilted her hat and smirked at us. “Howdy, Sweetie Belle! Howdy, Scootaloo! Howdy...” She blinked, then squinted. “...Rarity?” “Ahem. Blessed morning to you too, Applejack.” “Uhhhh...” “Why do you look so surprised?” “I dunno. Reckon I ain't used to seein' yer coat reflect natural sunlight.” “Hmmmph. Be as jocular as you want, Applejack.” Rarity stretched a hoof around Sweetie Belle. “But I'm simply here to do what older sisters do best.” “Oh, right! Heh... I ain't harpin' on that at all! No siree!” “And... uhm... on a completely unrelated note...” Rarity smiled awkwardly with glistening eyes. “Is it too late to enter the beauty contest?” “Rarityyyyy,” Sweetie belle moaned, rolling her eyes. “Heheh... Not at all.” Applejack motioned along. “Come this way. Aloe and Lotus are just gettin' things set up!” Rarity tried her futile best to contain a squeal as she dragged Sweetie Belle with her. In the meantime, I sat where I was, staring up at the sky with a stupid smile. I was only vaguely aware of Apple Bloom's drawling voice. “Didja hear me, Scootaloo?” “Hmmm? Huh? What?” I turned to blink at her. “We'd better get a'goin' to the competition sign-ups if we wanna take part in any of the events!” she said with a bright smile. “There's still four or six slots left on the Big Race!” “Uhhh... Yeah! Yeah, we should totally sign up!” “Then what are ya waitin' for?!” Apple Bloom galloped away. “Follow me!” “Yeah! S-sure thing!” I lingered... then lingered some more. I felt a flushed heat to my cheeks as I gazed proudly at the swaths being sliced through the clouds overhead. “So... friggin'... awesome...” In a happy breath, I turned and scampered after Apple Bloom. I felt suddenly like I could gallop fifty miles in a blink.