//------------------------------//
// A sudden realisation 
// Story: Appledash 
// by pegasister16 
//------------------------------//

Chapter 1.)

It was an Autumn day in Ponyville and Rainbow Dash trotted through the town with a smile. Everypony she met greeted her warmly. She saw many of her friends pass her by, yet none of them seemed to interest her. No, today she had her heart set on one pony- Applejack. 
She quickened her pace as she thought about Applejack. The more she thought about the golden coated mare, with her soft blonde mane and cute Stetson hat, the more she wanted to be near her. She couldn’t understand why she was suddenly having these feelings towards her friend. Sure, they were close, very close, but she was never THAT desperate to see her. 
Feelings aside though, she was still happy to see any of her friends, so she hurried on down to Sweet Apple Acres. 

Meanwhile, Applejack was busy towing the last cartful of apples into the barn. Winter was coming and there were few good apples left. If they wanted to make any profit over the next few months before winter wrap up they’d need to collect as many Apples to sell as possible. Each cart had natural preservatives sprayed on them using the secret apple family recipe so that they would last longer.

“There we are! Ah reckon that’s about a whole barn full there!” 
Applejack smiled to herself. Winter was the season of warm apple pies and pastries- they usually went down well with the pony folk.

All of a sudden, there was a flash of colour behind her, and out of nowhere stood Rainbow dash. Applejack spun round quickly. 

“Oh hey Rainbow dash! Ah didn’t see you there! Is there anythin’ ah can help you with?”

“Hey Applejack!” Rainbow smiled, feeling almost excited being in the very presence of Applejack, “I was just wondering… umm… is there anything I can help you with…?”

“Oh, well, ah was jus’ about to take off actually. But if you like, you can come with me an’ maybe help me buck a few extra apples?”

“Haha, that’s what you call ‘taking off’?!... I mean… uh… sounds great, sure!” Dash said, realizing that teasing might not be the best approach with this mare.

They walked slowly together up to the Apple family orchard. Applejack chatted away to Rainbow Dash about the history of the orchard. 
“This here apple orchard, all 10 acres, has been in mah family for, ah reckon, nearly 3 centuries! Mah Gran’pappy had it, and his gran’pappy, and his…” 
Rainbow Dash listened intently to every single word Applejack said. Gazing into her emerald green eyes as she spoke. Normally, this sort of thing bored her, but today, something was different. Talking to this beautiful mare, all by herself, she liked it. And then it hit her. She had a crush on Applejack.