//------------------------------// // Chapter One: Firing On All Cylinders? Eh? // Story: Is Love Really Like This? // by Secondhand Brony //------------------------------// Applejack slept soundly beside Rainbow Dash, they had both decided that today was the day to announce their wedding. Bright light entered the room through an open window, glaring over Rainbow’s eyelids, causing them to twitch and perk open. She squirmed around in bed, unable to stop thinking about tying the knot with Applejack. She absolutely loved everything about her, from her undeniably inspiring personality to her almost emerald green eyes. She shot up bouncing back on the bed. She quickly placed her hooves atop Applejack’s right side, and jabbed lightly. Applejack's head jerked up and down, her eyes flung open. “Rainbow Dash!” Applejack cried out. “Applejack! It’s today! I can’t believe it! It’s today!” Rainbow shouted, ignoring Applejack’s yelp. “What’s today?!” Applejack growled, trying to push Rainbow off. Rainbow, now not overwhelmed by the excitement, noticed she could’ve been hurting Applejack. “I’m so so sorry AJ, forgive me?” Rainbow’s eyes watered and glistened. Applejack almost died trying to resist her puppy dog eyes. “Well, ain’t you just a cutie.” Applejack smirked. Rainbow’s cheeks lit up bright pink. “Is somepony blushing?” Applejack giggled. Rainbow’s bright pink color vanished, as she spoke, "Applejack, I'm really, really looking forward to telling them about this wedding.” “I understand Rainbow, I’ma head in the shower real quick, maybe I’ll make some hay sandwiches for later?” Applejack asked as she sat up, and got out of bed. Rainbow sat up, and yawned, ”Yeah, that’d be just fine.” Applejack lifted off the bed, now on all fours. She took one step forwards, only to nearly fall over. Rainbow slipped her slippers on, yawned and stretched her arms out. While Applejack walked toward the closet, grabbed a towel with her teeth and tossed it in the bathroom. “I’ll be out in about...let’s say, 10 minutes.” She called out, stepping into the shower. Rainbow tried to push herself up, but plopped right back down on the bed. She tried again and failed again, letting out a sigh. My god… she took some time to just stop and think for a moment. I can’t believe it. I’m getting married. To Her… Don’t mess this up, Rainbow! Finally. Finally. “Erm, Rainbow, you alright there? You seem to be dozing off there.” AJ poked her head out of the shower. “Just fine.” Rainbow nodded. She hopped up out of bed and started walking towards the kitchen. “Hmph. Well since I have some free time why not get the hay and bread out?” She asked herself, opening the cabinet. Applejack stepped in under the shower head; letting the pouring water flow on and down her hair and body. She just sat there blankly for a moment, the water on her coat was a great sensation. She sighed worrisomely,”What will our friends think about this? What will Granny think? Or maybe she knows but just is acting like she has no idea. What will they think about me marrying another mare… especially since it’s one of their best friends.” Continuous questions flowed in and out of her head. Suddenly, she was interrupted by knocking on the shower door. Rainbow’s voice could be heard saying,”Yo, AJ, it’s been 10 minutes now. And I need to take a shower to, you know.” “Now why do you always have to rush me.” AJ growled. “Every darn time I enter the shower you knock on the door.” She heard silence, pure silence. “Rainbow…” “Applejack. What did I do? Huh? What do I do to you that makes you so mad and agitated?” Rainbow’s eyes narrowed. “Like seriously? I just told you it was 10 minutes.” Applejack sighed, grabbing her towel. “Rainbow, look, it just gets annoying when you always remind me over and over again, every single day. I’m sorry for snapping on you a bit. I’d just appreciate it if you’d kindly stop doing that.” Rainbow Dash looked down. “Alright.” Applejack stepped out of the shower with a towel over her torso. "All yours." She said, holding the door open for Rainbow be for leaving the room. She heard slow hoofsteps near the living room. She turned the corner and found Granny Smith about to sit down. “Getting older and older ain’t cha?” She giggled. “You kn-know I may get older, b-but I never change my dear.” Granny Smith stammered tiresome. “Now, now, how many times has your friend there been over?” She pointed at the closed bathroom door. “Oh come on Granny, don’t act like this, I know you know Rainbow’s my marefriend… Why are you trying so hard to act like you don't know?” Applejack had a semi-frown on her face. “ Well, you know how youngins like you are so secretive ‘bout their love and such. I just didn’t want ya t-thinking I-I was snooping around for that kind o’ stuff.” Granny spoke softly, then seeing AJ’s head had sunk low. “Now lighten up there darlin’, I don’t care who you fall in love with, I don’t. R-Rather mare, colt, stallion, or transvestite, heck, it could be a changeling. The only t-thing I know is they'd better treat you right.” Applejack’s head rose with a smile on her face. “Thanks Granny, ya always seem to know what to say.” She saw Granny Smith smile back. Applejack stepped out of the living room and into the kitchen. “Well ain’t that something.” Applejack said looking at the prepared bread and hay. “She actually thought ahead.” Applejack had a smile on her face, grabbing the bread and hay to make enough sandwiches for them both. The sound of pouring water had stopped, shortly after, Rainbow walked into the kitchen. “That was quick.” Applejack spat out. Rainbow Dash shot a glare and growled under her breath; then smiled at her. “Well you know me AJ. I don’t like to take things slow.” Rainbow had changed what she wanted to say, after all she didn’t want to start a conflict with her fiancée. She sat down in the chair two spots down from Applejack, as AJ handed her a plate with a sandwich on it. They both dug in, munching on the bread and hay, one chewing with their mouth closed, and one open. Rainbow looked down. Things have gotten a bit tense. Eh? It’s nothing really to worry about. I guess we just, you know, we just need a bit more chemistry, and we’ll be fine. Applejack swallowed roughly,”Ready RD?” Rainbow Dash blinked, continuous thoughts just banging wall from wall in her mind. She froze. Applejack became a little antsy, she poked RD on her right side. Rainbow flinched, and turned toward her,”Why yes dear?” Rainbow batted her eyes. “Ready to head to Twi’s place to tell the others?” Applejack asked. “Erm, yes! I’ve been ready.” Rainbow howled, tossing her slippers off, and flipped Applejack onto her back. “AJ hang on.” Applejack grabbed Rainbow’s hair lightly, as she trotted out of the farmhouse. When they took flight out of Sweet Apple Acres, she could hear the sharp yelp in delight from AJ and she smiled softly. When they arrived at the door of Golden Oak Library, Rainbow let Applejack off of her, and tapped at the door 3 times. Rarity opened the door, motioning them to come in. “Well ain’t this just a full party.” Applejack laid her hat on the couch and sat next to it. She sighed heavily, worried about what they would think. She stood up, greeting everyone else that was there, she sat back down, Rainbow Dash did the same. She took a deep breath, and her heart beat could be felt. She began to brainstorm on how to come out. She finally broke her silence, intersecting all of the secondary conversations. “Girls, I have something to say.” She lifted her head up. Fluttershy smiled and nodded,” We’re listening.” “Well, uh, erm, Rainbow and I…” Applejack started, as RD bobbed her head at her, letting her know it’s fine. “Well, Rainbow and I have been dating for some time now, and I proposed to her…” She paused. “She said yes. We'll be getting married in 2 weeks.” Everyone in the room, seemed to keep their silence, all thoughts to themselves as they all looked down. Applejack frowned a bit, feeling unconfident; she gulped. “So, whaddya think?” Everyone in the room kept their silence, no one broke silence. Rarity stood up and began to speak, but she paused in the middle of her sentence, and sat down, looking down. Applejack’s eye twitched, tearing up, trying to hold her tears back. "I think this calls for a PARTY!" Pinkie squealed, pulling Applejack and Rainbow Dash both into a crushing hug.