Wooer
Applejack had been preparing for this moment for a few days. She'd had a crush on Rarity for a while now; Rarity wasn’t a mare used to working in the fields, but something about her enthralled Applejack. She wasn’t sure if it was shared passion for work, or that Rarity would often go out of her way to help her friends and her family, or maybe even something far more superficial; however, at this very moment, what it was wasn’t important.
Applejack had found herself staring at Rarity’s flank on more than one occasion, and she decided to do something about it. She went as far as to get herself to the hairdresser and get a proper mane treatment and few golden streaks to go with it.
That will definitely impress Rarity, Applejack thought just moments before taking a deep breath and entering Carousel Boutique.
~*~*~
Rarity raised her head from behind her sewing machine. “Hello, Applejack. Can I help you with something?”
No response.
“Applejack, I’m sorry, but I really don’t have entire day... I need to finish a set of clothes for a very rich customer by tomorrow and I am not even half done...”
Applejack sighed. “Ah just—” She sighed again. “Ah just want your opinion about my new hair. It even has golden streaks!”
Rarity stopped with what she was doing and turned her attention towards Applejack, her eyes thoroughly examining the new hairstyle as well as well-groomed mane. “Sweet Celestia!” she shot up in panic. “Please don’t tell me that I completely forgot about the new Grand Galloping Gala! I was so sure that this is in about—”
Applejack smiled. “It is next month, Rares... Ah just—”
Rarity exhaled in relief. “Thank goodness. I thought I mixed up the dates again. That would be embarrassing. Not to mention that it would be impossible for me to finish all of this in due time...” She paused for a moment, her focus returning back to Applejack’s hair. “Why did you change your hairstyle?”
“Ya like it?” Applejack stood proudly, her chest filled with overwhelming amount of bravado, “This was made especially for—”
“No,” Rarity replied coldly, making Applejack deflate in a heartbeat, “This hairstyle was popular last year, but this year everypony frowns upon it. This year, braided ponytails are in style again, and they’re gorgeous.”
“Oh.” Applejack said, even though she struggled with something more, but she couldn’t find any suitable words.
“And on top of that, it really doesn’t suit you.” Rarity sighed. “I’m sorry, darling, but can you come back later? I really need to get back to work...”
“But—”
There was no response. Rarity’s sewing machine started its own dance again, the face of the owner determined to finish her job on time. There was nothing else that Applejack could do. She turned around and exited the Boutique, leaving Rarity with her work.
~*~*~
The door of the Golden Oak Library opened with a soft squeak, revealing two reading ponies and a dragon.
Applejack slowly walked towards the ponies, and sighed. “Mind if Ah join ya? Ah had a pretty rough day...”
“Of course, Applejack. What happ—” Twilight raised up her head, looking at Applejack. Her mane was now in ruin; it was not nearly as straight as it should be. It looked like Applejack just fought with a timberwolf right after her visit to the hairdresser. “Oh, dear.”
“Ah don’t understand,” Applejack said. “Ah tried everything so far to woo Rarity. Fancy talk, dresses, and this... It looked fancier earlier. Ah just... Ah don’t have much more money to find how to get her attention... Ah don’t understand how you did it... No offense, Twi, but you’re one of the biggest eggheads I know.”
Twilight scratched her mane. “Honestly, I don’t really know... I was just... Being me, I guess... I never thought that anypony could like... well... me... At least not in romantic way.” She paused for a moment, tapping her nose. “Have you talked to Rarity? Being you?”
Applejack burst into a nervous fit of laughter. “Twilight, this is Rarity we’re talking about. Ya imagine her falling for a somepony that ain’t fancy? She wants—”
Twilight sighed. “But Applejack, you’re not fancy. You cannot be somepony you’re not. At least not for a long time. Ponies you’re with may leave you, if you can’t pretend anymore. I’ve seen that a few times while I was in Canterlot, and... well... it didn’t end well...”
Applejack sat down, sighing. “What do I do, then? I just—” She felt a soft embrace from the alicorn.
“I really can’t tell you what to do, Applejack,” Twilight said, breaking her embrace. “I was charmed by nothing more than a hug when I needed it the most, and a long talk about... well... everything... Some other ponies are impressed by much more than that. Just ask her... If nothing more, you’ll know where you are...”
“Just like that?”
Twilight nodded with a smile. “Just like that.”
~*~*~
Celestia’s sun started to fall behind Ponyville, as Applejack’s hoof rapped on the door of Carousel Boutique, that was now adorned with a “Sorry, we’re closed” sign. She was sure that Rarity was still working, since she hadn’t announced with her usual cheerful voice that she was done with her job.
She wasn’t wrong. Only a few seconds passed before she could hear a pony muttering and approaching the door, opening them almost in fury.
Rarity’s expression changed almost in a heartbeat when she saw a familiar and friendly face.
“Applejack? What brings you around at this hour? I’m sorry, but I still have so much work to—”
Applejack chuckled. “Ah figured ya had a rough day and brought you some of my signature pie. Ah thought maybe we could—”
“Oh, dear...” Rarity hit her head with her hoof. “I was so busy with making dresses that I actually forgot to eat. But...”
“But?”
Rarity’s cheeks flushed red. “Would you like to join me for dinner? I... I would like some company... I hate to dine by myself...”
Applejack smiled. Suddenly all the ideas about needing to be fancy like her disappeared from her mind. Instead of ponies in dresses, accents and fancy hairdos, she realized that Rarity needed nothing more than an ear that would listen and a pony to be there for here when she would need one the most.
And Applejack would be there. As much as she could.
Next prompt: Memories