Applejack chewed the inside of her cheek and her brow furrowed in concern. She watched as Rainbow flitted around the barn, taking measurements and muttering under her breath. A growing unease squirmed in Applejack’s stomach as Rainbow chuckled.
“Sweet! At this rate, the room should be finished in like a week or two, tops!” Rainbow landed in front of Applejack, pecked her on the cheek, and beamed at her. “Thanks for talking Granny Smith into this, AJ. You have no idea how much I needed this.”
Applejack’s mouth opened and closed several times, trying desperately to find the right words.
Rainbow turned and gestured to the barn. “Plus, it’s gonna be so awesome when it’s done, don’t you think?”
“Erm, yeah, sure...” Applejack scuffed the barn floor with a hoof. She couldn’t bring herself to meet Rainbow’s eyes.
“AJ?” Rainbow’s voice was tinged with concern. Applejack felt a hoof prod her shoulder. “You okay?”
Applejack shook her head and gave Rainbow a strained smile. “Yeah, I’m fine, it’s just... Nevermind. Not important.”
Rainbow nudged her again and draped a wing over her back. “What’s up?”
Applejack sighed. “Look, Rainbow, I know this is important to ya, and you know I’m more ‘n happy to help, right?”
Rainbow raised an eyebrow. Since dating Applejack, she had gotten rather good at it. “Yeah, and?”
“Well, it’s just...” Applejack’s face scrunched up and she shook her head. “This whole birds nest thing is just a little—”
Rainbow withdrew her wing and scoffed. “This again?” She huffed and stomped over to a set of blueprints spread over a table. “AJ, how many time do I have to tell you that it’s not a birds nest?”
Applejack groaned. This was one talk they have had too many times. In a deadpan voice, Applejack said, “Dash, honey, I love ya, but you’re putting a bird feeder up there.”
“So? Pegasi eat bird seeds sometimes, what’s the big deal?” Rainbow puffed out her chest with as much dignity as she could muster. “Can’t a pony want a snack every now and then?”
“It’s also got one of those round holes for getting in!”
“That doesn’t prove anything!” Rainbow’s determination faltered, Applejack could see it. It was slight, but it was there. “I need a way to get in from outside.”
“What about that round peg-thing that’s stickin’ out of the hole for you to land on?”
“I-I don’t see what that has to do with anything.”
“Okay, then why’re you collecting bits of straw and hay?”
Rainbow deflated. Her throat bobbed uselessly for a moment and her eyes shifted from Applejack to a bundle of straw she had just finished collecting. “...Shuddup.”
After another moment of silence, Applejack coughed. “...Pegasi don’t lay eggs, do they?”