Applejack bucked a few more apple trees, immersing herself into her work. She couldn't let her emotions stand in the way of her preparations and she did whatever felt natural to blanket her thoughts.
Buck
Why did she go for Apple Cobbler? Why didn't she ask me? Am Ah not pretty enough? Well every pony did say Apple Cobbler was always prettier.
Buck
Is Rainbow trying to replace me? Am Ah not enough? Yea, that's it. Ah'm probably not awesome enough to be with Rainbow. She's probably out of my league anyways.
Buck
Ah should've asked her out when Ah got the chance. Why does it hurt so much? Ah'm Ah jealous? But why? She's jes' ma best friend right?
Buck
But if she were jes ma best friend, why do Ah want somethin....more? Why don't Ah want her ta be with Apple Cobbler? Apple Cobbler is family though n' they do seem happy.
Buck
Do ah lik-No! Ah don't like her that way....do Ah?
"Hey miss?" an unfamiliar voice rang in Applejack's ear. She turned to see who it was. Her eyes dilated at the sight.
There, standing before her was a cyan pegasus, but it wasn't a mare. It was a stallion. He had a scruffy white mane and a rainbow as a cutie mark. His eyes matched her own, but it was more of a dark turquoise colour than emerald. "Uhh..yes sir? What can Ah do fer-"
"You've missed that tree over there like five times. Are you ok? Do you need some help?" chirped the cyan stallion. His voice was filled with compassion, which relaxed Applejack instantly.
"It's ok sir. Ah appreciate the offer though." A gust of wind blew, making Applejack shiver. "Brrr certainly is cold out here."
"Here lemme get that for you. I'll be done in 15 seconds flat" said the unknown stallion. He shot up and kicked the clouds that were hovering over Sweet Apple Acres away. This cooled the air and got rid of the breeze that chilled Applejack's bones.
"What I tell you? 15 seconds flat! Trust me, I wouldn't leave a damsel in distress like you, hanging. That would be downright rude!"
"Ah ain't no damsel in distress!" Applejack had a thing for being an independent mare, needing no pony's help. This foreigner had the audacity to make her feel worthless through his words. She turned to leave.
"I'm sorry." The voice called after her.
"Huh..what did y'all jes say?" Applejack turned her head.
"I'm sorry. I really didn't mean anything by what I said. You looked cold and I really just wanted to help you out so.....you'd think I was cool...." confessed the stallion with his head down. Something about his humble confession made Applejack stick around longer.
"Now what made ya think Ah thought ya weren't cool?" Applejack said. This seemed to lighten up the stallion's mood as he flipped his scruffy, white mane up.
"I don't know. I want every pony to think I'm cool. I just thought, you know, if you thought I was cool, maybe it would be enough to impress you and get your mind off what ever that was bothering you. You did seem pretty out of it."
"Y'all saw that? Well shucks, Ah thought ah wasn't that easy ta read." Applejack said in a sheepish voice. "What's yer name Sugarcube?"
"Prism Glider" the cyan pegasus replied.
"Well Mr. Glider. It's nice ta meet ya. Ah'm Applejack and this here is part of Sweet Apple Acres." Applejack said, introducing herself to the pegasus.
"Oh I know who you are. You're one of the Elements of Harmony right? And I think I saw you in Cloudsdale once."
"Wait, how'd y'all know all that? Ah ain't seen ya 'round these parts before" Applejack asked, as one of her eyebrows raised slightly.
"Well, I'm from Cloudsdale but I come to Ponyville to visit my brother, Rainbow Swoop, and my sister, Rainbowshine. I also have a special some pony living here but we broke it off a few days ago." Prism Glider spoke glumly.
Before Applejack could offer some comforting words, the stallion went on. "I used to be in charge of the Rainbow factory up in Cloudsdale but I wanted to be closer to my family. So I moved here just a few weeks ago and just started working for the weather team. However, I haven't really been doing much since my captain seems to always be napping in the clouds somewhere, instead of busting them. She's a real handful sometimes, but she's a good captain. Pretty fast too. Always beats me by 5 seconds."
"Does yer captain's name happen ta be 'Rainbow Dash'?" Applejack asked, rolling her eyes.
"Yea how'd you figure?"
"Lucky guess." Applejack said, with a knowing smirk. "She's one of the Elements of Harmony as well. That's also why Ah went to Cloudsdale that one time. So ah could support her in the Best Flyer Competition! She won that shindig too n' Ah couldn't be more proud. But yea, Ah know her. Actually ya kinda remind me of her since y'all-"
Applejack's smiled widely at the next thought that came to mind. Although Prism Glider and Rainbow Dash were different in many ways, he could've easily pulled off being her twin brother. His coat was the same color, accompanied by his rainbow cutie mark.
But Applejack had one other idea in mind. If she couldn't ask Rainbow Dash to be her date, why not get the next best thing?
"Hey Mr. Glider?" Applejack suddenly asked.
"Just call me Prism. I'm not use to formalities so much." Prism smiled.
"Uhh ok. Prism..." Applejack was not use to addressing ponies other than her friends and family, by their nickname but since he asked nicely, she figured she would honor his request. She was going to ask him out. "There's this Hoedown tomorrow night n' Ah was wonderin' whether y'all would like ta go with me."
"Oh..umm.." Prism Glider was startled by the offer but decided he could use a night with some pony to get his mind off of his ex. "I guess it's ok. Sure I'll go with you. Kinda quick though."
"Sorry ah didn't have a date and Ah jes figured y'all would be interested since...." Applejack couldn't bring herself to say the next words, knowing it would bring back memories of his ex-marefriend. Or ex-coltfriend.
"It's ok. I'd be glad to escort you to the hoedown. You seem like a fine mare." Prism complimented. Applejack blushed to a small degree.
"Well let's head on in. It's a bit chilly and Ah would like ta git ta know ya a bit more. Ah think Granny Smith n' Apple Bloom are home so ah guess if ya want me ta introduce ya, Ah'd be more than happy ta. Also, would y'all like some some cider?
"You got CIDER?! Oh my gosh! Let's go!" Prism Glider said as he galloped with Applejack to the barn. For the next few hours, they talked about the weather's influence on agriculture, Prism Glider's dream of becoming captain of the weather team and Applejack's project on building a new barn. Although, one question seemed to be lingering in Applejack's mind.
"Hey, Prism? What were y'all doing hovering over at Sweet Apple Orchards?" Applejack asked.
"Oh sorry, your trees are really comfortable for napping. I usually snooze off in 'em. Sorry, I know it's trespassing and I'll stop if you want." Prism responded, with a flushed face.
"Oh don't y'all fret about nothin'. Just make sure ya pass the info ta yer boss!" Applejack winked. This sparked a hearty guffaw between the two.
Both ponies were having such a good time that they didn't notice the dark blue eyes glaring at them through the window.
Applejack lay in her apple-scented bed, exhausted with the day's work but grateful she was able to share it with Prism Glider.
Ah'm really glad he showed up here. Ah probably would've been thinkin' bout Rainbow if he hadn't....
Applejack closed her eyes and shifted under the covers.
Why can't Ah get that darn pegasus outta ma head? Sure she's loyal n' honest n' strong. Not the most modest pony in Equestria but she sure does make up fer it by always bein' there fer her friends. She's athletic n' fun n'... Ah shucks she's cute when she pouts....wait cute?
Applejack pounded her hoof into her head as if trying to get the thought out of mind. She stopped, after the spot on her head she was pounding hurt more than it did her any good.
Ah like her, don't Ah? Ah sound like ah'm a lil' filly with a crush... but ah'm afraid ta make the first move. What if it ruins our friendship? No! Ah can't let that happen. Might as well jes date Prism, even though it feels wrong....
She pressed her head deeper into her pillow, trying to sink the thoughts in her head. But one thought remained that she could not shake.
Ah sure do wish Ah could've taken Rainbow to the hoedown instead...