Applejack stared back at her reflection in the mirror hanging in her room upstairs, an anxious hoof fussing with her mane, making sure everything was as straight and kept up as it could be. The shower she stepped out of not long ago was probably the best shower she could argue that she ever had, but where a nice warm one could calm the nerves or settle one down, right now she was feeling the complete opposite.
The last time she could remember going out on a date was back when she was a dumb teenager making dumb teenager decisions and thinking she was madly in love with the first colt who gave her a smile. She couldn't imagine the basic concept behind a night out had changed much, if at all. In fact, playing with her appearance for a good twenty or thirty minutes before it was time to head out felt oddly familiar despite her not having to do such a thing...well, ever really. She must have been paying some attention to Rarity without even realizing it.
It would've been nice if she had some perfume somewhere. Would Matt even go for the perfume? She never wore it any of the other times they hung out and he never said anything. If she did have some and used it, would it leave any noticeable residue on her shiny coat? She did just finish getting a bunch of sweat out of it after a day's work in the fields.
What about the mane style or the tail? Keep them the same or do something different? Keep them tied up or let them down? Hm, if he was punctual, there may not be enough time to dazzle them up if she decided to do so. It was just after six and he said he'd pick her up in about fifteen minutes. Ugh, too many decisions!
She bared her teeth and quickly checked them over. They looked fine, nothing stuck in between them anywhere. It was probably a smart idea to give them a quick brushing. Minty fresh breath is always a plus!
The deep breath Applejack took in did little to relax her. Still, what in the world was she even worrying about anyway? They always had a lot of fun when they'd spent time together before and there's no reason to think it'd change now. Besides, this time there was a little more weight behind their evening, and Matt was the one who brought up the idea. Of course he's going to like however she presents herself, as long as she was there.
Alright, she was definitely ready to go. Might as well head downstairs and hang out a bit until he showed up, shoot the breeze with her brother and Granny Smith. Apple Bloom was busy in her room doing some homework, but there wasn't any reason that she shouldn't see them off. If only she could see the look on her little sister's face when she figures out who her date was that night. Seeing her pout and throw a little tantrum about not being told who the lucky 'stallion' was had already been pretty amusing.
She paused as she reached for her hat hanging on a nearby hook. Hm, to wear it or not. Usually, one only wore hats when they went to some place fancy, and the hat would have to be equally as fancy. But, they were just heading to a bad movie and a down-home restaurant, nothing extravagant.
...Yeah, she's wearing the hat.
Planting it firmly in place, she left her bedroom and headed down the hall. Halfway down the stairs, a knock came, setting Winona off. He was early? Awesome!
"I'll get it!" Applejack called out, picking up her pace to the front door. Upon arriving, she stopped to give her hair another quick fluff and catch her breath again before greeting her date. Gah, there she went fretting again. Now, if only the dog would be quiet and get out of her way. "Winona, hush!"
Properly ready now – and with one less barking dog – she opened up the door to Equestria's only simply-dressed man with a single, red rose in his hand and a smile on his face. "Evening, miss."
"Hey you," she said, standing up to hug him tightly. She nearly melted when a sensual fragrance tickled her nose. "That cologne smells nice."
"Heh, thanks. A last-minute errand I decided to run after I headed out earlier." They broke their warm embrace, and the mare was offered the flower as he stepped inside. "For you. I...honestly wasn't sure if you'd see it as a snack or whatever since, y'know, you guys do eat some of these."
She took the rose and sniffed it gently, letting out a little giggle while she shut the door. "Some, yeah. But there are a few like this one where it's understood that it's supposed to be a gift. It's lovely. You didn't have to."
"Eh, I wanted to. Figured this could be a good way to start this possible-maybe new level of a relationship thing we've got going on."
Her cheeks turned almost as red as her present. "I'd like to think so. Go ahead and sit down for a minute. I'm going to go put this in some water."
"Sounds good," Matt said, plopping himself down on the couch and scratching a happy Winona behind the ear. "Hey puppy!"
As Applejack went on her hunt for a vase, Big Macintosh and Granny Smith came out from the dining area to greet their guest, each having noticed the flower in their relative's grasp as she passed them. Their hoofsteps on the wood floor caught Matt's notice, but he waited until they joined him before saying anything.
"Hey guys, what's going on?"
"Well now, look who's here!" the old timer cried out. "Land sake's, sonny boy, where've ya been? Feels like a dog's age since I seen ya 'round here last! How ya feelin'? Applejack told us you been through a whole heap o' stress and stuff lately."
"Yeah, it's been pretty crazy, but...I'm doing okay now I think," he said, nodding. "Things seem to be normal again, so that's good."
"Well, we're happy to hear that. I also hear you two got some plans tonight, eh?"
"Yeah, should be fun! Pretty basic stuff, dinner and a movie. Maybe go get some drinks later or something, who knows. See if she's interested. Feels weird in a way. I mean, I haven't been out on a date date in...Hell, I don't know how many years. I'm a little nervous, to tell you the truth."
"Oh, I know you'll have a good time together. Applejack always liked it when you all would go see some sports thing or just hang out at the park or whatever. Y'know, now that I think about it, we aren't the only ones that have missed ya." Granny Smith turned to yell toward a certain filly's room. "Apple Bloom! Ya got a minute?"
"I'm kinda busy up here, Granny!" she called back.
"Don't be rude, child. There's somepony here you oughta come see!" She looked back to Matt as the youngster could be heard presumably jumping off her bed thanks to the 'thud' that came from upstairs. "She knows Applejack's going out tonight, but we haven't said with who!"
"Ah, I see where you're going with this," Matt snickered, as did the others.
A moment later, a set of tiny steps bounded down the stairs and rounded the corner into the living room. "Who all's he–" She nearly forgot how to move when she spotted her bipedal friend on the couch – until she barreled toward him and hopped up next to him, nearly squeezing his head like a grape in her limbs. "Matt!" Her hug quickly turned into a jab on the shoulder. "Where in Equestria have you been?!"
"Ow, not so rough! I bruise easy."
"Yeah, yeah. Seriously, I haven't seen you in forever! What happened to you? And why do you smell funny?"
"Oh, that! That's a, err...a new shampoo I'm trying out. You like it?"
"It's okay."
"Cool, cool. As for where I've been..." He paused briefly, trying to pick the right words. Even if he had time to get into any kind of detail, he's wasn't really sure how much she needed to hear. Ignorance really was bliss for the filly in this case. "I...needed to sort some things out for a little while, but I'm doing okay now."
"That's good."
"Mhm! What about you? You been behaving?" he asked, ruffling her red mane.
"Ah, there's no fun in that! Are you here to have dinner with us or something tonight?"
"Mmmm, something like that. Why? What's up?"
"We're not gonna be all here. Applejack's got a date!" Apple Bloom teased.
"Ooo-oooo! Who's she going out with?" Matt asked, playing his part.
"I don't know. They haven't told me," the little one huffed.
"Well, I'll tell you what. If word gets to me that they treated her bad, I'll knock them out. How's that?"
"Not if I do it first! Ain't nopony gonna get away with hurtin' my big sister."
For her proud boasts, she received a noogie. "S'right!"
"Whew! Not sure why it was so hard for me to find a vase in this house," Applejack said as she returned. She and Matt looked into each other's eyes and smiled. "Ready to go?"
"Let's do it!" Matt said, hopping to his feet.
Apple Bloom blinked in confusion. "Wait, what?"
The couple waved goodbye as they stepped out the door. "Don't wait up for me!"
"Have a good time!"
Granny Smith and Big Mac watched happily from the window as Matt and Applejack headed out for the evening. Meanwhile, Apple Bloom spun around and stood on the couch, the obvious realization quickly setting in as the pair walked away. Still bewildered, the youngster stammered and sputtered as she tried to find the right words, giving her elders a reason to chuckle at her as they headed back inside to continue making dinner.
"You mean A.J. and Matt are...?! When did...?! Why am I always the last one to know about these things?!"