Chapter 5: Old Wants Die Hard
"What?! What do you mean 'stay'?!" objected Princess Luna.
"I want to stay in Ponyville." Blueblood said to his aunts in Canterlot Castle. "I know this might seem like sudden news, but I simply can't spend another day away from my beloved Applejack. That's why I've decided to move to Ponyville so I can carry our love forward."
Luna looked at her sister next to her then back at him. "The same Applejack that you just met two weeks ago? Blueblood, we have many reservations about this."
"...When you say 'we', do you mean-"
"I mean myself!" Luna rolled her eyes. "Although the same cannot be said for my strangely optimistic sister."
"I say it's wonderful that you want to live with Applejack." Celestia said to him. "There's no sense in staying here if you're in love."
"Thank you, Auntie Celestia." Blueblood smiled.
"Oh please, Sister, you cannot fool us." Luna discerned. "It is quite obvious that you just want our nephew out of the castle and out of your mane."
"Auntie Luna, please." Blueblood replied. "I'm sure my leaving must be very hard on Auntie Celestia, as it is on you. And I want to tell you both that I'll be just fine on my own. Although I will need to find a new home there, and I don't want to impose on dear Twilight again. Tell me, Auntie Celestia, what is the richest property in Ponyville?"
"That would be Twilight's library." Celestia said.
"...Oh, I see. Then what's the second richest?"
"Probably Carousel Boutique." She answered. "As I recall, Rarity mentioned at the party that she was renting out a room there."
"Rarity?" Blueblood thought to himself, expecting another encounter with Rarity would bring up awkwardness. But he felt that perhaps spending time with her would break away any uneasiness. "I suppose I wouldn't mind accepting her hospitality."
"You see, Luna?" Celestia smiled at her. "Blueblood has learned a great deal of humility since dating Applejack."
"Just sweep him out the door, why don't you!" Luna rolled her eyes.
...
The doorbell rang in Carousel Boutique and Rarity answered the door. Outside was Spike carrying a freshly received parchment letter, and a smitten look in his eyes. "Well hello Rarity!" he said, suavely. "I believe you got some mail."
"Ooh hello, Spike." Rarity greeted. "Is it from Princess Celestia?"
"Maybe. Or maybe it's from Heaven, asking you to fly back." He replied hoping to earn a swoon from her.
But Rarity payed him no mind and opened the letter to read. She then gasped. "Oh joy! It says that Prince Blueblood has decided to move to Ponyville and stay with me for the time being!"
"What?!" blurted Spike. "Prince Blueblood?! I thought you got sick of him after the Gala!"
"Hm? Oh, well, not entirely." She said coyly, trying to hide her excitement. "I mean, I'm not that thrilled that he's coming here, but I don't mind giving him the extra room here."
"What do you mean extra room?!" Sweetie Belle stood behind her, pouting. "You just put another bed in my room! I'm starting you're just doing this to-"
"Ah ha ha! Sweetie Belle, darling," interrupted Rarity, hiding her intent. "I thought I told you to make the covers on our tenant's bed!"
"Since when did this become a boarding house?" grumbled Sweetie Belle as she scuffed off.
"Thank you so much for the good news, Spikey." Rarity said. "It'll be good earning some extra money with a, uh, new tenant living here."
"Uh, okay. If you say so." Spike replied suspicious. He didn't quite like the idea of his crush living with a lady-killer prince who once treated her like a doormat. "I'll see you around, Rarity."
Rarity closed the door as he left and spoke to herself. "Oh I just knew Blueblood would come here to be with Applejack. Finally I'll get him to really notice me and live my old dream!" Suddenly she paused, realizing the true weight of her plan. "Goodness, what am I saying? I'm plotting to sweep a stallion right away from my friend. If I try to turn Blueblood on to me, she may be crushed. This could be a terrible mistake." She then gave her doubts another thought. "Well, then again, Applejack's never really been one for romance. Maybe this is just a passing fling for her. Perhaps this relationship with Blueblood isn't that serious. Besides, Applejack's a tough girl; she won't be too broken up about it."
"Rarity! I need help!" called Sweetie Belle from upstairs.
"Honestly, Sweetie Belle, how hard is it to make a bed?!" replied Rarity.
"Forget this! I'm hanging out with Scootaloo overnight!" the filly stormed out.
Rarity thought to herself. "Well, at least that leaves me alone with the prince."
...
That same day, Applejack found herself doing something she would've expected from anypony else but her: applying makeup. She stood before a mirror with a facial kit that Rarity had given her one birthday but had never been touched. But now the occasion called for a little gussying up. As Applejack painted her eyelids, Apple Bloom entered the bathroom.
"AJ? Have you seen one of mah bows?" the filly asked, then became stunned at her sister. "Sweet pony feathers! Are you tryin' to look like a clown?!"
Applejack's makeup skills weren't exactly on par. Her foundation was an entirely different color, her eye shadow smeared and her lipstick trailed all around her lips. "Dontcha ever knock?" she glowered at her sister. "This makeup stuff is harder than it looks!"
"Let me guess, you're goin' to another big fancy Canterlot party?" replied Apple Bloom.
"Actually, I just got a letter sayin' that Blueblood is comin' to stay in Ponyville!" she smiled. "We're gonna meet tonight for a special date after he moves in with Rarity. I just wanted to look presentable n' all for him. I think this is gonna be a big step for me and Bluey."
"After only a short time, you're already livin' together?" stared Apple Bloom. "Big Sis, I feel like you're movin' a little too fast."
Applejack sponged a bit of her face to try again. "Look, Apple Bloom, this is adult relationship stuff. I know ya feel nervous now, but maybe you'll understand when yer older."
"I don't understand?" she mocked. "Have you even been with other stallions before Blueblood?"
"Don't get pushy." Applejack sneered at her. "I think you just don't plain like Bluey."
"AJ, I'm happy that ya like this guy, but I just got a bad feelin' about him." Apple Bloom said. "He seems like one o' those rich types who just hang around with mares just for the fun of it. He might leave you before ya know it!"
"Ow!" Applejack accidentally poked her eye with a brush. "Apple Bloom, you don't know Blueblood like I do. Just 'cause he has royalties doesn't mean he doesn't have a heart. Besides, I don't need my little sister givin' me love advice. Now I'd appreciate it if you stop bein' so judgmental and leave me alone."
"But I just-"
"I said that's enough, young lady!"
"...Young lady?"
"You heard me."
Apple Bloom simply glared at the floor and left in a huff.
Applejack continued to struggle with her face. "Ugh! I should've really asked Rarity for help. At least she understands these things."
...
The door of Carousel Boutique opened revealing Blueblood standing outside eagerly. He became confused when he saw nopony before him until he looked down. "Ah, you must be Rarity's little sister, Sweetie Shell!"
"It's Sweetie Belle." The filly said begrudgingly, not even bothering to address him by his regal nobility. "And if you're looking for my sister, she's upstairs."
"I'll be right down, my prince!" called Rarity from upstairs, with a flourish. A moment later, she appeared at the top of the stairs in a slender rose red dress, with lipstick and eye shadow. "Blueblood, darling, I'm so glad you made it!" she greeted.
Blueblood looked at her with surprise. "I must say, Rarity, are those your day clothes?"
"Uh, Sis? Why are you wearing your flirting dress?" asked Sweetie Belle.
"Oh what, this?" she replied with feigned confusion. "Really, Sweetie Belle, can't a girl stretch out her best clothes once in a while?"
Sweetie Belle rolled her eyes. "Whatever, I'm out of here." She then left to spend time with her friends, and keep her mind away from her strange sister.
"Come, Blueblood, make yourself comfortable." Rarity smiled.
"Thank you ever so much, Rarity old dear," said Blueblood as he sat on the couch. "I hope I won't be a burden living here. It'll just be until Applejack and I decide to reside somewhere else together."
"Oh I completely understand," she said. "Take all the time you need! You must have had a long ride from Canterlot. Would you care for some wine to relax?"
"Oh no," he chuckled. "I really shouldn't drink midday. I'm supposed to meet Applejack later tonight for a date."
"Sounds lovely! But surely one glass couldn't hurt." She persisted.
Blueblood thought for a moment. Wine did help him relax from time to time. "Well alright, just a little."
Graciously, Rarity poured him a glass, then joined him on the couch. Discretely, she slid closer to him. "You know, Applejack must really be lucky to have a stallion like you."
"And I am lucky to have her." He smiled. "There's just something about her that I can't escape."
"You still seem tense, darling." She then placed her hooves on his shoulders.
"Hm, that feels nice." He replied as she rubbed them. "Are you a masseuse?"
"I'm just quite good with my hooves, I guess."
"I should really start unpacking though."
"Oh you let me take care of that." She insisted. "I want to be a good host after all."
Blueblood took a sip of wine. "You know, my date with Applejack isn't for a few hours. I might as well have a little snack to tide me over."
"Of course!" Rarity immediately headed toward the kitchen. "I have some nice cheese and oat crackers."
As she stepped into the kitchen to fetch her best cheese, Rarity pondered to herself. "Ugh, this doesn't feel right. What am I doing trying to win over a stallion who's with somepony else? Come on, Rarity, you're better than this....But he is still so handsome. I could make it work. I could even change him to be the loving coltfriend I wanted him to be."
"Shame on you, madame!" came a small voice. Rarity gawked as she seemed to hallucinate a miniature version of herself appear on her right shoulder, wearing a billowing white dress with a halo above her head. "Have you no respect? You are trying to break the heart of your dear friend Applejack! You must make this right!"
"Oh please, woman!" came another small voice. Suddenly another mini Rarity manifested on her left shoulder, sporting skimpy red lingerie with horns on her head. "A dashing prince looking for love, in your home? You can't pass up an opportunity like this, marefriend! You're not getting any younger!"
"Stop corrupting her!" scorned Angel Rarity. "Rarity, you know very well that trying to seduce Prince Blueblood is wrong, and it will only lead to sorrow. Lust is a terrible sin, my filly!"
"Blah blah blah!" mocked Devil Rarity. "You just don't know how to please men. I mean look at what you're wearing! Are you trying to go as a snowball for Nightmare Night?!"
"Well at least I don't look like some cheap, painted up hussy!" scoffed Angel Rarity.
"You wish you looked this good, cream puff!" Devil Rarity stomped her hoof.
"I don't need to be a whore to look good!" replied Angel Rarity.
"That's it!" Devil Rarity then shot a fireball at her holy rival, singing her mane. "Ha! I knew it! Extensions!"
"You ruffian!" Angel Rarity shone a beam of heavenly light upon Devil Rarity. "As I expected! Age-defying cream!"
"I'll kill you!" Devil Rarity leaped at Angel Rarity as they entered a violent cat fight. Then the two hallucinations disappeared in a puff of smoke just as quickly as they arrived.
Rarity blinked, torn between decisions, until she heard Blueblood call from the living room.
"Rarity? I don't mean to be a bother, but can I please have another glass of wine?"
She paused for a moment, then smiled at the thought of pulling off her seduction. "Coming, my prince!"
...
Outside, Sweetie Belle walked with Apple Bloom and Scootaloo. After failing to earn their tax auditor cutie marks, the Crusaders became rather bored as they struck up conversation.
"I tell ya, my sister's gotten all la-dee-da ever since she started datin' that prince." Apple Bloom complained. "Now that he's movin' here, she's gone plain bonkers!"
"I know how you feel." Sweetie Belle replied. "Rarity is completely ecstatic about having the big fancy prince staying in our home. I can't say I feel the same way. Of all the places in Ponyville he could choose, he stays with us."
"Ha, I pity you guys, having to deal with your sisters." Scootaloo scoffed. "It's no doubt that both of them would fall for a cheesy guy like that, at their age."
"What do you mean fall?" queried Sweetie Belle. "My sister isn't in love with Blueblood or anything."
"So it's just a coincidence that Rarity offered to have him stay at your house?" discerned Scootaloo.
"Hush yer mouth, Scootaloo!" glared Apple Bloom. "Why would Rarity try anythin' like that?"
That's when Sweetie Belle stopped in her tracks. "Now that you mention it, she was acting pretty strange when Blueblood showed up."
"Strange? How strange?" asked Apple Bloom.
"...Nah, it can't be." Sweetie Belle shook her head. "I think Rarity's just always plain crazy."
"Uh, guys?" called Scootaloo, who was peering through a window in Carousel Boutique.
The other two joined her at the window. What they saw brought Sweetie Belle's fears to reality. Inside the living room, Blueblood and Rarity were sitting on the couch laughing like old companions, while Blueblood rubbed her hooves. Their white cheeks were flush red and their teeth were also stained red from a good amount of wine. They hadn't moved for over three hours.
"Holy smokes!" gasped Apple Bloom. "Yer sister is canoodlin' with mah sister's coltfriend!"
"Why didn't I see it before?!" gawked Sweetie Belle. "Rarity is such a flirt!"
"And it looks like Blueblood is enjoying every minute of it!" Scootaloo added.
Apple Bloom steamed. "That sneaky, back-stabbin', connivin', two-timin', womanizin'...stupid head!" The other two gasped at her vulgarity. "How dare he turn his back on mah big sister like that!"
"And my sister is going to pay for this!" Sweetie Belle added.
Scootaloo then procured a camera and sneaked photos of the incriminating scene inside.
"Scootaloo, what are ya doin'?" asked Apple Bloom.
"We need to prove to your sister that he's betraying her." She said. "This kind of injustice won't go on."
"But why do you have a camera?" asked Sweetie Belle.
"What?" she shrugged. "I can't take nice pictures of us?"
Sweetie Belle sighed. "We already tried the photography cutie mark, okay?"
"It's gonna happen, Sweetie Belle! I can feel it!" glowered Scootaloo.
...
As daylight faded, Applejack sat in her living room with a concerned grimace. All day she had been awaiting the arrival of her beloved Blueblood, and took the time to make herself look presentable, ready to start a life with him. But two hours had passed and Blueblood had yet to show up. Applejack began to worry that something must have happened to him. She knew he wouldn't stand her up on such a day.
Just as she was about to set out to find Blueblood, Apple Bloom came storming in suddenly with Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo. "Applejack! Yer not gonna believe this!"
"Apple Bloom?" said Applejack. "Did ya see Blueblood anywhere?"
"Oh we saw him!" she declared. "We saw him makin' sweet eyes with Rarity! He's cheatin' on ya, Sis!"
"What?!" replied Applejack. "That's nonsense! Apple Bloom, how could ya say that?"
"It's true, AJ!" said Sweetie Belle. "We all saw them! They were laughing, and drinking wine and getting all cuddly! It was weird!"
"Girls, I think what ya saw was a big misunderstanding." Applejack discerned. "So they're good friends! That doesn't mean they're tryin' to get together."
"Oh yeah? Then how do you explain this?" Scootaloo then held up a photo of both Rarity and Blueblood in mid-kiss.
Applejack took the photo. For a long moment she stared at it confused, not quite comprehending what she was seeing. She opened her mouth to speak but stammered. "Wha...this...this can't be real."
"I told you he couldn't be trusted!" said Apple Bloom.
"This doesn't make any sense!" Applejack stood, disbelieving. "Why...why would he do this?"
"My sister is a real flirt." Sweetie Belle said. "I bet he falls for mares like her all the time."
"I don't believe this!" Applejack shook her head, a tear suddenly came to her eye. "He couldn't!...He..."
"I'm so sorry, Applejack." Apple Bloom gave her a comforting hoof. "I never wanted this to happen."
Applejack sat back. She placed her hooves over her eyes and sobbed softly. "Why don't you girls go somewhere else?" she spoke. "I need to handle this on my own."
"Of course. We're sorry, Applejack." Sweetie Belle said sincerely. They all gave her a reassuring hug before leaving.
Applejack hugged her knees. The evidence in that photo was too much for her to get her mind around. But somehow it seemed true to her. Suddenly she suspected that the stallion she loved was betraying her behind her back. The dream of falling in love with a classy, handsome prince now seemed, as it did in the past, like fiction.
...
Blueblood's face went red as he stared in shock. He had not even noticed the wine he had spilled on his leg. Rarity sat next to him on the couch and quickly slid back with a gasp. Her face was an even deeper shade of red because she had just gone from telling a funny joke about griffons, to landing a kiss on Blueblood's lips. He didn't even see it coming.
"Oh...goodness!" she stammered and fibbed. "I-I-I am so sorry, Blueblood. That...that just came from nowhere!"
Blueblood looked awkwardly off to the side. "Oh, uh, it's...quite alright, Rarity." He cleared his throat to regain his composure. "I think we just had a little too much wine."
After a brief, uncomfortable pause, Rarity finally heaved a deep sigh. "No, it's entirely my fault. I couldn't control myself."
"It was just a friendly peck, wasn't it?" he looked at her.
"Not exactly." She admitted. "Ever since I saw you together with Applejack, something just...came over me. Those memories of me trying to win you over at the Grand Galloping Gala suddenly came flooding back. And somehow I was feeling envious. So I started..." she winced with guilt. "Trying to seduce you, so that you'd leave her."
Blueblood stared in bafflement. "Wait, you've been feeling...affection towards me? This whole time?"
"I know it's wrong," she said. "But sometimes I forget just how jealous I can become. It turns me into some animal. Please, Blueblood, you must understand."
With a dour expression, Blueblood slouched back and stared ahead for several seconds. Then with a heavy sigh and closed eyes, he spoke with pauses. "I'm sorry, Rarity. It wouldn't work between us. Especially not now."
Rarity didn't shed a single tear then. Instead she nodded with acceptance, but not without regret. "I understand. I am so sorry for this trouble. And I'm even more sorry for betraying my friend."
Blueblood stood up. He checked the clock and cursed. He had let time slip away from him somehow. "I better get to Applejack. She must be worried sick."
"Please, give her my apology?" asked Rarity.
He started for the door. "She's not going to know. Neither of us will speak to her about it."
Rarity stood. "What?! No, Blueblood! She has to know the truth! It's only fair!"
"I'm not just lying for myself." He said, sternly. "It's for your own good too. I don't want that kiss to drive a wedge between you and Applejack, and I don't want it to stain our friendship either. It's for the best."
"I...I don't know. She could find out eventually. It's my fault, Blueblood! Let me make it right!"
"I will not let this be a memory in my relationship with Applejack." He glowered and opened the door. "If you're really sorry, you'll keep it to yourself." Blueblood slammed the door shut. Outside, he pressed his hoof against his brow, cursing the impeccably bad timing of what happened. He wanted badly to blame Rarity, but he didn't want one little event to ruin his friendship with her, let alone his romance. He walked steadfast over to Sweet Apple Acres, trying to form the right words in his head.
This time, Rarity felt more remorse than ever. She proceeded to pour the rest of the wine down the sink as tears streamed down her face. She hated herself for that one simple action. Rarity knew she couldn't take that moment back. Something had to be done.
...
At the farmhouse that night, Blueblood approached the front door and rang the doorbell. He put on his best smile, as if to pretend nothing had happened in the last twenty minutes. After waiting for a few moments, the door didn't open. Hoping not be intrusive, Blueblood opened the door and walked into the empty living room. He looked around for any sign of life, until he entered the kitchen. Sitting at the table was the love of his life, staring blankly at her removed hat.
Blueblood beamed. "Applejack my sweet! I'm so sorry for running late, honey." He sat down with her.
"It's alright." Applejack spoke, bluntly. "What kept you up?"
He told his lie just as he rehearsed. "Well, my train was running slow coming into Ponyville and there was a delay. Then I was moving my things in at Rarity's and we just got to chatting so much, I lost track of time. She dropped a glass and I stayed to help her clean up. What can I say? It's hard for me to say no."
Applejack curled a tight fist underneath the table, hearing him speaking uneasily. "What's that on your leg?"
"Huh?" Blueblood hadn't noticed the wine stain left on his leg when the kiss happened. "Oh! Uh, we just had a glass of wine to celebrate me moving in. I was in a hurry to come see you, so I guess I got clumsy."
"I'll say you have."
Blueblood frowned. "Are you okay, Applejack? What's wrong, dear?"
"I don't know, Blueblood," she sneered. "You think it might be this?!" She then pulled out the photo of the kiss from under her hat.
Blueblood became near petrified. "Wha- I- how did you get that?!"
"My sister and her friends. Are you gonna tell me you came all the way to Ponyville just to mack lips with one of my best friends?!"
It was then that Blueblood realized that lying was not helping his case at all. "Applejack look, it's not what you think!"
"Is that what you want, Blueblood?!" Applejack snarled. "Am I not pretty or sophisticated enough for you?! Did I actually embarrass you back in Canterlot?!"
"No, you have it all wrong!" he pleaded. "She kissed me! I thought we were just friends!"
"Don't you lie to me, you bastard!" she stomped toward him and backed him into the living room. "If there's one thing I hate more than anything in this world, it's lyin'!"
"I'm not lying, Applejack! She came onto me!"
"Then why didn't you tell me that when you came in?!"
"I...I just...I didn't-"
"Get outta my house, you son of a bitch!" she steamed. "Go back to the city with all your high class, womanizin' friends! Heck, take Rarity with ya if you're so into her!"
Blueblood began to tear up. "Please! Applejack, you have to understand!"
"Applejack!" The two of them turned to look as Rarity burst through the front door. "Applejack, he's telling the truth!" She spoke with increasing bravery. She had already cried out all the guilt a moment before. "I kissed Blueblood. In fact, I'm the one who's been dishonest with you. I've been harboring feelings for Blueblood recently and have been trying to win him over, and away from you."
Applejack stared with more disbelief. "Rarity, what are ya talkin' about?"
"I was overcome with jealousy and lust." Rarity approached her friend. "For a while, I was willing to turn my back on you just to reclaim some lost romantic fantasy. But I was a fool, Applejack! You mustn't blame Blueblood for anything. He didn't want to tell you about the kiss at first, because he wanted to protect you." She then turned to Blueblood. "I'm sorry, Blueblood. But if you won't tell her what happened then I must, even if it means having my dear friend hate me for the rest of my life."
"Rarity...how could you?" said Applejack, sadly.
"You should give me no forgiveness, Applejack." Rarity lowered her head. "I broke your trust and went against you behind your back. But please, you and Blueblood are meant for each other. What you two have is special and I don't want to destroy it. At least keep that the way it is. Please, my friend!"
Blueblood stared astonished at Rarity. If Applejack didn't forgive her, at that moment, he did.
Applejack looked at them both, then at the floor. The massive wave of emotions from the past few minutes was clouding her judgement. She spoke flatly. "I need to think. This is gonna take me all night."
"I understand." Rarity said. "I'll be on my way, Applejack. I'm so so sorry." She left without another word.
"I'll take the next train to Canterlot." Blueblood said, guiltily. "It's okay if you don't want to see me tomorrow."
"No, you can sleep on the couch." She replied and headed upstairs. "I'll talk to you in the morning."
"Thank you." He said, gratefully.
Before leaving for her room, Applejack turned and looked down the stairs. "Blueblood?"
He looked up hopefully. "Yes?"
"...Am I a bad kisser?"
Of all the questions she could've asked, that one took Blueblood by surprise. "Yours are the only lips I want." He said, sincerely.
Applejack simply nodded without expression. She disappeared into her room, and Blueblood lay on the couch with her hat, preparing for a long night of no sleep.