"Alright who's that one then?"
"Come on you've gotta know Soarin'! Some of his tricks are legendary and he's pretty much the second in command of the main squad."
It was the late afternoon, the sun beginning it's descent in the sky. Applejack and Rainbow Dash were sitting next to each other amidst dozens of empty seats in the Wonderbolts Stadium. As Rainbow continued to answer every one of Applejack's endless questions, she replayed the events of the day in her head. Yeah, it's gone awesome so far! She thought Who knew she'd have such an interest in the Wonderbolts! It just makes her even more perfect. Rainbow's ears drooped and she looked down at the floor, a depressed sigh escaping her lips. Just wish I had the guts to tell her. Tell her everything. Come on Rainbow... She peaked another look at Applejack, who still seemed to be fascinated by the Wonderbolts as they soared through the clouds. Come on. Just tell her. You've had one of the best days of your life today and you shared it with her! Just pony up... Rainbow took a long, drawn out breath.
"Hey, uh, Applejack." The cyan mare turned to her friend.
"Sugarcube, I just wanna say that this has been a great day." Rainbow's heart melted as Applejack gave the warmest of smiles. "I can't thank you enough. Really. This was precisely what I needed."
"Well that's great! I was just going to-" Before she could continue, she was interrupted by two orange hooves around her neck as Applejack brought her into a big hug. Thoomp! Rainbow's wings sprang outwards, making her groan slightly. Wings? Please can you contain yourselves for one second?!. Despite the wings protesting, Rainbow was finally able to push them down before Applejack stopped the hug. "Look AJ. I just wanted to tell you that I-" Her mouth opened but no words came out. The pegasus' heart was racing a million miles an hour. "I-" Another try. Another fail.
"Just spit it out, Rainbow! You can tell me anything. We're friends remember?" There was a little concern in Applejack's voice, a slight frown on her face. Rainbow could feel the sweat on her forehead. Come on Rainbow! You're awesome! Just tell her and be done with it! Sadly, Rainbow's mind didn't have much control over her words.
"I was just wondering..." She shut her eyes, her whole body a nervous wreck. "...if we should maybe get some food now. I don't know about you but I'm starving!" Damnit, you idiot! Why'd you say that? Tell her that you love her! "In fact, I know a great place nearby anyway!" She tried to offer a sincere smile as her infuriated mind continued to shout at her.
"That sounds like a great idea, sugarcube." Applejack jumped off the seat and began to trot out of the stadium. As soon as Rainbow was sure she was out of earshot, she let out a huge sigh and collapsed on the ground. She repeatedly hit her head with her hoof. Great job, Rainbow! Once again proving you're the best mare out there when it comes to love! She lay on the ground for a little while longer before hanging her head in defeat and flying over to Applejack.
The two mares trotted casually from the towering stadium towards a jumble of buildings in the distance, one being in particularly higher spirits than the other. Rainbow trailed slightly behind the farmer, still beating herself up about everything. "So which one are we headin' to?" Applejack turned to Rainbow, pointing her hoof towards some of the buildings in front of them. "Watchin' all them fancy flyin' pegasi works up quite an appetite!" Rainbow took the lead and, with something reminiscent of enthusiasm, led them to their destination.
They stepped into the lavishly decorated building, a sweet aroma in the air. Applejack took a deep breath, inhaling all the smells of the fresh food. "Gotta admit, Rainbow. It's a pretty nice place." She gave Rainbow a friendly nudge. "How'd you find this place, then? Brought any potential coltfriends here, hm?" Applejack chuckled as Rainbow began to blush before she began surveying the room, searching for a free table. Yeah...tons of coltfriends. Totally. She cautiously stepped into the room and sat down opposite Applejack at a nearby table.
"Seriously though, sugarcube. I didn't take you for the type that would go to a place like this." Applejack said as she fidgeted about on her seat, trying to get more comfortable.
"Yeah, well I wouldn't expect you to be the type that would go to a place this." Rainbow laughed softly.
Applejack smiled in return. "Yeah alright, I guess we're even." She picked up the menu in her hoof, scanning the different meals available. "Then again, this day has been full of surprises."
Rainbow looked up from her hooves, a quizzical look on her face. "Oh?"
Placing the menu back down on the table, Applejack put her hooves on top of it. "I might as well confess. I wasn't too sure about comin' today at first considerin' I've never really been interested in the Wonderbolts and all"
Rainbow sighed. "Well what was the point in coming then?"
Applejack shifted a bit, rubbing her hooves together. "I suppose that I saw how excited you were for it all. I thought that if it made you happy, then everything would be worth it.
A lot of heat was rushing to Rainbow's face, her cyan coat turning a warm red in response. "Aw come on AJ. You don't really mean that..."
"I do. Honestly." Applejack leaned in closer to Rainbow. "Rainbow, since...well, as long as I can remember you've always been there for me. I wouldn't want anyone else for a best friend. You're truly an amazin' pony."
Rainbow was practically curled up in a ball on her seat, attempting to hide the rapidly increasing blush all over her face. Applejack merely laughed at the sight. You're the amazing one, AJ...if only you knew...
Their conversation was ended abruptly when the entrance of four ponies turned everyone's heads. Standing in the doorway were a group of pegasi, their signature streamline blue suits contrasting against the deep purple wallpaper. Rainbow gazed at them with a somewhat disinterested expression as they were swarmed by ponies with cameras, flashes filling the dimly-lit room with light. "This place is where some of the Wonderbolts chill out after training. It was the main reason I started coming here since I was a filly." She turned to look at Applejack who's gaze was firmly on the fourth Wonderbolt, her mouth agape.
"Who is that?" She asked, her eyes never leaving the young stallion as he followed Spitfire deeper into the building.
"What, Cloudjumper? Some newbie fresh out of the academy. Spitfire seems to have taken a shine to him it seems." She looked up at the brown pegasus pony, bringing a hoof to her chin thoughtfully. "Not sure why though. I mean sure he's got good moves but so have all the others. Anyway, what's with the sudden interest in him?" She tilted her head back to the table. Applejack was sitting on her seat, slowly running a hoof through her golden mane, a distant expression on her face.
"Oh no reason...no reason at all."