It wasn't long before they began to tuck in to their food, both ponies choosing a simple salad instead of the more extravagant delicacies on offer. Especially after seeing the price. Rainbow was happily munching away when she noticed Applejack's almost full plate. She stopped chewing her current mouthful, frowning slightly at the orange mare. What's up with her? she was cautious about asking, noting how Applejack looked like she was in another world. Applejack sat unblinking, smiling at seemingly nothing as she continued to stroke her mane. Rainbow gulped. "Applejack?" No response. "Applejack?" The mare continued to sit in a dream-like state. "Applejack!" She eventually shouted, turning more than a few heads in the restaurant.
Applejack turned her head sharply as she was snapped back into reality. "Oh, sorry Rainbow. What were you sayin'?"
Rainbow couldn't help but sigh. "Applejack, you've been daydreaming for about five minutes. You said you were hungry and yet-" She gestured towards the uneaten salad. "-You've barely had a bite of your food. Are you alright?"
"Don't worry Rainbow I'm fine." She brought her plate closer in, taking a few bites out of the salad. Her eyes opened wide as an idea crossed her mind. "You don't think I might be able to talk to Spitfire and the others down in the VIP section?" Rainbow gave her a confused glance in response. "It's just that I have quite a few questions about their...routines and stuff, y'know."
"I suppose, considering we are their guests for the day." Rainbow was still quite surprised by Applejack's sudden interest in the subject. "I wouldn't see why it might be a problem." With that, Applejack quickly got off her seat, hastily making her way towards the stairs to the lower tables. "Where are you going? You've still barely eaten anything!"
Applejack just smiled back. "I'll only be a minute, Rainbow!" She replied, eagerly making her way downwards.
Rainbow sat there for five minutes. Ten minutes. Fifteen minutes. She watched as ponies began shuffling out of the building, empty plates littering the tables. She looked down at her plate and then looked at Applejack's. Where's she gotten to? She rested her head back against the seat. To be honest, I wouldn't blame her if she's bailed. I'm so lame. I mean, just look at me! She gesticulated wildly with her hooves Claiming to be the most awesome pony in Equestria, failing to ask the mare I love out on a date. She sniffed, a single tear rolling down her cheek. Stupid...heart stuff. Why is love so hard? It was then that the pegasus thought of something, her frown becoming a small smile. Maybe I've just been taking the wrong approach. If I can get a gift or something, telling her will be easier! Yeah, just like in the movies!
Rainbow was out in the cool, crisp air of the evening in a flash. Dozens of ponies trotted through the lamp-lit streets, the ghostly white glow of the moonlight shining on the rooftops of the buildings. The night life of Cloudsdale was a big contrast to the calm, relaxing atmosphere present during the day. Club music echoed through the air as Rainbow slowly flew down to a small corner shop at the end of the street. She quietly lifted a hoof to the door, swiftly turning her head. She wanted to make sure nopony saw her. With a deep breath, she opened the door and entered the dimly lit shop, a powerful yet soothing fragrance overwhelming her. She felt her tense muscles instantly relax as she walked up to the counter. An old mare stood behind the counter, dozens of wrinkles on her face a clear sign of her age. Her old limbs creaked as she stepped up to serve Rainbow.
"Well good evening to you, young miss! Welcome to my little corner shop of love!" She beamed at Rainbow. "We have all the perfect gifts for your special somepony, no matter what the occasion. So, what can I help you with?"
Rainbow nervously shuffled a bit on the floor. "Well, you may know better than me what I need right now." She said. "I'm sorta looking for a present to give to somepony. But I mean, it can't be all luvvy-duvvy all right? They don't exactly know I have...feelings towards them, if you catch my drift"
The old shop-owner gave a small nod, lifting a hoof in the air. "I know just what you need then." She gradually moved over to a small stand in the centre of the room where an array of flowers were laid out in a neat display. "A small bunch of flowers is a wonderful little gift. A few orchids and tulips...oh yes! I can make this work very well!" She quickly got to work, carefully cutting some of the flowers before wrapping up neatly in a beautiful bouquet. "Believe me my dear. Any stallion would love them! With any luck, you two will be together in no time! As I've always said, the right gift can change a ponies heart!"
Sure. Stallions. Rainbow gratefully took the flowers, leaving some bits on the counter, before heading back to the restaurant. On arrival, she noticed how the entire place seemed deserted with not a soul in sight. Her ears perked up to the sound of music however, emanating from the VIP section. Praying Applejack was still down there, Rainbow quickly headed to the stairs clutching onto the flowers tightly. As she continued to descend further, it was apparent that the atmosphere was very different down there. While small, the room seemed to be bursting with life. Flashing neon lights darted across the room to the sound of the beat. Ponies were laughing and cheering all around, many dancing on their seats or running around the place. It took a while for Rainbow to pick out the farmer through the crowds, her familiar brown Stetson hat being the only real clue. She forced her way through the other ponies, having to take a breath of air as she came into the clearing where Applejack was talking with the Wonderbolts. Or rather, a Wonderbolt.
On seeing Rainbow, she bounded over. "Oh Rainbow, there ya are!" She said gleefully, having to raise her voice a little to be heard over the music. "I must say I'm glad I came down here!"
"Where are Spitfire and the others?" Rainbow was curious.
"They had to leave early!" Applejack replied, fiddling a bit with her Stetson. "Somethin' about a big photo shoot! Luckily, Cloudjumper didn't need to go. He's been keepin' me company down here!" She looked over her shoulder at the pegasus, who waved back. She faced Rainbow again, a bit of blush forming on her cheeks. "And I must say he's been mighty good company too!"
Wait, what's that supposed to mean? Rainbow was getting more and more confused by Applejack's recent behaviour. Something wasn't right... "What do you mean by that?" She asked, worried a little about the response.
Applejack blushed even more, trying to hide the large grin on her face. She peeked another glance at Cloudjumper before replying. "Well, sugarcube, we got into quite a long conversation earlier. Talkin' a lil' bit about ourselves and such. It seems that, at some point, the discussion took a turn."
No. "In what way?" No no no no no NO!
Applejack could barely contain her excitement. "I asked him out on a date!" She blurted out, skipping on the spot in a similar fashion to Pinkie Pie. "And he said yes!"
Rainbow froze. The flowers slowly dropped from her grasp, the neatly arranged bouquet spilling out onto the floor. Flowers slid across the room, many trampled by the excited crowds of ponies running by. To Rainbow, it felt as if time itself had stopped. The plan had failed.