//------------------------------// // The first day // Story: Sweet Antagonisms // by Harmony Split //------------------------------// Sweet Antagonisms Chapter One: First day Applejack waited impatiently for the train to arrive. It was a bit late, but not unusual for the train from Appleloosa. She sighed once the conductor announced the train. “About time. That darn train is late,” Applejack muttered.         The train came to a halt and only a few ponies left it; one of them a mare with a light-yellow coat and a mane in two different shades of green. “Cousin! Nice to see you,” Applejack approached her and looked around. “Uh, cousin? Where the hay is your sister? She promised to help us!”         “Glad you came to pick me up, cousin! Apple Cobbler is sick, I’m sorry.” Apple Fritter replied, with a sad smile on her muzzle.         “Well, shoot. Ah was hopin’ for her help. Cider season won’t get far this year without some helpin’ hooves, cousin,” Applejack stopped and thought about it. “Ah could ask my friends if they got some time, but first we should get ya to the farm. Granny an’ Big Mac sure can’t wait to see you again.”         Together they made their way out of the train station and through the city. It was a rather busy day, and many ponies were out on the streets. Both mares went through the marketplace, passed Sugarcube Corner, and reached Twilight’s new Crystal Castle.         Apple Fritter stopped in shock. “Whoa, what’s that? This is definitely new, cousin!”         Applejack smirked. “It’s Twilight’s castle. The old library that used to be there got smashed down by Tirek.”         “Twilight?” Fritter just couldn’t tell where she had heard that name before. “She’s the new princess, right?”         “Yeah, and you’ve met her before, cousin. She was there a couple a years ago at our farm where I introduced ya and the rest of the family to her. You also met her at the wedding in Canterlot.”         Just as they started to continue their walk, the doors of the castle opened and Twilight stepped outside. Fritter’s heart stopped and she blushed. She liked that purple, former unicorn from the first day she met her, but she was just too busy in Appleloosa. Now, the purple alicorn looked even more beautiful in her opinion.         “W-wow, she’s r-really beautiful.” Fritter stammered before she could stop herself.         “What in tarnation was that Cousin?” Applejack asked with a raised eyebrow.         “Uh, nothing.” the light-yellow mare muttered back and Applejack grinned, turning to Twilight to meet her.         “Howdy, Twilight. Where ya headin’ to?”         As Twilight came closer, smiling, Fritter bowed her head “H-hello, Princess.”         Applejack sighed, but Twilight only smiled. “There is no need for that, Apple Fritter. Twilight is just fine.”         “Y-you remember me?” Fritter just couldn’t believe her ears.         “Of course, you were one of the first ponies I met here. Besides, your apple fritters tasted delicious, I won’t forget that.” Twilight said before turning to Applejack. “I’d love to talk to you and catch up, but I’ve got to buy some new quills, so I’m a bit in a hurry. See you later.” And with that she spread her wings, making her way quickly to the center of the town.         Fritter stared at her as she flew away, with her jaw slightly opened. This was a mare to dream of, but for her unreachable. She still stared even as Twilight was out of sight and only snapped out of her thoughts by a waving, orange hoof in front of her.         “Hey, cousin! Stop yer daydreamin’! What the hay was that about?”         Fritter shook her head, trying to focus on Applejack again. “Ah, it was nothin’... let’s move on,” she replied with a slight giggle.         She was stopped by her cousin. “Don’t ya tell me that ya got your eyes on Twilight.”         “Maybe?” came the nearly inaudible reply.         Applejack wasn’t satisfied with that answer, but continued on her way, with Fritter on her side.         “So, how long?” she asked after a bit.         “Huh?” Fritter said after being caught off guard by the sudden question. “Oh…” She was hesitant to answer at first, but Applejack’s wanting look for an answer left her with no choice but to explain herself. “I guess since the first day. Then, she looked so beautiful at the wedding in Canterlot. I thought about asking her on a date, but I didn’t know and still don’t know if she swings that way. And you know we were damn busy at home! Now, she’s surely unreachable.”         “Don’t say that, cousin,” Applejack replied, trying to get her cousin’s spirits up. “Twilight might look like a princess, but she’s really a sweetheart, and she doesn’t get all high and mighty from it.” Applejack smirked and pushed her cousin forward. “Now move along, cousin, cuz we can’t stand here all day.”         They continued their way and soon reached Sweet Apple Acres, where Granny Smith and Big Macintosh were already waiting for them.         “There you are, little one. We thought ya might not be arrivin’ at all, heh.” Granny Smith greeted her with a quick hug.         “Eeyup. Yer train late again, cousin?” Big Mac added.         “Yeah, really late. But I’m glad to be finally here again. Are we starting today or tomorrow?” Fritter replied, taking her time enjoying the warmth of the sun.         “We’ll start tomorrow, cousin. I gotta go to town again, to check on somethin’. You can do what ya want in the meantime. See ya later, cousin.” With that, Applejack waved and returned the way they had arrived.         “You sure must be hungry. Go get you something to eat from the kitchen, dear,” Granny Smith told Fritter before walking back to her country rocker.         Apple Fritter made her way to the kitchen, only slightly remembering where it was. It was really a rare thing for her to be here. She finally reached it, spotting some sandwiches on the table and taking one. It was a nice daisy sandwich, and Fritter gobbled it down quickly.         It was getting late, and somehow she wanted to visit Twilight. Maybe she could at least get to know her better. Fritter didn’t tell her cousin everything. There wasn’t too much to do in Appleloosa to visit Twilight. It was more that she was shocked by her own feelings. Who would still believe in love at first sight? Or that she was a fillyfooler? She’d tried to avoid everything for several years, but now she was sure about one thing. Her feelings for Twilight hadn’t changed. With that on her mind, she left for the road towards Ponyville. ***         Fritter’s walk was quick and without anything interesting happening; until she stood in front of the castle.            She thought about it again. Was it really smart to visit her? What if she was home, could she just ask her out on a date? No, she felt it was a really bad Idea. She looked up on one of the balconies and noticed a telescope there. She’d never practiced stargazing, but maybe now was the right time.         Gulping, Fritter knocked softly on the crystal door, the knock echoing deep back. A few seconds went by before the door opened, a dragon standing in front of her.         “Hello. How can I help you? The court is over already, but you can come again in two days if you need anything.” the dragon told her before waiting for an answer.         “Well, I just wanted to visit Princess Twilight, my name is Apple Fritter.”         “Twilight, there is somepony for you at the door. Her name is Apple Fritter,” the dragon called into the castle, his voice booming from the walls.         “Please let her in. I’m still in the shower, but she can wait at the library,” came a voice back.         The dragon stepped aside to let her in, closing the door and then motioning to her. “Follow me.”         He led her through various corridors until they reached the library, within which both walls filled with hundreds of books. Fritter barely read, but she was still impressed. She looked around and spotted a few cushions on the floor and made herself comfortable on them.         Once she had rested a bit, her mind began wandering again. It was a bad idea to just ask the Princess straight forward. Getting to know her better sure was a fine plan. Besides, she did not seem that much different from her cousin, so everything should go well. But maybe that was the problem at the same time?         Her thoughts were disturbed by Twilight as she came down the stairs, her coat still a bit damp.                         “Hello Apple Fritter. If you’re looking for Applejack, she just left about ten minutes before you arrived.” Twilight said before making herself comfortable in front of Fritter.         “It’s not about my cousin'” the light yellow mare started, slightly nervous.         “Well, what is it about then?” Twilight asked, with an eyebrow raised.         Fritter pondered for a moment to just speak out the truth, but decided a slow start would be better.            “I was thinking, that us two could maybe get to know each other better, Princess. I hadn’t quite the time at the rare moments we met.” she said, blushing slightly.         “Oh, okay.” Twilight ruffled her wings before smiling. “A good start would be to just call me ‘Twilight’ and not ‘Princess’. Friends don’t really have to use titles to address one another, Apple Fritter.”         Fritter couldn’t do anything to decrease her blushing. “Friends?” She received a nod from Twilight. “Then you just call me ‘Fritter’, cuz my full name sounds too formal.”         “Excellent! Soo uhm, you come from Appleloosa? I’ve been there before, nice town. Do you have any hobbies? Anything you like?” Twilight stuttered like reading a text fast, but Fritter got most of it.         “I’m working at the bakery in Appleloosa, making apple fritters. My name and my cutie mark comes from it.” she paused and showed her flank. Twilight looked at it before blushing slightly, turning away and Fritter’s mind collapsing. Had she just blushed while looking at her flank? Maybe it was the light, so she shrugged it off and continued.         “Anyways, I love the stars, although I don’t know very much of it. I’m more the pony for apple bucking and baking. Just that I think about it, why was my cousin here if I might ask?”         “She asked me if I could help you during the cider season and I said yes. I have to take a break from my studies anyways, and I don’t have any duty for the next week.” Twilight replied smiling. “Do you want to stargaze with me?” she asked, making Apple Fritter’s eyes go wide.         Had she just asked her that?         “Uh... yeah, I would love to, but I don’t really know how you do it.” Fritter replied, while Twilight blushed subtly.         “I can show you then. Would you mind coming back in around two hours? I will have everything prepared by then.” Twilight quickly said, trying to hide her cheeks in the cushions.         “I’m looking forward to that Twilight.” Fritter smiled before looking around. “You mind leading the way out? This sure seems really big.”         With a nod, Twilight stood up and made her way out of the Library, the light-yellow mare behind her. She waited at the door and, to Fritters surprise, hugged her lightly.         “Until later, Fritter.” she said smiling, and Fritter made her way to walk a bit around the town before it was time to return.         What she didn’t see, was that Twilight still blushed, and watched her depart before closing the door after she was out of sight.