Applejack sat in the cafe, stirring a spoon idly around a cup of cocoa. As she waited, she thought about why she was there.
Twilight, the newly named Princess of Friendship, decided that she should regulate everypony's actions in friendship. As a result, the mane six all have set dates of the months that they meet with each other one on one. Today Applejack was meeting with Rarity, while Rainbow Dash met with Pinkie Pie. Tomorrow, Fluttershy would meet with Twilight. Applejack thought the whole thing was silly (they were all already really close friends, nothing could ever change that), but she enjoyed meeting with her friends, especially Rarity.
"Ma'am? Are you done here?"
A voice jerked Applejack out of her thoughts, and she looked at the barista.
"Oh... No. I'm waiting for a friend," She replied, glancing at the door.
The barista hesitated, eyes darting towards the clock on the opposite wall. "Umm... Okay. Will they be arriving soon?"
Applejack nodded vigorously, perhaps too much so. "Yes. I mean, she was supposed to arrive here a while ago, but she's never been late before. So she can't be too late this time."
"Okay." The barista still looked unsure, but she took a step backwards. "I only ask because you've been here quite a while. I'll be back later to check up on you again, ma'am." She turned away and Applejack looked back to her cocoa.
Rarity's never been late before. Applejack looked up at the clock, worry starting to nag at her fur. She gasped slightly at the time, realizing she had been waiting for two hours. Fear rose up through her throat, thoughts of what could have happened to the unicorn bubbling up inside her head. Just as she was about to leap off her chair and sprint across Ponyville in a frantic search, a thought suddenly occurred to her. Rarity's on a blind date. Applejack slumped back into her chair, sadness seeping through her. Rarity must have had such a great time with the stallion that she forgot all about Applejack, or maybe she was still with him.
Applejack was startled by how she felt; she didn't think this was cause to be sad. If Rainbow Dash had done something like this, she'd be a little irritated. If it was Pinkie, she'd be almost glad, because that meant the pink pony was off making somepony else smile. If it was Twilight, she'd completely understand; the princess had a lot of responsibilities. But sad? No, she shouldn't be sad. Disappointed, maybe. So why was she sad?
Applejack felt a thick lump in her throat. She buried her nose in her empty cocoa mug and closed her eyes, trying to conceal her sadness in the sweet chocolaty scent. Just as she felt tears coming on, a hoof touched her shoulder.
"I guess I'll take the check," She said, not turning around. "Looks like she's not coming after all."
Odd, short breathing met her ears, followed by quiet hiccups. Puzzled, Applejack turned on her chair.
"Rarity!" She exclaimed in shock. "What's wrong?"
The unicorn's mane was frazzled, eyes red and messy with smeared mascara. Her fur was wet and matted around her eyes, fuzzy and unkempt everywhere else. Her hooves, usually shiny and smooth, were dirty and filled with mud.
Green eyes met blue eyes.
Rarity collapsed into Applejack's lap, eyes streaming. She started choking out her story, speech constantly interrupted by gasps, sobs, and hiccups.
"I arrived -- a few minutes early, so I -- waited for a bit and it started-- raining but I thought he'd -- come before-- I got too wet but he -- didn't come and I -- kept waiting, thinking he would come soon and I -- kept waiting for such a long time -- it was so long, Applejack! -- And I asked somepony what time it -- was, and I had -- been waiting for four hours! And I just -- started crying, crying, Applejack -- and before I knew it there was rain -- everywhere and it was pouring -- and I realized I was late for our meetup and -- I'm sorry! I was so late..." She quieted and just cried into Applejack's shoulder.
Applejack rested her head on Rarity's. She stroked the unicorn's sloppy mane, ignoring the weird looks from other ponies.
"Sssh..." She soothed. "It's okay... Slow down, Rar. It's okay. Take a deep breath."
Rarity took a deep, shuddering breath and sighed, standing up. She ran a hoof through her mane, pulling it back out of her face.
"I'm a mess." She leaned on Applejack and sighed again, pulling the earth pony into a messy hug. "Do you know what it feels like, Applejack?" Rarity asked. "To be waiting and waiting for somepony you feel you could have a future with? Maybe fall in love with and stay with forever? Do you know what it's like, just sitting there waiting for someone you think you can be in love with?"
Applejack held Rarity in her arms, thinking about the question. A thought occurred to her, and she realized why she had felt so sad.
"I do, Rar. I know exactly what it feels like."