//------------------------------//
// II. Little Colds 
// Story: A Common Cold 
// by Versity2003 
//------------------------------//

	"Rise and shine everypony!" Applejack yawned, grabbing a rusty old pot and a metal ladle and she began banging the two together. Applejack always woke up the family like this, for no apple would ever be left out of a bright new day.
"Ugghh- APPLEJACK" Apple bloom whined "Not so loud... *achoo* I feel a little *sniff* sick" The yellow filly looked tired, light bags forming under her eyes, her hair was tangled, and her lips were chapped, the filly looked miserable.
"Ya' all right Apple bloom?" Applejack said as she wiped the young filly's bangs back into place, "Ya' need some tissues sugar cube? Wanna take the day off from school?" Applejack handed Apple bloom a box of two-ply tissues, and the filly blew her nose, feeling a little more satisfied she nodded her head."Alright Sugar cube, you just lay back down. I'll go ahead and tell Big Mac and Granny Smith." Applejack gestured the yellow pony back to her room as she trotted off to Big Mac's room, leaving Apple bloom to walk to her room alone.
"Ughh" Apple bloom shuttered "This hallway gives me the creeps!*achoo*" She blew her nose again, taking time to clear the nasal passages. She walked into her small room. gingham curtains drawn shut, no sunlight flowing through. The desk lamp turned on with an unfinished sewing project on the desk. The green wallpaper was beginning to peel, giving way to a sticky yellow-ish wall behind. The filly walked over to the desk picking up the sewing needle and trying her best to thread it. She was an earth pony so this task proved difficult, but with an equal amount of frustration and effort she did it. She hummed to herself a lullaby Applejack used to sing to her, as she pulled the thread through one end of the fabric and out the other repeating the process.What she had sewn do far was the body and arms of a stuffed pony, and she was working on the head.
"What are ya'? a vampire? Let some light in here!" Applejack teased as she opened the curtains and the room flooded with light, "Celestia gave us the sun, use it Sugar cube! I brought you some water. You doing okay? Can I get you anything?" The glass of water made a light thud as it hit the desk. 
"No I'm fine sis' I just need to get a little rest... *achoo*" Apple bloom said as she grabbed a tissue and blew her nose. She tossed it into the trash can, and walked over to her bed and laid down.
"Alrighty, you get your rest..." Applejack said as she tucked the young filly into the bed, re-closing the curtains and turning off the desk lamp. She walked out, and closed the door behind her leaving the room pitch-black. Apple blooms eyes shot open.
"Sis'! The night light!" She said, "You should know my fears by now!" Applejack ducked back into the room, flicking on the night-light and ducked back out. "that's better..." Apple bloom whispered to herself, closing her eyes once again, nuzzling against the pillow.


And in the Carousel Boutique 


"Uh, Sweetie Belle, could you do me a favor and try this dress on for me?" Rarity said as she levitated a foal sized dress with her blue aura, "It's for Hoity Toity's daughter. Sure its just a little rough, and still needs improvement, but I need to size it properly. The dress was a beautiful Ombre, Starting as a pale yellow and fading into pink. The chiffon ruffles and bows along the edges where a light orange blending well with the pink and yellow, and it tied in a bow in the back.
"Really? Wow! this dress is SO awesome!" Sweetie belle cheered in celebration, it wasn't often she got to try on something she liked. And with that, Rarity untied the back bow, placed the dress on Sweetie Belle, and retied the back. "How do I look?" Sweetie belle asked. Rarity used her magic to pull a mirror over, and the filly's jaw dropped down in pure awe. "It-it-its..." Sweetie belle stuttered as she was too stunned for words.
"Well, how is it?" Rarity said interrupting Sweetie's fantasy.
"Amazi-" Sweetie belle was interrupted by a sudden pain in her stomach, a swirling churning feeling overtook her, she felt her throat filling up and all of the sudden her mouth poured out a foul smelling substance.
"SWEETIE BELLE! Go take the dress off, wash up, and straight to bed. You should have told me that you were sick!" Rarity yelled in anger, as she watched the dress she worked her plot off on be ruined right before her eyes.
"But I- but" Sweetie stuttered.
"Ah! No buts! Do as I say!" Rarity interrupted. Sweetie belle took the dress off, and stomped up the stairs. 
"Stupid Rarity..." She mumbled under her breathe, "Go die in hole or something..." She started drawing a hot bath, watching the water swish and swirl around the white tub. The waves rolled back and forth, forth and back, it was transcending... The filly began spacing out, just sitting and staring at the water. "Snap out of it!" She whisper shouted at herself, as she plopped into the tub.