//------------------------------// // Brook - MintyJoy // Story: AppleDash Group Collab // by DbzOrDie //------------------------------// Every Saturday after her chores, Applejack would go to the brook. It was a quiet place, secluded and away from the farm or other civilization. It had willow trees and cool shade and the soft sounds of wildlife. The brook had clean, clear water that cut through the green foliage like a knife, its icy runoff filling the air with cold mist as it trickled between the rocks. Though the water was cold, the clean water was perfect for washing the golden hair of a sweaty, tired farm mare after laboring in the orchard all day. So was Applejack’s routine, and it provided her a moment of peace and relaxation away from the rest of the world. However, today she was not alone. As Applejack untied her hair and stepped to the brook's edge, she heard the sound of something on the other side. Looking up, she saw none other than her friend Rainbow Dash, lowering her head to the edge of the brook opposite her. A little gasp escaped her lips, as she wasn’t expecting company. Rainbow lifted her head from the water, and caught Applejack’s surprised expression. “What?” She asked, eyeing Applejack’s reaction to her being there. “Is this a private river of something? Because if so I can wash my hair somewhere else.” Not wanting to cause a problem, Applejack decided to deal with the fact that she was there. “No, it’s fahne. Go ahead.” Rainbow took this as permission and proceeded to dip her hair into the brook. Rainbow had a very pretty mane, and this showed more as she drenched it in the brook. Rainbow pulled her flowing hair out of the brook, it looking similar to colored glass as the water came streaming down, the brook below creating a rippled reflection. Applejack watched for a moment, rapt in awe by the beautiful scene. She had never seen her friend as one to be beautiful, and this caused her heart to flutter and her cheeks to warm. Rainbow looked up, an oblivious and slightly concerned look playing on her rose eyes. “Is something wrong?” She asked, “I really can move, if you need me to. I get it.” “No,” Applejack reassured with a smile as her blush worsened. “You’re mane just looks really pretty when you get it wet.” “Oh, well yours does too.” Rainbow said with a sheepish smile until she realized what she had said. “What?” Applejack’s eyes widened. She had not dipped her own hair into the water yet. “N-n-not like I-I’ve se-e-en it wet b-before!” Rainbow sloppily corrected, but the truth was already discovered. “You’ve been watching me come here every week, haven’t you?” “N-no,” Rainbow retorted, “Not every week! Just… w-when I’m not busy and I-I want to hang out and I-I can’t find you and then you’re here.” “Ah see,” Applejack said with a sly smile, “so you’re a stalker.” “I am not!” Rainbow’s cheeks turned a bright red, and Applejack chuckled. “Well, thanks for the compliment anyway.” With that, the two continued to wash their hair in the brook with little conversation. It was very peaceful, except for the frequent glances at one another and the awkward moments of when their eyes met. Finally, both were very clean and rosy cheeked. Before they parted ways, Applejack broke the silence. “Hey Rainbow!” Rainbow winced upon hearing her name, fearing what might come next. “Y-yes?” Applejack smiled warmly. As awkward as this all was, it had opened her eyes to a side of Rainbow she hadn’t seen before. A side she could grow to like. She looked up at the nervous pegasus, her hair still wet from the wash. “So, see you next week?”