"Alrighty y'all! Pack into th' wagon. We don't want to be late to the fair tomorrow!" Granny Smith exclaimed fromnthe doorway.
Apple bucking season has come to a close and the Apple Family was packing their things to attend the annual Apple Fair in Canterlot.
Applejack looked forward to the fair every year so that she can participate in all the contests. Their were to many to name, but she was most looking forward to the Apple Cider Competition. She had heard Granny Smith always tell her that her cider was the best in Ponyville, maybe even Equestria.
Applejack packed the last few suitcases and headed out the door. As soon as everything was nestled into the family wagon, they were off to Canterlot, ready for a week of fun to begin.
~~~
Rarity was at a loss. She had received an order from a client for a wedding dress, but she had seemed to have run out of white lace. At the moment, the only place she could obtain said lace was from a fabric shop in Canterlot. She could have ordered it to be shipped to her boutique, but it would at least have taken a week and her deadline was in five days. After giving much thought, Rarity finally decided to take a trip to Canterlot to get her lace a lot quicker. That would give her three days in Canterlot and two days to finish the dress. After using some magic to pack, she hailed a taxi to take her to the train station. It was sure to be a nice break.
~~~
Applejack inhaled deeply. The sweet aroma of apple themed goods attacked her nose and made her sigh in content. She surveyed the field the fair was occupying and smiled. Rows and rows of tents were scattered everywhere. Tons of ponies wandered around the area, visiting tents of their liking or just viewing what everypony had to offer. Applejack felt like it was heaven. The family of four rolled down to an empty spot and began pitching their tent. After doing so, they quickly unpacked all the goods the had prepared that morning. Pretty soon, ponies began making stops at their tent and business had officially begun.
"Attention all fair occupants! Welcome to the 99th annual Apple Fair! We are so delighted that you could all attend and we'd like to thank all those apple bakers for the wonderful goods they have prepared for us this week," Announced one of the employees. "Over the course of this week, we will have many a challenge for anypony to participate in and our first contest will be the Apple Pie Baking Contest! Please meet at the main kitchen area if you are to participate! Thank you and have a wonderful day!"
Applejack smiled as the contests were already under way. Granny Smith made amazing apple pie's and Applejack was eager to see who her granny would beat. She already felt so at home.
~~~
"We are expecting a shipment of white lace to arrive first thing this evening so we would be happy to put an order on hold for you, miss," the shopkeeper kindly stated.
"Much appreciated, darling," Rarity said as she levitated a pen to fill out the order form. "I shall be her tomorrow to pick it up."
"Very well, miss."
Rarity finished her order and walked back into the streets of the great city. She opened her saddle bag and pulled out a list of things she wanted to do while in Canterlot. "Ah, that's right. There is an Apple Fair going on this week. Maybe I should stop by." Rarity stated to herself.
Rarity walked around the fairgrounds and took in the delightful smells. She herself did enjoy baked goods and was more than willing to spend a few bits for a little snack. After all, a lady must never go below peckish. After walking around the area a bit more, she caught sight of something familiar. After turning to inspect it, she saw that it was a sign displaying the words "Sweet Apple Acre's." She knew that name from Ponyville as it was the apple farm that made its residence there. She turned and walked over. She surveyed the ponies running the stall and had defiantly remembered them, one of which was always at the Ponyville market.
She walked up and smiled gently. A big red stallion put his attention to her.
"Oh, uh, hello, may I order an apple fritter' please?"
"Eeyup."
Rarity kindly waited as the stallion picked up one of the treats with a napkin and pushed it over. In return, Rarity set down the proper amount of payment. The stallion nodded slightly in thanks and Rarity turned to go. However, in doing so, she ran into another pony. Rarity stumbled a bit, not falling but sadly loosing grip on her newly acquired treat. But somehow, the other pony expertly shot her hoof out just in time to catches the falling sweet. Rarity shook her head a bit and looked at the pony she ran into, who now wore an embarrassed smile. It was the orange pony from the market.
"Terribly sorry, ma'am. This is, uh, yours I suspect." The orange pony said, trying to apologize.
Rarity was silent as she gently took the treat. She felt bad that this pony felt bad for what had happened. The orange pony was about to walk to the stall when Rarity spoke up.
Uh, excuse me, miss? Would you happen to have some time this afternoon?"
The orange pony stopped and turned, seemingly confused. "Uh, sure I guess. How come?"
Rarity hesitated for a bit. "I was wondering if you wanted to go out for some tea."
"OK. Where?"
"Ah, just meet me at Le Honnêteté at, let's say one o'clock?"
The orange pony seemed oless uncomfortable now and smiled. "Alrighty, see you then."
The orange pony walked back to help in her family stall and Rarity walked through the crowd of ponies. She didn't know why, but she felt like wanting to know more about that pony.
~~~
One o'clock soon rolled around and Rarity made the last few steps to the resturaunt. A few minutes there after, the orange pony from the fair walked up. The two greeted briefly and walked inside. Soon the were having a light conversation.
"You know, I never got your name," Rarity stated.
"It's Applejack," the orange pony stated.
"Applejack, now that sounds familiar. Oh, yes, I hear that you make the best appeal cider in Ponyville."
"I guess you could say that..."
"Somepony's modest. I have tried it before and I'd have to say it was simply delightful."
Applejack relaxed a little and smiled. "Thank you kindly."
Rarity introduced herself quickly and finished when the tea arrived.
The two sat and drank their tea, conversing back and forth and laughing with each other. Applejack talked about the apple business and Rarity told of her dress making business. The carried on like this for an hour or so. Soon, sadly, it was time to leave. As they stood outside, they were just saying their good byes.
"I thank you much for spending this time with me."
"Oh any time, dear Applejack. It was nice to meet another nice pony from the same town as I."
"Well, I best be getting to the stall. See ya later."
"Good bye to you as well."
The two walked off in their respected directions. Rarity stopped and turned.
"Applejack."
The orange pony turned around.
Rarity smiled and said, "I hope we can come to be very good friends."