//------------------------------// // Blooming Romance and Flying Emotions // Story: Of Horseshoes, Apples, and Feathers // by Gutovi //------------------------------// After the last ray of light was gone behind the horizon, the bright, beautiful orb in the sky that was Luna’s moon rose up on the other side of the firmament. Both fillies began walking towards town hall. It was a peaceful silent walk, but this time it wasn’t an awkward silence, so they just walked, looking at each other from time to time and just smiling. After a few minutes they arrived at ‘The Golden Daffodil’, the best and classiest restaurant in Ponyville. When they were a mere few hoofs away from the entrance Scootaloo was struck by a thought “Umm… Bloom… don’t we need… I dunno, reservations or something like that?” “Actually, we do need reservation to enter” replied Applebloom like it was nothing. “And… how are we gonna get them? Don’t you need to book a table like one month before?” “Eeeyup, y’all have to.” said Applebloom before looking to her friends face and giving a slight laugh. “Unless the owner owes yer family a favor and decided to make a reservation fer y’all tonight…” “Huh?” “Horte Cuisine, the owner of this restaurant here, owed the Apples a favor, ‘cause once Big Mac helped him with sumthin’ ” explained the little earth filly. “Oh really? What did your brother do to get him to owe you something?” “Sum months ago Big Mac was walking through town a few blocks away from here. He saw a pony pulling a heavy cart, in that moment one of the boxes fell over the pony’s hoof and broke it. Big Mac took the pony to the hospital, n’ then he got the cart to ‘The Golden Daffodil’, where they were s’pposed to be sent. Horte Cuisine told him they were sum very fancy mushrooms n’ that he needed them by that night, so technically, without Big Mac’s help it would be ruined, so he told him that anytime he needs sumthin’ to go and ask him.” Applebloom took a break to inhale deeply and continued “But good ol’ Big Mac told him that we were a family, so any member could ask fer the favor. Horte Cuisine had no objection, n’ yesterday, mah sis’ asked him to make us a reservation fer today.” “Really? Ooooh… that’s why you wanted to come here! That’s awesome! Then let’s go in, I always wanted to enter one of these fancy restaurants that everypony talks about.” When they got to the door the waiter asked for their names and Applebloom tells him that she is from the Apple family, the waiter jolts up at the name and invites them in, leading them to the best table in the restaurant. Everything was clean, tidy, and perfectly kept. Scootaloo was looking at everything with her mouth wide open while Applebloom couldn’t help but do the same. It was the first time any of the two were in such a fancy place. When they got to their table Scootaloo stepped ahead and moved the chair for Applebloom to sit. Applebloom nodded at her and sat, Scootaloo then dashed to her seat. Both fillies were just looking at everything, the table, the doors, the walls, the roof, and Scootaloo especially intrigued by the flowers and the two red candles that were in the middle of the table. After a few moments the orange brash filly looked to the sides and noticed some ponies in the other tables looking at them somehow derogatorily, she felt intimidated, like she didn’t belong there, so she started sweating and her eyes darted back and forth. The red-maned farmpony noticed that. “Scoots, are y’all feelin’ okay? What was the problem?” Scootaloo tried to avoid answering, but it was useless. “I-it… it’s just that I… I’m kinda nervous. I… don’t feel very good here… It seems that I’m just… not in my ground, you understand?” she confessed. “Stay calm gal…” reassured Applebloom, then she got an idea, and began to blush. “J-just look at my eyes, and don’t pay attention to anypony else. Just look in my eyes and forget that we’re here.” Scootaloo obliged and looked directly to her beloved’s eyes, each one was more beautiful than the other, and they were extremely hypnotizing. Both fillies got lost in thought. “ Oh, I just want to kiss her roughly, and not let her gasp for air… No, we have to plan how to seduce her, slowly but steady, not kiss her right out of the blue. Oh come on! Look at those eyes, those inviting eyes, look at those sweet fleshy lips that seem to scream for a kiss..” Scootaloo started biting her lower lip softly “. You don’t plan on me containing my passion, do you? I’m not asking you that, I’m just saying we should be wise and wait some more. I can’t keep going, my heart is going to burst, and my mind just can’t stop thinking about it. Enough is enough! Get a hold on yourself, let’s wait a little more” thought Scootaloo, lost in those penetrating, beautiful red-orange eyes. “ Do Ah need to tell’er that Ah’m dying to be more than friends? Ah can’t look at her without desiring those lips madly. Ah’m out of excuses to get close to her. Hasn’t she realized that Ah can’t keep being jes her friend? Ah don’t wanna live mah life without her by mah side!”. Both fillies started getting closer, and closer, when a waiter passed beside them with some dishes in his hoof. Scootaloo wondered and decide to ask her friend “Oh… by the way, shouldn’t we order or something like that?” “Oh, the food it’s supposed to be already planned, so Ah guess we’ll jes have to hope the chef has good taste” Applebloom said. “Well... I guess that since is such a fancy place he’ll probably have a very good taste.” As if planned, a waiter came over with two amazingly decorated dishes. Horte Cuisine himself also came. “Our famous Golden Daffodil Cassolette with Apple Salad for the Apple lady. And a special Gratin de Champignons with a Endive, Watercress and Apple salad for the little pegasus damsel. I will leave you two fillies alone, please enjoy your meal. Oh and I will come back later to see how are you doing.” said Horte Cuisine before walking away. The two fillies were staring at their dishes, they were so delicately decorated and there was so much effort in them that they felt guilty to eat them. Applebloom decided to take the first bite. From the moment the piece of meal touched her tongue she knew it was the best thing she had ever eaten. “Scoots, y’all need to try it, it’s… it’s… delicious!” said the yellow-coated pony before taking another bite and savoring it. Scootaloo looked at her dish and tried a little piece. Eating would never be the same again, after that bite, everything else she had eaten before, was next to rubbish. “Whoa... the chef did have good taste!” Applebloom could just nod; both fillies were lost in flavor heaven. Minutes later the plates were clean, white and shiny, they left nothing. “Well… that was quite a dinner huh?” said Scootaloo, rubbing her full belly. “Eeyup…” replied Applebloom as she leaned over the back of the chair, and inhaling deeply. “I don’t think eating will ever be the same, I hadn’t tried something this tasty in my life! It was delicious.” “Eeyup…” “So… why did your sister arranged this dinner?” “Oh, it’s because Ah told’er that we were gonna have this get together, but Ah hadn’t planned where to eat, so she told me she got what Ah needed, n’ then she told me that it was all done, that Ah had to be here n’ say we’re from the Apple family.” “Well my little fillies, would you care to tell me how was it?” Horte Cuisine asked as he approached. “Amazing” said Scootaloo. “Delicious” said Applebloom. “Oh… I’m glad to hear that, my dear fillies. Umm… Are you going to pay now? Or do you want me to come here later?” “Oh, no Ah’ll pay fer it.” “What? No, I’ll pay for it Applebloom!” “Not this again Scoots… Y’all paid fer the flower, Ah’ll pay fer the food” “No, I’ll pay, you got us the reservation, and you’ve done enough, so I’ll pay. And it’s final” stated Scootaloo. “How much is it Horte?” “Oh, it would be one hundred bits.” Scootaloo swallowed hard. Applebloom said “No Scoots, Ah won’t make y’all pay fer it. At least lemme pay half of it!” “No, I’ll pay for it” Scootaloo took his pouch “ Please oh please tell me I have enough.” Luckily, this time the princesses seemed to be in a forgiving mood, and she was able to take one hundred bits out of her pouch and she observed there were just ten bits left in it. “ Well… I guess it will be a while until I have enough for the scooter again… But it doesn’t matter, if everything goes as expected, it will be more than worth it. Scootaloo hoofed the bits to Horte, who bowed and left the table. “Well… I guess we have nothing left to do here… Do you want to have another walk at the park? I… I want to tell you something and I found it to be the perfect place” asked the orange filly. Applebloom got down from her seat and started heading towards the exit “But… isn’t it a lil’ bit dark? Ah mean, the sun’s gone n’ everythin’…” “Oh, I’m sure tonight Luna’s moon can lead the way, I sense that tonight it will be bright and beautiful. Just like you” said Scootaloo, not really thinking about what she was saying. Applebloom blushed after hearing that. Scootaloo realized it and tried to make it up “I m-mean that you are very… bright?” “ Great, that sounded amazingly stupid. Now, stick to the plan. Forget about trying to do anything, until you get to the park, and then… The Ultimate Weapon and she’ll be yours. If not… there’s nothing left to do” “O-okay… if y’all say it, Ah’ll be happy to go with y’all.” The fillies waved goodbye to Horte Cuisine and left ‘The Golden Daffodil’ and walked back to the park. Again there were just some minutes of pure silence, a good calming silence. They walked under the moonshine looking at each other. When they got to the park, Scootaloo decided to act, so as she walked, she started saying. “Applebloom, I need to tell you something, and to ask you something very, very important. You can’t tell anypony about what I’m about to say. Do you swear to be dead silent about it?” asked Scootaloo seriously. Applebloom was excited thinking “ Oh mah stars, Ah can believe it, is she about to ask me out? Tell me she is, please Luna, under your moon make mah wish come true. Well, if she is not telling me that, Ah’ll tell’er then, but first let’s listen to what she’s gonna tell us” “Of course Scootaloo, Ah’ve told y’all that whatever y’all needed to talk, Ah’ll be there for y’all, always by yer side, always…” said the little yellow filly. “I have something to confess…” “Yeah?” the little filly was inching closer, eager to hear her. “I… I-I…” “Yes!?” “I’m… I’m a filly fooler…” said Scootaloo quickly. “Yeah!” yelled Applebloom moving her hoof in sign of victory. Then she noticed Scootaloo’s face. “Ah-Ah mean… it’s just that Ah’m a filly fooler too! Ah’m glad not to be the only one...” “Really? Perfect! Then this will be so much easier!” “ YES! She is gonna ask me out, Ah was right!” thought Applebloom, smiling widely. “I… I need to ask you something” “Yes!?” “I’m in love with some filly, could you help me get her?” asked Scootaloo. Applebloom smile turned upside down and her pastel yellow coat become pale, resembling Sweetie Belle’s. Her eyes contracted and her mind went into complete breakdown “ WHAT!? WHAT IN TARNATION!? WHAT. THE. ACTUAL. BUCK! This wasn’t what Ah was hoping for! Luna, I HATE YOU! Well… Mah love wasn’t corresponded, that’s true… but anyways Ah’m her friend, so Ah’ll help her, even if it’s to get her to be with another filly…” Applebloom steeled herself and replied soullessly, faking a smile “E-eeyup… jes tell me what do y’all need me to do…” “I was thinking… I could rehearse what I’m gonna tell her with you, and you can tell me if it’s good, or if it’s too much” “N’ what makes y’all think she’s gonna react the same way Ah will?” “Because she’s pretty much like you, In fact, everything I’m going to tell you, it’s true for you too.” said Scootaloo. “O-okay… shoot gal” said with feigned joy. “Well… let’s skip the greetings and that, I won’t tell her right away. I’ll probably have a nice date, maybe a walk at the park, and then I’ll tell her.” “ Oh, and now she steals mah idea to get her? Ah’m not letting this one pass by. Ah’m gonna kill this filly, whoever she is.” “Oh, Ah understand, now, what’s you’re gonna tell her, but that it’s also true for me?” “I… I really like your mane, it’s… so beautiful” said Scootaloo smiling coyly. Applebloom blushed “ Ah wasn’t expecting that… she likes mah mane? Well... let’s see what she says next, if she keeps it like this Ah’ll try to make mah move now, and expect everything goes right “Y-y’all do?” “Yes… but not as much as your eyes. Your beautiful eyes, they just keep me looking at them, I’m hypnotized by them and I can’t get away.” “Y-y’all cant?” “ Oh mah stars, she… she can’t be serious ” “And don’t get me started on your way of being, you always bring me up when I’m down, you just give the best of you to keep going. And for that, and a LOT more things that I’m afraid I won’t tell you, I want to ask you something.” “What is it?” Asked Applebloom, she had forgotten about the other filly, she was just thinking about herself. “Applebloom, I’m asking you” said Scootaloo, taking a step closer and a box from the jacket Applebloom was wearing “Would you like to become my fillyfriend?” she said, opening the box, revealing a golden necklace with an apple-shaped ruby and a leaf-shaped emerald. “Please say yes. My life won’t be the same without you by my side.” Boom goes the dynamite, the whole world exploded, leaving nothing, not even the stars, the moon, the universe, nothing, just an orange-coated, purple-maned pegasus filly and a pastel yellow-coated, red-maned earth pony. Or that’s how Applebloom saw it. For her, everything else was secondary and trivial. Her brain was working at thousand miles per second, she felt light headed, her knees were about to fail her, and in her head everything Scootaloo had said was being repeated a thousand times. But the only thing that mattered to her back then was ‘Would you like to become my fillyfriend? My life won’t be the same without you by my side’ she couldn’t move. She was frozen in place. Until she realized Scootaloo’s face, which was filled with terror and expectation. She looks at the necklace and recognizes it. “D-don’t tell me y’all bought it with the money fer yer scooter…” said Applebloom. “Well…” replied Scootaloo with a coy smile “It’s true. But that doesn’t matters! You’re way more important than a stupid scooter, no matter how awesome it is. I would do it again if I was given the chance.” Applebloom’s cheeks became getting red, and she shed a tear, but not because she was heart-broken, she was shedding a tear of happiness. “ Ah’m sorry about what Ah’ve said before, thank y’all Luna, Ah owe y’all big time.” “A-about yer question… about me being yer fillyf-friend… Ah hope this is good enough fer an answer” said Applebloom, darting forward and locking lips with the filly of her dreams, she wrapped her arms around Scootaloo and held her tightly. Scootaloo was paralyzed; she was still processing the information. When she realized what was happening, she returned the kiss with mad passion. She felt like she was in heaven, she forgot about the scooter, she forgot about her older life, she forgot about her parents, she forgot about Rainbow Dash, she forgot her own name, she could only think of Applebloom’s lips, of those sweet lips that were kissing her, those lips that were driving her out of her mind. Her body was feeling warmer, she forgot about how cold she was without the jacket, her wings sprung to the sides wide open, she felt them all tingly and alive she felt like they were going to break free and fly off. Applebloom wasn’t less excited, she was kissing the love of her life, the pony of her dreams, the filly she wanted by her side for the rest of time. She was rocking her world, and she intended on rocking Scootaloo’s world as well. Her body was getting hot, and it wasn’t because of the jacket, or the dress. She felt like her veins were filled with liquid fire, rushing through them at incredible speed. The yellow filly felt that her cheeks were going to explode; they were hot on the inside, and cold outside, because of the two twin streams of tears flowing from her eyes from pure happiness. She was the queen of the world and nopony ever before had been as happy as her in that moment. Scootaloo starts feeling lighter, like the whole burden of gravity wasn’t on her shoulders anymore, she felt like she was being lifted in the air, then she started feeling that Applebloom lips were a little bit lower than before. Seconds later Applebloom broke the kiss. Scootaloo flew up in the air, did a backflip, and hoof pumped while shouting “She said yes! Well, she actually just kissed me, but it’s like a yes! Woohoo!!” When she looked to her right, she notices that Rainbow Dash was looking at her, hoof pumping as well “So, Applejack said yes too, I guess” after a few seconds she heard her new fillyfriend shouting “Scootaloo!” “What?” asked excitedly the little filly. “Y’ALL ARE FLYIN’!” giggled the farmpony. “What are you talking abo-” and that’s when it struck her, she was mid-air, flying. Her wings were flapping faster than ever and she felt weightless. She felt like she was swimming, no, it was even greater. “YOU ARE RIGHT! Oh Celestia this is great! Two of my dreams came true in just one night! I think that if I get my cutie mark now I could die happy.” She looked at her flank, but it was blank as always “Well, I guess it was asking too much for today ” she got distracted for a second and her wings stopped flapping, she started falling, and flapping again, just two feet off the ground she stopped, and got up again. Applebloom was looking at her dumbfounded, her best friend, the one who was never able to rise off the ground for more than some seconds, was flying. Flying out of sheer happiness. In part, she felt proud, because she was the reason of Scootaloo being that happy. Scootaloo descended and gave Applebloom another passionate kiss in mid-air. She landed slowly, without breaking the kiss and hugged her beloved. After a few seconds she broke the kiss, Applebloom’s lips went forward, still hungry, but finding nothing but air. Applebloom opened her eyes to find Scootaloo with a hoof behind her neck, trying to lock the necklace. Applebloom didn’t know what to do; she couldn’t bring herself to say ‘Thanks’ or to just hug her. Then she felt Scootaloo’s hoof wiping the tears of her face, that’s when her heart melted completely. “Oh Scootaloo, Ah can’t tell y’all how much Ah’ve wanted to hear y’all tell me y’all loved me. This... This is more than everything Ah’ve ever dreamed of. Except for that one time where...” She shut herself up, smiled and blushed furiously. Scootaloo’s wing went straight up “W-what did you dreamed about?” “About y’all n’ Ah getting’ married.” Scootaloo’s heart rate went slightly down and laughed. “Well, I think it’s a little bit soon for that, we’ve been together for about a minute and a half.” Both fillies started laughing, then got closer and hugged for a few minutes. Even if she didn’t want to, Applebloom had to say “Umm... Scoots, Ah think it’s a lil’ bit late, n’ Big Mac, mah sis’ n’ Granny Smith will probably be worried about me. Ah guess Ah have to go home.” “I would be concerned just about your brother and your grandma” grinned Scootaloo. “Why do y’all think that?” asked the red/orange eyed filly. “I have a hunch that she’s pretty busy and happy right now with another pony... But I guess it is late. Let’s get you home... MY Applebloom.” “Thank y’all, MAH Scootie.” “Wait! Please, please… we shouldn’t call each other names, like your brother when he was in love with Miss Cheerilee because of our poison.” cringed Scootaloo at the memory of that fatidic day. “Don’t you like me calling y’all mah Scootie?” pouted Applebloom, giving Scootaloo the best puppy-dog eyes she could muster. Scootaloo couldn’t resist those eyes. “Okay, okay, you can call me Scootie, or however you want to call me, as long as it’s nothing similar to ‘shmoopy-doopy sweetie-weety pony pie’ or something like that.” “Oh no, Ah wouldn’t tell y’all sumthin’ like that.” “Okay my Blooming Beauty, can we go?” “Oh, so the ‘no-names’ girl calls me names?” giggled Applebloom, while Scootaloo blushed and looked away. Applebloom got close to her friend, and they went walking toward Sweet Apple Acres, flank to flank, with Applebloom’s head resting on Scootaloo’s shoulder and Scootaloo’s wing draped over her. As soon as they got to Sweet Apple Acres, Scootaloo kissed Applebloom one last time and decided to go back to Sugarcube Corner for her scooter. Applebloom watched her walk away and entered the house. Her life was complete, but her body was worn out. She went upstairs and entered her room silently, so her grandma wouldn’t wake up from her sleep. She closed the door and walked towards the wardrobe, which was almost empty, she was about to take off her dress when she noticed she was still wearing Scootaloo’s jacket. She took it off and let her over her bed. She took her dress off, hung it in the wardrobe, and walked towards her bed. She rested her head on the pillow for a few seconds, but then she started looking back and forth, unsure of what she was going to do. Finally she decided, she grabbed the jacket and got back to bed. She drifted off to sleep, with the leather jacket between her hooves with a smile on her face. Scootaloo took the scooter from her hiding place and arrived back at her ‘home’. She entered, re-made the wall, and collapsed on her bed. She didn’t care about anything. Her day couldn’t have been better. The next morning Scootaloo woke up smiling; she walked to the ‘door’ and got out. Today she wasn’t going to go on her scooter, today she had plenty energy, so she ran towards Sweet Apple Acres. When she got there, she knocked on the door really fast. She inhaled deeply to lower her heart rate and waited to be greeted by the pastel yellow filly she loved. But instead, she’s greeted by her big brother. “Hi Big Mac!” “Howdy miss Scootaloo.” “Umm… is Applebloom at home?” “Well… she is, but she’s still asleep. Y’all can go n’ wake her up; she should be up by now anyways” he said, stepping aside and pointing to the stairs. Scootaloo entered the house and walked up the stairs, she entered her beloved room, she had been in Applebloom’s room before, but it felt different this time. She walked towards the bed, and saw Applebloom holding the jacket tightly, sleeping and smiling. “ Oh my gosh, she slept with my jacket, that’s so cute!” She got closer and she whispered to her ears as sweetly as she could “Applebloom, wake up, it’s almost midday already.” Applebloom jolted up in surprise, causing her to bump her forehead with Scootaloo’s. Both fillies let out a groan and then they laughed. After that, Applebloom realized that her new fillyfriend was in her room. “Scootie? What are y’all doin’ here?” “Oh, I was thinking… we need to tell Sweetie Belle about us. We won’t be able to fake it when the three of us are together.” “Yeah. Ah guess y’all are right. So, wanna go now Sugarcube? asked the filly. “Yeah, let’s go! My Bloom.” The fillies exited the house and walked towards Carousel Boutique. They knocked on the door to find Sweetie Belle behind it. “Hi crusaders! Come in, I’m alone since Rarity is in a meet up with the girls.” “Hi Sweetie Belle... I...” said Scootaloo, walking towards the living room. Applebloom just followed her and stood by her side. “I... WE… we have something to tell you, something... very important” she said, blushing slightly. “Oh, yeah? What is it?” asked the excited white filly. “We…” she looked at Applebloom “You tell her.” She pushed her fillyfriend ahead. “We… Scootie here and Ah… we’re datin’, Sweetie Belle.” “YES!! I knew it! I knew you two would end up together and that yesterday was really a date! Ha-ha! Feels good to be right.” The unicorn yelled, dancing in a comical fashion. “What?” asked the two fillies in unison. “Yes, I declare myself guilty. I already knew about you two, even before you two yourselves found out you liked each other. I noticed the way you looked at each other, and the way you two always stood together. I knew it all along.” bragged the purple and pink maned pony with a smile on her face. “Really? And you aren’t mad, or find us being together with another filly to be disgusting or anything?” asked Scootaloo. “Of course not! Love is love, no matter the gender nor the age. Oh girls I’m so happy for you! Crusaders Group Hug!” exclaimed Sweetie Belle before stretching her hooves and hugging her two friends. “Well… Ah’m really sorry gals, but with that said, Ah must get back to the barn, Ah have to do mah daily chores.” said Applebloom. “Oh, yeah, well, I’ll walk you home; I have to get my jacket back anyway.” Responded Scootaloo “Oh, okay girls, I have to wait for Rarity to come back, but then we could hang out or go crusading!” “That sounds like a great idea Sweetie Belle, see you!” said Scootaloo, walking out the door with Applebloom by her side. Sweetie Belle was about to close the door when her sister entered the house. She seemed worried and disgusted by something. Sweetie Belle couldn’t figure out what it was, but she knew it was better to wait for her to give up and confess what happened, rather than asking her what the problem is. So since she couldn’t ask her what it was, she decided to just tell her the good news. “Hi sister, how are you today?” “Hi Sweetie Belle, it’s… it’s a strange day, to say the least.” She looked like she was about to faint. “How about you?” “Oh, I have wonderful news Rarity! Scootaloo and Applebloom are dating! Isn’t it wonderful? I can’t say I didn’t see that one coming, but anyways, it’s great news!” “D-d-dating? Those two little fillies? B-but they’re too young! And to be with another mare… how could they possibly be sure about their sexuality.” “Sister! What are you saying! You should know better than anypony that love is love, no matter the gender, nor the age, love is beautiful anyways, in any of its forms. The bond between two ponies who love each other is limitless and unbreakable.” Sweetie Belle got closer to her sister and hugged her “You and I love each other, as sisters, they just love each other more than that, it’s not that difficult” stated the little pony. Rarity was speechless; she didn’t know what to say. She was thinking, trying to process the information given to her by her little sister. “Oh dear, I see it so clear now! How could I’ve acted like such a ruffian!” she examined, before rushing out the door, closing it behind her with magic.