//------------------------------// // First Dates: Applejack and Troubleshoes // Story: First Dates // by SixShooterOutlaw //------------------------------// Applejack was training for the Ponyville rodeo, she had been getting advice for barrel racing from Rainbow Dash and she cut five seconds off her average time, now she was working on the hay stacking with Braeburn and Big Mac. "Thanks for helpin' me out guys," Applejack told them "and thank you so much for coming all the way from Appleloosa to help Braeburn.". "It's no trouble Applejack," Braeburn said to her "it gave me a chance to see my favorite cousins". "I'll have to thank Troubleshoes too, for keeping an eye on the crusaders for me," Applejack said, "They can be a real hoof full sometimes". "Only sometimes?" asked Big Mac questioningly. "Hey Big Mac, are you going to ask Cheerilee to the rodeo?" Applejack asked her big brother. "Eeyup,"Big Mac answered. "That's good, I'm glad you and Cheerilee found each other, I wish I had a special somepony," Applejack said. "I want a special somepony too," Braeburn added "I just wish I had the courage to ask the mare I like out on a date.". "You will, Braeburn," Big Mac told him "Now, let's get all this hay put away,". "Alright," Applejack replied and she started hauling the hay back to the barn. When the ponies finished putting the hay away in the barn, the went to the front of the house only to find poor Troubleshoes tied up with a rope that Sweetie Belle was trying to tie with her magic and Apple Bloom and Scootaloo with their hooves. "What in tarnation are you three fillies doin'?" Applejack asked. "Trying to get our cutie marks in rope tying, of course!" Apple Bloom told her sister. "And I was just tryin' to help them out," Troubleshoes said to Applejack. "Thank you Troubleshoes for watching them," Applejack said to him as she started untying him, "I'm sorry if they were trouble.". "They were no trouble at all," Troubleshoes said standing up, "I felt since they helped me discover the truth of my cutie mark, I'd help them find theirs.". "That's mighty sweet of you, I hope you help point them in the right direction." Applejack said to him. "I hope so too." he responded "Those little ponies are very determined, but they are trying too hard they need to just let it happen.". "Eeyup." added Big Mac. "Well, I better head back to my hotel room," Troubleshoes said to the group of ponies "See you at the rodeo." "See ya Troubleshoes!" Apple Bloom said waving to her friend. "See you later, I can't wait to see you in the rodeo!" Applejack shouted to him waving her hoof up and down blushing like a filly talking to her crush, she turned around and saw the other ponies staring at her, "What are you guys lookin' at?" she asked. "You" Big Mac answered "you have a crush on Troubleshoes.". "What, no I don't-where would you got such a silly idea?!?" Applejack said quickly, her face turning a bright shade of red. "The way you act when he's around, the way you started talking just a moment ago," Big Mac explained "it's pretty obvious.". "What do you guys think?" she asked the other ponies. "You have a crush." they all answered in unison. Applejack then blushed again,"alright, I have a crush on Troubleshoes," she admitted "he's just so handsome, sweet and kind.". "Wow Applejack, you must really like him," Apple Bloom said to her. "I do, but I don't know how to talk to him about anything but rodeos or anything serious without getting all flustered," Applejack told them. "Maybe you should talk to him after the rodeo" Braeburn suggested "I mean, I don't think you'd wanna take advice like that from me but just thought I'd give you a suggestion.". "But, how do I start that kind of conversation?" Applejack asked, "I mean you just can't flat out ask to go out on a date.". "I bet you can," Apple Bloom said to her "You can do anything that you set your mind to.". "Aww, thanks Sugarcube, but I don't think it's that easy" Applejack told her little sister "I wish it was though.". "It can be if you let it," Scootaloo told her "you can never know how it'll happen, but true love always comes though." she then started looking around at the ponies shocked looks, "what?" she asked them. "I never thought about you bring a romantic," Sweetie Belle told her. "Neither did I," Apple Bloom added. "Well, just because I'm tough doesn't mean I can't like a good romance book or movie," Scootaloo said to her friends matter of factly "now Applejack, you can just ask and see what happens, leave it up to fate, I bet you and Troubleshoes are destined to be together.". "You know what Scootaloo, that's exactly what I'm gonna do" Applejack declared to them "after the rodeo, I'm going to ask Troubleshoes out on a date!". "YAY!" all the crusaders said in unison. "Alright guys, it's time to hit the hay so let's get inside," Big Mac said and all the ponies headed inside to go to bed. It was the day of the rodeo and Applejack was nervous for more reason than the rodeo itself, she was nervous about asking Troubleshoes out on a date, she was going to practice more but she was worried that she'd get hurt so she decided that it was best not to, so she settled on taking a walk around Ponyville. "All right now, Applejack." she thought "don't get too nervous now, you still have a rodeo to do,",she continued walking towards the rodeo grounds, a little while ago she ran into Pinkie Pie and Cheese Sandwich and they were going to attend the rodeo for their first date,they couldn't decide on anything so she suggested to go to the rodeo and they both seemed excited about it. "I really hope I'll be planning dates with Troubleshoes soon." she thought 'now don't start getting ahead of yourself, you need to ask him on one before you think of others.". Once she got to the rodeo grounds, she saw Troubleshoes getting his makeup put on, she then headed over to the competitors area to talk with her fellow rodeo ponies about what they have been up to since the last time they have seen each other, this is the last rodeo of the season so everypony was more chatty than ever before, Applejack started chatting with someponies from Manehatten, then the bell rang telling the ponies the rodeo was about to start. Once the rodeo ended,Applejack had won a lot of the events, the one she was extremely proud of was the one she got from barrel racing not only did she win she also broke the Ponyville rodeo record for fastest time! She had to tell Rainbow Dash next time she saw her, but right now she had something very important to do, ask Troubleshoes Clyde on a date. "Alright Applejack,here's your chance," she said to herself as she walked over to where Troubleshoes was standing,he had just gotten his makeup off and was still in part of his clown costume "just do what Scootloo suggested and ask him," she thought, she then took a deep breath and said "he-hey Troubleshoes, can I ask you a question?". "Sure,what do you want to ask me?" he asked. 'D-do you want to go on a-a date with me?". she asked almost in a whisper. "What was that?". "Do you want to go on a date with me?" she asked louder this time. Troubleshoes then smiled, chuckled a little and said "Of course,I will Applejack,I almost asked you but I was worried you'd say no.". Applejack smiled wide and said "I was worried that you'd say no too,but I just got my courge up and asked you.". "So,when do you want to do this date?". "When would be a good time for you?". "Well,since this was the last rodeo for the year,I'm pretty much free for the rest of the year.". Applejack chuckled a little and said "How 'bout tomorrow?". "Tomorrow is perfect.". "Okay then,see you tomorrow Troubleshoes.". "See you tomorrow,Applejack.". Applejack headed back to Sweet Apple Acres with the biggest smile on her face. The next morning, Applejack jumped out of bed and went,ate breakfast and headed over to Carousel Boutique to get her mane done,it was about noon and she was supposed to meet Troubleshoes for their date at about four, she already had told Rarity and her friends the night before about her date and they were very happy for her, once she arrived at Carousel Boutique,she went to knock on the door but it swung open and Rarity pulled her inside. 'You're late,Applejack" Rarity said as if she was scolding a foal "I told you to be here at eleven!". "I'm sorry,but I had breakfast before I left and lost track of time" Applejack explained "why did you want me here so early?". "Applejack,you're going on your first date" Rarity told her "you need to look your best." "It's dinner and a movie," Applejack said flattly "veggie dogs for dinner and we're going to see the new John Mayne movie to be more specific.". "I think you still need to look your best,no matter what". "I know Rarity.". "Now then, let's go and take care of your mane." Rarity said as she led Applejack over to the area where Rarity took care of ponies' manes, Rarity washed,dried and styled Applejack's mane,she took Applejack over to her clothing rack and started to look through the outfits,"not this one,not this one not-ah ha,there it is!"she exclaimed happily as she took out a pair of overalls that had been fixed up and slightly bedazzled and four boots that had gotten a similar treatment. "Remember those old work clothes you brought in a while back to get fixed?" Rarity asked. "Yeah.". "Well,I had gotten busy and had forgotton about them until you told us about your date,then I found them and fixed them up.". "Wow,thanks Rarity.". 'It was no trouble at all,Applejack" Rarity told her friend "I just want you to look your best.". "Well,I better be headin' over to meet Troubleshoes,thanks for the help Rarity.". "See you Applejack,have a good time on your date!". Applejack then headed towards the veggie dog stand in Ponyville. Once she got there she saw Troubleshoes standing there waiting for her, he turned and saw her and started to wave at her,she walked up to him and said "Hi there Troubleshoes,how's your day been?". "It's been good Applejack," he answered then he started looking at her, "you look great.". Applejack blushed and said "my friend Rarity helped me out,she loves helping ponies look their best.". "Well,she did a great job,not that you weren't already good looking.". Applejack giggled and snorted a little and she said "aww shucks" she turned a brighter shade of red and kicked at the ground softly. "So,what do you want to have?". "I think a regular veggie dog with mustard and ketchup and a cola sounds good.". "Alright then," Troubleshoes said as he turned to the vendor and said "I'll take three veggie dogs and two colas please.". "Coming right up" the vendor said cheerfully and he got the food and drinks ready and gave them to Troubleshoes "That'll be four bits please" the vendor told them, Troubleshoes got out his bag of bits and gave the vendor the bits "Thank you and have a nice evening" the vendor said with a smile as Applejack and Troubleshoes went over to one of the tables in front of the stand. "How has beening a rodeo pony been?" Applejack asked. "It's been very fun," Troubleshoes answered,"I love makin' ponies laugh.". "Sounds like you've been having a lot of fun.". "I have,how is the farm been?". "Very good,the trees are growing really good this year,I think we're gonna have the best cider season we've had in years!". "That's great to hear.". "Yeah,maybe since there aren't anymore rodeos this year, you might be interested in helping out around the farm.". "That sounds like a good idea.". The two ponies kept chatting and enjoying their dinner until it was time to go to the theater to see the movie. Once the movie was over Troubleshoes was walking Applejack back home and they kept talking about their day. "I had a great time today,Troubleshoes." Applejack told the stallion. "I had a great time too.". "Maybe we'll have to do it again.". "No,we will have to do this again.". Applejack smiled wide and hugged him but then she stopped and started blushing,Troubleshoes then wrapped one of his legs around her and hugged her back. "Good night, Applejack.". he said with a smile. "Good night, Troubleshoes.". Troubleshoes left for his hotel room and Applejack went inside and shut the door,then she started giggling uncontrollably. "This was the best night I ever!" she said still smiling.