//------------------------------//
// Chapter 5 
// Story: The Orange Apple and the Bookworm 
// by Some Person 
//------------------------------//

	As the chariot took off towards Canterlot, Applejack and Twilight took their seats.
"It's been awhile since I've been outta town," Applejack stated while stretching her limbs. "Kinda nice to Canterlot without any sorta shenanigans goin' on."
Twilight smiled and added, "We haven’t really gone to Canterlot on a good day, huh?"
Both ponies chuckled and sat back. Applejack then remarked, "Just hope the town’ll be nicer than usual."
"What are you talking about?"
Applejack slightly stiffened before continuing. "Ah just mean... well..." She started to massage the back of her neck. "Sometimes ponies go shovin' things onto ya, and it gets a little overwhelmin’. That's all."
Twilight started to smile. "That’s a little ironic coming from a salespony like yourself."
"'Spose it is, huh."
Applejack began studying the landscape, leaving Twilight unintentionally glancing over her date. She swallowed the lump in her throat and turned away as well. So... what's good to say here? Nothing too forward, but not too weak at the same time...
After an extended moment of silence, Applejack ended up looking over to Twilight, who was now rubbing her forehead and lightly groaned. "Are you okay?" she asked as she moved her hoof to tap her shoulder.
Twilight then snapped her head around and blurted out, "Y-your flank looks hella fine!"
Both mares stared at each other, their faces slowly getting redder until Applejack worked up the energy to say, "Thank... you?" as she glanced at the two pegasi flying the chariot, who were staring in their general direction but quickly turned around.
Twilight turned away and stared at the floor.
Applejack cleared her throat and started with, "So... all that aside... I'm really looking forward to this."
Twilight started to smile again and took a deep breath. "I am too."
"Now, uh... what are we gonna look at in the exhibit?"
Twilight sat upright and her ears perked up. "What to look at? Oh boy, where do I even begin? Um... wait..." She pressed her hoof to her lips. "Where do I even begin?" She briefly looked at the far-off mountains. "I guess I could start by asking how much you know about Starswirl the Bearded."
"Aside from you dressin' up as him for Nightmare Night? Not much," Applejack replied as she slouched.
"Then... I guess I could give you some background information. Starswirl was born in the year 347. Even from his birth, his magic abilities gave him quite the reputation. He first started with..." Twilight then gave an extensive explanation of Starswirl's many deeds and actions. All the while, she became more animated as the discussion carried on, and Applejack brought up her remarks and questions as needed. "...And wouldn't you know it, researchers later discovered that he even took part in establishing the subcategories of magic in Equestria."
"Well ah'll be," Applejack replied.
"That find caused quite a ruckus in the magic community, let me tell you. Still, that was nothing compared to when—” 
Suddenly, one of the pegasi stated, “We’re almost near the castle, Miss Twilight.” 
Twilight blinked her eyes a few times before looking below. The city of Canterlot was coming closer and closer into view.
"Almost there, huh?" Applejack asked. "Didn't even seem that long ago." She looked towards Twilight, who was still staring at the approaching city. "Something wrong, Twilight?"
"W-we're... here?"
"Yeah, looks like it. Does that surprise you?"
Twilight turned to Applejack. "But... we were talking the entire time. That had to at least have been an hour and a half."
Applejack shrugged. "Guess it was."
"You didn't... mind me rambling?"
"Ramblin'?" Applejack replied with a raised eyebrow. "Ah wouldn't say it's ramblin' if we're both talkin', now would it?"
Twilight slowly allowed herself to smile. "Oh... well... great!"
Eventually, the chariot touched down and both mares made their way out. 
“They’ll be back to pick us up around nine o’ clock,” Twilight explained. “So we’ve got plenty of time around town.”
“Then ah reckon we should get goin’,” Applejack replied.
They waved goodbye to the chariot pegasi, and headed towards the downtown area. All the while they struck various conversations as Applejack quickly glanced at the ponies they passed by. Finally, they were standing in front of the museum. Its stylistically polished white architecture and brick building were draped in banners depicting Starswirl the Bearded.
A smile beamed across Twilight’s face as she turned to her date. “Are you ready?”
Applejack nodded. “Can’t say no when you’re that excited.”
Both mares walked up the steps leading to the museum’s entrance. Inside, they were handed pamphlets about the day’s exhibits, and then followed banners leading them toward their destination. Once they arrived, Twilight’s hooves became antsy and her smile grew even wider than before.
“Oh my gosh, oh my gosh! It’s all here!” She exclaimed as she started prancing in a circle. “What do we even see first? There’s the memoirs, the walkthroughs, the lectures, the interviews, the the models!” She paused and started giggling. “There’s so much to do!” Her prancing was interrupted when she heard Applejack start snickering. She stopped prancing, chuckled uneasily, and looked away as her face reddened. “Um… what would you like to do?” she asked meekly.
“Ah’m okay with whatever you wanna do,” Applejack replied. “What’s the first thing that comes to mind? How about that?”
Twilight’s eyes drifted to the right, then to the left, and her lips scrunched up.
“Okay, okay. Let’s try this.” Applejack got her own pamphlet and opened it. She turned away, closed her eyes, and tapped the page she was on. She opened her eyes and looked at where her hoof was. “The Academy Display. That sound good?”
Twilight nodded. She walked alongside her friend and her smile started to fade. Come on, Twilight! Don’t freak out in front of her like this! Just gotta… calm down. She took a slow, deep breath in, and released it slowly. She then glanced over at Applejack, and saw her smiling gleefully. In turn, she allowed herself a small smile. Well, maybe it’s not that bad.
After a small walk through the area, they reached the Academy Display. All around them were pictures, posters, artifacts, and many other materials.
“So what’s the story behind all this?” Applejack asked as her head darted around.
“As you probably know, Starswirl was a prodigy for magic, from even a young age. And, since ponies back then would often move swiftly into adulthood, he gained such a following that he ended up establishing what we know now as the Magic Academy.”
Applejack stopped in place. “You’re tellin’ me a young’un ended up makin’ an entire academy all on his own?”
Twilight nodded.
“And here ah thought there was a lot on my plate.”
“To be honest, when I was a filly, I had my own thoughts on a school under my name,” Twilight began. “It wasn’t too much, but it was still something sizeable.”
Applejack puffed her chest out and drew a hoof across it. “And what would’ve been in your school, Headmaster Twilight?”
Twilight chuckled. “Let’s see… I had ideas for an academics section, obviously. Then there was… the dorm rooms… the office… and… the cafeteria… Huh, guess there was less than I imagined.”
“Ambitious from the get-go.”
“Really? I kind of, um… find it a little embarrassing. I was so young and had no idea how the world worked.” Twilight flattened her ears and sported a sheepish grin. “Oh, and… sorry for getting so eager back there. I just… kinda lose composure over these things.” She chuckled uneasily.
Applejack shook her head. “Nothin’ embarrassin’ ‘bout likin’ somethin’. In fact, uh…” Her cheeks reddened, she slightly bowed her head, and looked up. “If we’re bein’ honest here… Seein’ you all excited made you look kinda… cute.”
Twilight felt explosive heat waves rush to her cheeks and her hair stand up, if only for a moment. Both she and Applejack were silent before Twilight stammered, “S-s-so, the… the display, yeah! Let’s go!” They then walked a short distance towards a group of ponies being led by a tour guide. The guide was explaining how a series of robes used by attendees at the old academy were to signify one’s skill level and stature.
“This is kinda more interestin’ than ah thought it would be,” Applejack muttered.
“Isn’t it? I bet Rarity would love to see these,” Twilight whispered back.
“She’d probably throw a fit seein’ clothes that old.”
“Right?”
A pony in the group shushed them, refocusing their attention on the tour guide’s explanation. Twilight listened attentively, then glanced over at Applejack, who was also paying close attention. She smiled before focusing on the guide again. After a couple of seconds, however, she found herself staring back over again. There was a shine on Applejack’s lips that wouldn’t avoid her attention. She gently shook her head, and turned away. However, the voice of the tour guide was slowly being drowned out and replaced with the sound of her beating heart growing louder and louder. She bit her lower lip and turned towards Applejack again. Her cheeks began to flush again as she found herself stuck focusing on those lips. An enticing thought then crossed her mind, which made her tremble and her eyes grow wide.
“H-hey,” she muttered. “I have to go to… the bathroom, yeah.”
Applejack nodded. “Ah’ll be here. Take your time.”
Twilight smiled and nodded. She creeped away, then slowly increased her pace until she finally found a restroom. She barged in and went into one of the stalls. Then she rested her head against the wall and placed a hoof to her chest. Was that… Did I just imagine us… The thought then replayed through her head. The glimmer coming from Applejack’s lips became such a nuisance that she felt the only way to stop it would be to cover those lips with her own.
She shook her head rapidly. Come on! I just wanted to figure things out! She chastised. I never wanted any of this! I just… I wanted… She began relaxing and slumped against the wall. Oh, who am I kidding? I might have figured out one thing, but… Her gaze trailed to the right. Does this mean I... like her, like her, or what? Twilight then took a deep breath and stood up straight. I can figure that out later. I don’t want to keep her waiting. She then exited the stall, washed off her hooves, and then went back into the museum.

*****

Applejack scanned her surrounding area, noting several ponies pass by. She’s sure taking her time. She started to tap her hoof. Hope she’s doing alright. I probably should’ve asked her what was up. she reflected, as the look on Twilight’s face flashed in her mind. I mean, this date hasn’t been going that bad, right? She started to tap her hooves, then considered how Twilight had been looking at her lately; always with a blush or an uneasy look. Then she looked at the glass display of robes and studied her faint reflection. Please just tell me it’s not only because of all this, she hoped as she lightly touched her blush.
She then sighed and shook her head. What am I going on about? It couldn’t just be this makeup. Applejack began smiling. Things are looking good tonight, but I can’t consider it done yet. There’s still a lot more to do. She then heard hoofsteps approaching from behind, and turned around. “Well there you are,” she stated as she greeted Twilight.
“Sorry about that,” she replied. “I just needed a minute.”
“It’s alright. Ah’m not in any rush.”
They examined and studied the other artifacts in the exhibit before following indicators towards the area filled with Starswirl’s possessions.
Applejack began uneasily looking around at everything encased for exhibition. 
“Something wrong?” Twilight asked upon noticing.
“It’s, uh…” Her hooves began fidgeting. “It ain’t too big a deal, but… seein’ all this just creeps me out.”
“What about it?”
“It just don’t feel right. Ah mean, these are all Starswirl’s things, right? It’s just like… It still feels as if his soul’s still in ‘em. Keepin’ everything out here for ponies to ogle at n’ all. It’s kinda like he ain’t really put to rest. My family's got unspoken rules 'bout possessions. A couple knick knacks are fine, but entire collections? It's just too much.”
“This isn’t to invalidate your point,” Twilight began, “but according to many historians, Starswirl was the type to share his life with others. Maybe this is how he would’ve wanted it.”
“How ‘bout you, then? Would you want all your stuff on display after you pass?”
Twilight paused and looked at everything around her: The knick knacks, the journals, family heirlooms, everything. “I don’t know if I’d have much say thousands of years down the line, but…” She paused and turned to Applejack. “My only hope would be that whatever’s left of my life could be used to help others. It’s one thing to die but… it’s another to fade out of existence.”
Applejack looked away. Fade out, huh?
“I-I’m sorry!” Twilight stated as she shook her head. “I didn’t mean to make things so dark.”
“No, no, it’s alright. It’s… somethin’ that ah’m sure everypony thinks about once in a while.”
Both mares briefly looked around before Twilight queried, “So… there’s going to be a lecture on Starswirl’s influence on modern magic, if you’d like to check that out.”
With a shrug, Applejack replied, “I’m good for anythin’ you are.”
Twilight nodded and led her date towards a small theatre within the museum. The seats were divided between both sides of the room, and most seats had been filled. After scouting the area, Twilight asked, “How about there?” while pointing to two empty seats in the middle center.
“Sure.” Applejack walked alongside Twilight as they took their seats. She then looked at her friend, seeing another big smile on her face. “You sure look chipper.”
Twilight started to grin timidly. “It’s, um…”
“Hey, c’mon,” Applejack began, placing her hoof around Twilight’s shoulder. “If you wanna get excited, then get excited. It’s okay, really.”
The librarian’s cheeks turned a shade of pink again, and her ears folded back. “Okay, I’ll try to remember that. Anyways, the two speakers have been researching Starswirl for most of their careers. I just wonder what they’re going to bring up.”
“Try not to correct ‘em if they get somethin’ wrong.”
“H-hey! I wouldn’t do that,” Twilight chuckled. “...Although, if they did get something horribly wrong, I might have to interject.”
“Naturally.” The lights then started to dim, and they quieted down as two unicorns, a stallion and a mare, took to the stage. They started by discussing their outline, and then began a general discussion about Starswirl’s life and accomplishments. As the presentation dragged on, Applejack could feel her eyelids getting heavy. She moved to rub her eyes, but suddenly stopped. Don’t wanna smear this makeup all over me. She sat up straight and against her seat. C’mon, just sit through this, it’ll be over in no time! She grimaced and focused her might on keeping her eyes open. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough, and she ended up drifting off.
Next thing she knew, she felt a slight shake at her shoulder.
“C’mon, Applejack, wake up,” a voice whispered.
She slowly opened her eyes and realized she was leaning over in her seat, resting against Twilight’s shoulder. “Wake up? What’re you—” Her eyes opened wider, and she then noticed the theatre was now fully lit, and ponies were making their way out of the room. She leaned away and rested her forehead on her hoof. “Did ah fall asleep?”
Twilight looked away, her lips slightly scrunched up. This made Applejack groan. “Ah’m so sorry, Twi! Ah… ah just.”
“It’s okay, really! I mean… most of what they went over was common knowledge anyway, so it’s not like you missed much.”
“Ah still feel real bad. Ah wasn’t… snorin’, was ah?”
“No! Not at all. I only noticed you were sleeping after you started leaning against my shoulder. And, well…” Twilight started to blush and rubbed the back of her neck. “I… thought you looked kind of nice like that.”
Applejack quickly looked up, feeling a rush of heat go to her cheeks. It was at that moment when her stomach started to growl. She lowered her ears and chuckled uneasily.
“W-we can find somewhere to eat, if you’re hungry.”
“Are you sure? Ah mean, this is where you wanted to be for tonight.”
“I know, but that lecture took longer than we thought,” Twilight pointed at a clock on the wall near the entrance to the theater; its hands indicating 7:45. “I was thinking that we could eat and then head back to the chariot.”
“Long as you’re sure it’s what you wanna do.”
Twilight nodded. “A lot of what I saw here was nice tonight, and I really did enjoy seeing these things. There’s always another time, and… I’d rather just spend time with you,” she added with a smile and a blush.
Applejack also started to smile. “Ah’d like that,” she stated, softly.
Both mares then exited the museum and explored the downtown area.

**********

“Phew! That was some good eatin’!” Applejack proclaimed
“I’m glad you enjoyed it,” Twilight replied, walking alongside her. Both mares were leaving the area and heading towards their chariot. “It was a bit pricey, but at least the food was worth it.”
“At first, ah thought somethin’ like Frozen Hot Chocolate was gonna be a letdown, but that really hit the spot!”
“I know that sure surprised me. Culinary magic has sure become advanced.” Twilight peered at the surrounding area before stating, “I hope you had as much fun tonight as I did.”
Applejack nodded. “Absolutely!” 
They glanced at each other, all smiles, before refocusing on their walk. At that time, Applejack started to speak, but the question was lost to Twilight, whose ears perked up and towards a small crowd to their right. She stopped in place and stared at a small crowd that had gathered. An older voice could be heard from a megaphone within the crowd.
“What’s wrong?” Applejack asked as she approached. She then looked where Twilight was looking and her ears flattened. “H-hey, uh. How ‘bout we just keep goin’ back to the chariot?” she insisted as she stood in front of Twilight.
“We will, I just want to see what the fuss is over here,” she replied while maneuvering around her friend and walked towards the group.
“Twilight, please,” Applejack insisted. “He ain’t talkin’ ‘bout anythin’ important.”
Before Twilight could process these words, she continued to approach, Applejack following closely behind her. She then discovered that the crowd focused their attention on a burgundy unicorn with signs at his side. 
He used his magic to hold a megaphone in front of his mouth as he began with “What the Princess doesn’t understand is that the homosexual deviants will continue to poison our society until we have lost the very foundation of life!”
Twilight started to scowl and her eyes grew wide. She noticed that the signs he carried contained horrible anti-gay statements. What kind of nonsense is this? She then stepped forward. “Excuse me,” she hissed. “Just who do you think you are, saying things like this?”
“I’m just saying what nopony else in power has the guts to say,” the unicorn replied.
“That doesn’t mean you’re right! How can you even say such hurtful things about others?”
“What I’m saying are proven facts. Foals need to grow up with a mother figure and a father figure. Otherwise they just grow up sick in the head.”
Twilight’s scowl grew. “Why don’t you try saying that to every orphan and pony with a single parent, and let me know how that goes.”
“Wait, are you a homosexual?” he queried.
“What difference would that make?” Twilight deadpanned.
“The difference would be that if you’re willing to see reason, then you can save yourself through therapy.” The unicorn then lifted a pamphlet and held it out in front of her.
Twilight then placed a hoof to her cheek. “Oh, of course! Anypony who disagrees with you simply must be gay! That’s the only explanation!” She then used her own magic and knocked the pamphlet onto the ground. “Love isn’t the sort of thing you can just change in others!”
“You and I have a very different definition of love then. An unholy union between homos does no good in the long run.”
“Then how about you tell me what’s so awful about, say, two stallions loving each other?”
“Two stallions can’t procreate.”
Twilight’s eye started to twitch. “You… can’t be serious. There are so many methods to having children nowadays. The fact that you’re using that as a defense just baffles me!”
“Those ways result in foals with horrifying birth defects. It’s been proven time and time again.”
After a moment of staring, Twilight shook her head. “There’s no point in talking to somepony like you. I almost feel sorry for you. Being as closed-minded as you are must have its drawbacks in the long run.” She then turned around, ignoring the crowd that gathered around her, and walked away, with Applejack.
However, the unicorn then replied with, “Yes, everypony, wave goodbye to the fillyfooler!”
Twilight immediately stopped in her tracks. Her grimace grew even larger.
“It’s not worth it, Twilight!” Applejack pleaded. “Let’s just go, and let ‘em—”
In an instant, Twilight’s horn lit up and she teleported herself right in front of the bigot. “What did you just say?” she growled.
“Didn’t you hear me?” he responded with a smug grin. “I said,” he paused to lift the megaphone towards Twilight, “wave goodbye to the fillyfooler!”
She could feel her entire head heating up at that moment. Without even thinking about it, she gripped the stallion’s sign with her magic and thrusted it down onto him, ripping a sizeable hole in it. The crowd around her gasped. “Don’t you ever call me or anypony else something as horrible as that! Maybe if you took five seconds out of your day to get to know somepony who’s gay, you’d understand that they’re some of the bravest ponies you know! Go get a reality check!” Twilight then teleported herself out and away from the crowd and began running. She just ran and ran, doing whatever she could to ease up the tension bubbling in her head. How can ponies like him exist? Being so judgemental that they can’t see how we can all still be the same! It’s not right! It’s… not... 
She felt her eyes misting over and started to slow down. She then stopped when next to a building and leaned against it. Tears started to roll down her cheeks as she worked to stifle her sobs and her shaking.
“Twilight!”
She turned around to see Applejack running towards her, and then started to wipe away her tears. They wouldn’t stop, however, so once Applejack was near, she shook her head. “How… can ponies be so cruel?” she asked. “It just makes me so mad!” Then she looked towards her friend, whose forelegs were extended out towards Twilight. The librarian sniffled as she walked forward to accept the gesture, and she was wrapped in a comforting embrace. “I’m sorry…” she muttered. 
Applejack patted her friend’s back and remained silent as she gently held that tense body. “It’s okay,” she cooed. “You don’t gotta apologize for nothin’. Ah’m the one who should be apologizin’.”
“Wh-what do you mean?”
“Ah, um… kinda felt like this would happen.”
Twilight lifted her head up. “I don’t understand.”
“Ponies like him, ah mean.”  Applejack sighed as she turned her head away. “There’ve been a few times where ah’d come to town to sell my wares, and end up gettin’ an earful of that malarky. Often times it ain’t more than an annoyance.” 
“...Did you know this would happen?”
“It ain’t that ah knew, so much as ah just stopped bein’ surprised by it.”
Twilight shifted her gaze away. “What do you do when you start hearing that?”
Applejack pulled away and crossed her forelegs. “There ain’t much ah can do, really. If ah start actin’ up towards ponies, word would reach my family real quick. Questions would start poppin’ up and next thing you know…”
“I… see.”
“It ain’t always bad though,” Applejack quickly remarked. “Ah mean, sometimes other ponies show up and defend gays and the like. It always kinda touched me when ah saw it happen.” She paused and rubbed the back of her head. “And, ah mean… seein’ you talk to that guy how you did really made me… happy.”
Twilight bowed her head. “I don’t think I acted very well back there.”
“Well ah was sure touched by what you had to say.” She moved in for another hug. “It really means a lot to me when ah see others standin’ up for ponies like me. And you…” she chuckled. “You went above and beyond what ah’ve seen anypony else do.” As she observed Twilight’s uninterrupted sullen state, Applejack wiped away her grin. “Ah guess what ah’m tryin’ to say here is that ah appreciate you standin’ up for me. And try not to feel too bad ‘bout what happened back there. Ah’m sure somepony was wishin’ for that to happen.”
It took her a minute, but Twilight started to smile and lightly pressed the side of her head against Applejack’s chest. She then murmured, “I’ll try.” Both mares sat motionless for that time until Twilight looked up at her date. “So… do you think we should get out of here?” she suggested.
Applejack smiled. “Sure, let’s get goin’.”

**********

Twilight and Applejack stepped away from the now-ascending chariot and proceeded through Ponyville. “I had a nice time, tonight,” Twilight commented.
“Ah’m glad you did,” Applejack replied.
“The museum was better than how I remembered it, too.”
“That museum just seemed interestin’ period.” Applejack then peered around and her eyes drifted towards the night sky. She then chuckled and stated, “This is kinda like our first outin’, huh?”
Twilight looked up at the sky, then towards the scarce nightlife. She smiled. “Yes, it is. Although this time was just a bit more according to plan.”
“Ah’ll say. But sometimes the unexpected can spice up a night.”
“That can be true.” Twilight glanced over at her date, who was smiling gleefully. This night sure went better than I thought… Does it really have to end now? She eventually ended up looking towards the sky, and that was when her eyes grew wide. “Hey, um… have you ever looked at the stars?”
Applejack looked over with an eyebrow raised.
“I-I-I mean… with a telescope. Have you… ever done that?”
“Ah don’t think so.”
“Oh! W-well, I, um… I have a telescope and… and a balcony at my house, if you wanted to… um… stay a little longer, and look at the stars?”
Applejack’s mouth hung slightly open before it turned into a smile. “Ah’d love to.”
Twilight’s eyes grew wide. “Are you sure? I mean… there’s still the farm in the morning.”
“It ain’t nothin’ ah can’t handle.”
“G-great! To my house, then!” She started to walk at a slightly faster pace, but only paid attention to the deafening sound of her heartbeat. That went well! Now to just hope things keep going this good. She peered over at her date once more, and allowed herself to smile. I think I finally get it now.
They both eventually reached the Library, Twilight opening the door and allowing Applejack inside first. “I sent Spike to Fluttershy’s for the night, so it’ll be just us.”
“Alright then. So what's out to look at tonight?"
"Let’s find out."
Applejack and Twilight made their way to the balcony at the top of the treehouse. Shortly after, the telescope was pulled out and Twilight began adjusting the lenses until the images of the night sky were in focus. She turned towards her friend and said "I found the Hercules constellation! Would you like to see?"
"Sure thing." Applejack walked towards the telescope and looked into the eyepiece. She stared into the telescope as Twilight sat still. After a moment, Applejack looked up and asked, "Which of these is Hercules, exactly?"
"Oh! Let me help you with that!" Twilight briefly looked into the eyepiece while rotating it. "There. Now take a look." Applejack walked up again and peered into the telescope. "There’s an arrow in the lens so something can be pointed out easier. What do you think of Hercules, though?"
As Applejack continued to stare into the telescope, her lips curled inward. "It, uh..." She pulled away from the device and replied, "It don't look too different from any other stars out there, sorry."
Twilight couldn't help but snort a laugh. "I guess I should've expected that." She walked back to the telescope as Applejack stepped off to the side and looked at the constellations herself. "You know," Twilight began, after a minute of silence, "back when I was younger, I thought that the stars were the most amazing things. I mean, I still do, don't get me wrong. But looking at the stars just made me really... happy. I think it's because I thought that stars were the most beautiful creations in the universe."
She continued to look at the night sky, then she heard Applejack reply, "Ah dunno, Twilight. What ah'm lookin' at is a lot more beautiful than any star."
"Oh really? And what's that?" Twilight pulled away from the eyepiece and turned to Applejack, who was staring at her. Her face started to redden again, then she quickly turned away while hiding her face.
Applejack moved closer to her interest. "Twilight," she began, "ah honestly never thought anythin’ like this would happen. Figured it would just be a fantasy, and ah’d have to find somepony like you." She paused to chuckle. "But you proved me wrong, and said yes." Twilight looked up and their gazes met. "Ah want you to know that ah've felt truly blessed spendin' this much time with you. And no matter where things go for the two of us, ah ain't gonna forget it... or how you make me feel."
They continued to stare at one another, gentle grins on both of their faces, until Applejack looked back up at the stars. 
Twilight continued to stare before moving on, as well. Her smile faded and she swallowed the lump in her throat. It’s now or never. With a shaky breath, she squeaked, “A-Applejack?” When she had her date’s attention, she continued. “I’ve… I’ve been thinking a lot about… us.”
Applejack visibly tensed up as she replied “Uh huh?”
“There are some things I’m still trying to figure out,” she began as she started to pace around, “but what’s important is what I know now.” She paused as she walked towards the railing and rested her forelegs on it. Her cheeks began to burn as the next words crawled their way out of her mouth. “I know that you truly care a lot about me… and I know that you mean much more than a friend to me.”
She looked over at Applejack, whose eyes started to shimmer in the night light. “I don’t know what’s going to happen to both of us after tonight. Part of me is just saying… that I should call this off now. That I should save myself of any pain in the future.” Twilight then turned towards the stars. “Despite all that, I still want to do this. But it’s not a ‘test’ anymore. Saying so isn’t fair to you. If we’re doing this, then we’re calling it what it is; a relationship.”
Twilight stepped away from the railing and now stood in front of Applejack, who was trembling. “Now… with all that said,” she began, “there’s one more thing I want to do.” Her ears folded back and she lightly kicked at the floor with a hoof. “But… I’m too scared to do it myself, so I have to ask you.” She took a deep breath. “Applejack… would you…” Her throat closed up, and her breathing became shakier. “Would… you…” She then summoned her inner strength and gathered one giant breath as she stammered, “W-would you p-please kiss me?”
She immediately clamped her eyes shut and shied her face away. For a moment, there was silence. What’s happening? Did I do something wrong? Then she heard hoofsteps approaching closer. Is this.. how it’s supposed to happen? Before she could think of anything else, she felt a hoof on the bottom of her chin, and her head being lifted up. She managed a quick gasp and her eyes cracked open in time to witness Applejack plant her lips on Twilight’s.
It’s… happening! Twilight thought as her eyes shot open and she remained still. It’s… it’s actually… All thoughts left her head as she eased into the kiss, allowing the ecstatic sense of warmth to take over her body and mind.
As Applejack began to pull away, Twilight pushed forward, enticing a moan from her lover. They gently pushed into each other’s lips, desiring more of the electricity coursing through each other’s systems. Applejack then placed her hooves on Twilight’s shoulders, and Twilight placed hers on Applejack’s sides. Eventually, both mares pulled away and stared into each other’s eyes, quietly panting.
Before she could stop it, Applejack started to chuckle and tears streamed down her eyes.
Twilight reached her hoof up to wipe the tears away. “I’m sorry,” she giggled.
“N-no, it ain’t you. Ah’m… ah’m just so happy!” Applejack sniffled before staring once more into Twilight’s eyes. She then pulled Twilight in for a close hug, their cheeks pressing against each other. “This is really happenin’ now, huh? It ain’t just a dream…”
“It isn’t,” Twilight softly replied. “Is… is it normal to be a bit scared about all of this?”
“Ah’m kinda scared too, Twilight. So yeah, ah think so.”
“Okay.” Twilight gripped tighter around Applejack as she asked, “So… does this make us... girlfriends?"
“Yeah… it does.” Applejack pulled back and kissed Twilight once more. She then looked up towards the night sky. "So... what kinda other stars are out there?"
"Do you really want to know?"
"Yeah."
"It could take all night."
"Spendin’ a whole night with you is what ah’ve dreamed of."
Twilight turned her attention towards the stars, which made Applejack do the same and lean against her. "Where do I even start?"