//------------------------------// // Step 1: The Approach // Story: THIS HAS TO BE PERFECT! // by SilverStream2 //------------------------------// Applejack faced many hardships, but never had she felt so defeated in her entire life. The mare was nearly dragged the rest of the way home, making note to seek Rarity's assistance the next time she needed help with plowing the fields. There was no use in convincing Rarity to back out of this, especially with the white mare pushing in the situation so forcefully in the first place. So with extreme reluctance, Aj decided to go along with whatever Rarity had in mind — regret would be a sure thing by sundown. As the pair neared the barn, Applejack couldn't help but grow nervous. While she appreciated the unicorn's generosity (no pun intended), the idea that Rarity would aid her in scoring a date with her interest was unsettling. She had hoped to do it her way; to simply ask for a night out of town and take things to another level. However, this wasn't too bad of an idea considering this was the drama queen of romance. And there was nothing wrong with getting some advice despite having the preference to give it. Throughout Aj's internal battle, Rarity babbled on about how much work that needed to be done. "Darling, when I'm done with you, there's no way they'll refuse to accompany you out on a date. Unfortunately, we can't be thorough with the preparations as I want to be since I lack the knowledge of who you plan to ask out. We'll need to work on the basics: the approach, the proposal, and most of all, the look!" "Sugarcube, I ain't gonna descend from pony-heaven with majestic wings and sing to'em about a date. And you can forget about bedazzlin my flank." Applejack retorted. There was a long pause as Aj witnessed Rarity stammer with mock horror. "Wha? We-I-er-PSHA! I would never insinuate anything of the sort!" "Uh-huh. Sure about that, Rare?" "Absolutely positive!" Rarity frowned as she turned away. "Though I see nothing wrong with adding a little sparkle on that hide of yours." she added, a little crestfallen. Rolling her eyes, Applejack nudged her friend gently in hopes to move the conversation along. While they certainly shared their differences, she hated to see Rarity feel down as well all her other loved ones. Besides, if there was a lot of work that Rarity claimed needed to be done, it only made sense to get started. It was as if both were stalling, though she wasn't quite sure why Rarity would stall on a perfect opportunity such as this. "Well the day ain't goin any slower. What's first?" Within a blink of an eye, Rarity vanished into thin air only to return a second later with a tall stack of books floating behind her. Her blue eyes sparkled enthusiasm while Aj sighed, wholly unimpressed — it didn't take the brains of Doctor Whooves to know where this would lead. Rarity proceeded to explain the exercise to the orange mare as she drew a line within the the dirt to circle the barn. Applejack watched her friend start off with demonstrating the exercise herself; gliding along the line while balancing the books upon her noggin. "What in apple-bucking's name does this have to do with your guide to a perfect proposal?" she said, raising an eyebrow and wandering how in Equestria could her friend balance the books when there was a horn jutting from her head. "It's simple," Rarity paused from her demonstration to face her doubtful friend. "Your approach is everything when it comes to these things. You mustn't trot all willy-nilly you silly filly! Close your eyes and imagine two stallions heading towards you — both with pure intentions to ask you out on a date" Applejack didn't see that ever happening, but she decided to humor her friend as she nodded and closed her eyes. "Excellent! Now, one gallops in your direction; each stride as effortless and powerful as the last with his head held high and gaze unwavering. Confidence shining brighter than his vibrant smile. And then there's the other; his head low and shoulders slumped as if he's already defeated. Hooves dragging behind him, wearing a broken expression. Which would capture your interest first?" "Obviously the second, Rare." Applejack scoffed with opening eyes. Anypony with common sense would be realize something was wrong with that pony and naturally approach him to see what was the matter. Unless they were some oblivious being naturally attracted to anything sparkly and proud, which was describing her friend in a general sense. With this in mind, Aj sighed with hesitation before lowering her head. "Ah, nevermind. Just put those darn things on my head so I can get this over with" "That's the spirit!" Rarity chimed as she placed 3 books on the mare's head. One would think that an exercise like this would come naturally to the earth pony, considering the known fact she carried buckets of apples and water on her head all the time to get the chores done. But oddly enough, she found a hard time completing the task without any mishaps (such as crashing down with books dropping around her like flies). She wasn't sure if it was because of Rarity's unsettling presence or the fact she was forced to walk on the tiniest line ever created by the hoof of any pony. Regardless, it was a struggle to keep her books balanced and her walk steady. Three faceplants and book plunges later, Applejack started to get the hang of it. She failed to glide with an ease like Rarity, but it was close enough. Rarity was silent the whole time, watching with a wistful expression as Aj gave it her all with success as the result. "Well done, love! Now that's the stride of a mare who's not going to take no for an answer!" Rarity praised "I sure hope not," Aj shook the reading material off her head. "Not when I just raised the risk of neck pains in my future while toleratin' another pain in my as-" "Ah, don't thank me just yet," Rarity interrupted, clearly oblivious to Aj implication. "This is just the beginning. I only wanted to get the easiest and most boring step out of the way despite it being important." "More important than my looks?" Applejack wasn't prepared as Rarity rounded on her with a wild look in her eyes and a wide grin on her face. "Let's not skip to the last part, darling! And never make a mockery of fashion. You may not see it's importance — well, your love interest might not either, but even the most rugged of creatures have to appreciate a well groomed individual with some fashion sense! Oh goodness, we'll get to that later." "I'll rather we not get to that at all," Applejack grumbled as she shook her mane with irritation. "I still don't see the point in carrying books on my head like some circus act. I think my trot is just fine" "Well of course it is, darling!" Rarity chided with a guilty expression. "Do understand I'm not accepting of your um, ehh s-stylish ways. But one cannot frown down upon the chance of improvement, Applejack" "Well can one frown upo—what in tarnation!!!" the farmer gasped. Between both mares, an explosion of light erupted with lingering smoke following after. Out emerged the powerful purple alicorn herself, Twilight, as her eyes landed on Rarity. Without saying a word, she flashed the mare an angry glare before levitating all the books that were used for their exercise and disappeared within another blink. AJ instinctively shot Rarity an accusing glance as she waited for the obvious explanation as to what just happened. However, Rarity was only capable of returning an innocent smile "What? I was already planning to return those. Now, ahem, let us continue shall we?" she said suggestively. "Yes ma'am. So what's the next step?" Applejack asked. Rarity leaned in close, batting her eyelashes as her expression turned soft. Applejack wasn't sure what triggered the change, but there was no denying the warmth that spread through her cheeks as she took a few steps back. Something flashed within Rarity's eyes that Aj was too unsure to identify, but it was the unicorn's next words that nearly knocked her into a world of confusion: "Applejack? We've been friends for quite sometime, but I'm afraid I cannot go on any longer wondering what it'll be like if we were more than friends. Would you do me the honor of accompanying me on a date? Let us see where the night will take us and hope it'll take us far!" "What in Tartarus !" the farm pony shouted. "H-how di-...oh boy. Look Rare, I ain't su-" She was immediately cut off by a steel glare from the frowning white mare. "Do 'hold your horses', Applejack. I wasn't serious" Rarity said, seemingly offended by her friend's reaction. Applejack blinked as more confusion filled her thoughts, but nodded appreciatively. At least Rarity was able to say that her proposal was an act before Aj said anything stupid she'd regret—a pony like Rarity never take rejection well. Soon enough, anger began to take over as the earth pony stomped a few feet away to get her thoughts in order. "Well what the heck was that for then?" she asked. "It was the introduction to your next lesson, darling" Rarity replied with a wicked grin.