Rainbows and Roots (Family Appreciation Day)
(Author Note: Slightly sad? Well, not as happy as normal.)
Applejack waited until Apple Bloom was at school and Mac had started in the fields before she went looking for Granny. She had to ask Granny's permission for something. She hadn't really asked Granny's permission for anything in years, AJ was a grown mare after all. But this was family business, and when it came to that it was only right to defer to Granny.
She found Granny in the kitchen, carefully lining up jars on the table for later interrogation.
“Granny. . . I dunno if you noticed that my friend Rainbow Dash has been 'round a lot lately.” Applejack started nervously.
“I guess I noticed that. I ain't blind, missy.” Granny said after carefully setting a jar on the table and eyeing it suspiciously.
Applejack nodded, then forced herself to go on. “Well, I know. I just. . . well, she and I ain't exactly friends.”
Granny looked over at her, “I said I ain't blind. Ya' think I can't tell when a filly's in love?”
“Ya' knew?” Applejack asked, eyes wide.
“Ha! You young'uns, probably think you invented fillyfoolin'. It's been 'round since my day at least. Never was my nevermind what two ponies were doin' together.”
“So you don't have a problem with. . .?”
“Where you're stickin' your nose is your own business, missy.”
“Well. . . I guess I'm glad of that. Real glad.” Applejack said, blushing. She was partially relieved that this wouldn't be the issue she had feared, but mostly she never wanted Granny to use that turn of phrase when talking about this, ever again.
Applejack took a deep breath and got to the point of the talk, “But I was tellin' ya this to say, I- well, I wanted to ask her to help with the zap apples.”
“You and Mac can get 'em just fine.” Granny pointed out, giving Applejack a stare not unlike the one she gave the jam jars.
Applejack nodded, “I know that. It ain't cause we need help. It's cause. . . I want her to be there.”
Granny turned back to the jars and nudged one into place. After a minute she said softly, “Well, she ain't gonna be there.”
“Alright.” Applejack said, looking down. Granny was still the last word at Sweet Apple Acres, and Applejack wasn't about to argue it.
“Don't you pout like that.” Granny ordered. “You can ask her all ya' want. I'm just tellin' you you're wastin' your breath. When I was a filly, folks always said that pegasi got some pretty feathers, but they don't know how to land. There might be a some exceptions, but that filly you got ain't one of them.”
“You're wrong, Granny. Rainbow Dash is the element of loyalty. She ain't like that.” Applejack said with certianty.
“Oh, I don't doubt she'll come through if'n you need her, but you're not askin' for help. You're askin' her to be an Apple, and that means puttin' down roots. And I'm tellin you plain, cause you're a big pony, rainbows don't got roots.”
Applejack was speechless, hearing her fears put so bluntly. She stammered a little, then managed to say, “I'll keep that in mind. Thanks, Granny.”
As Applejack left the farm to find Rainbow Dash, she considered what Granny said. She wasn't sure that Granny was entirely wrong. Still, it couldn't hurt to ask.
She was feeling a lot of weight, lately. The farm, the town, her friends and family, she couldn't afford to let them down. There was no one thing she couldn't handle, just a long list of things that were hers to do the way everypony expected her to do them, one hundred percent right.
It wasn't that she needed somepony else to help her with anything. She needed somepony to help her with everything. To share the list with her, to share the pride in doing it all right, and share the blame if something happened and the job wasn't up to standards. Somepony who would stand with her and put Ponyville and the farm and her family first.
When she finally came upon Rainbow Dash praticing in a field, hurling towards the ground in a tight corkscrew that looked to the earth pony like a very colorful way to commit suicide, she started to suspect that Granny might have been right.
Rainbow Dash pulled out of it at the last second, flying in a streak of rainbow parallel with the ground. She came to a stop a couple yards away from AJ, shook her head, then flew right up to her with a grin.
“Hey AJ! I'm practicing some new moves, wanna watch?” Dash said, then gave her a quick kiss, hovering in front of her.
Applejack had to smile. “I'm kinda busy today, zap apple harvest and all.”
“Yeah, I heard, that means I have four whole days off! You guys sure you can't do this more often? Once a week would be cool.”
Applejack chuckled, “If we could we'd be doin' it, but not for the benefit of lazy pegasi.”
“Do I look lazy to you?” Dash said, putting her forelegs on her hips, “I'll have you know I've been training all morning.”
“I know. I was kiddin'. You look good.” Applejack said.
Dash smiled and leaned in a little closer, “Up there or down here?”
Applejack glanced over Dash's wind swept mane and coat. She stepped forward and nuzzled Dash's cheek, enjoying the faint smell of sweat and clean fresh air. “Well if I gotta pick one, I'd say down here's where I like ya' best.”
Rainbow Dash planted a long, sweet kiss on Applejack's lips, then pulled away smiling. “You're suuuure you have farming to do today?”
“Yup. All those days you got off, I've got work to do.” Applejack said, sighing a little.
“Hmm. When you put it that way, this isn't as much fun.” Dash said with a little frown. “Can a pony sleep in zap apple trees?”
“Only if you wanna end up with a fried tail.” Applejack chuckled. “They don't call 'em zap apples for nothin'.”
“Definitely no fun. I have an awesome four day vacation, and my marefriend is busy for all of it.”
Applejack looked down and pawed at the dirt with her front hoof. “Well, there is a way we could spend some time together. Not really alone, so much, but. . . I was wondrin' if you wanted to help harvest the zap apples with me and Mac.”
“Sure! I'll tell the rest of the girls, and we can get it done in no time.” Dash said happily.
AJ just shook her head. “Don't bother the rest of them. It ain't that we need help, it's just. . . this is kind of a family thing. We Apples have been harvestin' the zap apples here since Granny Smith was a filly, this is the only place they grow in Equestria. It's part of what makes you an Apple, I guess. And I want you there with me, if you wanna come.”
Applejack's heart fell as Dash's face went from happy to confused to slightly uneasy.
“This isn't about hanging out, is it?”
Applejack shook her head.
Now Dash looked panicked. Her eyes were darting around, Applejack wasn't sure if she was thinking of an excuse, looking for someplace to run, or trying to make decision. AJ felt sorry for her, she should have known the answer to this. She never should have asked.
“Don't worry 'bout it, Sugarcube. You just work hard at your flyin'.”
A look of relief crossed Dash's face. “AJ, your family is awesome and all, but. . . I'm not an Apple. I mean, I can't sign up for that, not right now. You know that if you need me I'll be there faster then you can call my name, but. . .”
Applejack sighed and nodded. “I know. It was just a thought.”
“I love you.” Dash said with a pleading look in her eyes.
Applejack smiled through her disappointment. “I love ya' too, Dash.”
Rainbow Dash put a hoof on top of hers, looking into her eyes. “Someday. I mean it. I'll be ready someday, and when I am. . .”
Applejack knew that Dash hated to disappoint her. But AJ couldn't help being disappointed, even though she'd been warned. She truly believed Dash's promise. Or, she wanted to believe it. But it did nothing for her in the here and now. There was still too much to do.
“I understand, Dash. I gotta go. . . zap apples and all.”
“Okay.” Dash said, hesitating. She seemed to want to say more, but all she added was, “Be careful with that wild weather.”
“Will do.” Applejack nodded, then made her way back to the farm.
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So! Next episode is. . . well, you know. It'll probably take me longer to do, it's either going to be two chapters or one chapter that's double the usual length. It's going to be emotional and sad in places. It's going to involve issues I've been setting up for the past three chapters.
It's either going to be awesome, or a hot mess.
IF IT IS A HOT MESS: Things will go back to normal right after. So don't run off on me.
Awesome! I've been waiting for some of the undercurrents you've hinted at to come to a head. I can't wait.
run off? you haven't let me down yet and im sure you wont. im staying right here
cant wait for the drama to come 
keep up the fine work 
695462
Thanks! I really hope I don't let you down.
695512
I'm glad you think so! Apparently this chapter was enough for someone to change a like to a dislike, so I just hope more people agree with you then the random person who didn't tell me what I did wrong!
So thank you, I'm extra grateful right now.
You know, I really love how you have displayed Dash (I like how you've displayed both AJ and her, but anyway). I don't know if I'm just weird and I noticed something that's actually not there, but Dash has gotten sweeter and sweeter as time has gone on in the story, JUST LIKE IN THE SHOW! I mean, she's still slightly egotistical, but c'mon! She's friggen Rainbow Dash!
As for this chapter- I feel saddened... but they'll come around... cuz' if not I might die a bit inside
my feelings!!! Damn this story is good! the way you write out the characters is fantastic~
Though this was kinda sad, it was very understandable. It was sorta a marriage proposal right? Or a strong commitment? Either way you handled it perfectly, what with Dash being nervous but honest and AJ feeling her feelings.
For this chapter you made Dash's reaction believable (something that might have been hard to pull off here). Her actions can also be traced back to her hesitance to start a family. I also enjoyed how you showed A.J's internal struggle.
Take your time with the next part. I know it can be nerve wreaking when you're about to make a big gamble in your story, but don't worry I have faith in you.
well maybe i said to much? i know no author wanna lose readers. i'm just sayin that with ya talent their ya dont need to to worry over 1 or 2 dislikes. if ya lose 1 i'm sure ya gonna get it back + some.
Well, I did not have a like to turn to a dislike, but perhaps I can give some insight into why they might have done so.
It's really weird that AJ, Granny Smith, and RD are treating three to four days of doing yard-work as a marriage proposal. So, when everyone acts broken hearted and awkward around it, like RD really had turned down a marriage proposal, it just looks surreal. Particularly when you remember Granny let Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle, and Diamond Tiara help make the Jam and no one blinked an eye. That may not be why, but I know I found the whole scenario off-putting, particularly since AJ and the fic seem to blame RD for what amounts to her being confused and nervous after AJ asked for a very serious emotional commitment -completely- out of the blue. The whole scene was sort of odd and off-putting.
Another part of this, at least for me, is that I am leery when I see a big relationship shaking fight coming down the line. They tend to be ugly, poorly handled, and usually meaningless devices for ratcheting up drama in the third act, but I learned in the past not to let my fears ruin a good story for me.
To that end, I am loving this fic for the most part. The way you've written this is all really engaging and cute. I really liked the Catching Rainbows chapter, and I liked the way you handled the Discord episode. All in all you've done a good job so far. Whatever you do next I'll read eagerly. Good luck and keep up the good work.
695772
I'm glad you like it! I have to give credit to the show for Dash's character change. Since I match the episodes to the fic, I try to match the character as well. I'm lucky because it fits with a growing comfort in the relationship. I don't always get that lucky, but I'll take what I can get.
696005
Not quite marriage, but definitely a commitment. Like asking someone to move in with you, or to go on vacation with your family. So yeah, I'm glad you feel I handled that well!
696745
Thank you! I really appreciate it. I'm glad you liked how I did it.
697589
Thank you for taking the time to give me feedback! I really do appreciate that. And I'm so glad you've enjoyed it up till now, and I do promise we're getting back to normal for the last few chapters.
I suspected those things might be the case.
My thoughts were that while Granny lets the kids help with making the jam (at least, preparing the water,) they didn't seem to have anyone to help with the harvest, despite the time limit.
I didn't intend it to be a marriage proposal, but definitely a big commitment, akin to asking a partner to move in with you, or to come on vacation with your family. Something that says this is a Serious Relationship. And the lack of lead up is more because it's a last ditch effort by AJ to deal with her own issues.
The big relationship fight coming is out of necessity, really. I'd much rather avoid it, but I can't really ignore The Last Roundup, and what you're seeing is mostly the twisting I'm having to do to make AJ leaving and lying to her family and friends because she got second place in a rodeo make any sense at all. If it helps, the fight is going to have very little to do with this, since AJ does actually understand why Dash said no and AJ's screw up will far outstrip this.
Out of curiosity, and because I'm writing one now, what drives you crazy about the big fights?
697483
Aww, thanks for the pep talk. Really, I'm not that upset, not everyone will like everything. It just scared me, so I was extra glad when folks like you commented. I knew I hadn't turned it into the Worst Fic Ever in one chapter or something.
697747
The reason I don't tend to like the third act fights is more or less what I said. They tend to be ugly, poorly handled, and usually meaningless devices for ratcheting up drama in the third act. I've seen it happen twice and its really bothersome. The author spends so much building up an interesting relationship, which is what I read these stories for, and then remembers, "Oh geez, stories have conflict!" and has the characters get into a fight. They are usually meaningless, and there are times when they get ugly. Both of these problems are compounded with each other, the nastiness being compounded because the suffering has no purpose since we know how the story is going to end, and the meaninglessness made worse by the suffering the characters go through. I tend to empathize with well written characters, so seeing them suffer for no good reason rubs me the wrong way, because it means I have to suffer for no real reason.
The biggest offender is probably "Where the Earth Met the Sky." Great fic, up until Fluttershy, RD, and AJ get into a rather nasty spat for literally no reason, and instead of talking about it like adults, there is a meaningless action sequence where RD and Fluttershy try to tame a storm to cure a drought to make it up to Applejack. There was a TwiPie story dealing with Pinkie Sense where Pinkie blamed herself when Twilight got hurt based on her predictions. The relationship stalled dead in its tracks so Twilight could sit around feeling guilty and emotionally distraught while looking for Pinkie. Pinkie's self-loathing guilt trip came out of nowhere... because stories need conflict damnit!
Now this isn't to say all fights are bad inherently. I won't say I read "Romance Reports" cover to cover... <_< >_> ...but if I did I would have to say Twilight and Cheerilee's fight towards the end made me care far more about their relationship than anything else up to that point. What matters mostly is that the fight makes sense given the context of the story and that it pushes the relationship in a meaningful way. So really, its not that I have a problem with third act fights per-say, but really that I have a problem with crappy writing in general. Its just that this is somewhat more sensitive context for this issue since I don't like watching characters I like suffer pointlessly, particularly emotionally, and its one I've seen crop up a few times.
Looking over your comments, I don't think this is what is going on here. I can see you actually foreshadowed this, and I can empathize with being frustrated with the unstable writing quality of the show. My only advice is to "write it well." To that end, good luck.
Yours Truly,
N~
697589
you say your not the one that made their like into a dislike but what if you are....
i guess i gotta make what i say next count then 
well you say its weird that everyone in this chapter is treating this little bite of work like some kind of "proposal" but isnt that what happened? not to applejack per se but to the apple family. rainbow dash was more than willing to help but once AJ made it clear that it not that she needs help but wants more from Rainbow thats when she pulled away. AJ wanted her to BE an apple more or less and Dash just wasnt ready to be one. being a Apple meant no free time and a lot off hard work witch Rainbow just can't accept. you may say they the family wont work her to the bone right away if ever but i'm sure RD isnt thinking like that and even if that did cross her mind she could be wrong. saying al that i think it should be easier to understand Applejack disappointment, right? she knew Dash wasnt ready but couldnt help but hope.
about seeing a bad ending coming well.... thats just silly in my opinion. i mean would you leave a baseball game in the 4th innings just be course its not looking to good. any fan would say til the very end. thats what i mean about not being the author's fan but the word's instead. if you enjoyed this fic thus far why quit now? even if you see a fail shouldnt you stay with to point it out? not to complain but to help the author improve as an story teller.
yeah
i guess most of what i said is just my opinion but i think it right 
just adding that i truly dont belive your the "one". i dont think the "one" would come back, defend what he or she did than praise the author. just playing with you 
i wanna say i wasnt trying to do a "pep talk" really but i guess that what it is.
just hate the ideal that something so small could hold anyone down. im enjoying myself too much to let that happen 
and yes, i am being selffish 
I noticed you mentioned something about someone changing a vote. Their loss! There's no relationship without turbulence and this one is no exception. Adding something sad to this story has only made it all the more colorful and even more worth reading. Keep doing what you're doing. It's getting better every update. Personally, I love how you turned this episode into what you did. It feels so perfectly in character (or at least it does for my slightly fanon Dash) and easy to connect to.
697589
i guess i posted that a little late
look away for an half hour and the world may just pass you by 
you amaze me every single time I read something from you
Dash was pulled of perfectly. What you shouldn't have done though was put a sad warning in the beginning. Because of it you don't let us guess as much until it comes to the conclusion. We all knew she was going to say no before AJ even asked.
I found myself hoping that RD would prove Granny Smith wrong but alas, it wasn't meant to be
Ooh, another great chapter! I like the tension, and it all felt very in character. Neither AJ or Rainbow should have to change who they are or their aspirations, and if they don't there are gonna be obvious issues they need to circumnavigate in their relationship - which I felt you outlined very nicely. Overall, awesome work.
My only gripe is that each chapter is so short, because I always want more after I finish one - which just means you're too good at writing and I'm too impatient 
698427
Thank you! If by your fanon Dash you mean that you think Dash is probably terrified of commitment, I share the same fanon.
698988
Thanks! I agree that, short of some life altering event, Dash is never going to be an Apple. Without spoiling too much, I'll add that AJ doesn't actually need another Apple.
699846
Aww, thank you. The only reason I put the sad warning on is that there's no sad tag on the whole fic, so I promised I would warn when it got sad. I don't want people stumbling onto something sad when they just wanted comedy, at the same time I don't think there's enough sad in the fic as a whole to justify a tag. I wish I could tag the chapters individually.
702160
Thank you! Just so you know, I look forward to your comments.
And I can only write so much! They can be short and every few days, or longer with more time in between. I wish I could help you out, but alas. . .
703903
I don't think it's really her being afraid of commitment itself, but more along the lines of her being afraid that she'll let AJ down as a result. I view her as extremely uncertain of herself, relying on the praise of others as a source of encouragement and confidence. When AJ asks (in this story) Rainbow to join her in the zap apple harvest, she's not exactly radiating confidence herself. This further reinforces Rainbow's fears that she'll disappoint AJ (a little indirectly) because she doesn't believe she's good enough to handle that step forward in the relationship as well as she'd need to.
I agree that Rainbow Dash will never be an Apple and I'm glad you see that. I've seen far too many AppleDash fics where Rainbow simply adapts her lifestyle to work on the farm with AJ, something I could never picture her doing. She's far too free-spirited to be tied down on the ground doing that kind of work. (She also has that dream of hers that isn't going to change or give up without a really good reason.) Instead, I've always thought that her remaining a weather pony and helping through weather control as she's always done would be more than enough for AJ, who'd understand Rainbow. It's sort of a big character defining thing that a lot of authors change.
All that being said, I can't wait to see the next couple of chapters; there's four potential episodes in a row— The Last Roundup, The Super Speedy Cider Squeezy 6000, Read it and Weep, and Hearts and Hooves Day. I'd be particularly interested in seeing a development from SSCS6000 (it's your story though, do what you want with it, not what I'd like to see :P), as Rainbow is seen tearing up for only the second time in the show over the cider she doesn't get, implying it's something that she's well and truly hurt over— especially since it's AJ's cider business. Look at me rambling on here. I didn't realize I'd written this much. I really ought to put this into a character analysis or something.
Edit: The word I wanted was escaping me earlier. "Insecure" is the word I wanted. I see Rainbow Dash as being very insecure.
Hey, don't mind my whining
Your updates are super quick compared to most other fanfics I'm reading, and are pretty much the speed of light considering I'm a Game of Thrones fan (I'm gonna be like thirty zillion years old by the time Martin finishes the darn series). I just figure if I wrote anything, I'd like people to comment and tell me how I was doing, so I'm happy to give feedback and praise to others, especially when the stories are so enjoyable 
A wee typo.
I like this but at the same time it felt unfinished. I really want there to be more to this. Leaving it like this didn't really resolve any issues, it simply left things open ended. I know this is a multi chapter fic but most of the chapters have all felt like complete one shots, so to suddenly have this one feel incomplete threw me. I'll gladly apologize and grovel if this turns into a multi part story but since that's not made clear it grates.
"Rainbows ain't got roots." Damn.
5385880
Yeah, it is a great line.
wow, right in the feels