A my little pony adaptation of the classic Cinderella story featuring Applejack.
The Grand Galloping Gala is almost here! Having moved to Manehattan with her sister to live with their Aunt Orange, recently widowed, they more often than not seem to butt heads. Will Applejack keep her word to her very special somepony?…
Applejack wiped a bead of sweat off her eyebrow, finishing up washing the last of the dishes. She turned to the vegetables, picking up a garlic clove and setting it down on the cutting board.
“Quickly with the cheesecake, Apple, darling.”
“‘Ah’m goin’ as fast as ‘Ah can!” she huffed. “Not like ‘Ah can make the oven cook any faster…” she said under her breath.
She set down the kitchen knife she was previously holding, rushing over to the oven in a blur. She grabbed the wrung of the oven by her teeth and opened it slowly, inspecting the confection.
“Quit it, with the mumbling! You know I absolutely abhor it.”
“Yeah, yeah. Proper ladiesdon’t mumble.“
Applejack rolled her eyes, heading back over to the garlic clove she was chopping.
“Yeah, Applejack. How’s it going?” said a tiny voice.
Applejack hesitated. “Uhm, actually Apple Bloom, do ya’ think you could lend me a hoof? ‘Ah could really use the help…”
She held the knife carefully between her hooves, not wanting to knick her fur. And began chopping the clove into intentional slices.
She picked her head up to finally look at her sister, who was standing at her Auntie Orange’s side.
“I… I sure would like to. But… well, I just got changed into my dress.”
She took a step forward, now standing in front of her aunt, and spun around carefully. Her dress a whirl of blues and purples as she did so.
“She got it fitted for me and everything! I… I don’t want to dirty it-“
“Yeah, that’s quite alright hon’,” she sighed. “I’m sure I can manage.”
“Apple, once again, quickly now.”
“It’s not done yet, ma’am,” she said, rinsing off the green pepper under the tap and proceeding to chop it.
“Oh well that won’t do at all!” Aunt Orange threw a hoof over her chest.
“Don’t get y’r tail in a twist, it’s only ‘bout another hour ‘r so.”
“Our guest is going to be here in half anhour!This simply isn’t befitting.”
“Well wut would’ja rather ‘Ah do?”
“Nothing,” Her Aunt Orange declared with newfound determination in her stride. She pranced over to the front door, grabbing her peacoat from the coatrack.
“I’ll be back shortly.”
“Say what now?! Wait just an apple pickin’ min-“ Before Applejack could finish her protest, the stove began to go off.
“Consarn it!” She seethed, looking down at the pool of red forming on her hoof.
“Oh no! Are you okay, A.J?!” Apple Bloom scurried over to her sister, placing a gentle hoof on her tender wound.
She sucked in a lungful. “Ah’ll be fine, sugarcube,” she said turning her attention back to the front door where Madam Orange was.
But she was already gone.
She ran her hoof under the cold tap for a few seconds before tending back to the stove.
“That looks pretty bad… Maybe you should-“
“Y’know,” the orange mare said, turning off the beeping stove. “Y’all don’t have to talk like that when she’s not here.”
Apple Bloom frowned. “‘Ah think you should be nicer to her. She’s not all that bad when ya’ get to know her!”
Applejack took the hay tenders from off the stove, putting them aside.
It had been years since their parents died— and at least three since Granny Smith had sent the Apple siblings off to live with their aunt Orange in Manehattan. Much to the dismay of Applejack, who resented it pretty much everyday of her life. Something about wanting them to make a life for themselves, and that they couldn’t ever do that in Sweet Apple Acres. Applejack knew much better than that, and she went back to visit routinely. But still not nearly as much as she would have liked. And it wasn’t nearly the same around here without their big brother Big Macintosh, who had recently moved out to live with his fiancée.
It was Granny’s grief talking. Her regret— that she could have done something to prevent it. About all the things they could have done, only if they had more time.
And Applejack was unfortunately caught in the middle of it.
“Far be it from me to lie to ya’- ‘Ah don’t want ya’ getting hurt by me tellin’ you this. But our ‘Auntie’ isn’t nearly as nice as she would like ya’ to believe.”
“‘Ah don’t wanna be overreachin’… But are you sure y’r not just shutting her out because of-“
“Now, you stop right there.” A.J shot her a glare. “‘Ah know what y’r about to say, and I’m telling ya’ y’r wrong. Hay, the gal won’t even call me by my own name! She calls me ‘Apple’!”
Apple Bloom shrunk at her rising voice. “Ah’m- ‘Ah’m sorry. ‘Ah just want y’all to get along, it’s hard seeing y’all like this… Especially lately.”
It was true that the two had been more hostile in the past few weeks, with this special visit approaching that much closer. And now that it was here, Applejack about had it up to here with her Aunt’s propriety.
“Well, the Grand Gallopin’ Gala is a really big deal here in Manehattan. Especially this year of all years, with Princess Luna’s return. Auntie Orange is just a little stressed, it’s really important to her that we get invited and this visit’ll do that,” Apple Bloom said sadly.
“High-strung is more like it,” A.J rolled her eyes. “Listen here little filly, as much as ‘Ah’d like to continue this conversation ‘Ah’m up to my neck in cookin’ for our here guest right about now.”
“‘Ah feel like ya’ always got sum’ to do. Whether it be chores or sumthin’ rather,” Apple Bloom said matter of factly.
“Really? ‘Ah hadn’t noticed.” she rolled her eyes.
Apple Bloom sighed, defeated. “‘Ah’ll get out of y’r mane, but please just think about what ‘Ah said? ‘Ah…” she twiddled her hooves. “‘Ah really care ‘bout both of y’all. It’s important to me that y’all are gettin’ along.”
Applejack furrowed her brows apologetically, turning her body around to face her little sister. “‘Ah really wish I could, Apple Bloom. But ya’ just don’t…” her voice wavered.
“This is big girl stuff, okay?” she said softly, resting a hoof on her sister’s cheek. “Y’r just so little, ‘Ah- ‘Ah’m afraid you won’t understand.”
“You’re just making excuses,” Apple Bloom said sourly, pulling from her and scurrying off back in the direction of her bedroom.
She called out to her. “Apple Bloom-! Ugh…” she slapped herself. “Consarn it, Applejack.“
————————————————————
It had been over forty-five minutes, and Aunt Orange still wasn’t back yet.
Applejack took it upon herself to set the table and to clean herself up before the guest arrived. But she was in no way shape or form well-versed enough in fancy innings to greet the guest entirely on her own, and with no prior knowledge as to whom they were. She didn’t even know what they looked like! To be entirely transparent, she didn’t get out all that much. Most of her time was spent cooped up at the house cleaning and doing housework. She was entirely out of her element, and without her Aunt was completely incapable of-
Rrrringgg.
That was when the doorbell rang.
She sighed in relief that her Aunt was finally back, and in due time before the guest arrived. She walked over to the front door and, without asking who it was, opened it.
“Thank Celestia y’r here, ‘Ah was worried you wouldn’t get back before the-“
She froze.
The pony standing in front of her was arguably not her aunt, but instead a striking mare with a porcelain white coat who looked about her age. She had a loud, wavy purple mane and deep blue eyes.
She adjusted the pink scarf that was wrapped around her head, clearing her throat. “Uhm, hello there,” she said in a colorful voice that was more traditional to that of someone from Canterlot. “I’m looking for a Miss Orange? Pardon my tardiness. I suppose my reputation for being fashionably late precedes itself.”
“‘Ah- ahem. ‘Ah suppose so.”
They both stood there in awkward silence.
“Uhm, may I come in?”
Applejack physically shook her head back to reality, “Oh! ‘Ah’ma mighty sorry. Of course. Come in.” She gestured a welcoming hoof, stepping aside to make room for guest in the doorway.
Applejack shut the door and led the special guest to the dining table, pulling out a chair for her.
“Pard’n. ‘Ah’m… ‘Ah probably shouldn’t say this, but ‘Ah’m not all that well versed in these types of things,” she said, walking around to the other side of the table opposite to where the mysterious mare was sitting.
“I would have never guessed!” She smiled.
Applejack frowned, “Uh, gee thanks...”
“Oh, no! Not like that!” she quickly shook her head, realizing what it sounded like. “I mean it! You’re such a gentlepony.”
She blushed at the compliment. “Well, shucks. That’s mighty kind of ya’ to say,” they smiled at each other.
“Oh, well ‘Ah haven’t asked ya’ anything about y’rself! Uh, well to start… What’s your name? Or your title, ‘Ah guess.”
To this, the other mare simply laughed. But upon seeing Applejack’s confused expression, she retaliated. “Oh, you’re being serious!”
“…Why wouldn’t ‘Ah be?”
“It’s just- I- Well, never mind that.” she waved a dismissive hoof. “You can simply call me, Rarity.”
“Rarity,” she said, trying it out for the first time. “Pretty name for a pretty gal.”
Rarity’s cheeks went rosy. “Oh, you flatter me.”
Just as she said that, the oven went off.
“There it is!” Applejack said, walking in the direction of the beeping.
Rarity watched as the orange mare grabbed the dish from the oven and set it carefully on top of the stove.
“Why, did you make that yourself?”
Applejack chuckled heartily. “Well, I didn’t wanna say anything but yeah. I made all of this myself, actually.”
Rarity looked down at the plate before her, levitating her spoon using her magic and taking a small bite of her meal.
She raised her eyebrows in surprise. “Why, this is lovely! Hay Tender Piquant?”
“Yes’m,” she said with a nod.
Rarity set her spoon down, and looked at Applejack oddly.
“Whatever is your name darling?”
Applejack felt her heart stir. “It’s-“
The front door flew open. “Oh dear! Pray tell, I’m not too late?! Apple! Wherever are you?! Why are you not in the-!?”
She froze at the pair in front of her, the paper bag she was holding still in hoof.
“Oh my, you are here! My sincerest apologies,” Aunt Orange said, shutting the door behind her and setting the paper bag down at the table the two had been sitting at.
“I did not mean to be so late, I simply got held up at the bakery. I-“
“Wait a minute, the bakery? That’s where y’all been all this time?”
Aunt Orange cringed when she said ‘y’all’, “Yes, Applejack, dearest,” she said.
“But… Ya’ told me to make this. It’s ready now.” She gestured to the cheesecake on the stove.
Aunt Orange raised her eyebrows. “Oh, I am terribly sorry dear. I had no idea,” she frowned.
Applejack furrowed her eyebrows. “‘Ah- had no idea?! Ya’ told me to make it!”
“Well, I simply did not think it would be ready by the time the Countess got here. So I took the liberty of going out to the bakery, and I picked up a little something.”
She dug into the paper bag and pulled out a container of a smaller, much more decorated Tiramaresu.
Rarity beamed. “Oh, you didn’t have to go out of your way!”
“Nonsense!” she said. “Only the finest for the ‘Countess’.”
Applejack huffed. “But what about the cheesecake? Y’know? The one I made?”
“Would you rather me spend my good money all for naught?”
“Well, no. But-“
“Brilliant. Then we have both understood one another. Now do try not to embarrass me in front of our guest. If you haven’t already,” she said that last part much more quietly.
Applejack let out a sigh of defeat, and dragged her hooves out of the room.
“I do apologize on behalf of my niece, she’s not from around here,” Orange said with a strained smile.
Rarity just nodded. “Uhm, yes. Don’t… mention it.”
“I’ve done it! Oh by Celestia’s name! I’ve done it!”
Applejack let out a groan, and rolled over in her bed. She picked her head up, looking at the clock on her bedside table. It was six in the morning.
What reason could Aunt Orange have to be hollering like a rooster so early in the morning?
“Apple Bloom, Apple bloom! Darling, you simply must come out at once! I have the utmost exciting news!”
“Urghhhh…” Applejack rubbed her tired eyes, dragging her hooves out of bed and walking out into the hallway.
She followed her Aunt’s voice all the way to living room, where she found her little sister hopping in circles around their aunt.
“Ohmygoshohmygoshohmygosh!”
“Now, now, Little Bloom. A proper lady contains her excitement…”
“Oh, but I just can’t help it! I can’t believe we’re going to the Grand Galloping Gala!”
Applejack raised her eyebrows. “The… Grand Galloping Gala?”
Aunt Orange perked her ears at her nieces sudden voice, she cleared her throat. “Why, yes, dear.” she rolled her eyes. “Our meeting with Miss Rarity went spectacularly, she put in a good word with the Princess, and we just received our invitations in the mail!” she clapped her hooves.
Applejack was stiff at first, but then she smiled. “Well ‘Ah’ll be. Congratulations, y’all! ‘Ah… ‘Ah’ve been thinkin’ about it. And ‘Ah realize how important it is to-“
“Ahem, Apple, dear.” she feigned clearing her throat. “Before you say anything else, how about we have… a big girl talk? Hm?” she smiled innocently.
“Alone.”
Applejack’s ears fell at this. “Uhm, y-yeah. Of course.”
“Splendid. Apple Bloom, you’d best get your beauty sleep! Back to bed with you.”
“Awwww…”
“Ah, ah! Ladies do not whine, my Little Bloom.”
“Well, alright,” Apple Bloom conceded, and Auntie Orange gave her a gentle kiss on the head before she scurried on back to her room.
As soon as Apple Bloom shut the door, Madam Orange’s expression went from that of contentment to despair. She turned to face her niece.
“Oh, Apple. It is simply terrible!” she cried, throwing her hoof over her face as if she were about to faint.
“‘Ah- What? What is it? What’s wrong? ‘Ah thought this is what ya’ wanted!”
She nodded, but then looked to the ground, shaking her head. “But… not like this,” she dragged her hooves to the couch and draped herself over with a defeated expression.
“‘Ah- ‘Ah don’t understand…”
Orange sighed. “I simply don’t know how I am going to tell my Little Bloom… She is like a daughter to me, did you know that?”
Applejack frowned. “…’Ah-“
“I just don’t know how to tell her that she cannot accompany us to the Gala this year.”
The orange mare went wide eyed. “What?! She can’t go?!”
Her aunt narrowed her eyes. “Oh, hush, now!” she ushered, gesturing her hoof in a shushing motion. “Before you wake up all of Equestria! You don’t want to upset her do you?”
“‘Ah just don’t understand! Y’all know she’s plum pickled about the Gala! Why go to all the effort in gettin’ ‘er that fancy dress if-“
“It’s nothing on my part, dear.” she got up from where she was sitting, walking over to the kitchen. “I would give that little filly the world if I could. What kind of monster do you think I am?”
Applejack watched as she opened up a cabinet, grabbing a bottle of wine and a glass to accompany it. “We’ve… only got two tickets, I’m afraid.” she said, pouring her Marelot.
“Only got two tickets?! Well shucks, how could that be?! They must have made a mistake.”
Her aunt downed the whole glass in one gulp. She winced. “Yes, I’m afraid so.”
She poured herself another glass, taking a careful sip. “I can’t stand this stuff,”she curled her lip, pushing the glass over to Applejack. She shook her head.
“Oh- ‘Ah can’t. Even if ‘Ah wanted to. Ya’ know how it is, not of age and all that,” she forced a laugh.
“I won’t tell.”
“It’s late, or- early, I guess. ‘Ah really shouldn’t-“
“I promise. It’s only between us.”
She hesitated, her hoof shaking as she reached for the glass.
She took a cautious sip, and grimaced as soon as it touched her lips.
Her aunt simply laughed. “Oh, Apple. You crack me up,” she waved a dismissive hoof.
“Surely, you understand my predicament.”
Applejack nodded. “‘Ah do. ‘Ah’m sorry ‘bout this. What are ya’ gonna do?”
Miss Orange raised an eyebrow. “I can’t do anything I’m afraid.”
A.J furrowed her eyebrows. “You can’t reach out to the Princess? Or Miss Rarity? Tell them they made a mistake?”
She shook her head. “They won’t get the message in time before the Gala.”
she pushed the glass away. “‘Ah… ‘Ah’ve been giving ya’ a hard time. ‘Ah know how important this to ya’ll. ‘Ah been knowin’. And ‘Ah’ve been foalish. So ‘Ah’m sorry for that.”
Her aunt nodded. “Don’t fret, Applejack.”
Her ears perked up at the use of her full name.
“I’ve taken no offense. I’m just relieved that Miss Rarity didn’t either, after that scene you made the other night.”
Applejack raised an eyebrow. “But, ‘Ah didn’t-“
“It’s all in the past, dear.”
She reached across the table and held A.J’s hoof.
“But, that still leaves us with one glaring question.”
“…What are we gonna do about Apple Bloom?”
Orange nodded. “Correct.”
Applejack sighed. “Well, y’all have been raving about it for months. And ‘Ah know it’s something you been looking forward to even longer.” she pulled away.
“Yes?”
Applejack sighed. “It’s not really my speed anyway. ‘Ah probably wouldn’t be able to enjoy it the way she would.”
“And?” Aunt Orange looked at her expectantly.
“And… You should give Apple Bloom my ticket.”
Her aunt beamed at this. “Oh, you’re such a dear! Oh, she’s going to be positively thrilled! Once I tell her what a wonderful big sister you are.”
“Yeah, don’t mention it.”
Aunt Orange looked at her sadly. “Don’t look so glum. You said it yourself, it’s out of your element.” she walked around the other side of the table where Applejack was sitting. “You simply wouldn’t know what to do with yourself.”
Applejack opened her mouth in protest, but then quickly closed it.
“Don’t frown, Apple, my dearest.” she ran a hoof over the orange mare’s cheek. “You’ll get wrinkles.”
A.J sniffed. “Yeah… right.”
She ran a hoof through her niece’s mane. “You’re doing the right thing.”
She said nothing else, it was silent in the kitchen as her hoofsteps descended down the hallway.
…Applejack was doing the right thing.
Then why did she have such a bitter taste in her mouth?
—————————————————————
“But… This isn’t what ‘Ah wanted! ‘Ah’m sorry for what ‘Ah said-“
“It ain’t got none to do with wut ya’ said, sugarcube.”
Applejack had convinced her aunt to let Apple Bloom go to the market with her this week. Mostly so that way she had an extra pair of hooves, not that she minded the company. But things were still a little awkward between the two since their conversation the other day.
Apple Bloom struggled to reach some laundry detergent from the top shelf. She jumped up and down, still not managing to grab it.
“‘Ah got it, hon’.”
Applejack grabbed it with ease, placing it into the basket she was holding.
“‘Ah…” Apple Bloom started, out of breath. “‘Ah know ‘Ah said ‘Ah didn’t want y’all fightin’. But ‘Ah’m beggin’ ya’ to go to the Gala with us! It…”
She dropped her head, looking down at the floor.
“It won’t be the same without you.”
Applejack frowned, she put a hoof to her sister’s cheek. “‘Ah… ‘Ah’m sorry ‘bout this. ‘Ah wish there was another way.”
If she told Apple Bloom the real reason she wasn’t going, then she would insist that Applejack went instead of her. Which made her feel sick to her stomach, with how excited her sister had been these past few weeks just at the idea of the Grand Galloping Gala. So against her best reservations, she told her that she made the conscious decision not to go.
It wasn’t like her to lie, besides what would do to her spirits. The fact of the matter was that her sister made way more sense than she did. They both had come from the same place, but Applejack hadn’t adapted to the Manehattan lifestyle. Not like Apple Bloom had.
And, at least in her own mind, her sister deserved it more than she did.
Of course A.J was saddened at the thought of staying back at the house doing chores, while the rest of her family had this once in a lifetime experience. But she was willing to do anything for her last reminder of where they came from. Albeit, who was beginning to forget herself who she really was.
Still, what mattered most to her was that she was happy. Even at her own expense.
“Apple Bloom, don’t look at me like that.”
“‘Ah said ‘Ah was sorry!”
“‘Ah’m not mad at ya’! And ‘Ah ain’t mad at Aunt Orange. It’s just not my speed.” she forced a laugh. “‘Ah mean, could you imagine me? In one of them frou-frou dresses with the lace? Doing what, dancing?”
Apple Bloom’s expression remained, but then she smiled at the prospect. “Heh, ‘Ah guess you’re kinda’ right.”
Applejack bumped her on the shoulder. “See?” she grabbed something off the shelf and put it in her basket. “‘Ah… ‘Ah don’t belong at no function like that.”
Apple Bloom put a hoof to her chin, obviously thinking about something. She gave Applejack an accusatory look, but then she softened.
“…Alright. Only if y’all are sure that this don’t got nothin’ to do with me or Auntie. That this was totally…. y’r… choice…” she said, honing in closer to her sister with each word.
Applejack felt a bead of sweat forming on her eyebrow. “Oh, come on now. Y’all don’t take me for a liar do ya’?”
She chuckled. “No. Way. But ya’ have a tell, which makes ya’ so bad at it.”
“A tell?” She raised her eyebrows. “What tell?”
“Well ‘Ah can’t tell ya’ that! Not until you answer the question.” she squinted, “This was entirely your choice? Wasn’t it?”
Applejack swallowed. But then, she lit up. A smirk spreading across her face.
Because technically, it was her choice to give Apple Bloom her ticket. Not like she had any outside influence.
Or anything.
Even if she perchance did, she likely would have come to the same conclusion and done the same thing! Therefore, it wasn’t a lie.
She smiled, pleased with herself. “Yep.”
She looked her sister up and down, not fully convinced. “Really?”
“Yes’m.”
Her ears fell to the sides of her head. “Well… ‘Ah guess that settles that.”
Applejack’s expression fell. “Now what is it?”
“Nuthin’. ‘Ah’m just gonna miss ya’. Y’r gonna miss out, ya’ know.”
Applejack smiled. “‘Ah’ll live.” so she told herself, ruffling Apple Bloom’s mane.
She giggled. “Oh, by the way. It’s your ear. It twitches,” she gestured to her sister’s ear, walking away without another word.
Applejack stood still, stunned. “Hay! Y’all wait a minute!”
Then, a voice from behind her made her stop in her tracks…
“Uhm, hello, there.”
She paused, turning around slowly. Meeting the eyes of the pony before her.
“Oh, uh, howdy!” she said, shyly. Waving a hoof.
The porcelain mare giggled. “Hello, darling. It’s wonderful to see you again! I trust these past few weeks have treated you kindly?”
She nodded. “‘Ah’m doin’ mighty fine myself! Well chicken feathers, ‘Ah didn’t know y’all lived around here!”
Rarity raised her eyebrows. “Oh! No, no.” She wagged a hoof. “I am simply here to visit my sister, she’s about your Apple Bloom’s age! Tonight, we’ll be making our way to Canterlot. It’s… a few days trip after all. Uhm…” she picked at the floor with her hoof. “Surely you received the tickets?”
“‘Ah- Well… About that… Heh, heh…” she put a hoof to where her Stetson would usually be, but instead was met with her hoof full of mane. She had forgotten that she didn’t bring it along with her this afternoon, as Aunt Orange didn’t let her wear it out in public. Which Applejack resented.
She cleared her throat awkwardly. “It’s actually kind of funny, ya’ see; we only received two tickets in the mail!”
Rarity raised her eyebrows at this. “What?! However could that be?! I told them specifically… Oh dear. My sincerest apologies, darling!” she whipped her mane out of her face.
Applejack stuttered. “‘Ah- Uh, well that’s alright. It’s… out of my wheelhouse anyway. But my sister’s just plum pickled to go! And… ‘Ah can’t take that from ‘er. Y’all have a sister, you understand. ‘Ah don’t mean no offense-“
She cut her off. “Absolutely not!” she bit her bottom lip with a blush. “I- Not- What I mean is… I shall have this remedied for you! I am deeply sorry about this.”
She dropped her ears in surprise. “Well, y’all don’t have to do that! ‘Ah’m quite alright-“
“Nonsense! I do not think you quite understand… This is considered an act of utmost disrespect amongst elites!” she gestured to herself. “I absolutely could not something like this slide under the rug. It’s not fair to you. And don’t worry, it’s free of charge. I will inform the princess of the error and surely she will remedy it promptly.”
“‘Ah… Well, shucks. That’s… mighty kind of ya’.” she crossed her front legs. “‘Ah… admire that y’r sticking up for us little ones. If ‘Ah’ma be honest, in my experience city folk such as y’rself haven’t been… Nearly as generous, hah.” she rubbed the back of her neck.
Rarity frowned. “Well, I can certainly believe that.” she took a few steps toward the orange mare. “Again, I sincerely apologize for the mishap. But… now I hope that I will see you there?”
Applejack smiled. “‘Ah… well, as long as y’r gonna be there. Maybe ya’ can help me get around.”
Rarity giggled. “I would love to. It’s truly daunting at first, trust me, I know-“
“Applejack!” she heard her sister’s voice call out to her, followed by hurried hoofsteps. She turned around to meet her eyes.
“Applejack, ‘Ah-“
Upon seeing Rarity, she stopped herself and immediately bowed. Letting out a nervous squeal.
“M-Miss Rarity! I’m sorry! I didn’t see you!” she said, reverting back to her Manehattan voice.
“Oh, that’s quite alright dear. I was just talking to your sister about the Gala. It appears to be that she will be attending after all!”
Apple Bloom’s face quickly lit up, and she stood upright to meet her sister’s gaze. “Really?! Really, really?!“
“‘Ah- Well, yeah. Circumstances have uh… changed,” she smiled at Rarity.
“Ohmygoshogmygoshohmygosh!!!” she bounced in circles around Applejack.
Applejack giggled. “Settle down, Nelly!”
Upon realizing she lost her composure, she quickly recollected herself and in a blur was standing with her chin up high next to A.J.
“It’s really nice that you got us tickets to the Gala, Countess!”
Applejack’s eyes widened.
Countess?
“Oh but of course! Anything for a friend, I happen to know your aunt from around. And I consider her to be… a friend. And of course, with my connections to the Princess… Ahem,” she cleared her throat.
“I digress. I do hope I see you two there! And your Aunt as well…”
Shortly after they patched everything up with Rarity, they left the market and set off on their way home. By then, it was nearly nightfall. Now, Applejack wasn’t a city gal. But to her, nothing could compare to the lively, bustling nature of the city’s streets. The chatter of the passerby, the harmonious sound of the traffic, and just the sight for sore eyes that was Manehattan. Whereas others might find it burdensome, she loved the activity of the city outside her bedroom window. Especially as she slept. It wasn’t anything quite like Sweet Apple Acres, it was usually quiet out.
Lonely.
Applejack let out a hearty laugh. “Save some of y’r excitement for the Gala, now.”
“Ohhhh ‘Ah just can’t! What was it? What made ya’ change y’r mind? Was it Miss Rarity?”
“‘Ah- Now, just what kind of question is that?” she asked half-seriously, her face growing warm.
“Y’all seem to hit it off well, ‘Ah thought maybe y’all was lookin’ to be friends ‘r somethin’ rather.” Apple Bloom wagged her hoof dismissively. Her expression contorted.
“What did you think ‘Ah meant?”
“Don’t know. Was why ‘Ah asked.”
Apple Bloom rolled her eyes.
“Since we’re on the topic, now ‘Ah don’t know if this is a dumb question…” she stopped on the porches front steps and knocked on the door. “But what’s her deal?”
She cocked her head. “Who? Rarity? Whaddya’ mean wut’s ‘er deal?”
“Like, ‘Ah don’t know. She’s got that… accent. And ‘Ah could of sworn ‘Ah heard y’all call her-“
Before she could finish that thought, the door in front of them swung open and they were met with Auntie Orange’s preoccupied expression. She said nothing, hardly sparing a glance at her nieces before heading to sit back down.
“Oh my gosh, Auntie Orange! You’re never going to believe it!”
Aunt Orange draped herself across the couch. “Oh, I’m terribly fatigued, dearest. Maybe later.”
“Uhm, Apple Bloom? Maybe you wanna let me-“
Apple Bloom didn’t deter. “Oh, but Auntie! You’re going to want to hear this!”
She sighed, sitting upright. “If you must,” she rolled her eyes, gesturing for her to continue.
“It’s Applejack!”
“Now hold on, just a minute.” Applejack stepped in front of her sister, separating her from their Aunt’s line of sight. “‘Ah… ‘Ah think this is a big girl talk.”
She sagged. “Awww…”
A.J frowned. “Now, now. We’ll have plenty of time to talk ‘bout it. Y’all don’t leave until tomorrow after all.”
“We don’t leave until tomorrow, Applejack.”
Orange perked up at this. “Pardon? We? Apple, to what is the nature of this?”
She should have been excited, but instead she felt a sudden weight on her shoulders. And a pit forming in her stomach.
“‘Ah… Big girl talk, go on now, you.”
She pouted, but she obliged. Putting the groceries down and scurrying off to her room.
The door shut, and it was silent.
Applejack bit first. “It’s gonna sound… unbelievable.”
Her Aunt raised an accusatory eyebrow. “Try me.”
She struggled to find the words. “It’s… Well we ran into that filly from them few weeks ago, Rarity, at the market-“
“Really?” she asked genuinely, but her expression didn’t change.
“Yeah… ‘Ah told her, ‘bout that mix up with the tickets. She said she’d tell Princess Celestia and it’s fixed now. So…”
Auntie Orange’s expression contorted in a way that Applejack couldn’t explain, she just knew that she didn’t like it. “Fixed?”
“…Yes’m,” she picked at the floor with her hoof.
Just then, when she was expecting the worst.
She was met with laughter.
Applejack joined in at first, but after a while she stopped. Because she just kept going. It had to have been a good minute before she regained her composure.
It was when her Aunt’s malicious smile didn’t falter that Applejack realized this was nothing to laugh about.
“So? What is this in regard to me?“
“‘Ah…” she shook her head. “‘Ah didn’t mean nothin’. Uhm, you’re lookin’ out of sorts,” she said, beginning to walk out of the room. “Maybe we can talk about this later-“
She felt something grip her hoof which made her stop in her tracks. She looked up at her Aunt, who was now standing over her with a threatening glare.
“I tried…” she sucked in a lungful, rage still in her eyes. But it stirred… and then Applejack saw something rawer. Her expression screamed betrayal.
“Ah’m… Just forget it. Forget ‘Ah said anything. ‘Ah didn’t know that-“
“I have tried so so hard for you girls… We shared wine together, Applejack.”
She tried to pull away, but her Aunt’s grip didn’t let up.
“But you still defy me? I just… Why do you despise me so?”
Applejack’s lip quivered, and she opened her mouth to say something… but then she shut it. Clenching her jaw.
She narrowed her eyes, pulling her hoof back with all her might much to Orange’s surprise.
Applejack rubbed at the sore spot. “Now just what is the meanin’ of this?! ‘Ah’m not ‘bout to sit back and let y’all push me around! Hay, ‘Ah haven’t even done anything wrong!”
“Keep your voice down!”
“Like Celestia ‘Ah will! ‘Cause you always think everything ‘Ah do is calculated, like ‘Ah’m out to get ya’! When ‘Ah haven’t done not a consarn thing to make ya’ think so!”
She huffed. “So ‘Ah want you to tell me! Why in the hay ya’ always treatin’ me like some kind of criminal in my own home?! Why y’all got me cleaning and doin’ chores day in day out?!”
Her Aunt’s face had reverted back to her rage-filled expression. She shouted, tracks of spittle flying out of her mouth. “You are not going!”
“Tell me, Auntie Orange. What really happened to my ticket, huh?” She looked her directly in the eyes. “They sent it didn’t they!? You just got rid of it! Admit it! You were just itchin’ for the opportunity! And y’all know ‘Ah’d’ve gave up my own if it meant my sister got to go!”
Her typically brilliant mane had come completely undone, and was fraying out in all directions. Her glass-like coat now sweaty, and her makeup smudged. She scrunched up the bridge of her snout. “This is ludicrous!”
It was so slight Applejack hardly noticed it. But before Orange spoke, her right ear twinged ever so slightly.
“I will not listen to such accusations!”
Applejack laughed, not out of pleasure but out of exasperation.
“Go to your room!”
“‘Ah’m not no filly anymore! Ya’ can’t just ground me!”
“My roof, my rules Applehack.”
Before she could respond, Orange grabbed Applejack by the back of her neck and shoved her into the hallway.
“Ow! Hay!”
“Get out! GO AWAY! And by Celestia’s name, if you so much as peep about what has gone on here tonight…” she stopped to catch her breath.
“Well, let us just hope it does not come to that.”
She turned around, calmly. And began walking back over to the couch where she was sitting before, draping herself over with her head down.
Applejack bit down on her bottom lip so hard she thought it would bleed, as she galloped upstairs to her bedroom.
She got to her room and shut the door behind her, she sucked in a lungful before turning around on her forehooves and kicking the door with brute force. Hard, but intentionally not hard enough to break it down.
She let out a yelp, then ran over beside her bed and curled up into a ball with her hooves over her head. She grabbed her Stetson from off her bed and clung to it like her life depended on it.
And then she started to sob.
————————————————————
Apple Bloom couldn’t make sense of it, “Are ya’ sure? It’s just a’mighty sudden! And-“
“It’s none to do with y’all… If ‘Ah’ma be mighty honest, ‘Ah’m… Not entirely sure what happened.”
“Now just what in the hay is that s’posedt’ mean?”
“Y’all watch y’r mouth, ya’ here?” Applejack scolded. She sighed, dropping her head. “‘Ah… ‘Ah wish there was another way.”
She narrowed her eyes. “So it’s because of her! Don’t think ‘Ah didn’t hear y’all last night. Come on, A.J. Just tell me!” she pleaded, dropping the pair of boots she had been holding.
Applejack picked them up, putting them in the suitcase she had been packing for her sister. She bit down hard on her tongue.
“‘Ah want to, honest. But it’s not worth it.”
She picked up a blanket off Apple Bloom’s bed and folded it neatly, she ran a gentle hoof over it. It was a plaid green, lined with brown. With a big red apple dead in the center.
“Y’all remember when ‘Ah made this?”
Her sister softened, and she nodded. “Yeah! ‘Ah sleep with it every night.”
She scoffed. “Yeah, it was lazy stitching. Look at the inconsistencies here.”
Bloom frowned again, walking towards her sister and taking the blanket from her. “…Well ‘Ah like it.” she hugged it close to her chest.
Applejack’s ears fell to the sides of her head, and she sighed. “‘Ah… It was Aunt Orange. She… ‘Ah didn’t want to tell you because ‘Ah know ya’ said we should try to get along and ‘Ah didn’t want to-“
“That doesn’t matter right now. Applejack…” her eyes frowned. “…What did she say to you?”
She knew she shouldn’t have been talking about these types of things to such a little filly, but there was no use in hiding it if she already knew. Applejack wasn’t a liar. She wasn’t a fibber, and she didn’t hide the full truth.
Not to Apple Bloom.
“‘Ah… ‘Ah can’t believe this!”
Applejack took her hat off and put it to her chest, bowing her head regretfully. “It’s the full truth, none’ less.”
“‘Ah have to talk to her! Maybe ‘Ah can talk some sense into her! You can’t miss the Gala, ya’ just can’t!”
She quickly shook her head. “Sugarcube, ‘Ah’ve already said too much just tellin’ ya’. ‘Ah’m beggin’, stay out of this.”
Apple Bloom zipped up her suitcase without another word, and picked it up as she walked out the room down the hall.
Applejack followed shortly behind her, clinging her Stetson to her head.
“Auntie Orange!” Apple Bloom said as soon as she got to the front door, where Aunt Orange was waiting for her.
“Apple Bloom, dearest. Now, I know what I said about fashionably late but this is borderline ridiculous. Come at once, we have a train to catch… Oh.” She stopped when she saw Applejack. Clearing her throat. “Good morning… Applejack.”
The use of her full name ran a shiver through her spine. “…Mornin’.”
“Aunt Orange!” Apple Bloom said in her country twang, not bothering to use her Manehattan accent. “‘Ah heard y’all last night! ‘Ah heard what ya’ said! Ya’ can’t to do this to my sister, ya’ hear?!”
“Apple Bloom! Stop! You don’t know what you’re doin’!”
Orange scoffed at this. “For once, I’m inclined to agree with Apple… Bloom, whatever is the meaning of this?! Enough with the dramatics! It’s so early in the morning you are not thinking clearly. Come.” She reached for the doorknob.
Apple Bloom smacked her hoof away, much to Orange’s surprise.
“Y’all not ‘bout to pretend ya’ don’t know wut ‘Ah’m talkin’ about! Ya’ got rid of her ticket then lied about it! ‘Ah won’t let you-!”
Applejack ran over to her sister, pulling her over to the side and throwing a hoof over her mouth. Her Stetson flying off her head and onto the ground as she did so.
But it was too late.
“Apple Bloom! I’m appalled! You would honestly believe this… this ruffianover me?! After everything I have done for you?!”
She shoved her sister’s hoof away, but Applejack still held her back. “She’s my sister! And she’s not a liar! Not like you! You… Witch!”
Everypony froze.
Aunt Orange was completely silent, before walking in the direction towards Applejack’s Stetson.
“Apple Bloom… Darling. It’s as simple as this… Applejack, is a liar.”
“But she ain’t! ‘Ah know she ain’t! ‘Ah-!”
“Ah, ah, ah!” She put a hoof to Apple Bloom’s mouth, hushing her. “I am going to give you one last chance… Apple Bloom.”
“Aunt Orange! Please! ‘Ah’m beggin’ ya! This was my fault, ‘Ah was the one who told! Just don’t-!”
“You forget yourself, Applejack. It’s far too late for that, now. You will get yours. Right now, it’s Apple Bloom. Now, I will say it once more,” she said, apathetically. She wasn’t smiling, she wasn’t laughing, she was unapologetically cold.
“Applejack lied to you.”
She objected immediately “Shut up, you! ‘Ah’ll never believe that! ‘Ah’ll never do anything ya’ tell me to never again! Y’all actually had me thinkin’ that she was begrudgin’ you when ‘Ah should have been on her side all along!”
To this, she actually frowned. Walking back over to Applejack’s hat on the ground, she pointed a hoof at it. “Here. At once.”
“No-!”
“A-Apple Bloom… ‘Ah think we outta’ do what she says.”
“…But-“
“‘Ah won’t let her hurt you.” she whispered into her sister’s ear.
She nodded, and they both walked over to their Aunt.
She raised a hoof. “Not you.”
A.J growled. “If y’all lay a hoof on her, for Celestia’s sake-“
“I wouldn’t dream of it,” she said matter of factly.”
So Applejack halted, but she stayed alert in case she wasn’t staying true to her word. Aunt Orange put her hooves over Apple Bloom’s shoulders, guiding her to stand in front of her. In front of the Stetson.
“Destroy it,” she said.
Apple Bloom’s eyes widened. “…I… Destroy..? But-“
“You made your choice! Now DESTROY it!”
Bloom cowered, turning her head to look at Applejack. Who was visibly shaking.
“…Applejack-“
“Silence!”
Apple Bloom flinched at her sudden voice. She gulped, lowering a shaky hoof to the hat.
And she ripped it.
She started with the brim, ripping it until the band ripped completely off. She snagged it with her teeth, she beat it against the ground. Applejack flinched with every stomp, every rip.
Until it was no longer discernible as a hat anymore, Apple Bloom could finally stop. She fell to her knees, sobbing.
“Now, now. Bloom… Dearest. Don’t cry.”
She raised her nieces chin with a hoof, meeting her gaze. “It’s bad for your coat.”
She swiped her hoof away, picking her suitcase up and opening the front door. She urged Apple Bloom to follow. “Come, now. We have a train to catch,” she said, expressionless.
Applejack was already hovered over Apple Bloom, whispering into her ear and shushing her softly. Stroking her mane with her hoof.
“I’m… Ah’m sorry. Applejack I’m sorry, ‘Ah didn’t mean it…” she cried, her two accents each fighting for dominance.
“Shhh, shhh… It’s…” she hiccuped. “It wasn’t you. It wasn’t you. Go on, now. Go on and have a good time. Put this behind you, now. You have to.”
“‘Ah can’t-“
“Come at once!” she urged again, this time tapping her watch impatiently.
Apple Bloom stood up on her shaky knees, Applejack handed her the suitcase. She walked her over to the front door, ushering her.
“Y’all are gonna be okay, now.”
“Applejack I’m sorry. I should have listened to you… ‘Ah should have…-“
But it was too late, Aunt Orange had already slammed the door behind them.
“Consarn it… I told that Apple Bloom… She doesn’t ever listen to me!”
She mumbled incoherently to herself as she attempted to stitch her hat back together. But it was no use. Whenever she successfully stitched one piece back, another fell off. It was unsalvageable, ripped up into a bunch of miserable pieces.
It had been hours since they left, and the sun was going down. She wondered if they had already made it to Canterlot, if the Gala had already begun. She wondered what Aunt Orange was doing right then...
She wondered if Apple Bloom was okay.
I have the answers you seek… she heard a disembodied voice say.
“‘Ah-… Hello?! Is- Is someone there?!” she stood up. “‘Ah’m warnin’ ya!”
Just then, a cloud of pink dust magicked itself in front of her. It settled, and beyond it was a smiling pink pony. With adjacent giant pink hair to match. She was a… pegasus? Her wings were nontraditional of a pegasus, instead of being made of feathers they looked more delicate like silk. The light reflected off of them, creating hues of pinks and purples all over the walls.
Applejack shook her head, she was getting distracted. “What in the hay?! Git’ back! ‘Ah know self defense!“ she threw her hooves up in front of her in the boxing position.
“Ooooooohh… I’m the ghostttt of Heartswarming Passsttt oooooh…” The pink pony let out a giggle, waving a dismissive hoof.
“I’m just kidding! I’m your fairy godmother, silly!”
“Fairy who now?!”
“You called?” She flew over to the kitchen, going through its cabinets.
“‘Ah sure as hell did not.”
She flew to the pantry, picking up a package of cupcakes and swallowed it whole. Not even bothering to take them out of the container. She made a big gulping sound, then wiped her mouth. “Well of course you did! Why else would I be here?”
“Well ‘Ah sure as sugar don’t have no ‘fairy godmother’ that’s just ridiculous. This ain’t no fairy tale. It’s… quite the opposite-“
“Ooooohhh!” she said inquisitively, suddenly appearing next to Applejack wearing a big detective hat and a monocle. Jotting something down on a notepad she did not have before. “Tell me more about that…”
“‘Ah…” she gulped. “‘Ah’d really rather not.”
“Well then this is going to take forever! All I want is to help you! Not like I have anything better to do. So come on!”
“Well… ‘Ah… What do you wanna know, exactly?”
“Hmmm, well there’s obviously something bothering you, silly filly.” She pat her over the head. “Anything helps!”
Applejack sighed, and decided her Aunt actions had finally sent her off the deep end. But if it wasn’t real, then there was no harm in humoring the strange pony.
“Well… ‘Ah was s’posedt go to the Grand Gallopin’ Gala with my Aunt and little sister. But… my Aunt don’t like me all that much. We got tickets, but she got rid of mine.”
“No she didn’t!”
“And then- Wait, whaddya’ mean, ‘no she didn’t’?”
“I meannnn…” she said in her shrill voice, flying over to the living room and reaching underneath the couch. Pulling something out from under it.
“Hereee we go!” She handed it to Applejack and she inspected it, surely enough it was one ticket to the Grand Galloping Gala.
She was dumbfounded. “‘Ah- How did you… Why did she… What in the hay…”
“Shhhh, there’s no time for that! Now you’ve got your ticket! Get on out of here and let’s partayyyy!” she said, wiggling around midair and dancing strangely.
“But- But ‘Ah don’t even have anything to wear! It’s a highfalutin function! ‘Ah can’t just show up in some stupid get-up! And besides…” she said somberly. “What‘s stopping Auntie Orange from recognizing me?”
“Oh, well why didn’t you say so!”
The strange pony clapped her hooves, and whereas one second Applejack hadn’t been wearing anything at all, the next she was dressed up head to hoof in a… tuxedo! And when she ran a hoof through her mane, she felt that it was considerably shorter than it usually was.
She pinched herself to make sure she wasn’t dreaming. “‘Ah…” she got a good look at herself. “This is… ‘Ah look…”
“Kinda coltish, right? She’ll never recognize you now!”
But more noticeably, her hooves felt that much colder than they had moments ago. She lifted a hoof, and when she did so she was met with…
“Glass horseshoes?”
The party pony giggled. “Trust me.”
Applejack shrugged. “It’s… It’s missin’ something.” A.J walked over to the pile of fabric that was once her Stetson, she pointed a hoof at it. “My hat… If it’s not too much to ask? Could ya’ fix it by any chance? It was… my Dad’s.”
To this, the pink pony actually smiled sadly. She nodded, and without saying anything magicked it back together.
Applejack was joyous.
“Yeehaw!” She hollered, kicking her hind legs in the air.
But her excitement was short lived, when she made a striking realization. “A-Ah’ve got no way to get there! And even if I did catch a cab, ‘Ah’d never make it in time…”
“Ohhhhhkie dokie lokie!” the pink pony said. Then out of thin air, Applejack was magicked in a cloud of pink and sparkles. And when she opened her eyes, she was in the middle of the woods!
“Sweet Celestia!”
The fairy godmother threw her hoof over Applejack’s mouth. “Shhhhh! You don’t want to get caught do you?! Now, you have your ticket, you’re dressed, and now you’re here!”
“‘Ah… ‘Ah can’t thank you enough, honest. How could ‘Ah ever repay you-“
“Wait! Before you say anything else, you have to remember this one, very, important, thing.” she put a hoof to Applejack’s chest, leaning in closer with every last word.
“My magic only lasts until midnight, so make sure you’re up and out of here before the clock strikes! I don’t want you to get caught,” she said weirdly seriously, contrary to her happy-go-lucky attitude the whole time they’d been talking.
“But more importantly, have fun! You deserve it!” She smiled.
“Oh, and bring me back any cake if there is any. Oh who am I kidding, of course there is! Anyway, bye now!”
“Hay, wait a minute-!”
Before Applejack could get in another word, she had already herself magicked away.
That left her all by herself. Part of her was debating whether or not it was worth it to even go in, that maybe she should just run until she can’t anymore. As far away as possible.
But she had a ticket, she was dressed, and she was here.
So she held onto her newly stitched Stetson, and made her way to the front gates.
————————————————————
As soon as she stepped inside, she realized far too late she was way out of her element.
The only thing more debilitating than going to the Grand Galloping Gala, was going to the Grand Galloping Gala alone. But it was a beautiful place, she had never been inside the Canterlot Castle before. It was by far the biggest building she had ever been in, which made her feel minuscule in comparison. It had undergone extensive decorating, there were authentic garments of flowers and leaves hanging off of the walls, and long sheets of draping purple silk over the windows. The floors were spotless, and her glass horseshoes beat against the hard tile when she walked. Which made her self conscious.
What perhaps frightened her most were the other attendants in question, they were so sophisticated. In their mannerisms and in their taste in wardrobe, Applejack’s attire was inoffensive. But she certainly didn’t stand out in a group.
Which was probably a good thing, because only after a few minutes after Applejack got there she saw them.
Aunt Orange and Apple Bloom.
Apple Bloom was in the dress Aunt Orange had helped her pick out all those weeks ago, that familiar whirl of purples and blues. Her Aunt Orange was unfortunately stunning. While her dress was simplistic, a basic white with gold hem, she was pretty. Like a countess.
Which reminded her, she had completely forgotten about Rarity!
She was mad at herself that she was letting her down, but it’s not like Applejack wasn’t still going to be there. It was just in a… slightly different way.
She scanned her eyes all around the room for that familiar purple mane, and then she saw it.
Rarity was sitting at a table in the corner, looking extremely bored with her company. A white stallion with a golden yellow mane who was talking her ear off.
Applejack grabbed a glass of wine off the table she was standing next to, and looked both ways like there was anypony trying to stop her. Then she made her way over to their table, walking carefully with the glass.
Her presence caught the attention of the stallion and he stopped talking. Which made Rarity pick her head up.
“Well ‘Ah’ll-“ she quickly cleared her throat. “Well I’ll be. You two will never guess who decided to show up today…” she said in a lower voice than her usual one, reverting to her Manehattan accent.
The stallion rolled his eyes. “We are not interested in your petty gossip, we are far too refined for such casualties.”
Applejack nodded. “Believe me, usually I would be. But have you simply heard…”
She lazily set her glass down, which caused her to spill it all over the stallion out of shot of Rarity. He immediately jumped out of his seat, rubbing at his now wine soaked coat.
“Oh, no! I’m sorry, please. Let me-“
“Oh no, you have done enough!”
He stormed off without so much as a goodbye to Rarity, mumbling nonsense to himself.
“Damned Earth ponies… I am refined… Oh why I ever…”
Applejack laughed to herself. “Whoo,” she said. “Sorry about that. He just looked like he was giving you a hard time.”
Rarity breathed a sigh of relief. “Oh, please. I have been dropping hints for half an hour now! It was long overdue, darling. Ehm…” she looked Applejack up and down.
“Sorry, but do I know you from somewhere? You seem… awfully familiar.”
“I… uh.” She wasn’t sure if outing herself to Rarity was the right move, so she bit her tongue. “‘Ah- Ahem.”her ear twitched. “I don’t think so, haha…”
“Hm…” she pondered. “Well, why don’t you sit down? Unless… you’re here with somepony.”
Applejack quickly shook her head. “No! I…uh, no. I’m not.”
Rarity pat the empty seat beside her, gesturing for Applejack to sit next to her.
She sat down, followed by an uncomfortable silence.
“Uhm… So what brings you to the Gala?” she asked finally.
“Oh, you know… Business and all.”
“…Business?”
“Why, yes. You know, my reputation. At events such as this, my attendance is of high importance. I’m… a sponsor. So to speak.”
“So… More will come because you’re here?”
Rarity nodded. “Yep, that is exactly right.”
Applejack fidgeted with her suit collar. “Uhm, pardon my asking. But, why exactly?”
Rarity raised an eyebrow. “Why what?”
“Are you… Like, famous or somethin’?”
Rarity simply stared at her, and Applejack was worried she had said something rude. That was until, she started to laugh.
“Oh, darling… Wherever are you from? What is your name?”
“My name? It’s uh… I’ll tell ya’ what,” she started, her accent slipping. With how quickly the events of the night had progressed, it had completely slipped her mind to come up with a fake name. “How about we don’t have names, just for tonight? I won’t ask you no more about your… business. For tonight, we’re both just regular old ponies. How does that sound?”
“Hmm…” Rarity hummed in thought.
She smiled.
“What an interesting proposition… I suppose, just for tonight.”
It seems that, without thinking about it. Applejack had placed her hoof over Rarity’s.
She pulled away. “Oh, my apologies-“
But Rarity pulled her back, inspecting the sole of her hoof. “Are you wearing… Glass horseshoes?”
“I…Uh-“
“That’s… so unusual! So inquisitive, so impractical.”
Applejack laughed awkwardly. “Ha, yeah. It’s just for tonight so I didn’t really-“
“But such… a good idea!” She clapped her hoof with Applejack’s, with a smile reminiscent only of the purest filly-like joy. Applejack couldn’t help but smile herself.
“Oh I could imagine the discomfort, but wouldn’t glass heels look just absolutely divine with the rhinestones on my hem? I could even mend them with a design of some sort… Perhaps a pattern, flowers-! I… Oh.”
It was as if she realized whom she was talking to, and stopped herself.
She laughed nervously. “Pardon my enthusiasm.”
“I like your enthusiasm,” Applejack said in a heartbeat, with the goofiest smile on her face.
A faint blush lined Rarity’s porcelain cheeks, she fought back a smile. “It’s simply… I have a certain passion for the art of fashion. It’s my special talent, you see.”
Applejack nodded.
“It’s just that… Oh I’m so busy with my… business. That I haven’t the time for it.”
Applejack frowned. “Shouldn’t you… Make time? You seem really happy when you talk about it.”
“Perhaps. I actually have my own line, but it is not what it used to be. Whereas I owned the business locally, but now I have hired all these ponies that do all of the leg work for me. I am hardly involved in the process.”
“Of making your own clothes? That’s crazy talk!”
Rarity smiled woefully. “You are… different from other colts.”
Applejack blushed. “Well, it’s just… I know what it’s like. I’m so far from… Where I was born. Where I was meant to be. My “special talent” is back home, but life has other plans. I guess.”
As she finished talking, a soft humming of a cello began to play. Playing a fast, steady rhythm.
Rarity looked at her hopefully. “Well… I cannot take you home tonight. But, perhaps you’ll take this dance?”
She reached out her hoof to Applejack.
She smiled at the sentiment, and wholeheartedly obliged. Taking Rarity by the hoof.