Twilight Sparkle sighed as Rainbow Dash concluded her story.
"So... you gotta help me talk to Applejack! I'm totally gonna screw this up if I try and ask her by myself!" Rainbow Dash said, very unlike her.
Twilight said, "So let me get this straight. You want me to help you try and go on a date with Applejack? Why do you think I'd be able to help you?" Rainbow shrugged. "You were just the first pony that came to mind. I know if anypony can do it, you can Twilight," Twilight sighed again.
"Rainbow Dash, I'm not sure if I really should help you. You always say you know about dating and things, why can't you just do it?" "Because it's concerning me! I can't do it if it's got to do with me! I'll get all tongue-tied and I won't know the first thing to say!" Rainbow Dash looked at Twilight with puppy dog eyes. "Please?"
Twilight smiled a little. "You really wanna go through with this, don't you?" Rainbow Dash nodded. Twilight hopped up and put on a determined expression. "Well, all right then. Let's do this!" Rainbow Dash cheered and hugged Twilight. Suddenly she pulled away. "Oh, um, don't tell anypony I came to you for advice. That'd be totally uncool," Twilight laughed and said, "I promise,"
The two ponies trotted outside. "Ok, so um, how are we going to do this?" Rainbow Dash asked. Twilight thought about that. "Well, I've noticed that you two ponies are always together, so maybe you could just... walk over to Applejack's place and ask her if she wants to... um... do something?" Twilight gave an unconfident smile. Rainbow groaned. "If it was that easy I would've done it already! Come on, Twilight! You're a bookworm! You should know how to handle these kinds of situations!"
Twilight sighed. "Rainbow Dash, I don't know! I've never really had to deal with something like this! Why don't you ask Rarity or Pinkie Pie instead? I'm sure they'll be able to help you a lot more than I can," she said. Rainbow sighed. "Twilight, maybe you're right. But... wait! What if ALL you girls help me? Fluttershy, Rarity, you, AND Pinkie Pie! You can all help me!" Rainbow Dash said excitedly. She flew up in the air and did loops in the air.
Twilight smiled and said, "Oh, fine," She went off to get the other ponies, leaving Rainbow Dash twisting and turning in the air.
Rainbow stopped when she heard a familiar voice say, "What are you so happy about?" Rainbow Dash looked down and saw Applejack looking up at her with a smile on her face. Rainbow blushed and felt extremely embarrassed. "Oh, um, no reason," she said with an embarrassed laugh, slowly sinking back down to the ground. Applejack giggled. "Sorry, you just looked so happy, and it was sweet. I like you better when you're in a good mood," she said smiling brightly. Rainbow's heart glowed. Applejack was so amazing. And she had no idea that Rainbow liked her, she was only being a nice friend. Applejack's smile was so sweet as well.... woah. Rainbow Dash shook her head. 'What am I thinking? I've never thought about stuff like that before. I'm not into that mushy stuff!' she thought to herself. Applejack looked at her, clearly confused. "Um, did I say something?" Rainbow Dash shook her head and said, "Oh no, sorry, my mind's just been getting a lot thoughts lately," Rainbow said with a nervous laugh. Applejack smiled and said, "Well, don't think too hard now, ok? Don't want that little noggin' of yours to start hurting!"
On any other day, with any other pony, Rainbow wouldn't have taken that as a joke, but because it was Applejack, she laughed along with her. "Yeah, thanks," she said. Applejack laughed and said, "Well sugarcube, I'd really love to stay and chat, but Big Mac's got me on some errands, so I'd better be gettin' on with it," Rainbow Dash only nodded. Applejack's accent was so cute... Rainbow shook her head. What was going on with her? "Um, yeah. Ok... but uh...will you be available tomorrow?" Applejack replied, "Yeah, I sure will be. At least I think I will. I hope I will. Why? You got something planned?" Applejack elbowed Rainbow Dash and giggled. Rainbow said, "Oh, um, no, haven't got anything planned. I was just... um.. wondering," Applejack smiled and walked away. Rainbow sighed and fell over.
"Ok, so what do I need to do? I'll help Rainbow and Applejack to the best of my abilities!" Rarity said proudly. Fluttershy smiled. "I think it's so sweet that they like each other," Twilight perked up. "Wait... Fluttershy, how do you know Applejack likes Rainbow Dash?" Fluttershy shrunk back. "Oh, um... I... uh... I don't," Pinkie Pie giggled. "This is going to be so much fun!" Rainbow Dash flew up to her friends and landed in front of them.
"Hey girls, can we, um, make this quick? I kinda sorta have a date with Applejack tomorrow, I just need an idea for what I'm gonna do exactly..." The other ponies looked at her. Twilight cleared her throat and said, "All right, then, Rainbow Dash. I hereby take on the responsibility of being in charge of pairing you two up. I'll definitely make you guys have an awesome time!" Rainbow Dash smiled gratefully. "Thank you," Twilight smiled and said, "You're welcome. Everypony, come back tomorrow afternoon. I'll think of an idea tonight," she said. Everypony nodded and left.
The next morning Twilight dreaded seeing her friends. She wasn't successful in coming up with a good subtle idea for Rainbow and Applejack's date, and she didn't want to have to face her friends. She rubbed her tired eyes and yawned. The only way she was able to comb her hair out its rat's nest was with her magic.
Twilight hurriedly swept her eyes over a couple books to see if she could muster up some measly excuse for an idea. She came up with nothing. Twilight groaned. How would she be able to tell Rainbow and the others? Oh Celestia, Twilight thought. What would she say to Rainbow Dash? She didn't even want to think about it.
She tidied up around her house, trying to think of an idea. Spike was no help; he was sound asleep on the floor. Suddenly Twilight got the best idea she could think of: Rainbow Dash could take Applejack out on a picnic, with the other ponies coming at first, then leaving because they had to "do something", which would leave Applejack and Rainbow Dash alone. Twilight sighed. It was all she had time for.
As Twilight was pacing back and forth waiting for her friends to show up, she grew more tired and started feeling sick. She really shouldn't have stayed up so late, and she definitely shouldn't have drunk all those Dragon energy drinks. Twilight looked at her library and froze. It was such a mess! Books were scattered everywhere, papers were thrown all over the floor, scrolls were unrolled across the floor, there were ink splatters covering almost every inch on her tables, and the trash bins were overflowing with crumpled up pieces of paper. Twilight's eyes instantly felt 10 times heavier.
She sighed and started to get to work cleaning the library. Strands of her mane were sticking out in odd places and she had bags under eyes. When she looked in the mirror, she was reminded of how Applejack had looked when she'd tried to applebuck every apple tree by herself. Twilight sighed and decided that she shouldn't try and push herself over her limit. She would go to her breaking point, but once she was there, she would fall over and sleep. She wouldn't be as stubborn as Applejack; everypony knew how that had turned out. But Twilight could still think, so she ignored the fact that her stomach felt like there were bubbles in it, and the fact that if she sat down she'd instantly fall asleep.
There was a knock at her door, and Twilight answered groggily, "Come in," Fluttershy opened the door and was in the middle of saying, "Good afternoon, Twilight," when Rainbow Dash flew in past her and right up to Twilight and she said, "Did you come up with an idea? Please say you thought of something! I told Applejack I'd come by in an hour!" Twilight looked at her sleepily and said, "Yeah, yeah, I have an idea," she explained her idea to the ponies, and they all agreed that it was a good plan. Twilight smiled gratefully.
Pinkie Pie got to work baking things, Fluttershy went to the park and explained to the animals what they're secret assignment was. Rarity helped Rainbow Dash with her manners and what she should wear. Twilight used this opportunity as a chance to sleep. She got about 30 minutes of sleep in before it was time to review everything.
"Ok," Twilight started off tiredly, "so the food's ready to go, the animals know what they're doing, and Rainbow's ready," as Twilight said this last detail, she turned toward Rainbow Dash, who looked pretty, in a subtle way.
Rainbow Dash's neck was adorned with a silver necklace with a rainbow charm on it, and she had a cloud pin in her hair, pulling back prettily. Simple, yet stunning. Rarity was more than a little grumpy about not being able to clothe Rainbow Dash in some kind of outfit, but they were going for subtle after all.
"Ok. We're ready to go," Twilight said through a yawn. Rainbow Dash looked at her friend and said, "Um, Twilight, maybe you should stay here and get some sleep. You look like you really need it," Twilight shook her head. "No, no, I'm fine. I want to be there for you, Rainbow Dash," she smiled. Rainbow replied with an uncertain, "Well, ok,"
The ponies all approached Sweet Apple Acres and greeted Applejack happily. Applejack wasn't dressed up when they arrived, but Twilight did notice she tried to secretly brush her mane and slipped on a red and orange bead bracelet.
The six ponies walked towards the park, making sure Applejack and Rainbow Dash were walking beside one another. When they reached the designated area underneath a huge oak tree, Rarity lay the pink blanket down on the grass. The ponies made sure Applejack and Rainbow were the first ones to sit down on the blanket; it was really only big enough for two ponies. Rarity giggled and said, "It was the only blanket I had. I'm sorry," Applejack shrugged. "Eh, it's fine. Y'all can sit on the blanket I brought," Applejack lay out a green blanket and smiled. The other ponies gave off a round of thank you's and sat down on the blanket. Twilight was feeling a bit dizzy.
As the ponies started eating, Twilight didn't feel too sick anymore, she just felt really crazy and hyper. One by one, the ponies trickled away, with Rarity leaving first, claiming she just realized she had an order due tomorrow, then Pinkie Pie, who said she had promised Derpy and Bon Bon she'd help them with a party for Lyra, and then Fluttershy, who explained that she had to tend to some sick squirrels. Twilight, however, forgot to leave, and stayed with Rainbow Dash and Applejack.
"So, um, I guess we're by ourselves now," Rainbow Dash said, blushing. Applejack looked behind her and said, "I don't know what you're talking about, Rainbow Dash, Twilight's still here," "What!?!" Rainbow Dash hissed, turning around. "Twilight, didn't you say you had to be somewhere?" she asked through gritted teeth.
Rainbow Dash twisted back around to face Applejack. "Well, um, I don't think she's feeling too good, so maybe she won't talk that much," Applejack gasped, "Oh, Twilight, do you not feel good? You should go home and rest, sugarcube," Twilight said, "Oh no, I'm fine, really, Applejack. Don't mind me. Just carry on with your conversation," Twilight's pupils were growing tinier every minute, and Rainbow was scared she was going to accidentally say something.
Rainbow Dash tried to ignore Twilight, and went on with her conversation, like Twilight told her. "So, um, did ya hear how I made a new speeding record yesterday?" Rainbow said with a forced smile. Applejack replied, somewhat absentmindedly, "Yeah, I think somepony told me about that…. Um, Twilight, you really should go, you don't look so great," Twilight shook her head. "I want to stay! There's still food! Oh look! A duck!" Twilight smiled widely as a duck passed by her and plopped itself into the lake nearby. "Uh… yeah, it's a duck. Good job, Twilight," Rainbow Dash deadpanned. "Anyway, um, how's life been at Sweet Apple Acres?"
Applejack turned back to Rainbow and smiled. "It's been pretty hectic. I've missed being able to see y'all. I've been so busy. I was really happy to find out that I had today off. I couldn't wait to see you. Oh, and the others too," Applejack said, blushing a little. Twilight spoke up, "Aw, that's so sweet Applejack!" then she started talking to other ponies that weren't there. "Uh, Rainbow? What's going on with Twilight?" Rainbow Dash had to admit she had no clue. This wasn't part of the plan.
Suddenly birds flew out of nowhere and landed on a low branch in the oak tree, and started singing a sweet tune. Applejack and Rainbow Dash looked up at them, then turned and looked at each other. They blushed more, and then Rainbow Dash said, "I've missed you, Applejack," Applejack said, "I've missed you, too, Rainbow. Gee, I never realized how much time applebuckin's takin' away from me. I really should spend time y'all more often," Rainbow Dash smiled. The two love struck ponies slowly inched closer together. A couple of bunnies hopped up and placed matching flower headdresses on each mare's head.
The ponies looked into each other's eyes, and in that moment, all else was forgotten. They were both surrounded by a warm, thick liquid-like substance, like soap. All they saw was each other, and they were both lost in their own world. Rainbow Dash absently placed her hoof on Applejack's hoof. Nothing could disrupt this perfect harmony they had found. Nothing, except of course, Twilight Sparkle.
"Hey guys, I think I'm done. Does anypony want my leftovers?" she called. Applejack and Rainbow's world was shattered, the moment lost, and they were back in the park, nighttime all around them. "Oh wow, is it really this late already? Time sure does fly by when you're having fun! Guess it's time to hit the hay," Applejack said, standing up awkwardly. "Um, thanks for the picnic, Rainbow Dash. I had a good time. We should do it again sometime," she smiled a little, then galloped away.
Rainbow Dash glared at Twilight. "What'd you do that for? We were doing so good and then you just HAD to interrupt!" she yelled. Twilight only looked at her. Rainbow Dash groaned and said, "Come on, sick pony. It's time you get to bed," she cleaned everything up and then dragged Twilight home to take care of her. Rainbow concluded that it was the least she could do for her friend who tried to help her. She sighed and thought, 'Maybe next time,'
Twilight looked at the moon and said, "Ooh! Pretty moon!" and then she laughed. Her laugh echoed throughout all of Ponyville as Rainbow Dash dragged her down the road.
Applejack trotted back and forth between the apple trees. She was really worrying about Rainbow Dash. Their last outing hadn't gone the way she had wanted to at all! Of course, that was probably because of Twilight, but still.... Applejack couldn't stop reliving that magical moment. She had been thinking it was almost too good to be true, and unfortunately, she was right. Applejack groaned.
How could she do or say anything in front of Rainbow Dash now? She really didn't want to go to Twilight, considering she was the one who had destroyed the perfect occurrence in the first place. But what other pony could she approach? Applejack was pretty sure Rainbow Dash liked her back, especially with that little scene. But she wanted to be sure. Applejack didn't want to lure herself in on false pretenses.
Applejack continued her pacing, leaving deep trenches in her repeating journey. She was so involved with her thoughts that she almost fell into a hole. Big Mac grabbed her tail and yanked her back. He had come from nowhere, but had come at the right moment.
Applejack flung herself into Big Mac and started crying. "Oh, brother, I don't know what to do! I really love Rainbow Dash, but it's just so hard to confess! And every time we try and have a date or something somepony always ruins it! It's not fair!" Applejack sniffed and said quietly, "Maybe it's not meant to be,"
Big Mac had been taken off guard, so he didn't say anything for a few moments. He looked down at Applejack and said, "Now AJ, this just ain't like you. If yer this emotional about Dash than ya gotta say somethin'. Otherwise, ya might spill somethin' to the wrong pony and then BAM! Rumors'll be ignitin' faster'n a forest fire. Come on, AJ. Ya gotta tell her. At least give her a hint or somethin',"
Applejack sniffed again and sighed. "Maybe yer right, Big Mac. There's only one way to figure this out, and that's to tell Rainbow Dash herself! Thank ya big brother," Applejack galloped away, eager to go find Rainbow and confess.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Meanwhile...
"...can't believe you let yourself do that! On MY date!" Rainbow Dash was grumbling. She was over at Twilight's, which was still a cluttered mess. Twilight's ears fell down and she whispered, "I-I'm sorry, Rainbow Dash... I don't know why I acted that way. It was totally not like me. I'm usually very sophisticated," Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes at that comment but otherwise ignored it.
"You stayed up too darn late, Twilight! If you didn't have an idea you could've simply told me and I could've helped you out!" she gave an exasperated sigh. "Now she probably never wants to see me again. We were doing just fine until you interrupted us and made it awkward!" Rainbow Dash sat on the floor, her eyes brimming with tears. She blinked them away, feeling them fall down onto her hooves.
Twilight bit her lip and approached Rainbow Dash cautiously. “I’m sorry, Rainbow. Really, If I had known I’d act crazy I wouldn’t have gone. I would ask if there was anything I could help you with, but… I don’t think you really want my help anymore…” Rainbow Dash glared at Twilight.
Rainbow sighed and said, “Well, I forgive you, but Applejack probably doesn’t want anything to do with me anymore.
Twilight looked up. “Oh, I doubt that, Rainbow Dash! Through my haziness, I could tell that Applejack was really enjoying herself. I’m sure…” Rainbow Dash was glaring at her. “Um… did I say something wrong?”
“You could tell AJ was enjoying herself? And you still INTERRUPTED!?!?” Rainbow Dash leaped forward, trying to grab at Twilight. Twilight shrieked and ran out of the way. “Rainbow Dash! Calm down! I said I was sorry!”
Rainbow Dash looked at Twilight, eyes glowing with frustration. She sighed and fell onto the floor. “OW!!!” she yelped, bursting up into the air. She had fallen on a bookmark sticking out of a book on the ground. And it was sharp.
Rainbow Dash peered down at the bookmark, then slowly flew down to read the book. Twilight looked at her questioningly. “And why are you interested in my agriculture book?” She asked. Rainbow looked up at her and said, “Well if it’s agriculture, maybe I can learn how to plant some things with Applejack and “bond” that way,”
Twilight nodded, slowly understanding. “I get it. But I’m just going to assume you don’t want my help,” she said. Dash turned back to the book. “No, thanks. I’m going to go ask Big Mac if he can help me practice. Do you mind if I take this book?” she asked.
Twilight nodded and said, “Yeah, maybe that’s how I can help you! Let you use my book!” Dash looked at her and smirked. “Sure, let’s go with that. Thanks Twilight!” with that she picked up the book and flapped her wings. She zoomed out of the library and left Twilight alone.
“So… will you help me?” Rainbow Dash said, annoyed. This was the fourth time she’d asked Big Mac and he STILL hadn’t answered her.
He looked at her with his half-closed eyes, like he was trying hard not to go to sleep. “Well, see the thing is, RD, I’m kinda busy with the orchard an’ all, I don’t know if I got any time fer ya. I mean, teachin’ ya how ta plant an’ grow things, it’d take a lotta time, time I just ain’t got. Why don’t ya ask AJ? I’m sure she’d love ta help ya,” with that he started to walk away, chewing on his sprig of wheat.
“No!” Rainbow cried, trying to push him back with all her might. Big Macintosh simply kept walking forward, as if Rainbow Dash wasn’t even there. “Look, RD, if ya really wanta learn, ya wouldn’t be so intent on makin’ me help ya practice. Ya’d jump at the best opportunity, and I ain’t it. I don’t see why you don’t go ta her in the first place,” he stopped and thought for a moment. “Actually, I just remembered somethin’. AJ was lookin’ fer ya earlier this mornin’. She had somethin’ ta tell ya, but she said she couldn’t find ya anywhere. Ya really should go ta her,” he walked around Rainbow Dash and continued on his walk to the orchard, smiling all the way.
Rainbow sat and stared at nothing in particular. Applejack had been looking for her? A smile slowly sneaked up and found its home on her lips. She tried to suppress her joyful excitement, but a rather loud yay filled the air. Suddenly she heard hoofprints behind her. Rainbow Dash turned and saw Applejack looking at her.
“Rainbow? What’re you doin’ here?” her face was expressionless, but Rainbow Dash could see the struggle Applejack was going through with her mouth. She almost slipped, and a small half-smile appeared for the briefest second on her lips. Her wonderful lips… Rainbow Dash shook her head and cleared her throat.
“UM, NO REASON, I JUST WANTED TO LEARN ABOUT FARMING,” she yelled. Applejack looked at her friend. “Um, are you ok, sugarcube?” she asked.
A shiver ran up Dash’s spine. Sure, Applejack called everypony “sugarcube”, but when she called her that, it sounded softer, and sweeter, and filled Dash’s ears with a wonderful sweet sounding music. Dash cleared her throat again and said, “Can you… um… teach me about farming?”
Applejack looked at her. “Since when have you been interested in farming?” Dash scraped her hoof along in the dirt. She shrugged and said, “I don’t know… but will you help me? I even have Twilight’s book on agriculture and farming with me!” She showed Applejack the book.
Applejack smiled and said, “Ok, sugarcube. I’ll help ya,” she turned around and started off towards the fields, and mouthed a yes! to herself.
Rainbow Dash did the same thing, and quickly followed her. They started off down the hill together, talking and laughing the whole way down.
