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Chapter 21: The Date

Fluttershy’s cutie mark seemed appropriate at the moment, because she could feel the butterflies fluttering in her stomach. Running a brush through her mane, she looked into the mirror and did a final check on her face. There was not too much makeup on her face. At least, not as much as Rarity would have suggested. She had accented her eyes with pink eyeshadow that matched the color of her hair, and just a hint of blush that she was still unsure she would actually need.

Angel hopped over to her, chewing on a carrot. He gave her a curious glance, and Fluttershy smiled and patted his head.

“I’m still not sure why I agreed to it,” she said, brushing her mane again. “Applejack’s a wonderful friend, but after that fiasco with Rainbow Dash, I’m not sure I’m ready for a relationship.”

Angel let out a cough and shook his head.

“Oh, you’re right. I’m getting ahead of myself. I have to stop making this into more than it actually is. I just have to get my bangs just right…”

A knock at the door made her drop her brush. She rushed over to the door to answer it and saw Applejack waiting for her with a rose in her mouth, looking dolled up but still wearing her Stetson as if she were trying to counterbalance the makeup on her face.

“You’re early, Applejack,” Fluttershy stammered, running a hoof through her mane to make sure there were no loose hairs sticking out. “Um, if you don’t mind me asking, why the rose?”

“I thought it would look pretty tucked behind your ear.” Applejack walked over and placed the rose gently behind Fluttershy’s ear. She took a thoughtful glance at it and chuckled.

“I actually think it’s a little too much,” she concluded, “but you can always just put it in some water. That should keep it alive at least a few more days.”

“Sure. I’ll go ahead and, um...take care of that.” Fluttershy rushed into the kitchen and poured water into a vase with a shaky hoof. Applejack showed herself in and took a seat on the couch. Once the rose was properly placed in the vase, Fluttershy returned to the living room and saw Applejack kicking up her hooves.

“We should get going if we’re going to fulfill the reservation,” Fluttershy suggested. “We wouldn’t want our table taken by somepony else.”

“Aw, shucks,” Applejack agreed. “And here I was thinking we’d have time for a quick glass of wine before we left. Oh well, I guess you’re right. Let’s get going.”

Applejack walked out of Fluttershy’s cottage. Fluttershy followed behind her and shut the door gently. Applejack led the way down the dirt path leading into Ponyville proper.

Fluttershy took a closer look at Applejack’s face to see her makeup. That was certainly mascara on her eyelashes; no way were they normally that plump and lengthy. And that looked like red lipstick on her mouth. She also seemed to have put on some blush as well, although Fluttershy couldn’t be sure that wasn’t just her being nervous.

Applejack turned to look at Fluttershy and smiled.

“What are you lookin’ at?” she teased, nudging her with her hoof.

“Oh, please forgive me,” Fluttershy said, “it’s just...you look really pretty.”

“So this wasn’t too much?” Applejack asked, the pitch of her voice rising a bit. “I fought Rarity tooth and nail over the makeup; she wanted green eyeshadow and the lipstick she tried to buy me was thicker and redder than blood, but we compromised. You sure it looks nice?”

“Absolutely,” Fluttershy assured her. “I think it’s just right. Rarity does overdo it sometimes.”

“That’s what I figured,” Applejack said. “And pardon me, where are my manners? You look lovely tonight.”

Fluttershy cleared her throat. “Thank you,” she croaked. She covered her mouth and her eyes widened. Applejack laughed heartily and smiled at her.

“And here I was thinkin’ I would be the nervous one tonight,” she said.

“Oh, I’m sorry,” Fluttershy said, “it’s just…”

Applejack wrapped a hoof around her shoulder.

“Don’t worry about it,” Applejack said. “I’m still more nervous than you are, I reckon.”

“Really? You, nervous?”

Applejack laughed again. “Hard to believe, ain’t it? Why’d you think I wanted that glass of wine? But that ain’t important, there’ll be plenty to drink at the restaurant. You have whatever you like. I’m buying.”

“Are you sure?” Fluttershy asked. “We can each pay for our own.”

“Nonsense,” Applejack said. “I asked you out on this date, so I’m buying. You deserve it, after all.”

“Oh. Well, thank you,” Fluttershy said, pulling away from Applejack’s hoof and smiling politely. Applejack gave her a timid smile as well and then started to stare at the ground. Fluttershy lowered her head to try to look into Applejack’s eyes, but Applejack was avoiding her gaze.

“Are you sure you’re alright?” Fluttershy asked.

“Oh, I am,” Applejack assured her. “I mean, I don’t usually do this, especially with all this makeup on, so I might be a little out of my comfort zone. But Rarity gave me a pep talk and said if I don’t go out to catch her that somepony else will sweep her off her hooves.” Applejack suddenly looked frightened. “Not that I’m tryin’ to catch you like you’re a fish or anything! I just told her that old fish-in-the-sea analogy and we kinda just ran with it. You see what I mean, right?”

“Of course,” Fluttershy said calmly. “I never thought I’d be the one to say this, but you don’t have to be so timid. I’m really happy to spend this time with you.”

Applejack smiled with relief. “Thank Celestia,” she said. “I was hopin’ you’d say that.”

“What else would I have said?” Fluttershy asked. “That I’m only doing this out of obligation and that I’m not enjoying myself?”

Applejack chuckled. “Right, that’d be silly…”

She then glanced nervously at Fluttershy. “Just to make sure, you don’t actually mean that, right?”

Fluttershy chuckled. “Applejack, you should really relax. Why would I do something like that?”

“’Cause maybe you’re too polite to let me down easy and you’re just goin’ on this date to make me feel better and what am I saying? I must sound like a paranoid nut right now. Maybe you’re right, Fluttershy. I really oughta relax.”

“That’s what I’ve been saying all along,” Fluttershy said. “I can’t wait to see how tonight goes.”

“Me neither,” Applejack said. “Me neither.”

Fluttershy and Applejack entered the Work Horse, a restaurant that was charming, if a bit plain. The lighting was dim, perhaps as a way to try to hide the brown walls, but there were pictures of local Ponyville celebrities, including a few of the Elements of Harmony. It wasn’t all that fancy, but Applejack had felt uneasy about going somewhere nicer.

“Do ya like the venue?” she asked nervously.

“Of course,” Fluttershy said. “This is one of my favorite restaurants in Ponyville. You always have good taste.”

“Thanks,” Applejack said. They were led to an open booth by the host, and shortly afterwards a waiter came over to their table.

“Good evening, young mares,” he said. “My name is Main Course, and I’ll be serving you tonight. Let’s start things off with a drink.”

“I’ll take a cold, hard cider,” Applejack said out of habit.

“Just water is fine,” Fluttershy said, surprising Applejack a bit.

“I’ll be right back to take your orders,” Main Course said before walking away. Applejack smiled nervously at Fluttershy.

“Is something wrong?” Fluttershy asked.

“Oh, um…” Applejack stammered. “Well, to be honest, I thought you’d be orderin’ somethin’ a little stronger.”

“Really?” Fluttershy asked. “I want to make sure I can think clearly tonight, if you don’t mind.”

“Okay. Well, one cider’s not gonna put me over or anything.”

Fluttershy and Applejack took some time to read the menu and decide what they wanted to eat. The waiter returned with a bottle of cider and a glass of water.

“Are you ready to order?”

“Yes,” Applejack said. “I’ll have the daisy and rose sandwich.”

“I’ll just have the garden salad with lilies,” Fluttershy said. The waiter took their menus and walked away.

Fluttershy looked over Applejack’s shoulder and saw two familiar figures walking in. Spike and Pinkie Pie walked past them as they were being led to their seats. Pinkie saw them and waved enthusiastically, prodding Spike on the shoulder and pointing to them. Spike looked and waved as well. They were seated across the restaurant, and pretty soon Pinkie rushed back over to them.

“Spike’s ordering drinks,” Pinkie said. “How are you guys?”

“We’re doing great,” Fluttershy said. “How are things with Spike?”

“Super!” Pinkie said. “I never thought I’d be dating a dragon, but he’s a lot of fun. He can get even goofier than me, if you can believe that!”

“I’m sure,” Applejack said.

“So what’s going on here?” Pinkie asked. “Just a couple friends hanging out?”

“Actually, Pinkie, um…” Fluttershy started, but she found it difficult to tell her the truth.

“This is kinda a date,” Applejack filled in.

“Oh, I’m sorry!” Pinkie chirped, blushing a little. “I’ll leave you two alone then. Have fun!”

“Thanks, Pinkie,” Applejack said. She turned back to Fluttershy as Pinkie left the table. They smiled at each other and glanced away.

“Do you think Pinkie’s gonna check on us again?” Fluttershy asked.

“No, I think she knows to leave us alone,” Applejack said. “How are ya feelin’ now?”

“Great,” Fluttershy said, smiling at Applejack. They gazed at each other, but then looked at their drinks instead. They both sipped at their beverages, each of them waiting for the other to speak.

“Um, Applejack?” Fluttershy asked.

“Yes?” Applejack said with relief.

“Do you think this might go better if we...pretend we’re not on a date?”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, it’s a little awkward to think about this in a romantic sense,” Fluttershy said. “It’s just we’ve been friends for so long, and this is all a big change, and it’s a little overwhelming for me.”

“We can’t just pretend it’s not a date,” Applejack replied. “That’s not how datin’ works. Maybe we can talk about what’s makin’ us uncomfortable.”

“Okay. Um…can you start?”

“Sure.” Applejack cleared her throat. “I guess I’ve been thinkin’ about this for a long time, and now that it’s happenin’, it’s makin’ me a bit rattled. I...I just have a lot of expectations, and I don’t wanna blow it.”

“Hold on,” Fluttershy said. “Expectations? What exactly are you expecting?”

Applejack took some quick breaths and shook her hooves. “Nothin’ like that! Just...I was hopin’ we’d hit things off a bit.”

Fluttershy put a hoof on Applejack’s. “You already told me how you feel about me, and I wouldn’t have agreed if I didn’t feel the same way. So I don’t think you have to worry about that.”

“Thanks, Fluttershy,” Applejack said with a smile. “So what’s botherin’ you?”

“I don’t want to disappoint you,” Fluttershy said. “You were so eager to ask me out, and I’m afraid I won’t measure up. I want us to have a good time and I want you to be happy.”

“Do you know what would make me happy?” Applejack asked. “I want you to be happy. I could have all the fun in the world, but if you didn’t have a good time, I’d feel sad about that. So what’s gonna make you happy?”

“Hmm...I don’t know yet. Let’s just see how this goes.”

“Fine by me.”

The two of them chatted amiably about Fluttershy’s animals and the work on Applejack’s farm. Even though they’d talked about those things a million times before, this time felt different somehow. They were chatting so much that it felt like no time had passed when the food arrived.

“This looks delicious,” Fluttershy praised as she saw the colorful salad being set down in front of her.

“Thank ya kindly,” Applejack said to Main Course. He bowed gracefully and stepped away from the table.

Without further ado, the two mares dug into their meals. Applejack ate her sandwich ravenously while Fluttershy looked on uncomfortably. She quickly stopped and ate in a more dignified manner. Fluttershy was eating her salad like a bird, and Applejack raised an eyebrow as she picked through the green vegetables and flowers. She blushed and started eating a bit more quickly.

With nothing but the sound of chewing going through their ears, they both began to wonder and panic in their own ways. Fluttershy felt her heart pound, and Applejack was feeling a bit hot under the collar. She finally cracked and set her sandwich down.

“Do you think this was a good idea?” she asked, making Fluttershy drop her fork.

“No,” Fluttershy said reactively. Applejack looked crestfallen, so Fluttershy started to fluster. “I-I mean not that I don’t appreciate the offer or anything. I’m just not sure I’m ready to be in a relationship, and I know that’s thinking too far ahead, but that’s where you wanted to go with this, wasn’t it?”

“I would never wanna rush you into somethin’ you weren’t ready for,” Applejack assured her, giving her a calming smile, “but I can’t say you’re wrong neither. I’ve liked you for a long time, and I was real happy when you said yes. But I can tell you’re uncomfortable, and that’s makin’ me uncomfortable, and neither of us are havin’ a good time like we’re supposed to.”

“So what should we do?”

Applejack took a deep breath and gave Fluttershy a reassuring smile. “Let’s just finish the dinner as friends and call it a night. Wouldn’t wanna pressure you into anythin’ you aren’t ready for. But look, if you ever change your mind, let me know and I’ll see if…”

Fluttershy was frowning, so Applejack cut herself off.

“You know what? No pressure. If it ain’t there, it ain’t there, and there’s nothin’ I can do about it now. I’m just glad you gave it a chance is all. You’re a real kind pony, Fluttershy.”

“Thank you, Applejack,” Fluttershy said, “and thank you for being so honest with me. I know this must hurt, but thank you for putting my feelings into consideration. You’d make a wonderful marefriend.”

Applejack beamed, and the two of them resumed eating at a more comfortable pace. Just as they were finishing up, Pinkie came over to check in on them.

“How’s it going, you two lovebirds?” she asked. Fluttershy cleared her throat and Applejack gave her a nervous glance.

“It’s not that kind of date anymore,” Applejack explained.

“Oh sorry! That stinks. I was kinda hoping you’d get together.”

“I know, Pinkie,” Fluttershy said, “but we’re just going to stay friends for now.”

“All right,” Pinkie said with a frown.

“How are things goin’ with Spike?” Applejack asked, eager to change the subject.

“He’s such a gentledrake,” Pinkie said dreamily. “He offered to pay for the whole meal, even though I ordered the most expensive thing on the menu. I told him I had tons of bits to cover my part of the meal, but he wouldn’t listen. I’m a really lucky mare.”

“Reckon you probably want to get back over to him,” Applejack said. “Don’t wanna leave a drake waiting.”

“Oh, believe me,” Pinkie said saucily, “I won’t.”

She trotted away, leaving Fluttershy and Applejack to glance awkwardly at each other.

Applejack dropped Fluttershy off at her cottage, the two of them quite tuckered out from their night out.

“Thank you for walking me home,” Fluttershy said.

“Well, it was the least I could do,” Applejack replied. “I had fun tonight.”

“So did I,” Fluttershy said. She leaned over and kissed Applejack on the cheek.

“Goodnight,” she said before walking into her cottage.

Applejack began to make her way back to Sweet Apple Acres mentally kicking herself. I didn’t wait long enough and now she ain’t comfortable! Stupid, stupid Applejack. Why couldn’t I just wait for her to come around?

These thoughts plagued her the entire way home, and she knew she would have to talk to somepony about them if she was to get any sleep that night. Hopefully Big Mac’s still awake waiting for me to come home. I could really use my big brother right now.