Diplomatic Troubles

"So I reckon we could either go bobbin' for apples," Applejack said with that familiar twinkle in her eye, "or we could do a ring-toss."

"Oh, I read about ring-tosses!" Twilight exclaimed happily. "They award prizes, don't they?"

"You bet'cha!" Applejack said. Leaning a bit closer to Twilight, she challenged, "And I reckon I can win the biggest darn bear they got!"

Reeling still from the thought that her and Applejack were spending time together in a manner that was more than casual, Twilight's excitement exceeded that of her normal tendencies. She hopped in place for a moment, giggling in excitement like a filly. All while she did this, Applejack's grin grew substantially in size, and she looked utterly amused at Twilight's carefree joy.

Composing herself, Twilight gave a nervous chuckle as she noticed how silly she must have looked. She made a mental note to be a bit more calm in the future, and then another to stop making mental notes about such things and actually act upon them.

"But I also read that you must be quite accurate to win the prizes," Twilight reasoned, raising an eyebrow.

Giving her friend a slight nudge, Applejack spoke confidently, "Just you watch, Twi'. I didn't win all those blue ribbons for nothin'! And tossin' a ring ain't that different from tossin' a lasso. I bet you could do it, too!"

Unable to distinguish whether or not her friend was joking, Twilight decided to take that last statement as a compliment. She recalled how poorly she had performed when it came to lassoing previously, and gave a short laugh as she said, "I think I'll pass."

"Tell you what," Applejack said with finality. "If I can't win you that bear, you can have all of that lucky cupcake."

Knowing Applejack wouldn't back down from her own dare, Twilight passively agreed. She knew Applejack had the skill to win the prize if she so desired, but she also knew Applejack enjoyed proving herself. It was easier and nicer, she found, if she simply let her do so without putting up a fight.

"Just promise me not to go running off like last time if it doesn't turn out so well," Twilight half-joked to her friend.

The farmer kicked at the ground in front of her sheepishly. "Yeah, I promise. Way I see it, you'll just come 'n' find me anyway." At this, Applejack moved in closer to Twilight, giving her a slight nuzzle. "And why would I run, now that I got somethin' to stay for?"

Twilight's face turned an impossible shade of red, and it took her a moment before she registered in her mind to respond. "Right!" she stammered out, enjoying the gesture provided to her. She went to return it, but Applejack moved away just at the right moment. Cursing her own nervous habits, she decided not to bring it up.

"Well it's still early. Reckon the line for the ring-toss oughta mighty quick," Applejack reasoned as she turned to walk between two tents.

"Where are you going? The ring-toss is this way," Twilight said, pointing to a nearby pathway with a forehoof.

"I know these fairgrounds like I know my orchard," Applejack said, pressing a hoof to her chest. Pointing at Twilight, she added, "And you can bet I know my orchard." She then turned once again and started down her own, secret path.

Trusting Applejack's sense of direction, Twilight loyally followed her friend into the narrow corridors between the tents. Twilight herself had no idea where she was, but recognized the various fragrances that passed her by periodically.

She smelled the faint scent of baked goods, and deduced she was next to a small food-court. Upon smelling foam and plastic, she guessed at having passed a marketplace for souvenirs. Looking over, she caught a glimpse that confirmed her suspicions, as she saw various toys and knick-knacks lining the stalls.

It wasn't very long until they came upon their destination - the game corner. Applejack practically beamed with pride as she stepped out into the main pathway leading into the corner's main area. Twilight took a look around at all of the stall-managers shouting and proclaiming their preferable stalls' quality. She almost lost sight of her original goal as she took it all in; she had never seen such a thing in Canterlot!

"Ya comin', Sugarcube?" Applejack said as she gave Twilight a slight nudge, using her signature nickname.

"Oh!" Twilight said, snapping out of her daydreaming. "Yes, yes! Of course!"

She followed Applejack to a stall in which a cream-colored, unicorn stallion was leaning onto the counter saying, "Step right up! Get five rings 'round the bottles 'n' win a priiize!"

Upon spotting the two, he turned his attention solely to them and asked, "Well hello, ladies, the name's Jack! How about it? Care to try your hoof at a little game of skill?"

"I reckon I'll give it a shot," Applejack claimed, tossing two bits onto the counter.

With a wide grin, Jack levitated five rings onto the counter in front of Applejack, and she took one of them between her teeth..

"Remember: All ya need is to ring five of 'em, and you get to choose from any prize ya please," Jack reminded her, gesturing towards a wall of prizes.

Twilight spotted a large orange bear and her eyes lit up at the sight. She gave Applejack a nudge, then turned her gaze towards the bear.

Applejack took this as a personal challenge and mumbled "Hold my hat," through the ring in her mouth as she placed her signature headgear atop Twilight's head. Twilight stood grinning with delight as she watched Applejack set to work.