Diplomatic Troubles

Moving to a nearby food court, Applejack led Twilight over to a shady area beneath a few trees. The sun had begun to warm everything it touched, and it promised to make today a hot one.

"I usually come 'ere every carnival, if I can help it," Applejack commented, referring to their seating place. It was a simple wooden platform that both of them could sit on and not worry about getting too dirty. It was similar to the ones placed in Ponyville's park, but with a slightly festive carving embedded into it.

"It's quite a nice place to relax, I must admit," Twilight replied dreamily, taking in her surroundings with a blissful look about her. After all the stress and worrying, she was looking forward to sharing a nice, quiet lunch with Applejack. Upon thinking about lunch, her stomach gave a growl, and Applejack replied with a slight chuckle.

"How 'bout I go gather up a few things from the food court? I've got a few bits to spare and it is a.. Well, I think it is.. A date," Applejack offered, slightly stammering upon the last word, "date".

It was Twilight's turn to stutter. "O-oh," she said, fidgeting a little. "Right. Yes, that sounds.. Nice."

"Good, then!" Applejack said quickly, jumping to her hooves with a sigh of relief. "I'll be off, then. Take care of my hat?"

Twilight nodded, causing Applejack to head off and purchase a meal for them both.

Watching Applejack walk away, Twilight breathed her own sigh of relief. That word seemed to put ice in her joints, and cause her to lock up temporarily. It wasn't that she disliked it - not at all. She was simply still getting used to the prospect. The fact that it was a close friend of hers didn't help matters all that much.

It was a surprisingly short time before Applejack returned, carrying two plates of hay sandwiches upon her back. She had a grin of minor success about her, and Twilight offered a smile of her own.

"That didn't take long," Twilight commented as Applejack carefully set her own plate down, with Twilight levitating her plate onto the platform before her.

"Line wasn't long. Surprised me, though. Ponies, dragons, and all sorts'a creatures are floodin' in now," Applejack answered, taking a bite out of her sandwich.

"Doesn't surprise me," she said, taking a moment before biting into the sandwich of her own. Waiting until her mouth was no longer full, she complimented the sandwich with, "Wow. I've had quite a few hay sandwiches but this is fantastic!"

"Is, isn't it?" Applejack said, taking a moment longer due to her chewing. "I reckon the food gets better every year. Which is good, 'cause I don't see myself missin' the festival any time soon."

Twilight gave a calm giggle at Applejack's subtle humor, and silently agreed with a nod.

As soon as the sandwiches appeared, they were gone. Devoured by the two's appetite, it was as if they hadn't eaten in days. Twilight's attention was then brought to the cupcake cradled inside of her saddlebags. It was protected by a thin layer of magic that Twilight had instinctually placed over it without a second thought.

"So about that cupcake," Applejack inquired, as if she were reading Twilight's mind. "I reckon you owe me half!" She said this with a friendly smile, and Twilight was happy to oblige. She levitated the treat out of her bag and held it in midair before them both to see.

Applejack was audibly impressed, giving a drawn-out whistle. "She's a beaut'," she commented, licking her lips as she stared at the sugary pastry. Twilight agreed with another silent nod and a smile to boot.

She studied the cupcake for a moment, then used her magic to meticulously cut it down the middle in the most precise way she possibly could. "As promised," she said, producing Applejack's half to her.

"Well I'll be a mule on a summer's day.. Look inside, Twi'," Applejack said with a slight shake of her head and a warm smile.

Raising an eyebrow, Twilight did as she was told and turned the cupcake to view the inner layer of it. To her surprise, Pinkie had used food coloring to produce a design into the inner bread. It was as pink as its creator's mane, and it was in the shape of a heart. Not a literal heart, of course, but the kind that is produced on Hearts and Hooves day to give to others.

It didn't take her very long to figure out what the symbol meant. Pinkie knew about her and Applejack's new relationship. How she knew was a completely different story, but she did know.

"That mare.. I gotta say she is good at what she does," Applejack said, licking a bit of frosting off the top of the cupcake.

"Yeah.. She sure is," Twilight agreed with a beaming grin. She did not know how Pinkie did it, but she had found out. Perhaps she had a variant of Pinkie Sense for when her friends entered relationships? Or maybe she simply picked up on Applejack's intentions.

For a moment, Twilight suspected that Applejack may have told Pinkie Pie before she asked Twilight, but then why would she be just as astounded as Twilight upon the matter?

She decided it was best not to analyze, and simply enjoy her cupcake. And so she did.