Life Gives You Apples

by TheVulpineHero1

First published May 6th, 2012 22:44

Another set of ten unconnected 100 (or as close as the word count gods will allow) word drabbles, this time focusing on Appledash. Another one written when I was taking my first, tentative steps into fandom.

Any advice welcomed, encouraged and adored, as usual!

Chapters

2) True Colours
3) Fortune Teller
4) Smoke
5) Understand
6) Unsung Hero
7) Domination
8) Confusion
9) Turned On
10) Locked Out
1) Plugged In

2) True Colours
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Life Gives You Apples

2) True Colours

True Colours

Danger was second nature to them. Between Dash's acrobatics and Applejack's stampede management, there wasn't a single day without a crisis.
But it was there that they showed themselves, in that out of focus adrenaline haze with the twin salt tangs of fear and sweat hanging in the air. There they stood together, because alone they would fall; there, petty rivalry condensed into absolute trust. There, they were broken; there, they were made.
In danger, they were closer than friends, than lovers. When it passed, they would part.
But each looked forward grudgingly, to the next day when crisis called.

3) Fortune Teller
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Life Gives You Apples

3) Fortune Teller

Fortune Teller

"Say," Rainbow Dash says, the sun warming her as she lies in the long grass, "You think we can stay like this forever, AJ?"
"How do y'all expect me to know?" she replies contentedly. "Ah'm no fortune teller, Dash."
"You're right. I sorta wish we could, though. Just us two," Rainbow Dash says, and rolls over to look at her. Her face is surprisingly close.
"Thank ya. I feel the same about-" Applejack says, and stops awkwardly. A moment passes.
"We never had this conversation," Rainbow Dash says, looking away.
"Agreed," Applejack replies.
But, she kind of wishes they had.

4) Smoke
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Life Gives You Apples

4) Smoke

Smoke

It's a foregone conclusion, and everypony knows it but them. It's in the stars, across the land, broadcast in the sky as billowing smoke signals for all to see. There is a fire between them that will not be denied.
They argue about nothing, nostrils flaring, staring each other down with an inch between them. They make up instantly, because it's boring to be apart. They compete furiously just to throw themselves on the ground, panting, sweat-streaked and giddy, and tell each other, hey, you were pretty good, I enjoyed it.
Everypony knows it will happen.
The question is when.

5) Understand
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Life Gives You Apples

5) Understand

Understand

In a flash of feathers she descends. Her routine was sloppy, her precision poor; instead of soaring gracefully between the clouds, she pinballed into them. She's pathetic. And she can't understand why.
She can't focus anymore. She can't find that special place, that balance between pure courage and zen skill. All she can think is how lonely it is, up in the aether. Like there should be somepony with her. Somepony she can't have. Like her favourite rival.
Flying is her dream. Flying is her life.
But it's hard to fly, when what you want most is on the ground.

6) Unsung Hero
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Life Gives You Apples

6) Unsung Hero

Unsung Hero

"Thank you kindly, sir. Ah promise, it won't happen again," Applejack wheedles, leading a somewhat concussed Rainbow Dash from the china shop. "Are y'all crazy?"
"It jumped right out at me!" Dash scowls. "You think I pick where I crash?"
"Listen, Dash. Y'all are makin' trouble, and ah'm not always gonna be there t'bail you out," AJ sighs.
"I know. I appreciate it. Like, seriously. You're always looking out for me, and I never say thanks," Dash shrugs.
"That's because y'all are a brat!" Applejack groans.
"Love you too," Rainbow Dash winks. A second passes.
"So," she says casually, "Date?"

7) Domination
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Life Gives You Apples

7) Domination

Domination

Their relationship is a battle of wills. It's about control, who has it and who wants it.
She thought she'd get tired of it, at first. She's got a farm to run on top of all the head games. But she loves putting Rainbow Dash in her place, in a very guilty way.
And, sometimes, it's fun to lose, to lie on the floor exhausted and panting and looking up at her framed in the sunlight, victory written on her face.
It all boils down to a simple truth.
At work or at play, someone's got to be on top.

8) Confusion
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Life Gives You Apples

8) Confusion

Confusion

Frenetic is the best way to describe it. All it takes is for them to be in the same room, and ideas and insults and quite a bit of the cutlery start whizzing through the air. There's so much energy. It's applebucking at three and then sword fighting at four, because they can and there's no one in the whole wide world they'd rather do it with.
Nothing is planned, and that's fine. It seems without rhyme, without reason. But they like it. In love spin the atoms, and there's nothing more fun than to be along for the ride.

9) Turned On
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Life Gives You Apples

9) Turned On

Turned On

The 'adult' side of their relationship is the stuff of legend in Ponyville. It's all but openly discussed how they stay cooped up inside with each other for days on end, and how moans can be heard from the house.
"AJ, just take it off," Rainbow Dash whines.
"Y'all want my hat? You gots to beat me first."
"Fine, fine. I hate chess," Dash groans loudly, and carelessly moves another piece.
"So you've been sayin' for two days now," Applejack grins, and takes her queen.
Dash sighs. But she doesn't care how long it takes- she will have that hat.

10) Locked Out
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Life Gives You Apples

10) Locked Out

Locked Out

There's something about a locked door that just irritates her. She's used to the boundless freedom of flight. The thought that there's somewhere she can't go just annoys her.
Unfortunately, that 'somewhere' is Applejack's room, meaning she's going to have to get creative. Captain Honesty may not be the hardest pony to trick, but there's hell to pay when she catches up with you.
As Rainbow Dash ponders whether dynamite or drills are quieter, Applejack sits on her bed and stiffles a giggle. She shouldn't play such mean tricks.
But Dash is just so cute when she thinks she's smart.

1) Plugged In
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Life Gives You Apples

1) Plugged In

Plugged In

"Why," Rainbow Dash asked, "am I not surprised that you farm ponies fail at electricity?"
Applejack scowled from under the brim of her (slightly scorched) hat. All she'd wanted was one of those new-fangled electric fans.
"But seriously, lovin' the hairdo. Who knew that 4,500 volts made such a great stylist?" the pegasus snickered.
The brim of the hat was five inches above Applejack's brow, supported by a new and voluminous afro.
"Remind me: why're we friends?" Applejack glared.
"Because you love me almost as much as I do. Duh."
Almost. But with Rainbow Dash, almost was more than enough.