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                     Double Date Dash                      
                      -by Vertigo-01-                      
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                   Gemstone Butterflies                    
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Gemstone Butterflies
“Alright! Alright alright, just—” Twilight waved a hoof in protest at a giggling Rarity, who was leaning against Fluttershy on a sofa in the castle’s library. “Just let me look and see if I can find it first.” It took every fiber of Twilight’s concentration to keep herself from giggling as well. It was hard enough just for her to stand as it was.
Across the three on another couch, Rainbow Dash and Applejack looked on disdainfully, holding tight to mugs of cider. “Seriously, guys,” Rainbow said, “you’re interested in some dating book?”
“Wh-why of course,” Rarity stammered, her usual elegance slipping with a newfound slur. “It’s only one of the best this side of Equestria!”
Fluttershy nodded. “I have to agree with Rari–hic… ’scuse me. I read in a magazine recently that double dates are back in season, and this book was one of the first ever written on them!”
Applejack tilted her head at the mare. “In season? Since when was datin’ a seasonal thing?”
“Ugh,” Rarity scoffed as she grabbed her mug from an end table. “I swear, Applejack, between you and Rainbow Dash, you have to be some of the most uncuwf— uncouth ladies I’ve ever met!”
Rainbow Dash and Applejack gave a mutual grunt to that.
“I think they’re called… tomcolts?” Fluttershy added softly from aside.
“Right,” Rarity said with a dramatic nod, nearly sloshing her cider onto her lap. “Tomcolts! You two… ladies, if I can even call you that, are the most tomcoltish mares I know.”
“So what if we are,” Rainbow argued. Nudging Applejack in the side, she said, “We just know how to have real fun, right AJ?”
Applejack leaned back against the cushions, nudging her hat up as she raised an eyebrow at the pegasus. “And what kinda fun is that?”
“Y’know!” Rainbow gestured with her hooves, then immediately stopped to catch the cider spilling from the rim of her mug. “Mmf… like, the Iron Pony competition and stuff!”
“Oh! Right, heh,” Applejack chuckled, wiping her free hoof across her brow. “For a minute there, ya had me worried, what with them talkin’ about datin’ and what not—”
“Heeeeck no,” Rainbow interrupted. “I don’t roll like that.” Gabbing a hoof in the mare’s side again, she added, “We don’t roll like that. You and me? We’re the cool ponies outta this bunch.” She glared over at Rarity. “You can have your fancy… romancy… whatever stuff. AJ and I’ll stick with the good life. The solo life.”
Just as Rarity opened her mouth to argue, Twilight stepped between them with a book held magically in front of her. “That’s enough, girls,” she said with an exaggerated flair as she tilted her horn toward Rarity, laying the book gently in her lap. “I believe this is what you were looking for?”
“Eeeeee!!” Rarity squee’d. “How to Double the Date, by Charles Witherker.” Clutching the book to her chest with both forelegs, she sighed as she looked toward the vaulted crystal ceiling. “A true dating classic, if ever there were one!”
As Fluttershy giggled at the sight, Rainbow Dash and Applejack shook their heads, leaving Twilight time to pull out some notes from a nearby writing desk. Sifting through a drawer, she said, “Believe it or not, I read that book cover to cover once, not long after that first sleepover we had.”
“You mean that one with me and Rares?” Applejack asked. “What made you interested in somethin’ sappy like that?”
“Oh, I dunno.” Twilight blushed a little at a certain thought, though she kept her attention on the drawer. “A mare can dream.”
Sifting near the back end, she found the folder she was looking for. Pulling it out with her magic, she spread a sheet of hurriedly scribbled notes out in front of her. “Yep, these are the notes I took while reading the book.” Hoisting the notes with her as she walked over to Rarity, she said, “There was one particularly fascinating part about speed dating, in which two parties of two were matched up amongst friends in order to promote high compatibility and—”
“Yes yes yes, here it is,” Rarity interjected as she held the book open in her hooves. “It says here, ’The Double Date Dash, best used with best friends, is a quick and stylish way of finding love at first dinner.’” Glancing up at Twilight, she squealed again, “It says stylish! Eeee!”
Twilight merely rolled her eyes.
Continuing, Rarity read, “’Simply pair up two friends together who have similar interests, and bring along another friend of your own who shares yours. Matches made with matching friends make match-making a breeze!’”
“Well,” Applejack said, “corny as it sounds, that ain’t a bad argument there. Some of my kinfolk got together jus’ from bein’ good friends.”
“Really?” Twilight said as she looked over at her. “I didn’t know that!”
“Yep. Red Delicious and Caramel Apple were best friends since kindergarten, then they up and got hitched by the time they were of age.”
“So, wait,” Rainbow started with a raised eyebrow. “You mean to say Apples can marry… other Apples?”
Applejack drew a breath before sighing as she leaned against the side of the sofa, looking over at her. “It’s hard to explain sugarcube, but you should know by now that not everypony with a similar cutie-mark are related by blood. Take my aunt and uncle Orange, for example… or every pegasus with a cloud on their flank,” she mumbled as an afterthought.
“Huh.” Rainbow shrugged. “Guess that makes sense.”
“Hmm,” Rarity hummed as she looked blearily between the book and her friends. Slowly, a glint began to sparkle in her eyes. Smirking, she blurted out, “We should all give this a try!”
Everypony turned and gawked at her.
Unfazed, she continued, “This Double Date Dash? It wouldn’t have to be anything serious, of course, but…” She gestured with her hooves to everyone around her. “When was the last time any of us did something fun, really fun, that didn’t involve… well, this.” She tousled her mug as an example.
Twilight ran a hoof across her chin in thought. “Well… I’ll admit, it does sound kind of fun.” Ears deflating a little, she mumbled, “It’s too bad Pinkie couldn’t make it out tonight. I don’t know if she would want to give it a try or not…”
Gasping, Rarity craned her head up toward Twilight. “Goodness, Twilight! D-do you have a crush on—”
“NO,” Twilight suddenly shouted as she reared back from the mare. With everypony staring at her in shock, she fought hard to keep herself from blushing again. “I, uh… I mean…” Grinning awkwardly, she said, “Wh-why don’t you girls try it instead?”
“Hmph.” Crossing her forelegs, Rarity glanced down at her now empty mug. She levitated it to the end table before saying, “Well, I suppose I’m the one who got all worked up about it anyway…”
Grinning from across the way, Applejack said, “Yeah, why dontcha’ take Fluttershy there out on a date,” gesturing to the pair sitting across from her. “You’d be perfect for each other, what with you two always goin’ to the spa and what-not.”
“Really?” Rainbow Dash asked. “What do they have in common? Besides that, I mean.”
Blushing ever so slightly, Fluttershy glanced over at Rarity with the tiniest of smiles. “Oh, I dunno…” Fidgeting with her hooves, she muttered, “I mean… I wouldn’t mind, if you wouldn’t…”
Rarity smiled warmly at the mare as she reached a hoof out to hers. “Oh, Fluttershy, it would be an honor to take you out on a date!”
Smiling wide, Twilight now stood between the two of them from behind the couch. “Then it’s settled! We have our first pair.”
“Great,” Rainbow grumbled as she leaned back against the cushions. “But who else is gonna go with you?”
Only a few seconds’ silence passed before the mares on the other end of the room slowly, deviously looked their way with the thinnest of grins.
Rainbow Dash gulped.
Applejack promptly hit her over the head with her hat. “Ya crazy mare! Now look what ya gone did!”
“N-n-no way,” Rainbow sputtered as she threw her hooves out in protest, actually spilling her cider this time. “There’s NO WAY you’re gonna get AJ and I to go out with you. Nuh-uh, no way, not gonna happen.” She crossed her forelegs again and looked away. “You couldn’t even dare us to do it, right AJ?”
“Ya darn tootin’!”
__________
“I really hate dares,” Rainbow Dash mumbled in the warm afternoon air as she glided toward the outskirts of Ponyville.
Indeed, she and Applejack had agreed to go out on a ‘date,’ but only after Twilight and Rarity conspired against the two in a dare of bravery.
The last thing she remembered, Twilight had suggested her and Applejack were too afraid to try something new. Of course Rainbow had to defend her pride, so she told her to put her money where her muzzle was, even after Applejack tried to stop her. In the end though, it was Rarity who made a wager – a big one – that if the two could make it one hour on a double-date with her and Fluttershy, following the rules provided in Witherker’s book, that she would take on a dare they gave her in return.
Any dare.
On the flip-side, if they lost, they would have to pretend to be a couple around everyone else in Ponyville for one full week.
At the time, Rainbow believed this was a bet of a lifetime – and, in a sense, she still agreed with that philosophy even now. Being able to dare Rarity to do anything? That was way beyond awesome; even Applejack had been swayed with that prospect. And besides, they had figured at the time, one hour out on a ‘date’ with each other shouldn’t be so hard. They could just pass it off as hanging out together as friends like any other day. Surely that wouldn’t be so bad.
Or, so they had thought last night, at least.
Sighing under her breath, Rainbow landed on the cobblestone path leading into town. Trotting at a brisk pace, she tried to blend in with the other ponies around her, hoping that none of her friends might find her. For a brief moment, she hoped they might’ve forgotten everything from last night. After all, the cider was pretty hard – it was possible everyone had already forgotten the bet. But if anyone from last night caught sight of her who did remember, they would surely hold her to the bargain.
That bargain was slated to happen tonight at sunset. She was to meet with Rarity, Fluttershy, and Applejack at the boutique for a “fancy night out on the town,” as Rarity had put it.
Rainbow groaned in frustration as she turned a street-corner. It seemed fate had been conspiring against the pegasus ever since daybreak. The only reason she was even in town right now was to pick up food, as her fridge at home was completely empty, save a single bag of molded-over daffodils. Not wanting to take more risks than necessary, she bobbed and weaved through the crowd on her hooves as swiftly as possible until she came upon the marketplace. Without even thinking, she brought herself to a low hover in front of a vendor’s stalls to look over the goods.
Within seconds, a tingling wave of magic wrapped tightly around her tail.
“Wha–nngh… OW!” The pegasus slammed into the ground with a loud thud before being dragged back by her tail through the crowd. Struggling to turn and identify her captor, she caught a glimpse of a curly mulberry tail flouncing in the breeze.
“Come, Rainbow,” the eloquent voice of Rarity spoke. “If you are to go on a date, we must prepare you for the event. Properly.”
As Rainbow Dash was drug across the filthy cobblestone ground, she could only briefly think how ironic that statement was before she was hoisted into the air and thrown mercilessly into the confines of Carousel Boutique.
“Oof!” Stumbling to her hooves, Rainbow glared at Rarity, who was just closing the door behind them. “Seriously? You’re gonna hold me to a drunken bet?” Brushing herself off, she added, “Besides, you know I can walk, right? Or fly.”
Rarity trotted past the pegasus toward the stairwell. “Only too well. But a bet is a bet, and I’m not about to have you slink out of this one.” As Rarity mounted the first step, she stopped to glance back with a smirk. “Unless, of course, you want to forfeit for the alternative. It might be more fun just watching you two act like a couple for a week than go out on an actual date.”
Admittedly, that seemed a far worse fate to Rainbow than an hour out with some friends. Not to mention Applejack would never live it down if it came to that.
“Ugh… fine,” she eventually grumbled. “So what do I have to do here?”
“Follow me,” Rarity said as she made her way up to the second floor. Following begrudgingly, Rainbow was led into her work room, where a series of outfits had already been assigned to each mannequin. Immediately, she groaned at the sight.
“Rarity, you know besides the Gala, I don’t wear—”
The fashionista threw a hoof to Rainbow’s muzzle. “Nope! No arguments this time, Rainbow. For today, you are at the whim of Witherker’s rules.”
Rainbow slumped in place as she sat to her haunches, throwing Rarity’s hoof away with one of her own. “And what exactly are the rules?”
“Rule number one: A best friend should dress accordingly for a best date!”
Rainbow bobbed her head. “Uh-huh. Sure.” Glancing around at the various frilly garments adorning the mannequins, she spotted one in particular that was simple enough for her. Pointing with a hoof, she said, “Well, what about that one?”
“Hm?” Rarity glanced back at the grey outfit she was suggesting. “Oh, good heavens, no! That’s a work outfit I’ve been designing for the staff of Manehattan’s Boardwalk.”
“Oh.” Rainbow slumped even further. “Okay then…”
“Now now, Rainbow, I believe I have just the right outfit for you. Nothing too frilly, nothing ‘uncool’ – I promise.” Prancing over to a mannequin hidden behind the others, she pulled off a dress that was relatively simple in design, with casual use of pastels that accentuated Rainbow’s prismatic mane. As Rainbow examined the garment, Rarity magically lifted it up and over the pegasus to test its fit – much to her chagrin.
“Hmm…” Rarity slowly walked around the mare, examining her work. “The stitching could be a little tighter, but it’s not bad… the fabric highlights your frame well, at least.” She tilted her head each way to double-check the fitment. “Yes… it’s fancy, but not flashy… aggressive, but not intimidating… it fits your personality, to be sure.” After one more walk around, she stopped in front of the mare with a nod and grin. “Fabulous!”
“Not the F word I was thinking of,” Rainbow mumbled under her breath. “Besides, when did you have time to make this?”
“Well, a true friend is never without a couple of ideas in mind for circumstances such as these,” she said with a proud smile.
“You mean for bets?!”
“Ugh,” Rarity groaned as she rolled her eyes. “Truly, Rainbow, have you never once considered that perhaps someday, you might like to go out on a date? And if the opportunity arose, that you may need an appropriate outfit for the occasion?”
Rainbow stared at the unicorn with a flat expression. “No.”
“Humph!” Rarity snorted as she spun around. “That actually makes sense.”
“Well, now that you get it, could you please get this off of me?” She suggested to her dress with a hoof.
“Nonsense, Rainbow,” Rarity said as she walked over to a rolling closet. “Your date will be here momentarily as it is!”
“My…?” Rainbow squinted in thought. “Wait. Is AJ wearing a dress too?!”
Rarity nodded absently as she sifted through the various garments within the closet. “Indeed. I sent Fluttershy with her dress just an hour ago. The two should be arriving any moment now.” Picking out one of her more elegant pieces, she said, “Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to get ready for tonight as well, so if you wouldn’t mind waiting downstairs…?”
“Y-yeah, sure,” Rainbow stammered as she turned for the hallway. Once she was out of earshot and heading down the stairs, she mumbled under her breath, “Jeez, a dress? For Applejack?… she’s never gonna forgive me for this.”
__________
         “Well, here we are!” Rarity stood proudly beneath the sign of their date-night venue, the hem of her blue and white dress billowing in a cool night breeze, as she turned around with a grin.
Lined up side-by-side as if waiting for permission to enter, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, and Fluttershy stood. Off to one side, Fluttershy looked up at the sign, tilting her head curiously as she adjusted the collar of her honeydew dress. In the middle, Rainbow Dash fidgeted with her own gown, fanning her wings in and out with a scowl as she tried to find a comfortable position to rest them. Right beside the pegasus, Applejack squinted at the building, the emerald hues of her ensemble glistening softly beneath the moon’s light overhead.
Brushing her bangs back with a hoof, Applejack stepped forward. “The cafe? Ain’t this where y’all go for lunch?”
“Well, yes, of course,” Rarity answered. “But at night, the cafe offers a more refined menu and atmosphere, thanks to Savoir Fare’s impeccable taste. Here,” she said as she opened the door, suggesting inside with a hoof. “Ladies first!”
As Applejack and Rainbow Dash grumbled their way inside, Fluttershy followed, trying her best to stifle her giggles.
Once inside, it became clear just what Rarity meant: the cafe, normally known as an outdoor eatery for the small town’s lunch-goers, had an elegant interior not far removed from some of Canterlot’s establishments. Although the dining area was significantly smaller than some such restaurants, the atmosphere was warm and inviting, lit just well enough to see your way around, but dim enough to promote an intimate experience.
“Ah, bonsoir, Rarity,” a stallion in a uniform greeted the group with a smile. “Table for four, yes?”
“Why yes, Savoir, thank you.” Rarity curtseyed a little to the host in thanks. Glancing back a moment at her friends who were currently occupied with examining the place, she whispered, “I assume our seating arrangement has been properly coordinated?”
“Oui, madam,” Savoir answered with a knowing grin, “just as you requested.”
“Merci,” she said coolly, allowing him to lead the way. “This way, ladies!”
As the four were escorted to a table nestled near the back of the cafe, a waitress trotted up to the four and assisted in seating the mares.
“Oh, why thank you,” Fluttershy murmured with a soft smile as she took her place at one corner of the table.
“You’re most welcome,” the waitress replied. Pulling out another chair, she motioned for Applejack to take a seat.
“Um… mighty kind of ya.” With a tense smile, she took her seat and scooted forward, eliciting a slight grinding of chair against hardwood floor.
Cringing, Savoir finished seating Rarity and went to pull the other out for Rainbow Dash – just as she did so herself. “Thanks buddy, but I got this.”
Rarity grumbled from her adjacent spot as the pegasus settled in. Once everyone was seated, Savoir and the waitress laid out their menus and glasses. “Take your time selecting, madams, and we will return momentarily.”
“Thank you so much,” Fluttershy replied as the servers made their way back to the front. Looking around at the restaurant’s interior, she said, “Goodness, Rarity, I don’t believe I’ve ever been here at night.”
“It is quite the sight, isn’t it? Especially for a small-town establishment.” Rarity sat back in her seat and sighed pleasantly, relishing in the refined décor of the venue. “Oh, but I do hope you enjoy the selection here. They have a wide variety of delicacies, ranging from the simple made flavorful, to the—”
“Where’re the hay-burgers at?” Rainbow Dash asked as she flipped to and fro through her menu.
Without so much as an argument, Rarity yanked the menu from her with her magic. “Rainbow, have you no shame? Do you honestly expect them to serve hay-burgers in a place like this?”
“Beats me,” Applejack answered for her as she squinted at her own menu. “Half this stuff’s in fancy, so I can’t make hide nor hair of it.”
Glaring at the farmer mare from across the table, Rarity went to make a comment when Fluttershy spoke first. “Oh, it’s okay, Applejack.” Scooting a little closer, she pulled Applejack’s menu toward her where she could see, then pointed at the fine print beneath the names. “See? These describe each selection, so that way you know just what you’re ordering.”
“Hmm…” As Applejack squinted harder, she reached into a knitted pocket hidden within her dress and pulled out a pair of glasses. Slipping them on her snout, she reread the menu. “Oh yeah, I see it now… darn fine print these days, gettin’ smaller all the time—”
“Wh-wait a sec,” Rainbow stammered in shock as she leaned forward against the table. “Since when do you wear glasses?!”
Applejack looked above the rim of her frames at the mare with an incredulous expression. “What, these things? I’ve had ‘em ever since we met, sugarcube. Use ‘em for reading sometimes.” Smirking, she said, “You’ve really never seen me use these before?”
“I… don’t think so.” Ears folding a little at the tips, Rainbow looked down at the table as she sat back in her seat. She could feel her cheeks warming slightly.
“Honestly, Rainbow,” Rarity interjected as she hoofed her back her menu, “would it hurt you to at least be a little less flamboyant?”
“Oh, don’t worry, Rarity,” Fluttershy said from across the table. “This is new for her, so she’s probably just nervous, that’s all.”
“Nervous?” Rainbow scoffed as she crossed her forelegs, looking over at the mare. “There’s nothing to be nervous about! Why would I be nervous?”
Suddenly, a shrill voice spoke from directly behind her head. “Well, you sure look nervous to me!”
“Daah!” Rainbow’s wings flared out wildly from her sides, causing her menu to fly right off the table. Spinning around, she saw Pinkie Pie grinning right above her, flanked by an equally grinning Twilight.
Applejack was just as surprised as the pegasus, though not as flamboyantly so. “Land’s sakes, what’re you two doin’ here?”
“Well,” Twilight started, “somepony has to observe and make sure the rules are followed. Somepony from an objective standpoint, that is.” Walking beside Rarity, she patted the mare on the shoulder. “No offense, of course.”
“None taken,” Rarity replied as she magically returned Rainbow’s menu to her. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Catching her breath, Rainbow managed to stammer, “So, wh-what exactly does that mean, then?”
“Ooooh, can I tell her, Twily? Can I, can I, can I?” Pinkie bounced in place next to the alicorn.
“Yes, Pinkie, you can go ahead and—”
“Well,” she began, “Twilight here is going to act as the speed-date coach for you guys, and I’m gonna be her note-taker! Wee!” Her expression suddenly turned cold-stone serious as she said, “Anypony who fails to answer a question or breaks a rule will have a mark against them. The pony with the least amount of marks at the end of the night wins.” She grinned again. “Of course, if there are no marks against Rainbow or AJ at all, they win by default.”
         “Which basically means I’ll be watching over you guys until the food gets here,” Twilight finished for Pinkie  as Savoir and the waitress returned to seat them at a nearby table.
“Sounds fair to me,” Applejack said.
“Yeah… I guess I can dig it,” Rainbow agreed. “So what do we have to do, then?”
Taking the seat offered by Savoir, Twilight grinned deviously over at the pegasus. “You’ll see, once we’ve all ordered our food.”
Gulping, Rainbow nodded and grinned as confidently as she could in return. “Right. Well don’t you worry, ‘cause we’ve got this thing in the bag! Ain’t that right, AJ?”
“Ya darn tootin’!”
“Please,” Savoir commented from aside, “do watch your language, madam! This is a place of dining, not ‘tooting!’“
Applejack hung her head behind her menu as she fought back a blush. “Heh, uh… beggin’ your pardon…”
“Well, now that that’s all over with,” Rarity said, “let’s make our choices, shall we?”
And with that, the four mares at the table read through their menus. Rarity was the first to make her choice, motioning for Savoir’s return with a hoof. Once she finished, he took Fluttershy’s order next, then Applejack’s – who was careful to describe the dish rather than attempt to pronounce its name.
Eventually, it was Rainbow Dash’s turn. As Savoir walked up beside the mare, he said, “And what can I offer you tonight, madam?”
“Uh…” Squinting one last time at the menu, she pointed at a name. “That one.”
Savoir bent down with a smile to read her selection. Immediately, his expression jerked into confusion. “A-are you sure this is what you want to start with?”
“Yep. This is the one.”
With a slow nod, Savoir stood up straight and sighed. “Very well. Once I take your friends’ orders, I’ll hoof them over to ze chef.”
“Thank you again, Savoir,” Rarity said as she hoofed him their menus. With a slight giggle, she turned to Fluttershy. “And what did my dearest date tonight choose from the selection?”
“Oh, well, I went with the marguerites sautés avec le chou frisé. Something simple.”
“Oh, but of course,” Rarity said as she reached a hoof out to one of hers. “That is a simply marvelous choice.”
“Eeugh.” Rainbow made a gag-face. “Don’t tell me we’ve gotta be like that the whole night.”
“As a matter of fact,” Twilight spoke as she walked over, “there are no rules pertaining to the way in which you display your affection.”
“Phew, good, ‘cause—”
“There is, however, a rule stating that at all times, you must remain courteous and display affection often – however that might be defined by each individual’s tastes.”
Rainbow and Applejack glanced at each other from across the table. “Uuuhhhhh—”
Immediately, Rarity and Fluttershy began to giggle. “Oh gracious, will you look at our two friends here,” Rarity said. “I’ve never seen a couple so lost as to how to show affection!”
“Hey now,” Applejack argued, “nopony said nothin’ ‘bout havin’ to be sappy throughout this whole thing.”
“That’s true,” Twilight agreed. “But, it was clearly stated in the bet that each pony would have to follow the rules – and this just happens to be one of them.”
As Applejack and Rainbow groaned in unison, the others laughed – all except Pinkie, that is, who remained seated at her table, quietly scribbling notes.
Rainbow Dash noticed this out of the corner of her eye. Gulping once more, she looked up at Twilight. “So alright then, let’s get this show started! What’s the first thing we gotta do?”
Twilight sighed. “Gee, I didn’t know you were that eager to get this over with.”
“C’mon, Twi,” Rainbow said as she gestured with a hoof to herself, “do you really see me as the dating kind?”
“No, but you could at least be a little more courteous to your date.” With a smirk, she added, “You wouldn’t want her to think you don’t like her, do you?”
“Huh?” She scrunched her muzzle. “Who said I didn’t like AJ?”
“Rainbow,” Applejack grumbled through gritted teeth as she leaned toward the pegasus, “she’s just proddin’ ya at this point. Just shut up and let her do her thing.”
Glancing over at the mare for a second, Rainbow grinned sheepishly and said, “Uh-y-yeah, anyway… So, date night! Alright! Let’s date!”
Everypony groaned at that. Everypony, that is, except Pinkie.

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                  Apple-Flavored Rainbows                  
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Apple-Flavored Rainbows
“So…” Twilight stood at one corner of the table of four, sifting through a pack of flashcards with her magic. “Normally, speed dating would require that partners exchange other partners between each other through the process. However, in Witherkers’ Double Date Dash, this is forfeited so that the bonds between two best friends can be emphasized, promoting high compatibility and—”
“Yeah yeah, dating ponies and BFF’s, we got it,” Rainbow interjected. “Now c’mon, let’s do this!”
Raising an eyebrow at the mare for a moment, she looked once more through a few of her cards. “Alright. Is everypony ready?”
“Mhmm,” Rarity hummed in acknowledgement as the other ponies nodded.
Clearing her throat, Twilight began. “Okay. Each round will include a simple question that each partner will answer between the other. I’ll be skipping some of the more obvious questions we already know the answers to.” Pulling a stack of notes to the front, she said, “I believe Rarity and Fluttershy should go first, just so the girls here have an example to go by.”
Rainbow and Applejack crossed their forelegs and huffed. Smirking, Rarity said, “Sounds good to me. How about you, Fluttershy?”
“Oh yes, I’m ready,” she said with a gentle nod.
“Alright then, first question…” Reading the note silently first, she smiled warmly, then read aloud, “What do you believe is the most important value in a relationship?”
As the two contemplated the question, Fluttershy asked, “So, which one of us should go first?”
“Oh, after you, my dear,” Rarity said with a defined courtesy, glancing over at Rainbow with a wink.
Rainbow merely snorted and watched.
“Okay,” Fluttershy started. “Well… I believe a pony should always be kind to those she cares about. Love and kindness go hoof-in-hoof, I think.”
Rarity nodded, smiling softly at her date. “What an excellent answer, Fluttershy. And I believe generosity goes quite well with that philosophy. Being generous is often like an act of kindness!”
Twilight nodded in agreement. “Yeah, I can see how that might be true!” Off to her side though, Rainbow Dash and Applejack were trying desperately to not snicker. Raising an eyebrow, she asked, “And what do you two think’s so funny?”
“Snnnkt–heheheh…” Rainbow took a moment to calm her jitters before she said, “Don’t you see, Twi? They’re talking about the Elements of Harmony!”
“Well, yes, I noticed that too. Is there a problem with that?”
“Well, no, I guess not.” Shrugging, she said, “I dunno though. Like, yeah, I get my thing’s loyalty and what-not. But if I was going out on a date—”
“You are, Rainbow—”
“If I was going out on a real date,” she added firmly, casting a quick grin toward Applejack, “then I’d want them to be somepony cool.”
Rarity face-hoofed. “Of course you would say that, how predictable an answer…”
Rainbow tilted her head toward her. “Hey, what’s wrong with wanting someone to be cool?”
“I think she means to say it’s a rather simple response,” Twilight answered for her.
“Seriously? You wanted an answer, and I gave you a—” Suddenly, she stopped short as she noticed Pinkie at the table behind Twilight, looking her way as she fervently wrote her notes. Sighing, she said, “Ugh… alright, fine – whatever. You want a real answer?”
Everypony at the table titled their heads curiously at the mare as Rainbow leaned back in her seat, breathing out a sigh.
“So… back when I used to date – like, actually date, when I was still living in Cloudsdale –  the biggest thing I looked for in somepony was someone who could keep up with me.” Rolling her eyes, she said, “And I’m sure you probably think ’Oh, that’s so like Rainbow,’ or whatever. But really? I just liked knowing that whatever I did, wherever I went, somepony would be right there by my side, keeping up the pace.” She rubbed a hoof to her chest with a smirk as she added, “Of course I never met anyone there who could do that. There just ain’t no keeping up with the Dash.”
For a moment, everyone stared at the pegasus in surprise. Eventually, Applejack broke the silence. “Heh. Never thought I’d hear ya word it so seriously like that.”
“What?” Rainbow shrugged as she looked away. “I can be serious, when I need to be…”
Applejack smirked at that. “Yeah, y’mean when you’re tryin’ to keep from losin’ a bet.”
“Hey,” Rainbow barked as she pointed a hoof at her, “you’ve got just as much at stake here, pal. So, you gonna play along or not?”
Leaning back in her chair, Applejack scrunched her muzzle with a frown as she glanced over at her other friends. “Guessin’ I gotta answer this question too, huh?”
Twilight and the others nodded earnestly.
“Right, of course…” Sighing, she began. “Well… kinda like Rainbow with loyalty I guess, I think honesty is important too. But just as important, I believe a pony should be close to their family. That’s just a good sign of a dependable pony to me.”
Rubbing a hoof to her chin, Twilight said, “Well, what if somepony doesn’t have any family to be close to?”
“Hmm…” Applejack tapped a hoof idly on the table in thought. “Well then, I s’pose they’d least need to be close with some friends, or be willin’ to give gettin’ close to family a try.”
“You mean like your own family, right?” Twilight asked.
“Yeah. That way, I’d know if they’d be committed enough for a real relationship.”
“Huh… You know, that makes sense,” Rainbow commented as she leaned back in thought. “It’s kinda like this one pony I dated before moving to Ponyville. Pretty awesome guy, ‘cept he used to make fun of my parents for not being as cool as us.” Scowling at the memory, she added, “And you just don’t call somepony else’s parents lame. That’s so not cool.”
Applejack and the others nodded in agreement, though Rarity seemed to not be quite as enthused. “Well, that’s a fine first answer, the both of you.” Glancing up at Twilight, she said, “So, what’s the next question, then?”
“Oh, right then…” Sifting through her cards, Twilight pulled one to the front and read, “Where do you see yourself in five years time?”
“Well,” Rarity began without hesitation, “I’d hope to broaden my couture line to Manehattan or Fillydelphia by that point… notwithstanding my responsibilities with the Cutie Map, of course,” she quickly added as an afterthought. “How about you, Fluttershy?”
“Well…” The pegasus shrugged. “I suppose I’ll still be taking care of the animals around here. At least, that’s what I hope.” She darted her eyes between her friends across the table before saying, “Is that a good answer?”
“Of course,” Twilight reassured her. Leaning over to catch Rainbow’s eye, she said, “And how about you?”
As Rainbow polished a hoof to her chest, she said, “Wonderbolts, of course.”
Twilight nodded. “Fair enough.” Glancing down at her flash card, she furrowed her brow before turning to Applejack. “I guess I should’ve picked another question since you probably want to stay at Sweet Apple Acres.”
“Hey now,” Rainbow said just as Applejack opened her mouth to answer, “just ‘cause she’s done the same thing for a long time doesn’t mean she wants to forever.” Turning to Applejack, she said, “Didn’t you once say you wanted to work with some family to build a restaurant in Ponyville one day?”
Applejack slumped a little in her seat, trying to avoid the surprised gazes she was now receiving from her other friends. “Yeah, uh… I-I might’ve mentioned something like that once… I mean, I’m not sure if I really wanna do it or not yet. It’s jus’ somethin’ I’ve been thinkin’ over…”
“Yeah, ‘cause you said as much as ponies like the stuff you sell at your stand, you’d like to be able to cook for everyone in Ponyville. Right?”
Looking anywhere but at her friends, Applejack nodded hesitantly. “I guess I did say that… ya didn’t have to answer for me, though.”
“But I didn’t—” Rainbow blinked. “Uh… eh heh…” Grinning sheepishly over at Twilight, she said, “Th-that doesn’t count against us, right?”
Twilight glanced back at Pinkie Pie, who shook her head. “Doesn’t look like it.”
“Okay, phew, sweet.” Turning back to Applejack, she said, “Sorry, AJ. Didn’t mean to steal the spotlight.”
“Heh, well… that’d be a first for you, sugarcube.”
Rainbow grinned at that as Twilight sifted once more through her cards. “Alrighty…” Pulling yet another to the front, she read, “What is one thing about yourself that your date may not already know about you?”
“Ooooh, this should be a fun one,” Rarity said as she grinned over at Fluttershy.
“U-um…” Smiling nervously up at Twilight, Fluttershy said, “I don’t suppose… we could try another question?”
Twilight furrowed her brow at the mare. “It’s okay, Fluttershy. You can tell Rarity whatever you want, even if it’s something simple, so long as she doesn’t know about it already.”
“Oh. Well… okay then…” Looking down at the table, she murmured, “Um… w-well… I used to take ballet lessons when I was a filly.”
“Really now?” Rarity’s eyes widened in fascination. “How long did you take lessons?”
“About three years…” She tucked her hooves beneath the table, which had just started to tremble a little.
“Did you ever take any lessons at the Canterlot Ballroom Society?”
“Um… once, yes…” Her voice was decreasing in volume with each word.
“My, that must have been a marvelous experience.” Prodding further, she asked, “Did you happen to compete in any events around Equestria?”
“I… w-well, you see…”
As Fluttershy’s words began to trail off, leaving Rarity leaning in closer and closer with anticipation, Applejack cleared her throat loudly. “Well, not to be rude er anythin’, but mind if I have a go? Reckon we don’t wanna run outta time before the food gets here, right Fluttershy?”
Rarity glared at her from across the table, allowing Fluttershy a moment to collect herself as she gave a grateful smile to Applejack. “I suppose you’re right.”
“Well…” Twilight scrunched her muzzle in thought. “Normally, the other partner would be the next to go—”
“I figured as much,” Applejack interjected, following up with a stiff chuckle. “I’m just ready to share mine with everyone here, s’all.”
That caught Rarity’s attention. “You mean with your date, right?”
Applejack’s shoulders slumped as she returned a flat expression to the mare. “Yeah, with Rainbow Dash.” Turning to the pegasus in question with a smirk, she said, “So… didja know I once ate an entire basket full of apples when I was a filly?”
For the past couple of minutes, Rainbow had been paying little attention to the others, leaning back in her chair with her forelegs crossed behind her head, staring at the ceiling. Flicking her ears forward, she said, “That’s nice.”
“Granny Smith ‘bout near hollered my ear off when she found out.”
Rainbow rolled her shoulders. “Huh.”
Applejack arched an eyebrow. “Yep… ate so dern much, I chucked apple-flavored rainbows.”
“Yeah, I guess that’s coo—” Suddenly, Rainbow stumbled in her chair, looking wildly back at her friend. “You did what when you what?!”
Slapping a hoof across the table, Applejack fell back in her chair laughing. Rarity merely grumbled her dissent while Fluttershy giggled amiably.
“A-alright, Applejack,” Twilight said as she tried to keep from laughing too, “unless that actually happened, I’d advise you give a real answer.”
“Alright, alright,” Applejack said as she leaned forward against the table, catching her breath. Looking at Rainbow, she said, “Well, ya already learned one thing new ‘bout me today.”
Rainbow nodded. “Yeah, that you wear egghead glasses, right?”
Applejack slouched against the table. “Yeah. Sure… So what’s somethin’ ‘bout you I don’t know?” Leaning back a little, she said, “Can’t imagine with all the times we’ve hung out there’d be much left.”
“Oh yeah?” Crossing her forelegs, she said, “Well, did you know I once flew backwards for a whole day in Junior Speedsters Camp, just to win a bet?”
“Uh, yeah, actually. That was one of the very first things you ever bragged about when ya first met me… Still can’t say I see how that’s brag worthy,” she added with a smirk.
Rainbow reared her head back a little. “Really? I told you about that?”
Applejack shrugged. “You brag about a lot of stuff, sugarcube. Unless it’s somethin’ not worth mentionin’, I probably already know about it.”
“Huh. Oh well.” Glancing at Twilight, she asked, “Does that mean I can pass?”
“I don’t know,” Twilight said, unconvinced. “Are you sure there isn’t something she might not know about you?”
“Hm…” For a moment, Rainbow thought in silence. Eventually, she looked over at Applejack. “Where was I born?”
“Not in Cloudsdale, but down in Fillydelphia – your parents were visitin’ with family, if I remember right, when your mother went into labor.”
“When did I fly for the first time?”
“The day you were born, still in the hospital.”
“What’s my favorite dessert?”
“Apple brown betty, served chilled, not warm.”
“And where’s my favorite sleeping spot?”
Applejack smirked. “Well, I used to think it was in my apple trees, what with you takin’ a nap in ‘em all the time.” Her smirk faded into a slight frown as she said, “But it was actually the top-most branch of Golden Oak Library.”
Twilight blinked at that before turning to Rainbow. “Y-you used to sleep on top of the library?”
“Yep.” Leaning back in her chair, she said, “Sometimes I didn’t feel like flying all the way back home right after a weather shift, so I’d fly up to the top of the library and perch on this one really sweet branch.” She frowned a little as she thought back on the memories. “Best place to nap in all Ponyville when there weren’t any clouds.”
“Wow, Rainbow, I…” Twilight’s ears folded back. “I never knew that.”
“Yeah…” Gesturing a hoof nonchalantly in the air, she said, “Sorry, Twi, but AJ already knows me pretty well.”
As everypony stared at them for a moment, Fluttershy said, “Wow, it’s almost like they’re a real couple!”
“ARE NOT,” Rainbow and Applejack shouted at the mare in unison.
“Okay,” Fluttershy squeaked in response as she hunkered down in her chair, “you’re not, I’m sorry…”
For the next several minutes, the round of questions continued on like this before their food eventually showed up. As Twilight sat back down with Pinkie to enjoy her dish, Savoir and the waitress made their rounds between the others.
Once everypony except Rainbow Dash had been served their dishes, Savoir nodded toward the waitress, who took off for the kitchen. Leaning beside Rainbow, he cleared off an unusually large section of the table in front of the pegasus.
Rarity glanced over at the cleared tablecloth, then up at Savoir. Raising an eyebrow uncertainly, Savoir shrugged and glanced back at the returning waitress.
Just as everypony was leaning down to take a bite, they stopped mid-way as the waitress, bowing a little under the weight of the dish hefted onto her back, sidled over next to Rainbow and slid the dish off in front of her. With a strained voice, Savoir announced from aside, “Presenting… Pomme Galette.” He then muttered, “Bon appetite… I think…”
“Aw yeah!” Grinning ear to ear, Rainbow watched as Savoir removed the cover to reveal—
“Oh my stars!”
“Goodness, that’s…”
Snickering, Applejack shook her head and said, “And knowin’ your appetite, Rainbow, I’m guessin’ you plan to eat all that in one go?”
Smirking up at her friend, she drawled, “Ya darn tootin’,” before she began to gorge herself on the enormous potato cake.
__________
Once everypony finished their meals, the six gathered together at the same table for a moment. Twilight took a seat between Rainbow and Applejack, smirking between the two, while Pinkie sat between Rarity and Fluttershy.
“Well,” Twilight began as she folded her hooves on the table, “first off, I’d like to commend Rainbow Dash and Applejack for making it through the whole night without too much trouble.”
The two nodded apprehensively at the mare.
“However,” she continued, “I believe it should be clear who tonight’s victors are.” Clearing her throat, she leaned back a little and said, “Pinkie. The results?”
Pinkie sat upright in her seat, mimicking a dignified pose. “Well, according to the notes I took, the questions answered between each pony, and the rules and guidelines observed tonight, it is clear that…”
Rainbow and Applejack were already hanging their heads in defeat.
“… Rainbow Dash and Applejack are the winners!” Throwing her hooves in the air, a modest display of streamers exploded quietly behind Pinkie. Savoir nodded favorably from a distance.
Twilight, on the other hoof, stared at the pink mare in disbelief – as did everypony else. “But… I thought Rarity and Fluttershy followed the rules best!”
Pinkie bobbed her head in understanding. “You would think so – at first glance, perhaps.” Pulling her notebook and pencil out of her mane, she said, “Thing is, Rainbow Dash and Applejack were the only ones who really took tonight seriously.”
Both mares in question blinked at that. “We were?”
Pinkie nodded. “Mhmm. Fluttershy did a great job playing along, but in the end, a lot of marks were against Rarity.”
Rarity’s expression quickly shifted from confusion to skepticism. “And exactly how might that be the case?”
Scanning over her notes, Pinkie said, “Well, with the first question, you and Fluttershy both gave the obvious answers: the Elements of Harmony. While Fluttershy did her best to answer the question honestly…” Pinkie leaned a little to the side, looking down at Rarity’s lap. “It seems you came prepared with a list of answers to certain questions.”
Immediately, Rarity tried to tuck away a notepad she had been holding in her lap. “Th-that’s preposterous! How could you think—”
Without hesitation, Rainbow reached across Pinkie and snatched the notepad out of Rarity’s hooves, jerking it up in the air away from her reach. “Seriously? You came with a cheat sheet? For a date?!”
Applejack was equally as shocked. “Why you sneaky lil’ varmint! You were gonna try to win this thing even if we played along!”
Glancing frantically between each of her friends, Rarity eventually crossed her forelegs and huffed, looking away from the group. “Well, Fluttershy here at least cooperated honestly. That should count for something.” She batted her eyes toward the pegasus. “Isn’t that right, dear?”
Pinkie Pie looked skeptically at the mare in question, who in fact murmured, “Well, we did go over that list once before I took the dress over to Applejack’s…”
Twilight gasped in shock as Rarity began to slump in her seat, her cheeks now fully blushed. Rainbow and Applejack shared a hoof-bump.
“There’s also the matter of the third question,” Pinkie continued. “Rarity failed to notice Fluttershy’s nervousness when talking about her experience with ballet. It was Applejack, in fact, who stepped in to keep her from feeling uncomfortable.”
Shocked by the revelation, Rarity turned to Fluttershy and said, “Is… is this true?”
Looking down at the table, she murmured, “Kind of, I’m afraid…”
Ears folding back, Rarity leaned forward and gently touched a hoof to one of hers. “Oh, I’m so sorry, Fluttershy…” Shaking her head somberly, she said, “Goodness, what a terrible friend I’ve been this evening, let alone date. I never meant to carry this so far as to hurt your feelings!”
“Oh no,” Fluttershy said as she looked up at her friend. “You didn’t hurt my feelings. I was just… nervous talking about it. That’s all.”
“Well then, why did you choose that to bring up?”
Fidgeting with her hooves, Fluttershy murmured, “Well, it… it was the only thing I could think of that I hadn’t shared with you.” Smiling a little, she added, “We do know each other pretty well after all, what with all the time we spend together at the spa.”
Nodding with a soft smile, Rarity said, “Well, regardless, I apologize for making you feel uncomfortable.” Leaning back in her seat, she added, “Though I’m not sure why you’d feel ashamed about taking ballet?”
“Oh, um…” Hanging her head low, she said, “L-let’s just say things didn’t work out so well…”
“Meaning she got famous real quick,” Rainbow added from aside. “I remember when we were still fillies, before the race where I did the Sonic Rainboom, Fluttershy’s mom enrolled her in ballet as an after flight-school project. Apparently, she was one of the best in her age-group – even out in Canterlot.”
Eyes glazing over in realization, Rarity turned back and said, “And it was the fame that made you uncomfortable, wasn’t it? Just like when I had you modeling?”
Glancing away in embarrassment, Fluttershy nodded gingerly.
“Well…” Turning back to Pinkie with a little more emphasis, she said, “That’s all fine and well, but how exactly does that count against us?”
“Well,” Pinkie said, “Applejack noticed by her tone and actions that she was uncomfortable, so she decided to do something that would help her feel better. That counts as an act of courtesy – on her part.”
“B-but… I…” Rarity sputtered, before eventually slumping back in her seat. “Alright, fine… I see your point.” Turning to Pinkie with a look of desperation, she said, “But what about affection? I never once saw Rainbow Dash or Applejack show any form of affection to one another.”
“Hmm…” Pinkie’s tongue stuck out a little in thought as she tapped a hoof to her chin. “Well, that is true.” Taking her notepad and scribbling down a line, she said, “Guess that’s one mark against Dash and AJ.”
“Hey,” Rainbow said, “we’ll take it if it means we still win.”
“Yep,” Pinkie nodded as she tucked her notes back in her mane. “You guys still take the cake! Or I guess Rainbow ate the cake, this time.”
“Well…” Rarity muttered with an expression split between guilt and defeat. “I guess this means… that—”
“You’ve gotta do whatever we dare—” Rainbow began,
“—whenever we dare it,” Applejack finished.
Looking between the two mares, Rarity sighed in defeat, before mumbling, “I really do hate dares.”
__________
“Well, aside from losing the bet, this was certainly an… interesting evening,” Rarity said as she escorted Fluttershy out of the cafe. “Thanks for coming along again, Fluttershy. Tonight simply would not have been as enjoyable without you as a date.”
“Oh, you’re most certainly welcome,” she said with a genuine, albeit tired, smile. “I had lots of fun.” Giving her friend a quick hug, she broke off from the group and bade her adieus.
“Well,” Twilight started as she examined the moon’s position overhead, “I better get back to the castle and see how Spike’s been holding up. The library’s been busier recently since everypony’s gotten used to the place.” Smiling toward her friends, she said, “See you girls later?”
“Yep,” Pinkie chirped from beside her. “And thanks again for a superrific evening, Twily! You’re the best.” As the pink mare pulled her friend into a tight hug, Rainbow and Applejack watched as Twilight closed her eyes and lost herself for a brief moment. Blinking her eyes open at the two, she broke off abruptly from the hug and smiled awkwardly.
“A-and thank you too, Pinkie! Goodnight!” And with that, Twilight hastily made her way back to the castle.
“Well then… guess you’re headin’ off too, Pinkie?” Applejack asked.
“Yeah. Got a looonnng day ahead tomorrow. Mrs. Cake and I have to bake a whole delivery before tomorrow night.”
“Gotcha.” Yawning for a second, she then bade her a goodnight and watched as the pink pony bounced her way out of sight.
Alone now with Applejack, Rainbow Dash turned to her and said, “Phew… am I glad tonight’s over with.”
“Yeah,” Applejack agreed as the two began walking together toward the outskirts of town. “Hopefully this’ll teach ya to not open your big mouth when Twi and Rares try to make a bet.”
“Hey, you were in on it as much as I was!”
“Yeah, only ‘cause you made ‘em drag it out s’far as they did!”
“Oh yeah? W-well…” Unfortunately, Rainbow couldn’t argue against that. Looking forlornly toward the ground, she sighed and mumbled, “I guess you’re right.”
Applejack glanced over at the mare. “Ah, don’t worry nothin’ bout it. It’s all over now. And the best part is, now we’ve got somethin’ to hold over Rarity!”
“Heh, y-yeah, we do…” Even with that revelation though, Rainbow continued to canter forward with her head drooped down.
Applejack furrowed her brow. “So what’s botherin’ ya then, sugarcube? I thought you’d be glad this was all over with.”
“Yeah. I am.” Looking over with her eyes only, she muttered, “I was just worried that, y’know… you’d be upset about all this happening in the first place.”
“Really?” Arching an eyebrow, she smirked as she looked forward. “Well… I can’t say I would’ve been too keen on losin’ tonight’s bet. But I went along with it as well – jus’ remember that.” Smiling, she added, “Besides, I really did have fun tonight, even if it was kinda short.” She glanced around briefly, as if someone might overhear her. “‘Course, don’t you ever tell anyone I said that.”
“Heh, no worries there, buddy,” Rainbow said as she perked up a little. “Still though, I feel kinda bad for not knowing you wore glasses.”
Applejack made a face. “And why would that make you feel bad?”
“I dunno…” Slouching her shoulders a little, she said, “It just seemed like you knew everything about me back at the cafe, and I didn’t even know something as simple as that.” Kicking a pebble in her path away, she mumbled, “Even Rarity and Fluttershy seem to know each other better.”
Without warning, Applejack stopped mid-trot. Rainbow followed suit a couple steps later when she realized she was no longer beside her. She looked back at her friend with a nervous expression.
“Rainbow,” Applejack started with a hushed tone, giving her friend a confused look. “First off, Rarity didn’t know about Fluttershy bein’ in ballet. But secondly, it sure ain’t like ya to feel bad about somethin’ as simple as that.” She took a step toward her friend. “Am I missin’ somethin’ here?”
Rainbow averted her gaze from Applejack, although she maintained a steady tone. “Hey, if you know everything about me, I wanna know everything about you.” Smirking a tad her way, she added, “I can’t have my best friend beating me in something as simple as that.”
“I…” With a humored scoff, she said, “Seriously? You’re even competitive when it comes to who’s the better friend?”
“Well, I wouldn’t word it like that, buuut…” With a cheeky grin, Rainbow started down the path again, leaving Applejack to shake her head before following.
A short distance down the path, Rainbow spoke up again. “But yeah, I guess tonight wasn’t so bad. Especially after Pinkie called out Rarity for cheating.”
Applejack chuckled. “Yeah, no kiddin’. Who would’ve thought that Rarity would bring a cheat sheet for somethin’ like that?”
“I know, right?” The two shared a short, good-spirited laugh between each other, just as they reached a break in the path. Looking out at the outline of an apple orchard beyond the left path, Rainbow said, “Well… guess that’s it, then.”
“Yep,” Applejack agreed with a nod as she trotted a few paces down the path. Stopping mid-step, she looked back at Rainbow. “I guess, uh… I’ll see ya later, then?”
“Um, yeah – duh,” Rainbow scoffed. “You think tonight changes that?”
“Course not,” Applejack said with a firm tone. “I was jus’ sayin’ goodnight is all, ya dang featherbrain.”
“Oh. Right, heh,” Rainbow chuckled as she ran a hoof through the back of her mane. “Well, uh… goodnight, then.”
“Goodnight, sugarcube.” And with that, the two slowly parted ways.
For once, Rainbow didn’t immediately take to the air, choosing to stretch her legs for a moment longer before flying home. As she cantered down the other path beneath the moonlight, she thought back on the events of the night. Much as she hated admitting it to anyone but Applejack, she actually had enjoyed herself for the most part. While the questions were both corny and boring, just going out on a ‘date’ wasn’t so bad – especially with one of her best friends. Perhaps if it had been a real date, she could’ve done something to liven things up a bit more. For a moment, she smiled as she considered the idea of dating again, even if it was sometime later down the road.
But quick as the smile came, it faded, soon as she considered going out on a date with somepony else. Somepony that wasn’t a good friend. Somepony that wasn’t…
“Applejack.”
With a sigh, she glanced across the adjacent field at the mare in question.
To her surprise, Applejack, at some great distance, was glancing over as well.
The two stood there for a moment, simply staring at each other in the calm of night. Eventually, they took a step toward each other in unison, which then turned to another step. Which eventually turned to a walk.
As the two grew closer, they met eyes for a moment, then quickly looked away. Once they were within a hoof’s length of each other, Applejack said, “So… heh. Th-this is kinda silly, I know, but…”
“… Hey.” A strange, bizarre sort of thought suddenly occurred to Rainbow Dash that brought a smile back to her. Looking her friend in the eyes, she said, “There was one question we never answered tonight.”
Applejack tilted her head slightly. “Yeah? Which was that, again?”
“What kind of affection we like.” Rainbow smiled warmly at her best friend, just before she reached a hoof gently to her cheek, leaned forward, and gave her a soft, loving, fleeting kiss.
And with that, Rainbow spread her wings and took to the skies.
Applejack stood there motionless for a moment, lips parted and eyes wide, as the cerulean pegasus disappeared into the blanket of stars above. Eventually, she shook her head and grinned to herself, before turning back for home.