A True Friend Indeed

        It was a crisp, warm, Sunday afternoon, and Applejack had some spare time on her hooves for getting her chores done earlier than usual. So today, she decided to pay Rarity a visit at the Carousel Boutique. It had been a while since they'd seen each other, both busy with their own hard-working lifestyles of farming and fashion designing.

        Applejack trotted inside, as the doorbell clinged. She smiles as she gases upon Rarity's many lines of clothing that ponies around the world, with a raw taste for fashion would die for! She never was the type of mare for such fanciness, but when worthy art came across her eyes, she'd gawk like she is now.

        Rarity, upon hearing the doorbell, was prompted to greet the pony awaiting her at the entrance. "Applejack?! It's been quite a while since I've seen you! How's everything going at home, and I see you've...tracked mud into...into my shop..." Rarity nearly gagged due to its stench. She gave a sheepish smile with a nervous laugh, as a blush appeared on her face, whilst she stared at the horseshoe shaped marks on the floor.

        "Yeah, it's been a long day at th' farm, like usual. Ah did my duties early so I could see you, since like ya'll said, we never get to see each other. And uh...about th' mud...I didn't even notice it! Sorry." She stares down at her muddy hooves, dirt clinging to the floor where ever she stepped.

        "What!? How could you possibly not notice that!?" Rarity's eyes grow wide at the site. "Stay here...I'll I'll go get some rags." She turns around with a huff, bowing her head as she makes her way to the kitchen from which she retrives her rags, and heads back out to Applejack. "You at least could have tried cleaning up before you came. Even though staying clean isn't your best talent." Rarity mumbles that last part underneath her breath in hopes that nopony would hear her.

        "Ah heard that!" Applejack snapped, giving Rarity a little glare, even though she's turned away.

        "Well, most ponies prefer that muddy farm girls don't come waltzing in on them without giving the smallest attempt to sanitize themselves! Look at what you did!" She points at the floor with a hoof where the door is, then traces the path up to Applejack.

        "Oh, that? That ain't nothin! I could have that the're mess cleaned up before ya know it!" She beamed, doing a little bounce as she speaks.

        "Applejack..." Rarity sighed, "You just made it worse!"

        What was just hoof steps of mud is now a splash of it do to her little hop.

        "Why...why must you be so dirty all the time? I mean, I know you work on a farm and all, but really?"

        "Woah, woah, Sugarcube, calm down! It's not that bad! I said I can help clean it!" Applejack pleaded in her defense, an expression of worry plastured on her face.

        "Well, I think you've helped quite enough! Now I see why the ponies in Canterlot don't like us here in Ponyville! Because they won't have to deal with ruffians like you!" She barked, angrily pointing a hoof at AJ.

        "It's not mah fault! Ah worked hard ta be able to visit you this early so maybe we could have a day to ourselves! But all ya care about is mah muddy hooves!" Applejack shot back in protest.

        "It wouldn't be a problem if you took the least bit amount of time to clean up before coming here! You know how I feel about my career!" Rarity moaned worrily.

        "Ah see. Apparently ya'll care more about making fancy clothing more than one of your best friends. Well, fine then. Ah'll just go on back home, where I can be as muddy as ah want!" Applejack snapped, turning around and taking her leave. She stops at the door, then smirks back at Rarity.

        "What?" She asks.

        Applejack wipes her hind hooves off on the floor, making long streaks.

       "Oh, you!" She growls slightly, and you can just hear her head about to go off like a tea pot.

        "Whoops!" Said Applejack, making an 'o' face, and bringing a hoof up to her chin. "Sorry!" She jokes, and leaves, leaving Rarity alone.

        She sighs, she just got into another fight with her best friend, and she feels dreadful. Maybe if she hadn't called Applejack a ruffian, this could have all been avoided! But then again, if Applejack cared the least bit about proper sanitation, non of this would have started! Maybe they were both in the wrong.

        Later that night, Rarity decided to finally clean up that mess by the entrance. She hadn't gotten any costomers today... except for Applejack. Normally she would make Sweetie Belle clean up this mess, but wanted it done, and on dirty rags in the wash, not a wrecked house that looked like a tornado came rushing through.

        Meanwhile, Applejack was back at home, putting Applebloom to bed.

        By coincidence, they both stare up at the full moon, out the nearest window, and sigh. At the same time, a comet went soaring overhead, and disappeared as fast as it showed up. Applejack kisses Applebloom goodnight, and went to bed. Rarity on the other hand, or hoof, rather, was just tydying up. But after a long day, she and Sweetie Belle went down to rest for the night.

        Little did Applejack and Rarity know of the surprise that awaited them in the morning. Nor did they know what it would bring.