A warm breeze gently ruffled Twilight Sparkle's moderate sapphire blue mane, entwining a few stray strands of the moderate purple and brilliant rose streaks. Under the cool shade of an apple tree, she fluffed her pale, light greyish mulberry wings around the thick trunk and leaned into them. Her moderate violet eyes flickered over to a book and she speedily levitated it to the level of her chest with her light brilliant raspberry magic. Flipping the front cover open, the Alicorn began to leisurely leaf through the yellow pages.
Though being a princess was often thought of as a nice and easy path of life to walk, in truth, it was quite the opposite; a few days ago, Twilight had discovered Spike belching up a hurricane of paper - all he could do was pass her a scroll. It explained she was being sent all of the paperwork which Celestia had been holding off for some time. Apparently, she took this course of action so that Twilight had time to adjust to the shock of change, and not add to the stress she was already working through. Since she had proven that she had fully adapted, it was the best time for her to start.
However, Celestia's plan possessed a flaw. Either she had not thought ahead when making the arrangements, or she was actually organizing another one of her 'jokes'. Twilight liked the thought of neither because the latter meant she was violently pulling at her leg so hard it could practically be ripped off, and the former implies that she was stupid. The flaw was how much she had to do. Mountain upon mountain of vast stacks of paper congested her bedroom so much she could barely move!
After many sleepless nights, Twilight finally finished and as soon as Spike had mailed it off via his fire breath, she feebly clambered into bed. For a whole twenty-four hours she was completely unconscious, except for when she was woken by Spike at meal times, but she was immediately knocked out afterwards before her head even hit the pillow.
Earlier that morning, Twilight had risen to only want to escape the crystal confides of the Friendship Castle and read. Subsequently to breakfast, she flew to the most peaceful place she could think of: the farthest edge of Sweet Apple Acres from Ponyville. The only ponies that ever travelled there were the Apples themselves, but even then a hoof was hardly ever set on the grounds.
Twilight contently sighed. It felt so good to just plunge into relaxation for once. The twittering and tweeting of the singing birds was a beautiful melody; the warm hug of the air conveyed a wonderful sensation over and throughout her body; the green grass was a soft pillow that tenderly tickled her legs and back; a lovely aroma of various flowers and apples filled her nostrils with their heavenly sent. Each little detail added up to create the perfectly peaceful atmosphere.
Suddenly, the 'thud, thud, thud' of hoofsteps prised Twilight out of her ideal heaven. Automatically, her ears swivelled in the direction of the sound and she looked up from the book, craning her neck around the tree trunk. An orange dot quickly grew in size. As it got closer, it revealed that is was an Earth Pony, with a golden straw mane and tail that glowed under the kiss of the sunlight, vivid emerald green eyes that appeared to sparkle and white freckles dotted across her cheeks, called Applejack.
Instinctively, Twilight opened her mouth to speak but halted when Applejack muttered something, with her southern twang. "Its quieter than a Rattlesnake nappin' after winin' a rodeo." She paused and jerked her head from left to right. "I'd rightly say nopony is here." Continuing to observe Applejack, Twilight contemplated if she should inform her friend of her presence.
Fiddling with the buckle, Applejack jounced her hips and her saddlebags fell to the ground. Unhitching the red apple shaped button, she flipped open the flaps and buried her forelegs inside of both fabric containers. Rummaging through the various objects with a loud clatter, she fished out paper, a pencil and a guitar.
Curiosity piqued, Twilight wore an expression of interest as she marked off her page and closed the book. The preference started to heavily slant to a particular side as she pondered over one last thing. Perhaps she would just stay silent. After all, she wanted to know what Applejack was up to. If she intervened, then she might stop what she was occupying herself with and stubbornly refuse to confess. Tugging her head out of the clouds, Twilight returned her attention to the mare in front of her.
Slinging the guitar strap around her neck, Applejack bit onto the pencil and held the paper to her chest. She trotted over to the tree, that Twilight was hiding behind, and dropped to her haunches. Sweeping a hoof along the brim of her Stetson, she hooked it onto her toe and lowered it to the ground. Spitting out the pencil, she placed the paper next to her Stetson and skimmed through the scrawl of lead, that stained the surface, whilst muttering to herself. She tuned the guitar with one forehoof and ran the other over the strings. Twilight could tell she was satisfied when a soft smile played out on her lips. Leaning back, onto the tree trunk, she crossed her blacklegs.
Expectedly, a tune began to play as Applejack strummed the guitar, but it was not the one Twilight through she would play. The sweet refrain of Applejack's acoustic guitar spoke a musical language to her soul. The strings' sound had a hypnotic soothing quality that made Twilight almost loose herself to the melody. What shocked her most was when Applejack began to sing.
"By the apple tree,
Stood you and me.
Turnin' my head, beauty - I saw some.
Flowerin' feelings blossom.
By the apple tree,
Stood you and me.
As time goes on, you grow even more valuable than a gem,
Like an apple on its stem.
By the apple tree,
Stood you and me.
As close as you seem,
Your are as distant that has ever been.
By the apple tree,
Alone, stood me.
Oh, Twilight, will you stand by my side again,
So my love will not fa-a-a-a-ain?"
Scrunching up her muzzle, Applejack shook her head. "Now, that thing just ain't right! Maybe its that there last verse puttin' it off?" She snorted, her ears folding back. "Why does this have to be so darn hard?!"
Panicking, Twilight tore her gaze from Applejack. Holding a forehoof to her chest, she could feel her heart hammering in her chest, and her blood pulsating through her veins. Had she heard it right? Did the country mare really feel this way? Why was she so shocked? Like Fluttershy, many other instances in her life had had big shocks. Surely she should be used to them - but then again, the timid, pegasus mare could be startled by the smallest of things. Though this was not the smallest of things. It was actually something massive, and Twilight knew it.
Wildly, images flashed through her mind, refusing to show anything rational. How would she approach this? Fly away from Equestria forever? Lock herself in her castle? Or even completely seal herself in her castle, make it sprout wings and fly her away and to the moon, never to be seen again?
Everything surrounding her became a blurred haze, eminently difficult to focus on. Twilight's magic rapidly began to abate. No matter how much power she charged through her horn, the aurora of her magical grasp dimmed. Unable to define anything, her magic dissipated. The book rapidly plummeted downwards, and collided with the grass ground with a loud, audible thump.
"Who's there?" Applejack's voice exclaimed, a hint of annoyance in her tone. "You'd better show yourself, or you'll regret it! This here is private property!" Twilight gulped and forced noodle-y legs to support her bodyweight as she shakily rose to her hooves. Then it was. She just knew it was. It was the day she feared would never come. In all of her life, she had not ever been this nervous. If she revealed herself, she would more than likely be accused of spying. What kind of pony spies on their friend. None that Twilight knew of. Properly because there was none. Not even when it was minutes before she took the entrance exam to get into Princess Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns rivalled that moment - the moment one of her friends would leave her.
But Twilight knew she was not able to avoid what was going to happen next. Anticipation driving her fears beyond their limits, she took a trembly step forwards.
The moment she moved away from the tree, Applejack's jaw dropped, her eyes shrunk to the size of pinpricks and her ears dropped flat against her mane. Her posture appeared to weaken and her mouth moved, though no sound was spoken until she desperately stuttered. "T-Twilight?"
Twilight wiped the beads of sweat dribbling from her brow, as she struggled to keep eye contact with the mare before her. "...Y-yes?"
Rubbing one of her forelegs, Applejack questioned. "S-so... how long have you been 'round these parts?"
She was going to have to admit. There was defiantly no way out of it know. Instinctively, Twilight's wings opened slightly, tensing up and preparing to propel her into being airborne. Internally, she cursed (though she was grateful for her ability of flight, the appendages that made that possible had their advantages, disadvantages and annoyances), her embarrassment, like a plant, growing bigger. Willing up a small amount of confidence, though lacking in size it was not lacking in power, she answered with a faltering voice. "Oh... about half an hour... maybe longer."
With a mortified expression, Applejack asked. "You heard..." She trailed off, not being able to finish her sentence - though Twilight knew what she was asking, and she also knew that it was not a question; it was a statement.
Twilight nodded.
Applejack’s blush seared through her cheeks and for a minute Twilight could tell she thought her face was on fire. She suddenly felt awkward, demure, and coy; the country mare even went as far as to attempt to hide her rosy features behind her hoof. The blonde haired mare looked to know that Twilight's single eyes were looking at her. Extending the other foreleg, she balanced on her two back hooves as she scoured the ground in what Twilight presumed what was her Stetson. It was cute.
Wait, what?
Not having time to think, Twilight shoved the thought away when Applejack mumbled something, her voice completely desolate of confidence. "You think that I'm some darn fool don't you?" She paused, swallowing. "As foolish as a cockerel boastin' 'bout its mighty call, but when it preforms it gives nothin' but a darn mouse squeak. Go on! Mock my why don't you? After all, I'm just some darn stupid pony who ain't mighty enough for 'her royal higness'!" Tears brimmed out of her eyes, and she pointed a hoof at Twilight. "I can tell you think that because of the look you're given me!"
Twilight gawked at the mare in front of her. Everything she thought she was going to experience had not happened. The only thing that did occur were the feelings, but it was not her who felt them. It was another pony. A pony she held so dear, in her heart. A pony that she never wanted to get hurt. A pony, who was amongst the few, that meant the world to her. It made her feel guilty: One second passed; Two seconds passed; Three seconds passed. The guilt was eating and pestering her. A fire burned in her mind and throat. Remorse hit her like a sledgehammer. She could feel daggers aiming at her from within.
Doing the one and only thing she could do, Twilight walked up to Applejack slowly and pulled her closer to herself, wrapping her forelegs around her. The embrace was warm, and her forelegs strongly wrapped around Applejack's body, in a protective manner. "Yes, Applejack. You are a foolish pony." Twilight whispered into Applejack's ear. "A foolish pony to even think that I would mock you. A foolish pony to think that your own feelings don't matter, when they do. Especially to me."
Leaning backwards, Applejack gave Twilight as small smile. "You're right Twi'." She frowned. "But I still feel darn foolish."
Hooking her hoof under her chin, Twilight directed Applejack's gaze to her own. "You will. That's only natural, and there isn't anything I can say or do to stop that. Just remember, ninety-nine point nine percent of the time, in my eyes, you are not a foolish pony."
"It's not that Twi'. It's..." Applejack's blush returned. "It's how I feel 'bout you."
Rubbing the back of her neck, Twilight gave Applejack a cheesy grin. "Well, I've never thought that way about you before, A.J." A light crimson blush of own burned her cheeks. "Though, know that I do think about it..." She looked into those vivid emerald eyes. "I kind of like the idea and feeling of it. So-o-o-o-o..."
"What you proposing' Twi?"
"How about this?" Twilight motioned with her forehooves as she spoke. "We try one date. On one hoof, it works out then we go on a few more and see where it goes from there. On the other hoof, it doesn't work, so we go back to being best friends. What do you think?"
"Are you askin' me out, Twi'?" Applejack grinned, devilishly.
Crossing her forelegs, Twilight pouted as Applejack giggled at her blushing. "Well... I suppose I am."
"Twi'?"
"Yes, A.J.?"
"You should really see you face when your blush - you're just so darn cute."
"A.J.?"
"Yes Twi'?"
"S-shut up."
Precariously Perfect Planning
Tickling the quill tip along the underside of her chin, Twilight skimmed through her notes. Knitting her brow, she released an aggravated moan and grasped the paper with her magic. Instantly, it was screwed up into a ball and chucked over her shoulder, to land on the ever growing pile of discarded paper. "Stupid. Stupid. Stupid." She muttered under her breath, placing another sheet on the crystal table, in front of her.
For what felt like the millionth time that day, Twilight levitated a series of books, in a circle, around herself. These were not the ones that she would refer to when studying, but something she would refer to when planning. It was not that she was unable to plan something, especially looking back to the Winter Wrap Up fiasco, but this type of planning was completely new territory. Specifically, courting.
Never yet in her life had Twilight courted somepony. It was not like it embarrassed her though - or even bothered her for that matter. Back when she was a unicorn, living in Canterlot and attending 'Princess Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns' as the sun princess's protégé, and was not interested in friendship then she defiantly had never even given courting so much as a sideways glance.
Though, like always, things moved on, and Twilight journeyed along with it. From gaining the five best friends a pony could wish for, to sprouting a pair of wings and growing a few inches. She was not a pony to be against change, she even encouraged, but that did not mean she could not question it, or try and make it better than it already was.
So, there she was: planning the activity she would do with Applejack on their first courting - her first courting. "It has to be perfect." That was what she kept telling herself. The reason why it had to be perfect, she knew... though she refused to admit it to herself. The only answer she would accept was "because it just has to.", no mater how unlike her it was. Though, to make something perfect was a lot more difficult than it sounded, especially in Twilight's perfectionist eyes.
Cautiously selecting a few of the books, Twilight set the remaining on the table in a tall stack. Multitasking, she flipped the front covers open and her eyes hungrily ate up the information of considered value, flickering from book to book as her head swiped left to right and right and left. Once each book had been devoured from cover to cover, Twilight's gaze switched to the sheet of paper. She dipped the quill in the ink-pot before hovering it above the sheet, at the ready.
Mulling over the newly acquired knowledge, Twilight stared at the sheet of paper. Her mind was blank. Completely and utterly blank. As blank as the blank sheet of paper, and that blank sheet of paper mocked her. It mocked her like it would never mock any being ever again; it mocked her like it was the end of time and, with nothing to do, targeted her to avoid the boredom of boredom. It irritated her to no visible end, and the table seemed like an appropriate place for her to make an attempt at planting a Twilight-face shaped groove on the crystal surface. She fail. Miserably.
"Twilight?" A familiar voice asked over a low, feeble groan that suddenly disturbed the silence, and reverberated around the practically empty room. Willing to take up any offer presented to her, Twilight eagerly tore her gaze away from her current occupation and transitioned it towards the set of double doors. One of the crystal doors were slightly ajar with the unicorn head of Starlight Glimmer bobbed between.
Motioning with a hoof, Twilight warmly smiled. "Come in, Starlight."
Hesitantly, Starlight shuffled into the room and closed the door behind her, with a soft thud. Trotting towards the centre of the room, she briskly surveyed the room. As she spotted the pile of screwed up paper, she wore an expression of bemusement that shifted to one of concern when she caught sight of Twilight's dishevelled appearance. Once she reached the table, she placed both of her forehooves on top of the crystal surface and politely passed a pleasant smile to Twilight, in return. "What are you doing?" She questioned, watching her new mentor with a slight interest.
Fluffing her wings, Twilight made a cloud of random writing and reading assortment float above their heads. She felt a growing heat burn her cheeks and tried to hide her embarrassment by hanging her head. Doing so, she noticed the state of her mane, which only added to her embarrassment and made her flush harder. "Oh, nothing. Nothing at all." Twilight nervously laughed, fixing her appearance with a few nimble swipes of her forehooves.
Starlight raised an eyebrow and gave Twilight a deadpan look. "Are you sure about that?"
Sighing, Twilight separated her writing and reading utensils into an organised lay out, on the table, and teleported her rubbish out of sight with a bright, powerful burst of her magic. Her wings drooped and her ears fell flat against her mane as she examined her lap with a somewhat depressed look. "I'm unable to plan something."
Starlight spoke, her tone caring and considerate. "Carry on, but take you time. I don't want you to feel like I'm pushing you into doing something you don't want to do. " She covered her mouth with a forehoof and mumbled. "For now, it is better to avoid the tactics I used in my past."
"It's all right. It's finally about time I told somepony, anyway." Twilight assured Starlight, plucking up the courage to look the unicorn in the eyes. "You probably know about my obsession for planning and organizing, especially after witnessing me sort through that massive list of options, I made, for your first friendship lesson." She paused for confirmation, and continued after Starlight nodded. "It is very unusual for me not to be able to plan something. In fact, I was only unable to do it once! Any other time, I could do it with only a few minor problems, that I was able to sort out along the way. But, that's not the main thing that is bothering me. You see... " She explained, in detail, what happened the day before and how the date was her first one. "...which is why I have been stuck to my throne for most of the day. Everything has to be perfect. It just has to."
Clicking her tongue on the roof of her mouth, Starlight rhythmically drummed her hooves in thought. "What have you been aiming for, specifically?"
Twilight altered her posture so that her back was straight, her wings firmly pressed against her sides and her mind focused as she entered speech mode. "A prestigious outing in Canterlot. The options for transport would obviously be either train or a pegasus-drawn carriage. As soon as we arrive, a restaurant for dinner that only suits royalty should suffice. For entertainment--"
"Is that what you want?" Starlight asked, interrupting Twilight's monologue.
Twilight tried to explain, "Well, yes because everything has to be--"
"Is that what you want?" Starlight repeated, desperately trying to emphasize her point.
In shock, Twilight sat in silence with her features displaying bewilderment. Was that what she wanted? Now that she properly thought about it, she realised that something like that was the complete opposite of what she wanted. She shook her head. "No."
"Well, what do you want?" Starlight pointed a forehoof at Twilight.
Instantly, and almost automatically, Twilight answered with little to no thought. "To make Applejack happy."
Pulling her forehooves off the table, Starlight teetered backwards towards one of the thrones and fell onto the dark blue padding. Craning her neck upwards, there, engraved at the top of the throne's back, was Pinkie Pie's Cutie Mark. Glueing her eyes back onto Twilight, she further questioned. "Do you really think that Applejack would like all of that high class stuff?" Starlight's eye twitched as she pronounced the three last words.
Twilight sighed. Why was it only now she realised that her objectives were pretty much pointless? "Now that I properly think about it, not at all. After all..." She trailed of, tracing circles, with a forehoof, on the throne's foreleg-rest whilst she retained her watch on nothing but her hoof.
Surprised by Twilight's odd demeanour, Starlight asked. "Twilight... what's wrong?"
Twilight didn't move; she just continued to hang her head. Jumping out of her seat Starlight hastily cantered to Twilight's side, placing a forehoof on the Alicorn's arched back. Quivering at the unexpected touch, Twilight slowly turned her head. She looked at Starlight, fear locked in her eyes, and mumbled something incoherent to even herself, never mind Starlight. By any chance, she was even quieter than Fluttershy.
"Pardon?" Starlight questioned, rubbing her ears.
Slightly louder, Twilight repeated herself but Starlight just presented her with an expression of confusion. "I'm terrified!" The sudden outburst made Starlight coil back out of utter shock. Her pupils were pinpricks and she tripped over her hooves as clumsily backed away, dropping to the floor with a violent thud!
Clambering back onto her four hooves, Starlight winced as she tenderly rubbed her sore flanks. "Of what?" She tilted her head whilst giving Twilight a quizzical look.
Rubbing her hooves, Twilight explained, in a moderately quieter and calmer tone. "Of everything! I have absolutely no idea what is going to happen. And one of those reasons is because I cannot think of anything suitable for out date, never mind decent. What if what I plan goes wrong? How will Applejack react to that? Badly! She could get really upset, and I do not want that to happen because... because..." She stared into Starlight's eyes, her own brimming with enough fear and anxiousness for not just Equestria, but the whole world.
Rapidly blinking, Starlight pondered over what she had learned throughout there conversation. Suddenly, something flashed into her mind when she flinched backwards. "Twilight... do you want the date to go well?"
"Yes," Twilight gave Starlight, for the first time in their conversation, a straight answer. "But," She continued. "I don't know... but I can't..."
Starlight gave Twilight a knowing smile. "Why don't you start with comparing what both of you like?"
As soon as what Starlight had said registered in Twilight's mind, her features lit up. "Starlight, you're a genius!"
"Where you takin' me Twi'?" Applejack interrogated.
Twilight gided the blindfolded mare forwards by hooking her forehoof around the outstretched foreleg. "You'll just have to wait and see!" She giggled, swatting away the sly, oncoming hoof as it reached for the cherry cloth.
Applejack playfully pouted. "Do I have to?"
"Yes!" Twilight simpered. As they neared a turn in their path, she eased the pull to the side and both of them continued walking in a somewhat straight line.
"Why?" Applejack, though blinded, flashed Twilight a devious grin.
"Because it'll ruin the surprise!" Twilight exclaimed, swinging her hips and bouncing her flank against Applejack's flank. "Do you ever stop asking questions?"
"What 'bout you?" Applejack teased.
Twilight gasped, pretending to be offended. "I only you asked the one time! Unlike you." She paused, replaying the previous few second through her mind. "Four times! Four whole times! Four!"
"There ain't nothing like askin' a few questions, know is there?" Applejack elbowed Twilight, offseting her balance, which was quickly steadied by a few adjustments.
"Five!"
"Oh, quit it will you Twi?" Applejack laughed.
"Six! And no,--" She placed the other forehoof on her chest, keeping her upright position by powerfully fluttering her wings. "--'I shalt not, espcially to thee, fairest Applejack!" Twilight declared, imitating Old Equs.
"Well, can I just ask one more darn question?"
"You just did!" Twilight deadpaned, dropping back to the ground with a light thud. As her forehoof made contact with the dirt road, a cloud of dust formed, rising and slowly billowing while dancing through the air. Coughing, spluttering and wearing as tears began to brim from her eyes, Twilight warned. "Don't mind the dust A.J." Her ears fell backwards, flat against her mane at the sound of Applejack chocking as well, and she sheepishly smiled. "My bad. Sorry."
"It ain't nothin', Twi'." Applejack croacked. "Just an accident. Don't worry 'bout it."
"Alright..." Twilight trailed off. The sudden silence bothered her, so she rummaged through her thoughts and plucked out something she wanted to know. "So, what did you actually what to ask me?"
"So know you want me to ask a question?" Applejack retorted, smiling coyly.
"Just ask the question." Twilight rolled her eyes, but retained her small smirk none the less.
"Alright, alright. Applejack paused. "You sure?"
"Yes."
"Your sure you're sure?"
"Yes!"
"Your sure you're sure you're sure?"
"Yes!"
Chortling, Applejack asked. "How much long with it take?"
Studying Applejack's goofy grin, Twilight's smirk grew. The country mare expected her to get irritated, didn't she? Well, she was defiantly not getting that satisfaction. "Oh well, I'm not completely sure because, you see..." She tried to explain, slowing down their pace until the movement of their legs completely petered out. "We're here."
"If that's the case, then can I remove that darn here blindfold?" Applejack asked, having felt Twilight remove her touch, and she pointed to the cloth draped over her face and securely tied.
"Well, yes..." Twilight said, a slight edge to her tone. "But, may I do the honours?"
"Sure you can sugar cube." Applejack replied.
Charging her horn with magic, the cloth was enveloped in a glowing, sparkly aurora. With surmountable ease, it unlaced the knot and floated it off Applejack's face. Light noticed her vulnerability and attacked her, blinding her with a sudden, harsh flash of brightness. Shielding her eyes with one of her forelegs, Applejack surveyed the area once they had adjusted: She stood in a clearing in her orchard. In the centre, a white-and-red-chequered blanket lay in the grass. On top of it, a basket lay with its flaps mysteriously closed.
"A picnic?" Applejack swung her head around, and speculated Twilight.
Nodding, Twilight motioned with her hooves. "Um... would you like to sit down?"
"Uh... sure." Applejack looked back to the opening, and began to trot forwards, and Twilight hastily followed close behind. Stepping onto the blanket, both of them dropped to their haunches. Breaking the awkward silence, Applejack asked, directing her gaze back to the Alicorn mare. "So... long did this take to plan?"
"Not long, really." Twilight fibbed, not wanting to distress Applejack with how long she sat on her throne for just planning. Suddenly her expression became panicky. "Though, it's not like I only spend ten minutes on it because that would be careless. I mean, what kind of friend would do that. None that I know of. So there's--"
Applejack shoved a forehoof in Twilight's mouth, raising an eye brow but smirking nonetheless. "Twi' there's no need to go off on one of your rants." She giggled having felt Twilight huff onto her hoof. "Or be a total stress case 'bout nothin'. I defiantly know it's darn sure as heck ain't like you to not plan somethin'."
Flushing a bright crimson and hastily avoiding the notice that she had been blushing a lot recently, heat travelled to the tips of Twilight's ears and she sheepishly smiled. "Uh... sorry?"
"No apology needed." Applejack's gaze flickered from Twilight's face to the basket and licked her lips, only able to guess its contents. "Now, can we move on to the food 'cause I'm famished?!"
Embarrassment fading away, as if it had never existed, Twilight willed open one of the flaps. "Oh... uh... sure." Each item glowing in her bright aurora, she pulled out a vase with a bouquet of apple-blossoms, two plates and various types of food. Placing the vase in the centre of the blanket, there was a plate set down in front of both ponies and the food organized in a practical way. "I mixed up our likes of certain types of food. Though, to be honest, there was not a massive difference. Surprisingly, I never noticed that before."
Applejack's forehooves were a blur as she reached for a large quantity of each type of food. Shoving a bite sized apple fritter into her gob, she attempted to speak, flecks of food flying everywhere. "Whsh thck?"
Pausing the action of raising the daisy sandwich in mid-sequence, Twilight playfully jabbed Applejack in the ribs. "Ew! A.J! That's disgusting! Were you never told to chew with your mouth closed, and not talk when your mouth if full?"
Gulping down the mouthful, Applejack crammed two fritters into her mouth. "Nope!" She shook her head.
"Well then, I shall tell you." Twilight announced, a ring of light-hearted authority present in her tone. "From here on out, I expect you to chew with your mouth closed, and not talk when your mouth is full."
Tapping a forehoof to her chin, Applejack gazed into the sky with her emerald eyes as her mouth straightened, in thought. She stuffed her gob with three more fritters. "Nah."
"How do you do that?!" Twilight asked, flabbergast.
"Do what?" Applejack countered.
"Put so much food into your mouth at once." Twilight expanded, continuing with her food when her stomach permitted an irritated growl.
"Well, I just grabbed this here food, raise it to my lips, open my mouth and push it in." Applejack explained, thumping her chest as she released a loud belch.
Lobbing a cloth at Applejack's face, Twilight stuck out her tongue. "Seriously! Now I know why Rarity, out of all of the six of us, finds your manners the most disgusting!"
"What manners?"
"Exactly!"
Pulling the cloth off her face, Applejack shook her head. Looking to Twilight, who was assorting a small refill of food onto her plate, then at her food, of which smelled absolutely delicious, the cogs in her mind began to form. Gathering even more food onto the already overflowing plate, much to Twilight's astonishment, Applejack rubbed her forehooves together.
She face planted her food.
"Oh, for Celestia's sake, Applejack!" Twilight cried, witnessing her friends actions. She observed as the country Earth Pony gradually lifted her face from the mountain of mush. Dripping from her features were an assortment of pastry, fruit and juicy fluids.
Licking around her cheeks, Applejack ebbed her tongue towards the nourishment she could reach, which was microscopic when compared with the full percentage that painted her face and even mane. Innocently, she smiled at Twilight. "This sure is as darn tasty as heck, Twi'."
Huffing at Applejack's ignorance, Twilight levitated the cloth from her orange hooves to her messy face. Slapping it on, she wiped along Applejack's features, much to her dismay. She bit her top lip, holding back laughter. She oh-so wanted to keep a serious face and teach the apple farmer a lesson. Even if she was doing as a joke. "Seriously?" Twilight raised an eyebrow.
"What?" Twilight gently whipped Applejack with the cloth, causing the country mare to pout in return. "Yes, seriously." She folded her forelegs, and raked her brain for a different topic. Different topic... Different topic... hmm. Aha! "So, how'd you cook this here food, anyway."
Surprised by the unexpected sudden change in topic, Twilight brushed it off with a shrug. Satisfied with the cleanliness of her date's face, she dropped into the basket. Crossing her forelegs, she began to explain. "Well, I had Spike help me. You know I'm not much of a cook, so I didn't want to risk burning anything - especially when I wasn't cooking something because that always seems to appear more burnt than the food that's actually been in the oven. I mean, how does that even work?!" Twilight threw her hooves into the air, complete bafflment dominating her features.
"Well then, next time I see Spike, I'll be sure to tell the little dragon what a talented little cook he is." Applejack commented, gesturing to the food. "Anyway, why's you go about plannin' this date when it was me who had the feel in' in the first place?"
Passing Applejack a confused expression, Twilight swallowed her food and pointed to herself. "Because technically I was the one who asked you."
Applejack shook her head. "That's only 'cause you over heard me singin' that song. If you hadn't had heard that song then, I would've planned this here date. And 'cause it was me with the feelin', why did you put in all the effort?" She question, adding quickly. "Not that I have anythin' wrong with it."
Twilight giggled anxiously. "Well, because I viewed it as me having asked, it made me want to plan. One thing lead to another and so on and so fourth..." She trailed off, rubbing the tips of her hooves together, drawing tiny, invisible circles.
Applejack raised her forehooves in defence. "Okay, okay. I here you. You could've told me though."
"That'd ruin the surprise!"
"Your starting' to sound like Pinkie Pie when you keep sayin' that." Applejack continued. "It would've saved me a heck a lot of time with all of the nervous visions and breakdowns I had about the date when I was plannin' it. Well, when I thought I was planning' it."
Jaw dropping, Twilight gasped. "Oh A.J., I so sorry! I can do more than imagine how you felt."
"Why's that?"
Squirming, Twilight massaged the bridge of her noise when the unpleasant memory flashed to the front of her mind. She cringed. "Let's just say, I struggled as well." Twilight stopped speaking, and resumed her meal. The both ate in a silence that completely lacked awkwardness; it was peaceful and they both enjoyed it. After a while, Twilight cleared her plate, and Applejack concluded helping herself to massive, mountain-like refills. Wiping at the crumbs on the edges of her mouth, Twilight looked to Applejack. "Are you full?"
"Not quite like a pig havin' eaten ten tons o' slop, neither am I as skinny as a hawk in an Appleloosa ranch house." Applejack uttered, her countryisms naturally kicking in. Twilight attempted to make sense of what was said to her, but Applejack persisted in her explanation. "Basically, I could eat a little more."
An array of plates swirled into the air, floating about like water lilies gracefully bobbing on the surface of a gentle and calm current. Illuminated by a sparkly, glowing cloud, they cast a tinge of magenta on the surrounding stationeries and beings. The basket flap assumed a role in the display, and lifted open. One by one, each of the plates danced out of view and the light eventually dimmed before disappearing.
"If that's the case, would you like some dessert?" Twilight asked. After receiving an eager nod from Applejack, a white-cloth-wrapped parcel emerged from the other side of the basket as the opposite flap was opened. A sweet aroma instantly became present, though mild, it was one the apple farmer knew all to well. He mouth watered at the idea, and the desire to devour the delectable nutriment whilst saviour its amazing flavour only grew stronger as it was slowly unwrapped and the smell became more powerful. Licking her lips, Applejack was suddenly interrupted from her reverie by the sound of Twilight's voice. "So what do you think?"
The slice of heaven was placed onto the ground and slid towards Applejack by an iris purple coloured hoof. The pastry was perfectly golden, absolutely no burns. The surface did not so much as have a scratch, only the embroidery of four fleur-de-lises in the centre and immaculately drawn swirls, that displayed no difference on any area, adorned the circumference. It out shone the silver container it was presented in. What did she think? She though it was one of the most astounding pie she had ever seen!
Applejack could not make any sound. When her brain made the order to say something, her tongue and voice box refused to co-operate. The only part of her features that followed what it was told to do, was her jaw and it only bothered to do half of it. All it did was hang open.
To her dismay, Twilight's expression morphed into hurt and disappointment. Her ears folded back, flat against her mane and she muttered. "So, I take it that..." She sighed. "...don't like it?" She was a fool to think that Applejack would be impressed by it.
"No!"
Twilight jolted to attention, started by the unexpected out burst.
"What I mean is..." Applejack briskly formulated what she was going to say, nervously rubbing her neck. "What I meant to say was that, "No, I do like it." She explained. "In fact, Twi', that sure is as heck one of the darn best pie I ever have seen. For a start, that smell!" She patted her stomach and made a pleasant 'mmm'-ing noise. "I cannot place words for how good it smells!"
Ears flicking all the way up, a grin grew on Twilight's face. Her prise sweltered to bursting point and she flared her wings in cheer as her forehooves shot into the air. "You have absolutely no idea how good that makes me feel!" She gushed.
"Oh, I'm sure I do, sugar cube." Applejack chuckled. "I'm sure I do."
"Would you like a slice?" Twilight leaned forwards, her forehooves forming grooves in the blanket and earth from the amount of pressure she exerted onto her forelegs.
"What would happen if I said 'no'?" Applejack wickedly smiled.
A grin of Twilight's own grew on her features as a nefarious look manifested. She raised one of her eyebrows and rested her head in her forehooves as she lent on her foreknees, all the while giving Applejack a half lidded stare. "You'd have one very peeved princess." She whispered, relishing in the shock it brought to Applejack's face.
"Oh no!" Applejack flailed her forehooves above her head in mock fear. "It would be be the end of everything as we know it!"
Rolling her eyes while giggling, Twilight recharged her horn with magic. Once again, one of the basket flaps opened. A knife drifted through the aperture, slicing through the air as it spiralled towards the pie. It stopped. A beam of light struck the metal blade, but was deflected by no more than a mere swish. Thinner beams of light cascaded through the air, swaying from surface to surface as Twilight commandeered it towards the pie.
The blade's tip abutted the pie's lid, and Twilight winced, as if she was in pain, when it furrowed through the delicate pastry. Once the blade's tip reached the pie's base, like a lever, it advanced down, cutting a long, straight line from the centre to the circumference. Juice spilled out, cause both mare's to lick their lips. Resurfacing, the blade repeated the process three more times.
Putting the knife away, Twilight's eyes flickered back to the country mare's face. "Would you like a slice?" She repeated.
"You sure as heck know I do!" Applejack nodded, flashing the Alicorn a grin.
The two remaining plates were brought to the pie. Twilight, ever so carefully slow, elevated each piece out of the silver container, one at a time, and placed them onto the plates. Sliding Applejack's plate towards her, she slid the plate to herself, with her magic. "Here you go." She passed along a fork, behind the slice of pie.
"Thanks." Applejack said. Twilight watched her date break of a large piece of the pie, scoop it onto the fork and raise it towards her lips. Opening her mouth, wide, Applejack snatched it out of the fork's possession and claimed it for her own with a quick snap of her jaw. Retrieving the fork from the inside of her gob, like the sun, her face instantly lit up. Twilight could have sworn that all of the near by shadows disappeared, retreating from the merciless light. "Twi'..., this... pie... is... amazing!" She exclaimed between mouthfuls, moaning in utter bliss.
Witnessing Applejack's delight, Twilight made a start on her own slice. "Thanks." She mumbled, feeling heat rise from her chin, all the way to the tips of her ears.
"Who made this?" Applejack asked. "Was it Spike? Why, is it is, the next time I see that little --"
"No it wasn't Spike." Twilight hid behind her forehooves, peaking through a small gap. "it was me."
A loud clatter graced Twilight's ears, when Applejack dropped her fork and it made violent contact with the plate. Her mouth hung open, moving although no sound came out. Finally, the flabbergast mare managed to choke out. "You made this?" She pointed to the remains of her slice of pie. When Twilight nodded, she repeated herself. "You made this?" As she said 'you' she pointed at the Alicorn, trying to hide behind her wings, and as she said 'this' she pointed at her slice of apple pie. "How?"
"With a lot of trial and error." Twilight said, surprising even herself at how flat her tone was. Her ears perked up at another unexpected noise. She followed them to see Applejack slowly clapping her forehooves together. Knocking the orange forehooves out of motion with her own iris purple colour forehoof, Twilight announced. "Please don't do that A.J." She smiled sheepishly.
"Uh... Okay." Applejack said, her tone confused. She picked her fork up. "So, what do you been by 'with a lot of trial and error'?"
Swallowing her mouthful, Twilight explained. "Well, since I can't normally cook much, the amount of times I burnt the test pies was..." She paused to count in her head. "I don't know because I kind of... lost count. You see, partly due to Spike having cooked the other foods, I felt as if I had just dumped everything on him and, also, because I wanted to have a nice desert while I had this random urge to bake something. I gathered all of the cook books I could find, read them from cover to cover, before starting my first attempt. That pie end had a miserable life, fortunately it was short lived. After many attempt, Spike said I had made a good pie, but I wanted it to be perfect. So I kept on backing, until I ended up with this." She gestured towards her slice of pie. "And that's what I meant when I said 'with a lot of trial and error'."
Applejack's eyes went wide. "Well, your effort defiantly not waisted."
Twilight bashfully kneaded her left forehoof with her right forehoof and quietly murmured. "I also had a little help..." She trailed off.
"Who from?" Applejack pressed for more information, her tone full of curiosity.
"Um... Applebloom."
"Applebloom?!" Applejack screeched, her forehooves fully outstretched and her back legs crouched as she stood and all of them. She stared at Twilight intently, making the Alicorn squirm, not blinking and not moving. "H-how? W-why?"
"When I was backing the pie, Spike complained that he hardly had anyone to talk to because I was to intent on my creation and Starlight was out with Trixie. It made me feel guilty, I suggested that he invite someone over. That kept him busy for a small amount of time, then he came back to the castle with Applebloom. After the filly had been there for a while, she found me in the kitchen, asking for a drink. Then she noticed my many--" Twilight grimaced. "--failed attempts. Offering to help, I accepted. Surprisingly, though I guess it shouldn't have been considering she's apart of the Apple family, she was really talented. With her help my attempts where less...," She tapped her chin in though. "Uh... miserable?"
"I didn't know that filly was such a darn good as heck of a teacher!" Swinging one of her forehooves, Applejack cheered proudly.
Twilight swallowed around a lump in her unusually dry throat. Why was Applejack not bothered? Chugging down some water, she hesitantly asked. "So your not bothered about her showing me your family recipe?"
"Why am I not bothered?" Applejack sounded almost offended. "Your one of my best friends for Celestia's sake. It's not like your gonna go and sell it to the rest of Equestria, now are you?"
"No."
"Then there you go!"
The sun shone down on the hill, of which, under the shade of one of the many apple trees, Twilight lay on her back. With both of her forehoof acting as a pillow for her head to rest on, her wings splayed out as she soaked up the warmth. Positioned next to her was Applejack, who folded her forelegs and crossed her back legs. They both gazed to the bright blue sky, watching as the clouds lazily drifted along.
Applejack pointed upwards, her eyes flashing with a sudden delight. "That one there looks like an apple."
"Hm?" Twilight asked, her noise deep within the pages of a book. "That's good."
Revolving her head around, to look at the mare next to her, Applejack pursed her lips in annoyance and her ears flattened out in annoyance. "Did you even hear what I just said?"
"That's wonderful."
"I knew it!" Applejack accused, now pointing her forehoof at Twilight. "Your not listening to me!"
"How delightful." Twilight automatically mono-toned, deeply entranced in the contents of her book. "Hey A.J, did you know that there isn't actually any shape in the clouds when we look at them? It's called 'Pareidolia', and--" Two orange hooves wrapped around the front and back cover, snapped it shut and snatched it out of Twilight's grasp, her magic fizzling away. "Hey!" She yelled. "A.J.! Give that back!"
Already at the bottom of the hill, Applejack stuck out her tongue whilst smirking, clutching the book to her chest. "Come and get it, why don't you?"
Instantly, Twilight sprang to all four of her hooves. Revving up her legs and focusing her mind to scour through the knowledge she had collected, from books, for running techniques, she began her pursuit on Applejack. As she quickly galloped, the rhythmic clopping of her hooves on the ground and her deep breaths for oxygen played through the air as she accelerated down the steep hill, carefully not misplacing any of her hooves so she would not topple over.
At first, she was easily able to maintain her speed: the wind whipping at her flailing mane and tail, whilst caterwauling in her ears, fed the adrenaline rush that surged throughout her body; her technique, though not flying, allowed her to be aerodynamic and, when her hooves threw her body forwards, to use her power to maximum efficiency.
Soon, her calm breaths gradually became heavily heaving gasps as her muscles started to ache due to overuse and a lack of oxygen. Her galloping pace slowed more and more before it became a hasty trot. Then, all of a sudden, her legs stopped, very almost going to buckle under her bodyweight. Applejack became an ever shrinking orange dot on the horizon - she was just to fast!
Sighing in defeat, Twilight dropped to the ground. For the first time in her life, she willingly wanted to give up. Her hooves ached, her biceps ached, her thighs ached - all of the joints connected to her legs ached. Practically her whole body ached. With her each haggard breath, the tightness in her chest deceased. With each passion second, Applejack got further and further away (Had she not noticed Twilight's lack of running?), the more her mind delved deeper and deeper into thought.
Realisation walloped Twilight across her cheek so hard she felt the sting. Though it only acted once, it was firm, precise and gave the message. Inspiration was fresh and pure, like the first day of spring. Clambering to her hooves with a sudden found strength, Twilight did nothing to fight back at the rapidly growing grin.
She was going to get her book back.
Bending her forelegs, Twilight bowed in a battled-like stance as if she was a perilous predator planning their pounce in its pregnable prey. Flaring her wings to their full extending, with great power, she thumped the air, stealing all of the force there was available to her wingspan and muscle.
Twilight was a bullet as she propelled herself into the sky, driving herself further beyond her limits with each and every flap. To be seen like this, she knew Rainbow Dash would be proud. Partly due to seeing her friend do so well, and the other part would be to her flying lessons paying of. It would do well for the pegasus's ego, but not anypony else.
At a speed Twilight though she could only dream of, the orange dot, of Applejack's appearing to be tiny being, enlarged. Outstretching her foreleg, from being tucked under her chest, she adjusted her posture into a dive-like way and angled her wings in mid flap, allowing herself to glide down through the air.
Twilight was a missile, drawing closer and closer to the ground with each passing second. Once she reached a certain distant from the ground, she pulled up and formed a quarter circle, flying straight through the air again. Applejack was directly beneath her, galloping and naturally able to contain her speed.
As soon as Twilight's shadow passed over head, she glanced upwards. "No fair!" She called.
Smirking, Twilight shook her head. "Not really," She retorted. "You have the advantage of running while I have flight. It seems fair to me."
"You sound like Rainbow when you say that!" Applejack remarked.
"No I don't."
"Yes I do."
"Why's that then?" Applejack asked, pressing her lips together to prevent her own smirk forming, probably thinking she had Twilight outdone with her question. Twilight mentally chuckled - oh how wrong she was.
"Well," Twilight quickly scanned the sky, as to make she did not crashing in to something. She gasped at what she saw and a slight panic spread through her system. "A.J., watch out for the waterhole!" She cried.
Vigorously shaking her head, Applejack stuck her tongue out. "Know, I ain't fallin' for the that trick!" To prove her point, forced herself faster, her panting finally visible, all the while, not taking her sight off Twilight.
"But A.J--"
"Now, now, Twi'" Applejack wiggled a forehoof, stumbling violently and when placing it back into motion.
Grunting, Twilight creased her brow and crossed her foreleg. If Applejack was not going to let her speed, then she certainly was not less unfair about her tactics. Angling her wings, she descended backing in a dive. A little closer and her magic would be able to reach. Unexpectedly, Twilight's wings faltered, and she was sent, hurtling into Applejack. Upon impact, both mares had air pushed out of their lungs with an auditable "Oof!", which adapted into hysterical screams when they plummeted downwards.
Splash!
Mildly cold water seeped into Twilight's fur, stealing the heat from her body. Her main was soaked, the drops drip, drip, driping onto her face, bunching together to run into her eyes and leap of her chin.
Splat!
"Ouch! Ouch! It stings!" Applejack complained, her features showing ambivalence as physical pain mixed in with shock. Treading water, she made herself remain buoyant.
Twilight raised an eyebrow, not bothering to hold back a burst of laughter.
"What's so funny?" Applejack asked.
"Oh A.J!" Twilight choked out, between laughs. "I thought that you, of all ponies, would know how to properly landing in water when falling... er diving from afar!" She explained, and then pointed at Applejack. "Oh, and that noise it made when you made impact with the water! Though it surely sounded painful, they way you belly-flopped onto the water was just priceless!" She looked to Applejack; the mane had her ear pressed, flats against her main, the tips pointing respectively to the side of the head they were on, but the most dominated part was who she glared at Twilight in a way she had never seen from the country mare before. "What?"
Spinning herself around, so that her back was so Twilight, mystically (much to Twilight's amazement and wonder), Applejack reared up in the water. As if she was bucking a stubborn apple tree, she rammed her back legs through the water. The mystery of what she was doing shrivelled up, and Twilight's jaw dropped as realisation slapped her across the face (again, much to her chagrin).
A massive wave, humongous and powerful, was heading her way. She needed to move, but her muscles refused to comply - she was frozen stiff. Three; Twilight closed her eyes. Two; through her noise, she took in a deep breath. One; water impelled into her face, forcing her to hurtle backwards. It went up her noise, and she even swallowed large quantities. "Blah!" Twilight spat, a rapidly waterfall slaying from her mouth. She frowned and pursed her lips.
"Beat that!" Applejack gleefully exclaimed, thrusting a forehoof into the air.
Twilight charged her horn, and it became encased in a powerfully glowing cloud sparkly magic. The surface of the water, in several areas around Twilight, began to violently ripple. Droplets of water combusted in the air, forming a series of small, floating water-balls. In a circle, she spanned them around her. She grinned at Applejack, devilish. "Oh, I will."
Again, Applejack and Twilight sat under the shade of the apple tree. This time, both of them gazed into the sky, so close together, they were nearly touching.
Twilight turned her head to look at the mare next to her. "A.J.?"
"Yes, Twi'?"
Swallowing, Twilight continued. "So... what do you think of today?''
"Shouldn't I be the one to ask you that?'' Applejack smiled, coyly.
"Just answer the question!''
"Alright, alright!" Applejack raised her forehooves in defence. "I had fun.'' She admitted. "Though, I'm gonna guess it wasn't exactly part of you plan, now, was it?"
Twilight shook her head. "Far from it.'' She confirmed. "I still enjoyed myself, though.''
"If that's the case, then...'' Applejack paused, a crimson blush glowing on her cheeks as she nervously rubbed the back of her neck. "Would you like t-to do it again?''
For a short while, silence braced the air as Twilight mused over the question. Tapping her chin, a smile slowly formed. She nodded. "Yes, A.J." She said, her tone melodic and like velvet. "I would.''
Neither if them said anything further. Twilight draiped one of her wings over Applejack's back as they both turned their attention back to the sky; it was sunset. Twilight watched with an unwavering gaze, as a fiery red orb of light slowly sank beneath the horizon, and threads of light lingered in the sky, mingling with the rolling clouds, dyeing the heavens first orange, then red, then dark blue, until all that was left of the sunset was a chalky mauve, and then that melted away in turn as stygian darkness took over the sky. Sequin-silver stars like the glowing embers of a dying fire winked down at her, illuminating the atramentous curtain of sky, and then suddenly the clouds parted, and sue found vederle looking at a lustrous, argent disc casting brilliant rays of moonlight onto the dark grounds.
Though it was the end of the day, it was only the begging her.
