"Oh dear horse-heavens! Excuse me, darling. I'm so sorry! Allow me to just squeeze through here — oh for friendship's sake! Move it or lose it! "
Rarity raced through the maze of ponyville, various tools held within her magical grip. Her face was twisted in absolute horror while fear struck her heart for the seventh time that morning. She didn't care about the protesting pony-folk that were too slow to move out of her way. All that mattered was that her friend was in dire need of her help, or so she believed. Regardless, Rarity wasn't going to allow Applejack to do this on her own. At first, she was skeptical of the rumors; rumors of the orange mare planning to ask a special pony out on a date. But after hearing the news for the sixth time, she made it her mission to confront the earth pony herself and help if the rumors were confirmed to be true.
It wasn't long before the view of Sweet Apple Acres began to appear, causing the ivory unicorn to run faster than Pinkie Pie on a sugar rush. Without hesitation, she crashed through the doors of the Apple Family's barn, only to find a dumbstruck Big Mac surrounded by farm supplies scattered in disarray.
"Where is she?" Rarity demanded with wandering eyes.
She wasted no time turning her full attention on the cowering stallion, her blue eyes narrowed accusingly as if Big Mac was the cause of her absent friend. The unicorn's patience began to wear thin as the stallion hesitated to answer her question with his gaze looking past her; most likely staring at the floating cosmetic supplies and colored fabric.
"Uh..."
"I don't have time for this," she said with frustration. "Is she in the farm house?"
"Nope."
"The hen house?"
"Nope."
"She's apple-bucking isn't she?"
"Eeeyup!"
"Which part of the fields?" she said, growing more impatient.
"South fields. But she made it clear she didn't want to be — er disturbed." the poor stallion barely had time to finish as Rarity raced out of the barn with her army of fashion supplies behind her.
After what seemed like hours, she finally spotted the orange mare resting underneath an apple tree with her hat tipped over her face. The steady rise and fall of her chest indicated that her friend was taking a well deserved nap. Rarity halted before Applejack, panting as she gazed upon the sleeping farmer. She had to admit, it was quite the adorable sight, but there was no time for lazying about. Not when there were more important matters to handle.
"Applejack!" Rarity shouted briefly, dropping all her tools behind her.
She watched the mare wake with a jolt; hat sliding from her face and green eyes locking onto her blue gaze. From the looks of it, AJ was waking from a nice dream. Too bad the sight of her and her falling fashion gear made Applejack think she was a living nightmare.
"What in the hay is goin' on here?" AJ said with annoyance laced in her tone.
"I don't know, Applejack. What is going on?" Rarity edged closer to the waking mare with her eyes narrowed and nostrils flared.
She couldn't believe what she was seeing, then again, this was Applejack. She was always belittling everything as if it was another normal day in Sweet Apple Acres. How could she behave so nonchalantly at a time like this? As if sleeping beneath the shade of an apple tree was an appropriate course of action. It was a good thing she was here, only Celestia knows what a wreck AJ would be without her. Rarity was able to catch on to the fact that the earth pony wasn't good mood for another one of her "drama episodes", let alone a guessing game. But that couldn't be helped. She rested her unwavering gaze on the farmer as she dragged herself up on her hooves and spoke.
"I'm not sure what you're getting at," Applejack looked away. "But I do know what's going on right now. And right now, you're interruptin' my nap. Is this here some kind of emergency?"
"Emergency!?" Rarity echoed, widening her eyes in astonishment.
"Yes. Y'know, like evil bad guys threatening to take over Equestria that can only be stopped by the magic of friendship. Another stampede heading for Ponyville. Anything that would require you barging out here to shout my name. Though I can't understand why you'd bring those with you." she nodded towards her supplies, a look of disgust on her face.
"Oh don't you play dumb with me, Applejack. We've known each other for far too long," Rarity frowned. "Since you lack the maturity to drop this, t-this charade, I guess I'll be the pony to say it: what's this I hear about you planning to ask somepony on a date?"
"Gosh, darn it, Pinkie Pie." AJ muttered.
The earth pony instinctively flinched from Rarity's inquiry as she did her best to avoid her blue gaze. Leave it up to the party pony to keep a secret. It was a wonder why she told Pinkie in the first place, but being caught practicing a "wanna date?" proposal gave her no choice but to satisfy Pinkie's curiosity. Otherwise, she would've been stuck with a loud begging nuisance without an off-switch. Shrugging in defeat, Applejack trotted over to her apple cart and fastened herself onto the metal harness.
"Fine, ya caught me. I was gonna ask'em tomorrow once all the chores were done," Applejack began to pull the wagon towards the barn. "But that still doesn't explain why you came running out here like a pony hooked on some special fertilizer."
"Applejack!" Rarity said as she raced after the retreating pony. She wasn't sure how she felt with hearing the news. The fact that her friend didn't trust her enough to say she had a love interest hurt, but at least it was confirmed.
"I'm very disappointed in you, darling. You of all ponies should know I am the perfect pony to seek guidance from when it comes to these things. But no matter! I forgive you," she said with a blossoming smile. "I'm here now, and we have a lot of work to do with so little time. Sweet Celestia! Applejack, the main pony — aside from Rainbowdash of course — who grimaced at the thought of love is about to ask a special somepony out on a date!" The white mare couldn't contain her squeal of delight as she pranced beside the embarrassed farm pony who did well to shoot her annoyed glares.
"Hold your horses, Rarity. I ain't seeking guida-" AJ began but was quickly interrupted as the unicorn rambled on.
"Who is this special somepony, might I ask? Ah, is it that new rough and tumble stallion that moved here a few weeks ago? He is quite the handsome fellow, is he not?"
"No, but th-"
"No wait, it's Caramel! Yes, yes I can see it now! Though he's a bit too rugged for my taste. Oh who am I kidding? This is your taste we're talking about after all"
"We ain't talkin' about no one's tas-"
"Oh goodness! Is it Roseluck? You both certainly share an interest in, um...dirt and it's plant life. The possibilities are endless!"
"Will you stop your guessin' already? It's-"
"You're right, Applejack," Rarity stomped her hoof into the soft soil beneath her, flinching from it's pulpy texture. "We have no time for that! Whoever it is, they are certainly lucky to win your interest. Besides, I simply adore a good love mystery! Now, how do you plan to ask this special pony out?"
"Pardon?" Applejack skidded to a halt, cheeks burning red with a mixture of embarrassment and confusion.
"You did have a plan right?" Rarity inquired coolly as she slowed to a stop. "Dear, surely you won't waltz in their presence with some bland proposal? That is not the way to win one's interest to give you the time of day."
"Well what in tarnation is the way?" AJ retorted.
Rarity failed to notice the sarcasm within her friend's tone, because as soon as those words left Applejack's lips, she tackled the farm pony to the ground. Alas, this was her moment to guide Applejack on the path to romance!
"Oh Applejack, darling! Allow me to show you the way!"
Author's Note
Working on something a little more light to improve on writing. Second chapter will be released next week!
Step 1: The Approach
Applejack faced many hardships, but never had she felt so defeated in her entire life. The mare was nearly dragged the rest of the way home, making note to seek Rarity's assistance the next time she needed help with plowing the fields. There was no use in convincing Rarity to back out of this, especially with the white mare pushing in the situation so forcefully in the first place. So with extreme reluctance, Aj decided to go along with whatever Rarity had in mind — regret would be a sure thing by sundown.
As the pair neared the barn, Applejack couldn't help but grow nervous. While she appreciated the unicorn's generosity (no pun intended), the idea that Rarity would aid her in scoring a date with her interest was unsettling. She had hoped to do it her way; to simply ask for a night out of town and take things to another level. However, this wasn't too bad of an idea considering this was the drama queen of romance. And there was nothing wrong with getting some advice despite having the preference to give it. Throughout Aj's internal battle, Rarity babbled on about how much work that needed to be done.
"Darling, when I'm done with you, there's no way they'll refuse to accompany you out on a date. Unfortunately, we can't be thorough with the preparations as I want to be since I lack the knowledge of who you plan to ask out. We'll need to work on the basics: the approach, the proposal, and most of all, the look!"
"Sugarcube, I ain't gonna descend from pony-heaven with majestic wings and sing to'em about a date. And you can forget about bedazzlin my flank." Applejack retorted.
There was a long pause as Aj witnessed Rarity stammer with mock horror. "Wha? We-I-er-PSHA! I would never insinuate anything of the sort!"
"Uh-huh. Sure about that, Rare?"
"Absolutely positive!" Rarity frowned as she turned away. "Though I see nothing wrong with adding a little sparkle on that hide of yours." she added, a little crestfallen.
Rolling her eyes, Applejack nudged her friend gently in hopes to move the conversation along. While they certainly shared their differences, she hated to see Rarity feel down as well all her other loved ones. Besides, if there was a lot of work that Rarity claimed needed to be done, it only made sense to get started. It was as if both were stalling, though she wasn't quite sure why Rarity would stall on a perfect opportunity such as this.
"Well the day ain't goin any slower. What's first?"
Within a blink of an eye, Rarity vanished into thin air only to return a second later with a tall stack of books floating behind her. Her blue eyes sparkled enthusiasm while Aj sighed, wholly unimpressed — it didn't take the brains of Doctor Whooves to know where this would lead. Rarity proceeded to explain the exercise to the orange mare as she drew a line within the the dirt to circle the barn. Applejack watched her friend start off with demonstrating the exercise herself; gliding along the line while balancing the books upon her noggin.
"What in apple-bucking's name does this have to do with your guide to a perfect proposal?" she said, raising an eyebrow and wandering how in Equestria could her friend balance the books when there was a horn jutting from her head.
"It's simple," Rarity paused from her demonstration to face her doubtful friend. "Your approach is everything when it comes to these things. You mustn't trot all willy-nilly you silly filly! Close your eyes and imagine two stallions heading towards you — both with pure intentions to ask you out on a date"
Applejack didn't see that ever happening, but she decided to humor her friend as she nodded and closed her eyes.
"Excellent! Now, one gallops in your direction; each stride as effortless and powerful as the last with his head held high and gaze unwavering. Confidence shining brighter than his vibrant smile. And then there's the other; his head low and shoulders slumped as if he's already defeated. Hooves dragging behind him, wearing a broken expression. Which would capture your interest first?"
"Obviously the second, Rare." Applejack scoffed with opening eyes. Anypony with common sense would be realize something was wrong with that pony and naturally approach him to see what was the matter. Unless they were some oblivious being naturally attracted to anything sparkly and proud, which was describing her friend in a general sense. With this in mind, Aj sighed with hesitation before lowering her head.
"Ah, nevermind. Just put those darn things on my head so I can get this over with"
"That's the spirit!" Rarity chimed as she placed 3 books on the mare's head.
One would think that an exercise like this would come naturally to the earth pony, considering the known fact she carried buckets of apples and water on her head all the time to get the chores done. But oddly enough, she found a hard time completing the task without any mishaps (such as crashing down with books dropping around her like flies). She wasn't sure if it was because of Rarity's unsettling presence or the fact she was forced to walk on the tiniest line ever created by the hoof of any pony. Regardless, it was a struggle to keep her books balanced and her walk steady.
Three faceplants and book plunges later, Applejack started to get the hang of it. She failed to glide with an ease like Rarity, but it was close enough. Rarity was silent the whole time, watching with a wistful expression as Aj gave it her all with success as the result.
"Well done, love! Now that's the stride of a mare who's not going to take no for an answer!" Rarity praised
"I sure hope not," Aj shook the reading material off her head. "Not when I just raised the risk of neck pains in my future while toleratin' another pain in my as-"
"Ah, don't thank me just yet," Rarity interrupted, clearly oblivious to Aj implication. "This is just the beginning. I only wanted to get the easiest and most boring step out of the way despite it being important."
"More important than my looks?"
Applejack wasn't prepared as Rarity rounded on her with a wild look in her eyes and a wide grin on her face.
"Let's not skip to the last part, darling! And never make a mockery of fashion. You may not see it's importance — well, your love interest might not either, but even the most rugged of creatures have to appreciate a well groomed individual with some fashion sense! Oh goodness, we'll get to that later."
"I'll rather we not get to that at all," Applejack grumbled as she shook her mane with irritation. "I still don't see the point in carrying books on my head like some circus act. I think my trot is just fine"
"Well of course it is, darling!" Rarity chided with a guilty expression. "Do understand I'm not accepting of your um, ehh s-stylish ways. But one cannot frown down upon the chance of improvement, Applejack"
"Well can one frown upo—what in tarnation!!!" the farmer gasped.
Between both mares, an explosion of light erupted with lingering smoke following after. Out emerged the powerful purple alicorn herself, Twilight, as her eyes landed on Rarity. Without saying a word, she flashed the mare an angry glare before levitating all the books that were used for their exercise and disappeared within another blink. AJ instinctively shot Rarity an accusing glance as she waited for the obvious explanation as to what just happened. However, Rarity was only capable of returning an innocent smile
"What? I was already planning to return those. Now, ahem, let us continue shall we?" she said suggestively.
"Yes ma'am. So what's the next step?" Applejack asked.
Rarity leaned in close, batting her eyelashes as her expression turned soft. Applejack wasn't sure what triggered the change, but there was no denying the warmth that spread through her cheeks as she took a few steps back. Something flashed within Rarity's eyes that Aj was too unsure to identify, but it was the unicorn's next words that nearly knocked her into a world of confusion:
"Applejack? We've been friends for quite sometime, but I'm afraid I cannot go on any longer wondering what it'll be like if we were more than friends. Would you do me the honor of accompanying me on a date? Let us see where the night will take us and hope it'll take us far!"
"What in Tartarus !" the farm pony shouted. "H-how di-...oh boy. Look Rare, I ain't su-"
She was immediately cut off by a steel glare from the frowning white mare.
"Do 'hold your horses', Applejack. I wasn't serious" Rarity said, seemingly offended by her friend's reaction.
Applejack blinked as more confusion filled her thoughts, but nodded appreciatively. At least Rarity was able to say that her proposal was an act before Aj said anything stupid she'd regret—a pony like Rarity never take rejection well. Soon enough, anger began to take over as the earth pony stomped a few feet away to get her thoughts in order.
"Well what the heck was that for then?" she asked.
"It was the introduction to your next lesson, darling" Rarity replied with a wicked grin.
Author's Note
*coughs* I believe we all know where this is going, but I hope to write this well enough that the journey towards the end is enjoyable. Criticism appreciated, third chapter coming soon!
