Inattentive to Others Incentive

Nothing beats a good cloud nap when it comes to relaxing, nope, nothing at all. I yawned just a bit, nothing too much. Sure, the last couple of days have been a bit slow, but that doesn’t make them any less exhausting, I mean, Rarity sure has been acting weird lately, so that definitely adds to me feeling like this.

Seriously, it’s like she’s been put under mind control, or something, I’ve never seen her act this way before. It’s usually dresses this, or fashion that, maybe even a fancy dinner party thrown in there. Yuck, I’m getting sick just thinking of all that snobbish, upper-crust stuff. I have no idea why Rarity loves it so much.

Rarity, she’s been so touchy-feely, and always wanting to get my attention. Sure, I love to get people admiring me, but Rarity is starting to give Scootaloo a run for her money with how much admiration she’s throwing my way.

How long exactly has this even been going on, I can’t really tell. It just kinda started happening, and the times before it all just seem like normal events. Nothing too crazy aside from the occasional villain, but that’s normal by my standards. I don’t live a boring life after all.

Eh, I give up on trying to figure out when she started acting so weird. Probably be better to know what she was like before her crazy side kicked in. Let's see, she was always posh, that’s for sure. She would always go on and on about different fabrics, and what she wanted to make, and how we should help her out by trying on her work.

Now that I think about it, she’s actually been acting much the same, it’s just a couple new traits added onto her, ain’t that just great? It’s actually kinda funny that she’s acting this way, in a way, since we always seemed to be opposites on just about everything. I’m the athletic, and you can’t forget, awesome showpony who kicks major flank, while she’s just a fashion business mare. Those two careers never seem to meet eye to eye.

I mean, it’s not like I don’t like her or anything. In fact, I really like Rarity, she’s one of my closest friends, it’s just she’s throwing me for a loop lately. At first, yeah, we were more distant and didn’t talk too much outside of our friendship duties. As of right now, She’s really been growing on me, and I mean a lot.

I heard a shrill whistle come from below me all of a sudden, and honestly, I already knew who it was, but I went to greet her anyway. Even if the sudden break in my relaxation ticked me off just a bit.

“Yo, AJ. What’s up?” I asked, curious as to why she rudely interrupted my nap time.

Applejack smiled up at me, and asked in a pretty polite tone of voice. “Nothing much, RD. I was just passin’ through, when I suddenly saw a familiar cloud up above me. Thought I’d give ya a holler, and ask if ya wanna help me out on the farm, is all. So, are you up that?”

I really didn’t want to do anything, but relax up here on my nice, comfy, cloud bed. Applejack already knows I hate doing work around the farm, it’s just so boring, and repetitive. Just to mess with her a little, I put my hoof to my chin, and faked deep thought.

I then took a dramatic pause, making sure to put my friend on edge. When it looked like she just about had enough of my antics, I replied with a nonchalant. “Nah.”

Applejack’s look from my answer was priceless, she was taken aback, and had her eyebrow raised. Oh, ya should have seen it, it was great.

“What do ya mean, nah?” She gave me a stern look, and that only made me laugh even harder. Man, she’s so easy to mess with. It should be against the law, or something.

I decided to fib, just a little bit. She wouldn't be able to tell, would she? “I’ve been really busy lately, and all I want to do is take a nice nap up here, away from any farm work that might get in my way. I may even hit up Sugarcube Corner later, to congratulate myself on my hard work.”

I then turned away from her, laying on my cloud bed once again. She’ll get the hint, Applejack’s really good at that.

To my disappointment, it seems Applejack didn’t take the memo. I guess I can scratch her taking a hint off the list of traits she has. “I know you're speaking out your rear there Dash, besides, I can’t exactly let you leave my farm, anyway.”

That struck me as weird, even for AJ. She wouldn’t try to keep me hostage, would she? I’d like to see her try, I’d get out of it faster than you could say, "apple cider is awesome."

I then turned back to her, once again losing my relaxation to my pesky, farm pony,  friend. “And what exactly do you mean by that?” I made she to gave her a harsh raised eyebrow, that always seems to get ponies talking.

Applejack spoke up, I knew It’d work. “What I mean is, Rarity asked me to keep ya on my farm, until she could finish making a surprise for ya, Dash. Said it was real important that you didn’t go bargin’ into Ponyville until later this evening.”

Now I knew Rarity is being extra weird lately, not wanting me to come into Ponyville until a certain time. Practically getting the police to make sure it doesn’t happen. What is she, my mom? Then again, Applejack said it was meant to keep me from ruining a surprise she was making for me, or something. Never mind, scratch that weird business, now I’m hyped for that sweet, sweet reward.

I then decide to fly down from the cloud I was relaxing on, if I was gonna get a surprise from Rare’s later, I need to make time fly. What other way to get time to fly, then to do boring farm work, right?

“All right, AJ. I’ll help ya around the farm for now, but only because it’ll make time go by faster.” I didn’t want her thinking I was doing this because I wanted to.

Applejack chortled at me, giving me a wide grin. “I knew that’d get your flank movin,’ girl.” She then turned around and started walking to the farm.

Pfft, yeah right. I’m not gonna let that comment slide without one of my own. “You're just jealous of my flank, ya know you wished you had it.”

She seemed to be done with her snide remarks, but somehow she still had a comeback for me. “Yeah, sure Dash. I’m very jealous of your flank.” I could feel the sarcasm from here.

Not wanting her to get the last laugh, I quipped in. “You’re darn right, ya are.”

We stopped our little conversation there, probably because I was too good for her. I’ll add that to the number tally of how many times I’ve owned Applejack.

*  *  *  *

Okay, this was a lot more boring than I thought it was going to be. I feel like every little bit of my body is crying out in pain over how much I’m not entertained by this. How in the world does Applejack do this everyday, no wonder why she’s such as silly pony. If I’d have to do this everyday of my life, I too would go a little insane.

No, Dash. Remember why you are doing this. When you’re done here, you’ll be able to get that surprise Rarity is whipping up for you. Just keep that in mind, and this’ll go by way faster than it is right now.

I kicked the trees harder and faster, making sure to get as many apples out of them as possible. There is no way I’m gonna make this little distraction make me look like any normal pony, I need to put my all into being the best at apple bucking. Even better than the apple bucking mare herself.

My efforts must have paid off, because AJ was now looking at me. A concerned look on her face. What, I’m a too good for you. Admit it, I’m better at this than you.

“What in tarnation are you doing, Dash?” That little statement caught me completely off guard.

“What does it look like I’m doing, I’m givin’ ya a run for your money.” I then gave her a confident grin. She’ll get my point.

“Is that what ya call it?” She gave me a blank stare. “More like you’re pounding my trees into sap, quit it; you'll ruin everything.”

Eh, she wouldn’t understand something awesome, even if it hit her in the head. I then turned away, doing my work like any normal pony would. Sheesh, why did I bother to do this, any way. Oh, yeah. For the reward, Dash, for the reward.

“Besides, Rainbow. After these next couple of trees, we’ll be done, and you can be on your way to see what Rarity has for ya.” Now it was Applejack’s turn to give me a smug grin.

Aw, yeah. Almost done with this crummy work, then it's time to relish in whatever Rarity has planned for me. I can already imagine it in my head, it’s going to be so awesome.

We did the rest of our work quickly, me making the last couple trees go by extra quick so I could be out of here already. I was about ready to die from excitement; I needed to let all my energy out. After the apples fell from the last tree, I swear, I made the most girly squeal that I’ve ever let out in my laugh. Curse you, exited body, making me look all sappy, and stuff. Hope Applejack didn’t see that slip in my character.

“Alright, Rd. That just about covers it, you can head off now. I can get the rest of this sorted out, no problem at all.” AJ gave me a smile that showed she was thankful for my helping hoof.

“Yes!” I did loop de loops in the air to show my excitement. “I’d love to gloat some more, but I got a surprise waiting for me.

I took off at my top-speed instantly, making my way to Ponyville. I was going to see this surprise, and I was gonna love it. Yes, this is gonna be a great day, and it's all thanks to Rarity. I got to make sure to thank her extra when I get there.