Cold. There was a vestige of warmth that was there before. Empty. The mattress’ foam still held the shape of the one who rested there not long ago. Cold and empty, the bed was now cold and empty, and Twilight’s hoof couldn’t find the pony it was longing for, as it sleepily prodded and tapped around in vain. Twilight Sparkle stirred from her sleep as she examined her surroundings. Wood, the lingering smell of apples and silence reminded her that she was spending the night at Applejack’s, as she’s been for the last few months. It was no surprise they preferred to live and rest on the calm, familiar and warm Sweet Apple Acres, compared to the cold, harsh and regal palace that used to be the unicorn’s home. It never truly felt like Twilight’s element, and it was definitely not Applejack’s. Speaking of which, the farmpony didn’t seem to be around. Silence and darkness, she wasn’t in the bathroom or around, where could she be?
Twilight checked the time; it was well past midnight, but long before sunrise. While not truly unfamiliar to waking up without Applejack beside her, on account of how much of an early bird she was, this was definitely a strange time. Slightly worried, she decided to get up and turn on the nightstand lamp. When she did so, she noticed something that caught her eye, a note.
“You are the light that dispels the darkness of my days and nights.”
It was impossible for her not to recognize such strong, somewhat clumsy yet determined mouthwritting, just as it was impossible to hide a slight blush at such heartfelt statement. Twilight was somewhat accustomed to these small loving actions Applejack did every other moment, but it never stopped being a happy surprise. While sometimes stuck on her work, too focused to notice much else, she always found time to go out of her way and make some heart-warming gesture to commemorate a moment in life they had shared, however small or unimportant it felt to most, it mattered to Applejack. But this didn’t feel complete; it didn’t feel like something Applejack would consider complete for her affection demonstrations. With a smile, Twilight got off bed and marched out of the room, determined to find Applejack, and most likely the rest of this puzzle. But if she wanted to do so, she had to get some coffee, or she’d fall asleep on her hooves before she reached either.
Her hooves worked mainly on muscle memory as she walked down those stairs, entered the kitchen and turned on the lights to get her coffee. Upon opening the cupboard and getting out the can of ground beads, she found another note that read:
“You are the reason I wake up in the mornings.”
A chuckle escaped her lips as a memory entered her mind, the memory of their first morning together. It was a cold winter morning, but Twilight woke up to warmth she never felt before. All her senses were greeted with pleasant feelings. The smell of apples that seemed to cling to Applejack’s lovely coat, the softness of the fur that both her hooves were caressing, the sight of the most beautiful, honest and caring pair of eyes she ever saw, the sound of gentle breathing and soon after, the taste of her first ever good morning kiss. A myriad of pure unbridled feelings of joy and happiness overwhelmed her that morning, and it was not the last.
It had always been one of her most favourite things to do since they were together: waking up to her. There was nothing else she adored more. It made her feel calm, secure, happy, and warm. Nothing could go wrong so long she woke up next to her. Winter soon became her favourite season, if just for the fact that it meant Applejack didn’t have to wake up early enough to leave before she was up.
Pushing away the happy memories to focus on her task at hoof, Twilight started preparing her mug of coffee, and while it was getting ready, she thought if maybe, she might as well get something on her stomach to keep going. Eggs sounded about right, so she opened the fridge only to find another note.
“You are what makes me go through the day with all the strength I need.”
Funny that she chose to put this on food, given how disastrous her cooking was, and how heavenly Applejack’s was. Many have told Applejack over and over that she was probably among the best cooks and bakers in Ponyville yet she never felt right accepting such compliments. But Twilight couldn’t help but agree, she was a most skilled cook, and while yes, most her repertoire used to a certain degree apples, they never failed to be absolutely delicious and interestingly enough, never repetitive. She knew so many ways to cook, bake and prepare the same ingredients that she never got the sensation of having eaten something way too soon. Not to mention Applejack was usually her cutest when cooking. Twilight remembered the many times she saw her girlfriend smile and dance around the kitchen, swinging her hips as she stirred and mindlessly sway as she cut vegetables, or her adorable habit of singing while preparing a dish. It was always her own private show just to see her prepare dinner or lunch, with the added benefit of eating a delicious meal afterwards.
The smell of coffee brought her back to reality and she decided eating could wait. She should continue looking for Applejack and her love clues. Maybe when they’re back she can ask her to prepare something tasty. Twilight made quick work of her coffee and opened the entrance door following a hunch on her lover’s whereabouts. Upon doing so she found the fourth note:
“You are the goal behind my actions.”
This one was confusing… While the romantic phrase was obvious, Twilight failed the see the connection to the door. Obviously after the past notes, she noticed the pattern of placement, but this one was eluding her. Was she referring maybe, to the door frame? It did look like a goal for many sports, so was it just a silly joke? Or was it what the frame enclosed? The orchards. If you were to look at it as some sort of painting, the doorframe was capturing the Sweet Apple Acres orchards, sign of the Apple family’s hard work, determination, drive and passion. Was she referring to the fact that she was as important to Applejack as the orchard was? It was of course a big honour, considering the importance of it to the family, and the importance of family and tradition in Applejack’s life.
But no, that wasn’t it. Finally, after looking at it long enough, she realized it, and it meant more than any of the other conceptions. She was the goal behind her actions. Twilight was the reason behind Applejack working so hard every day, every year. Applejack worked to provide Twilight with all she could give. Even when Twilight could get all she wanted simply because of her position, it wouldn’t sit down with Applejack, not now not ever. It went past money or even the apples she’d later use to prepare the food or drinks Twilight loved. Applejack worked for the sake of proving herself to Twilight, proving herself as a provider, it was a matter of honour and love, not material gain. Yes, Applejack had been working these orchards for decades, but now it held another meaning to her, she had a goal, and that goal was now blushing, smiling and wiping a tear of joy off her cheek before walking out into the cool, moonlit night.
“Alright Applejack, where could you be now? What’s the next clue? Where should I go…”
As she looked around, she noticed the barn and thought it was as good place as any, and so she headed towards it. Upon arrival, she opened the door and used her magic to light up the room. As she expected, she found a new note, laying upon a little pile of hay.
“I want to hear every sound you voice from now to hereafter.”
A strong crimson tinted her cheeks as she realized she was referring to the first time they demonstrated the full extent of their love in this very same barn. Although not as cute, adorable and innocent as the last few were, this note was just as meaningful and loving, and she knew Applejack meant it purely because she treated it as a pleasurable way to show affection, and not just as an animalistic release.
It was, nonetheless, slightly crude and she would give her a piece of her mind when she found her, which brought up the question again. Where to go now? Quickly, she realized the back door of the barn was open, leading to the pond. The body of water was reflecting the moonlight, and was only obstructed by a pony shape. It seemed like her quest was over.
“Applejack! There you are. Not that I don’t appreciate your sweet little love treasure hunt, but couldn’t it have waited until sunrise?”
The mare didn’t turn around or look back, but Twilight could sense a smile in her face nonetheless. Applejack gave no response, other than just lifting a fore hoof, and patting the grass next to her. Twilight took the cue and sat beside her, looking at her expectantly.
By Luna’s might, she looked beautiful under the moonlight. Granted, her warm, bright colour palette shone brighter under Celestia’s sunlight making her glow like an angel, but tonight, Twilight couldn’t think of a moment she looked more beautiful. Calm and serene, with a gentle smile, looking forward into the horizon, framed by moonlight.
“Is everything alright, Applejack? This is quite early, even for you.”
“It’s jes’ a perfect night, that is.”
“Perfect night for what?”
“Jes’ to spend with ya. Jes’ like every other day n’ night.”
Twilight chuckled “What got into you?”
Applejack just smiled wider and looked at her without facing her. “Sugarcube, ya deserve the best of this world. Ya are the single best thing that ever happened to me, n’ Ah can’t imagine mah life without ya now. Ah’m afraid Ah can’t give ya all that ya truly deserve, n’ Ah couldn’t do it in a thousand lifetimes, but Ah’mma promise to give ya the best Ah can ever give.”
“Applejack, you do more than enough for me. You’ve made me the happiest mare in all of Equestria!”
“N’ Ah’m plum happy Ah managed to do such a thing. But Ah jes’ wanna let ya know all ya truly mean to me…”
She finally turned her head to face her “Since ya came into mah life, ya made mah fears n’ tears drift far away. Ya make me wanna live mah entire life jes’ to make sure ya have a smile upon yer face every morning when ya wake up, n’ every night before ya go to bed. Ah wanna make sure that there’s no cryin’ in yer days to come, unless they’re tears of joy. It ain’t that Ah started thinkin’ n’ feelin’ this way jes’ now, but tonight Ah jes’ had to take it outta mah heart, n’ finally got the drive to do it.”
Applejack gently caressed Twilight Sparkle’s face with her hoof and said “Sunshine, y’all are the reason to mah smile, y’all give me relief by jes’ bein’ there for me. No matter how long n’ dark a moment in mah life might be, Ah know that with y’all by mah side, Ah can push through ‘til Ah find the sunlight again. Ya make me wanna be a better pony. Ya made me better already, n’ Ah’ll never be able to pay ya back for all ya did to me, nor Ah’ll ever be able to show ya jes’ how much Ah love ya. Twi… Ah wanna be with ya for the rest of mah life.”
She pulled her hoof back, and faced away into the horizon again. “Sug, Ah wanna grow old beside ya. Ah wanna wake up to yer face every mornin’, n’ sleep to the lullaby of yer heartbeat. Ah wanna show ya Ah play fer keeps, n’ ya already won me over, so Ah’ll follow ya to Tartarus n’ back, but… would ya follow me?”
With a single swift move of her tail, Applejack revealed an object her tail was covering from Twilight’s eyes up to now. A small, dark felt box holding a golden, diamond embedded horn ring. Twilight’s jaw dropped as she admired the beautiful piece of jewellery. Soon after, she looked at Applejack. She wasn’t looking at her, in fact, she was still facing away, into the horizon, with the same serene expression and soft smile as when she found her earlier. She didn’t show any sign of being anxious for the answer, in fact, while she had asked a question, it was not THE question that would accompany such a ring, nor did she follow the usual ritual. She didn’t kneel down to ask, she didn’t prepare some fancy dinner, or anything else one could find in Rarity’s books.
But why was she not looking at her expectantly at least? Was she so sure of the answer? Was she boasting and asking just ‘cause? No. She looked humble and honest as ever. Did she not care for the answer all that much? No, after such a love fuelled monologue, she most definitely felt deep love for her. Then what was it? What was that look? What emotion was she showing?
Acceptance. Trust. Love. She was showing Twilight that no matter the answer, she’d understand, not because she cared little or didn’t mind the result, but because more than wanting to marry her, Applejack was looking for Twilight’s happiness and wellbeing. She would wait until she was ready were she to say no. Applejack was trusting her with her life and future, and would accept her decision, no matter what it was, because of her deep love.
Of course, to Twilight, this was a simple question, with a simple answer. “I will. And I’ll stay with you, will you stay with me?”
After a smile and a nod, Applejack’s tail wrapped around Twilight’s as they both looked up to the moon, committing to memory what would be the most important night of their whole lives.
