"Don't forget to pass by whenever you're in Ponyville, Bluey," Rarity chimed as the boutique's door swung open. "It would be most enchanting to spend more time together."

"Uh, of course." Blueblood's mind was a blank. The last few hours seemed like one of those dreams that were too good to be true. For the first time in his life, he wasn't upset that his mane was unkempt. "Err... and if you happen to pass by Canterlot—"

"Oh, I'll definitely go through the palace." Rarity smiled, her eyes closing halfway. Her usually perfect mane was quite messy as well. "And as it happens, I have a boutique there, so expect me often."

Blueblood muttered something of little importance, then—as all the dating guides suggested—attempted to kiss her on the cheek. The attempt failed. Instead, Rarity snatched his lips with her own, proceeding to suck half the air out of him before releasing control of his senses.

I can taste petunias, Blueblood thought, almost crashing into the doorframe on his way out. A dopey smile on his face, the unicorn straightened his posture, then took a deep breath. Everything seemed so much more beautiful and full of colour, as if he had entered a whole new Equestria: the grass was greener, the air was sweeter, even—

"Wow, Blue!" A hoof slammed down on Blueblood's shoulder. "Way to go! I can't believe you pulled it off!"

"Uh-huh," Blueblood said, still in a state of euphoria.

"Terrible start. I thought you'd blow it," Flash Sentry started explaining, dragging Blueblue off along the road. "Horrible pickup line. Like, I've seen worse wrecks in the cloud factory's rejection room."

Blueblood glared at him. The effects of the euphoria were wearing off fast.

"But that horseshoe comment—" Flash waved his left wing in the air. "Solid gold! Next time start with it, though."

"If you want to know, I—" Blueblood suddenly stopped. His ears did almost a full rotation before locking on to Flash. "What do you mean 'next time?'" I already—" he coughed, flustered "—have a special… significant other."

"Blue, pal, you can't quit at just one," the pegasus laughed. "You gotta get at least a few more. That's what waifu stealing is all about. Besides, everyone has a herd these days," he added, matter-of-fact.

"You're one to talk," the prince grumbled. As if I need anything of the sort!

"Not to brag, but I have the biggest herd in Equestria." Flash said, polishing his forehoof in his chest, the smuggest possible expression on face.

"You're the most hated stallion in all of Equestria." Blueblood trotted forward. He was already planning how to get home. The center of Ponyville wasn't too far from Rarity's boutique. Just a quick trot to the train station, a pair of first class tickets, and they were off on their way to Canterlot.

"Only by the male population!" Flash sentry corrected, catching up. "Well, mostly by the male population. Anyway—"

"Anyway, nothing!" Blueblood cut him short. Wow. I never knew I could do that. Feels remarkably good, actually. "It was an... interesting experience. I managed to get back with Rarity—no thanks to you or Cadance's dating book—and I'd very much like to keep things that way!" He snorted, lifting his chin high. "Also, I’m in dreadful need of a bath."

"I don't know, Blue." Flash shrugged. "Don't you want to try? Just think about it."

"I have thought about it." Blueblood remained adamant. "And the answer is no. We’re going home."

"And you're sure about this?" Flash said, stepping in front of Blueblood. "Like, really, a hundred-percent, pinch-of-salt-in-the-coffee sure?"

"Yes!" Yuck! You have the most abysmally atrocious taste, Flash! Blueblood flinched at the thought. "And there isn't anything in Equestria that you or..." the prince's words trailed off.

Straight ahead, furious as a pack of Timberwolves, a mare was moving towards them at a steady canter. She seemed enraged, she was yelling, and she was drenched from the top of her hat to her hooves. Normally such a sight would be unremarkable—rain showers were a common weekly occurrence, and often one pony or other would forget the weather schedule and end up getting soaked. In this case, however, there was one significant difference: the mare in question was a dashing blond, and a rather fetching one at that.

This is ridiculous, Blueblood thought, incapable of looking away. She's just a farmer, a common earth mare, a— He swallowed.

"When I get ya, Rainbow Dash," the mare shouted towards the sky as she cut between both stallions. "I'll pluck ya wings like a hen at sunset, then I'll be makin’ me a cushion an’—"

"There isn't anything that’d change your mind, eh?" Flash whispered to Blueblood with a snicker.

"Oh be quiet!" Blueblood clenched his jaw.

"Come on, it's a perfect opportunity!" Flash 'helpfully' turned him around to get a better view of the mare. Damn it! Even her tail is seductive. "You don't have to do anything extreme."

Easy for you to say. Blueblood snorted. It's not your butt that'll get hurt!

"Just use what you've learned and show her you're boyfriend material." Winking, Flash nudged him in the shoulder. "Easy peasy."

"Easy please my left hoof," Blueblood's grumbled. In his mind, however, he was already going through possible scenarios. Should I compliment her mane? That's a safe bet. Any mare likes having her mane complimented. But what if she thinks I'm making fun of her?

"Bro." Flash pointed at the distancing mare. She was already a fair distance away. "Think too long and you're gonna lose her."

Blueblood looked at the road, then at the mare. I'll need a hoofscure after this. He sighed, then galloped after her. At this point he had completely no idea what to say. According to Flash's advice, mares liked when a stallion "acted naturally". Problem was, though, could he act naturally without any of his servants around?

"Excuse me!" Blueblood shouted. Despite his best attempts, the distance between him and the mare remained mostly unchanged. As much as he hated to admit it, at his rate he would never catch up to her. "Excuse me, Mademoiselle!"

No response. Is she ignoring me? he wondered. Or maybe she doesn't understand French?

"Ex-excuse me, Miss!" He tried again, gasping for air as he did. Stallions weren't meant to gallop! If Auntie wanted us to gallop she'd have put wings on our hooves! "Ex—"

The mare in front of him suddenly stopped and turned around. There was so much anger in her glare that for a split second, Blueblood considered if he shouldn't pretend he'd mistaken her for somepony else. "Tartarus has no fury as a mare enraged" the saying went. On the other hoof, she was a blonde rural beauty.

"Excuse me, Miss," the unicorn clambered up to her, trying to hide his lack of breath. "I couldn't happen to notice that you're dripping wet."

"Ya don't say?" The mare narrowed her eyes.

"Heh, eh, yes, well… What I meant to say is..." I knew I should have thought if something better! Should I go for the hat? Or the saddlebags? "Of course you're wet. Anypony could see you're wet, because there's water dripping from your mane." Blueblood attempted a smile. The only thing he got in return was a deathly glance. So much for the humoristic approach. Thanks, Flash! "I mean to say—"

"Look, if ya want to tell me somethin’, just go ahead an’ say it!" the mare snapped. "Ah ain't got all day!"

"I think your mane is beautiful and I wanted to to know if I could help in some way," he said in one breath. Damnation! Blueblood cursed internally. He was hesitating between complimenting her mane and offering help, but like an idiot had mangled the two together.

"Well, that's mighty kind of ya." The mare smiled, the deathly intent in her eyes having vanished, which was soon replaced by minor annoyance. "Ah always could use more help at the farm. Right this way."

What? Blueblood blinked. Work? Me? I didn't sign up for this! I'm a prince! I don't do work!

"Name's Applejack, by the so." The mare grabbed his hoof then shook it... along with the rest of his body. Whatever one might say, she definitely was strong.

"Eh, Blueblood," the prince said, pulling back his leg white he still could feel it. "What is this farm you mentioned, Miss? We won't have to dig up plants or anything of the sort?"

"Just AJ is fine," she guffawed. Definitely not a Canterlot chuckle, and yet it somehow suited her. "And no, we ain't touching plants one bit. In truth we ain't doing any real farm work. Ah just need somepony to keep an eye out as I load a wagon of apples and make sure no critters come close."

"Thank the stars," Blueblood said, relieved. "I mean, I wouldn't want to ruin any of your hard work. After all, you seem like a pony who prefers to take care of business personally."

"Right you are!" Applejack trotted along, drops of water falling off her mane with every step. "There ain't a task that ah can't handle! Was supposed to get Rainbow Dash to help me, but of course she had other things in mind."

"Pranking, I assume?" Blueblood suggested. It wasn't difficult since she had been shouting about it just a few minutes ago.

"When I get her, I'll..." the mare growled.

Well, no question where the sore spot lies. Pranks and humour were definitely no-nos when it came to this mare. From this close Blueblood could fully admire her figure. Unlike most mares he had met, Applejack's body was all muscle and not the fake type that one gets from weightlifting and gym sessions. In comparison most of the Royal guards seemed quite relaxed, almost flabby. Musing on the matter, Blueblood levitated the mare's hat off her head. Applejack stopped dead in her tracks. The unicorn didn't even notice, casting a soft-dry spell—careful not to damage the material in any way—then started levitating it back down. Only at that point did he notice that the mare was no longer beside him.

"Is anything the matter?" he asked, puzzled, trotting to her location. The hat followed, floating in the air until it landed safely on Applejack's still wet mane.

"That's..." Hesitation was written all over Applejack's face. "Mighty kind of ya..."

"Well, I couldn't in good conscience leave a beautiful creature such as yourself in such a dreadful state," Blueblood said casually. Do I brush a lock of mane off her face? It should work. But if it's too soon, I might get a slap in the face.

"Say what now?" The mare arched a brow.

By the stars! She's as dull as a brick in winter! "I was giving you a compliment," he added. "You're quite beautiful, and extremely hardworking—" I assume "—and I thought it would be a shame to not at least make you look slightly more respectable while we go to the farm."

Applejack jaw fell open.

"Shouldn't I have?" Fear crept into the prince's voice. If he was scared what Rarity might do to him when upset, he was utterly terrified what pain Applejack could inflict. One kick alone might well land him in the royal Canterlot hospital for weeks.

"No one has given me a compliment before," she whispered, eyes staring blankly forward.

"Seriously?" Seriously?!? Maybe coming to Ponyville wasn't such a bad idea after all. "A mare like you, I thought there'd be dozens of stallions after your flank. I mean... just look at you."

"To be honest, there was a fella' who was following me around all constant like..." Applejack snapped out of her sudden trance. "But all he be after was an understandin’ of farm life. And sure, there were a mighty number of stallions who came to me, mostly for help getting things done, and saving them some cider in advance." She frowned, scratching her chin with a hoof. "Truth be told, ain't nopony come to me friendly-like. Well, nopony other than Rainbow, but with her it's different." She laughed again. "The two of us fight just as much as we make up."

"Does that mean that I'm the first?" The question made Blueblood feel unusually happy and anxious at the same time.

"Sugar cube, ya’ll the first and only who's treated me ladylike since I was in Manehattan." Applejack slapped him on the side. The experience startled Blueblood slightly, but not enough to move away. "I reckon it must be because of my chores. Since Ah started doin' most chores on the farm ah never had time to do anything ladylike. It was all chores, work, chores, helpin’ Granny Smith, makin’ sure Apple Bloom was out of trouble..." she sighed. "Guess I was missin' out on a thing or two."

Should I kiss her? Blueblood felt his face heat up. This was an important juncture. He could try to be assertive and press the matter, or wait for her to make the first step. Rarity had had no problems taking control of the situation, but Applejack was no Rarity.

"So, do we continue to your farm?" Blueblood asked, mentally preparing himself for a rejection. "You did say there was some work that needed doing. And you can always take the opportunity to catch up on what you've missed."

"Sugarcube..." Applejack took off her hat and placed it on Blueblood's head. "Ah thought ya'd never ask," she added with a smile that rivaled the sun itself.

Author's Note

Chapter 1 Blue, you got this!
Chapter 2 Rarity
Chapter 3 Applejack
Chapter 4 ???
Chapter 5 ???
Chapter 6 ???
Chapter 7 ???