Applejack didn't have far to gallop, before she was knocking on Rarity's door again.

After not getting an answer, Applejack's head hung in disappointment, before turning around and making a slow trot back to the Apple stand.

"Applejack, is everything alright?" A purple maned, green hide mare asked as Applejack passed by, wearing large sun glasses and bonnet.

"Nope, ain't nuthin' been right." Applejack answered without looking at the mare.

"Ooh darling," the mare cooed. "You look so sad; is there anything I can do to make it better?"

Applejack's heart skipped a beat. The mare sounded a lot like Rarity, and on any other day she'd jump at the offer; but Applejack just wasn't feeling it. "Nope... not unless you can tell me where my friend Rarity is at...?"

As Applejack was passing by, her head was near the mare's flank, her blue 3-diamond cutie mark was at her eye level; but her scent was all wrong, smelling of alchemicals.

"Rare?" Applejack's head raised and squinted her eyes at the green mare in confusion, beginning to recognize her.

"Oh, is that all? Well she's right here, darling!" She said perkily.

"Rarity!" Applejack reared up and threw her forelegs around her neck, nuzzling deep.

"Applej-AHaha!" Rarity half laughed and half high-pitched squealed in shock at the normally stoic farm mare nearly glomped her to the ground.

Rarity felt a little grossed out at the cold wetness of sweat on the farm-mare that she absorbed in the crushing embrace; that was before she realized she couldn't draw breath. "Let- go-" she croaked.

Her words stung Applejack, knowing she had to be angry with her for letting go when she disappeared into the Map portal.
"I ain't lettin' go, never again, not ever," Applejack tightened her grip, and nuzzled deeper.

"Applejack, she can't breathe!" Spike shouted in alarm, seeing his beloved turning blue in the face, while looking like she were about to pop.

Applejack's eyes went wide, while still clutching onto Rarity's neck and hearing something crack. "Oh right," she let go, watching Rarity cough and take a huge gasp of air while rubbing her neck.

"Sorry 'bout that," Applejack apologized sheepishly and pat her back.

"No trouble, dear," Rarity rasped.

"Spike, go put those away and fetch me some water, would you?' She rasped.

Spike pouted at Applejack, never breaking eye contact as he left. "Sure, Rare, I'll be right back. Hooves to yourself." He warned at Applejack, to which she tipped her cowpony hat in embarrassment.

"I'm sorry I missed you last night," Rarity said and rubbed her neck.

"I should be the one who's sorry," Applejack wiped the mist from her eyes, then smiled warmly as Rarity took her hoof and patted it gently.

"You don't have anything to be sorry about, dear; it's all behind us." She reassured.

Applejack sniffed and nodded, then picked herself up and adjusted her cowpony hat. "So, ya got dipped, huh?" She asked playfully.

Rarity scoffed like a teen filly. "Ugh! I really need to make a trip to the groomers." She inspected her hairy foreleg, looking disgusted at her greenish coloration and long, feathered leg hairs.

Applejack chuffed. "I know how it is, I get myself dipped at least once a year; I've heard all the names too, 'sour apple', 'rotten apple', 'Granny Smith's younger sister', nuthin' really original there."

A stallion's voice sounded behind her. "Excuse me, ma'am; but where can I put this down?"

Applejack turned to see a delivery pony with a sizeable package on his back.

A teen Earth colt, barely in his stallion years; with a grey hide, and a slate blue mane. His muzzle and flank were spotted with dapples, more numerous than Applejack's. 'Print Machines, Sky Carriages & Mane care' was embroidered on his jumpsuit.

Rarity and Applejack both felt a pinch in their brains at being called a "ma'am" by the bored-looking young buck.

They were only a few years into marehood. That was for mares that were 30- no. 40 minimum!

"Right this way, darling," Rarity felt her eye twitch, and gestured inside her home. 'Oh poo, no freebies for me this time.'

The teen colt blanched at Rarity. "Um, has the home been treated for pests yet?" He did a dainty shake of his hoof at each of them, while looking disturbed.

Applejack looked grumpy. "She just got back from getting Dipped, ain't no big deal." She answered curtly.

Rarity looked equally put-off, but hid it better behind an innocent facade. "It's fine, darling, I've been away from home and did so as a precaution."

"Okay... Just so you both know, I have a marefriend already." He pointedly looked at both of them.

"I understand, deary; would you mind leaving it just inside the door?" Rarity's smile grit her teeth, but still managed to sound sweet.

Applejack looked even grumpier.

"Actually, I just remembered, it's company policy to not go into customer's homes, so I'm just going to leave this right here." The young buck didn't wait for an answer, and used his tail to slow the package as it slid off his back.

"Thank you for your business," he feigned cheeriness, before cantering away at a quick pace.

Applejack and Rarity both sighed and shook their heads.

Spike came back to ask how Rarity wanted things organized: her usual chaotic, or what he called the 'Princess deluxe'. Which was very similar to how Twilight taught him how to organize things, but reserved only for Princesses.

Instead, he paused at the front door, hiding just around the threshold, after hearing the following conversation after the delivery colt had left.

"Well that was somethin'," Applejack commented.

"He seems quite the catch, I would've made a pass at him; wouldn't you?" Rarity asked, attempting to ease the tension with a bit of mare-talk.

'Are they talking about me?' Spike started to feel giddy.

Applejack looked confused at her. "Huh? Oh, yeah, but looks aren't everythin'; he'd be a might better if he were more reliable; granny always said 'a good stallion is one with a strong back'."

Spike bit his claw in worry. 'What!? I can be reliable, I thought I always was!'

"Oh his 'backside' looked plenty strong enough, didn't you notice?" Rarity hinted.

Spike's heart nearly seized. 'Rar- Rarity likes m-my-' He puffed out his chest in pride, grinning from ear to ear, and checked on his thin lizard tush.

Applejack looked back at those tight little colt flanks trotting away, and what little ball cleavage she could see between his legs and tail. "Yeah, but you can barely see them little acorns he's swingin', bet that lil' saddle blanket couldn't get a mare to foal after a dozen covers."

Spike had never heard the girls talk about him like this. Other stallions, sure, but Twilight always made him leave or magically deafen his hearing whenever their conversations got too adult.

He looked between his legs at his crotch. His testes were internal, leaving him almost completely flat and featureless down there.

He felt self-conscious about his body, and touched himself, running a trimmed blunt claw along the rounded edge of a softened set of scales which formed his genital slit.

"Oh, I'd say he could accomplish the feat in three minimum; youth does have its advantages." Rarity countered playfully.

Spike stopped what he was doing and felt new confidence wash over him. 'Yeah, you tell her Rare! Wait, what does she mean by that?'

His heart thrummed to the very idea of finally being intimate with his true love became a very real possibility. But that was tempered by his new bodily shame. It wasn't enough that Rarity liked him as a friend. He wanted her to want him, to desire him, the same as he wanted her.

Normally, Rarity was above such salacious talk, but this was her gift to Applejack; knowing she was a bit of a mare's-mare. They both laughed. Just two fillies playing, and reaffirming their maresculinity by judging the attractiveness of boy buns, and the size and fertility of their seed packs.

"I can't blame the poor colt for not wanting to place himself in a vulnerable situation; but would you mind helping me with this, Applejack?" Rarity asked; magicking up the package effortlessly.

'I'm not vulnerable, with these scales, I'm practically, mostly, kind of, impervious!'

"Sure-hrck!" Applejack grunted as Rarity dropped the parcel on her back, just as the word left her mouth. She did a double-take between the package and Rarity.

Spike came rushing out. "Give it here, I'll take care of it!"

Applejack paused in surprise, feeling the weight on her back. "You sure you can handle this, Spike, it's a might hefty?"

"I can handle anything you throw at me, I wouldn't want you to think I don't have a 'strong back' after all." He said smugly, using her own words against her.

"Well, alrighty then, here ya go." She bucked, arching her back, sending the package flying over to him.

Spike wasn't paying attention, still too pleased with his wordplay. "Bring it on-OOF!" The package flattened him against the ground, with only his extremities sticking out.

Rarity frowned in concern. "Spike, you sure you don't want some help?"

"No! I- ugh- got it- guah- You. Can. Always. Rely. On. Me. Rare!" He strained with every step, crawling like a turtle.

"Well, if you're sure." She looked at him pitifully, before leaving him to deal with it.

Applejack smiled and rolled her eyes, before following Rarity inside, noticing some new definition in her legs, and a couple ribs showing. "You seem different, you been workin' out?"

She smiled proudly, and struck a pose to show off the new subtle cuts in her muscles. "So kind of you to finally notice, but I don't think mild starvation and wilderness survival counts as a 'workout'."

Applejack flinched, then blew a horsey snort. "I'm gonna give Twilight a good tongue lashin', next time I see 'er." Applejack said bitterly.

"I'm sure she'd love that." Rarity quipped, covering her smile.

"I meant the bad kind!" Applejacks cheeks were pink, before the mares tittered at their fun.

"It's alright, darling; she and I have already made amends, so no lashing is necessary; unless you want to for fun?" She teased, getting a sassy look and knowing smirk back.

"I was jus' noticin' your magic looks stronger too." Applejack complimented.

Rarity glanced up at her horn. "Is it? I suppose it has. I've gotten to use my magic in ways I never thought I would."

Spike gave out and faceplanted on the floor. "Any. Thing. Else. Rarity?" He mumbled into the carpet.

Applejack asked. "So what'd you need my help with?"

"Oh, just moving a few things." Rarity said innocently.

After about an hour, Applejack and Spike worked together to move Sweetie Belle's bulkier belongings downstairs. Now all they had left was her white spinet half-piano.

"You ready?" Applejack called back as Spike lifted Sweetie's piano.

"Yeah, I'm ready!" He grunted, lifting his end by carrying it on his back, with straining effort.

"Okay, here I go," Applejack lifted her neck, pulling up her end with the assistance of some lifting tack wrapped around her head, allowing the strong neck muscles to carry most of the load. They began their decent down the winding staircase, then piano caught on the railing.

"Hol' up, Spike, I need more room, move right a little bit." Applejack grunted.

He gasped, sweat pouring from his brow. "My right, or your right?"

Applejack rolled her eyes. "My right is your right, Spike."

"Oh right..." Spike moved, but felt resistance threatening to remove his grip.

"Wait, jus' gimme a second."

"Applejack, are you on my team?!" He snapped.

"I can't see where my hooves are at, just gimme a second to find the step!" Applejack felt around and found the landing, but her weight shifted as she stepped down, bumping into the weight and causing the transfer of momentum to push into Spike.

His little drake feet were already on the edge of the next step and slipped. Spike reacted by grabbing onto the only thing he had; resulting in him pulling the piano out of Applejack's tack and fall with him.

"Spike!" Applejack called after him.

"Ahhhh!" The piano launched off the stairwell as Spike landed on his back at the bottom.

Spike clenched his eyes, expecting to be crushed, but when he opened them, the piano was floating in Rarity's blue aura.

Spike rolled over to watch his beloved straining, but otherwise composed as she delicately put it down in the middle of her shop with Sweetie's other belongings.

"Hoo-wee! That's some mighty impressive magic ya got there, Rare," Applejack hollered as she trotted over Spike. "Nice save!"

'Save?' Spike got up shakingly. "Rarity, you saved me, how can I ever pay you back!" He rushed to hug her.

"It was nothing, Spikey. Why don't you go make us some drinks, all this life saving has left me rather parched." She went to lay on her fainting sofa.

"You bet, I'll have them out in a jiffy!" Spike excitedly rushed to the kitchen.

Applejack shook her head. 'Welp, looks like Rarity got her wish, hope she don't demand anythin' too dramatic for the boy.' She thought, remembering the time Spike owed herself a life-debt.

Rarity had already cleared a workspace inside Carousel Boutique's main floor. "Applejack, if you aren't too busy, I could use your help with this typewriter I ordered, I need your help setting it up and testing it."

Applejack felt a pinch in her brain. She'd already been visiting and helping awhile already, so if she agreed, she wouldn't be back 'right away' like she told her Granny. If she stayed longer, that would make her a liar, would it? But they didn't agree to a specific time, and to say 'right away' is equally vague as 'over yonder'.

So long as she got back when it was time they usually left, Granny wouldn't be mad at her, right? 'It shouldn't take me more than a few minutes, how hard could it be?'

The words poured out of her mouth like thick molasses. "Nah... I'll- uh, help ya out." Her snout scrunched.

She opened the box and found the instruction booklet, discarding it immediately.

Rarity hummed. "Um, are you not going to use that, don't you think you'll need it?"

Applejack clicked her tongue confidently. "Nah, I know what I'm doin'; instructions are just 'one mare's opinion' on how it's put together."

"Mm-hmm." Rarity deadpanned as she levitated and observed the assembly book.

Applejack knew Rarity's sister treated the boutique as a second home, but Applejack couldn't help noticing things were changing.

Her look turned melancholy as she gazed at Sweetie Belle's possessions, imagining one day she'd have to help move Applebloom out one day soon.

She wasn't ready for it.

"Where's Sweetie Belle at, isn't she usually home around this time?" she asked.

Spike perked and listened in from the kitchen. He felt guilty with how he left things with Sweetie Belle, and wanted to know if she's said anything to Rarity about it. 'Oh no, what if she tells Rarity I was being mean to her!? I never wanted to hurt her feelings!'

He swallowed the lump in his throat.

"Oh she's going to be late, she's helping Atchmon discover his Cutie Mark." Rarity answered idly flipping through pages

"Blehck!" Spike gagged at the mention of... that guy's name.

"Everything alright in there, Spikey?" Rarity called back.

"Everything's fine." Spike sang back strenuously.

Applejack perked at the familiar name. "Atchmon? Oh, yeah, I met him earlier today; well, that's good, maybe she and my lil' sister can help him with that blank flank of his." She began to sort out the box.

"You did, well that's wonderful, what'd you think of him?" Rarity answered cheerfully.

'A smug, handsome, dummy that isn't good enough for you, Rarity!'

Applejack was perplexed at the question. Rarity never paid much mind to what ponies their sisters were helping, and neither did she. But then, he was an unusual case. How often does a grown pony pop up without a Cutie Mark? But figured she must've met him wandering around same as her.

"He seemed nice, Granny plum near loved him up." She chuckled and shook her head. "But he took it 'bout as well as anypony, I s'pose."

Rarity grimaced and chuckled with mirth, just imagining the elder mare putting the moves on a stallion a fraction her age. "Well, as long as he conducted himself like a gentlestallion, I suppose I can overlook a bit of flirtation from our town's founding matriarch."

Applejack nose scrunched. 'Why would she say it like that?' But brushed it off. "Hope Applebloom behaves herself around him, she's been chasin' some boys from her school, has Sweetie been showin' any of 'the signs' yet?" She asked forebodingly.

Spike felt a chill down his spine. He knew about the birds and the bees with Ponies, having a front row seat to how agitated Twilight would get at him. Spike knew when Uncle Estrus was in town, it was best to avoid mares company for the foreseeable week. Even his beloved Rarity became annoyed with him at times, but somehow that just made her more beautiful to him.

Rarity scoffed. "Oh heavens no, thank Celestia; hopefully not for another year... or five; how's Applebloom doing by the way?" She asked, while fixing some lemon juice.

Spike felt relieved. He already didn't want to apologize to Sweetie about what he said, but to have to do so while she was dealing with being all mare-ish. It made Spike shudder.

Applejack sighed. "She's been sweet on some colts from her school, I been doin' all I can to explain to her she needs to wait; but ya know how she is, always thinkin' she's more mature than she is."

"That, I do, first hoof." Rarity shuddered and cringed.

"What was your first estrus like for you?" Applejack asked curiously.

Spike blushed. He'd not heard this before.

"Oh it was a travesty, I ponynapped a colt I had a crush on; my father had to wrench him from my hooves and magic while I professed my love for the poor boy; how about you?" Rarity held a hoof up to her forehead and fell back into the couch, humiliation welling back up after all these years.

He wanted that!

Applejack chuckled and reminisce. "I kept pesterin' one boy I liked, followin' him around town an' pickin' on him, sometimes I'd yell at 'im for no reason, brushing up to him and pushing into 'em; sometimes I'd demand he tell me if he liked me, I didn't know why I wanted his attention so much, but when I did, all I wanted was for him to go way; and then I'd chase after him and shoo away any pony that he got close to; never knew why I did all that, until Granny explained it to me after."

Rarity sighed tiredly. "Oh I am not looking forward to those days, I just hope whomever she fancies, he will be patient and understanding."

Spike heard that. 'I will be, for you my Rarity, I just have to bide my time, and maybe Atchmon will mess things up on his own!' He snickered devilishly.

Applejack chuffed. "I don't think Applebloom will giv'em the option, the filly has always been in such a rush to grow up, I jus' hope she don't do somethin' she'll regret."

"I understand, and I hope the same for my Sweetie Belle, but when Mother Nature calls, we must answer; do we not?"

Applejack hummed noncommittally. "It's gettin' to be that time, ain't it; you have any plans for Hearts an' Hooves day?" she asked.

"Just salvaging what remains of my business, and..." Rarity paused in thought. "I feel like I'm missing something... but it's probably nothing." She couldn't put a hoof on it, but there was something big coming up, she could feel it. 'If only I had Twilight's scheduling and organizational skills, I'm sure I wrote it down somewhere on the calendar, I'll have to remembert to check it later.'

"Well, if you're needin' any help; jus' lemme know." Applejack offered cheerily. "With your business, that is," They both giggled, knowing how doomed they both were as big sisters.

"Thank you, darling; I might very well be taking you up on that offer." Rarity relaxed.

Applejack went for the large parcel and cracked her forelegs before getting to work, turning over the box and dumping all the parts into a heap on the floor.

"Now where is the, there should be a, ah, there you are!" Applejack exclaimed, after rummaging through all the parts to finally find the missing, and only, tools she'll need; picking up the miniature spanner and screwdriver with her teeth.

"Two maremosas, coming up!" Spike set one down for Applejack. "One for you, and one for... the most beautiful, and amazing mare in the world..." he said dreamily, and let Rarity take her drink from him.

"Ooh, thank you Spikey-Wikey, mwah!" She kissed him on the forehead, then leaned back on her fainting couch to read the booklet, ignoring the dopey look on the drake.

"Gee, thanks Spike, I can just taste the love..." Applejack sassed as she sipped, then her eyes brightened in surprise by how good the orange-y tang of it was, then deadpanned to not give the drink, or the lovestruck Drake, the recognition they deserved; not that he would care while fawning over Rarity. 'Dang, aunt, and uncle Orange must be doin' well if their quality is gettin' this competitive.'

Spike offered smugly. "Just let good ol' reliable Spike know when you want a refill on that drink, Applejack." He turned and offered eagerly. "Do you need anything else, Rarity, how about a hoof massage?"

Rarity went into a coughing fit and waved him away. "Oh no, Spike, as much as I would like that, I'm afraid I haven't made time to get a Poni-peddi."

Spike still went for her back hoof. "Awe c'mon, they can't be that b-" He made a disturbed face. Rarity's hoof was overgrown, frayed, cracked, and discolored due to neglect and the Dip. There were still bits of debris from the Everfree forest stuck in the crevices around her frog. The normally soft and squishy pad was hardened due to neglect and miles of trotting over rough terrain.

"I know they're hideous!" Rarity covered her face and took a big, shameful sip of her drink. "My cute little hoovsies are all mangled!" She rasped in her over-the-top way.

Spike couldn't allow his beloved to feel an ounce of shame. "N-no! Just let me go find some hoof clippers, and I'll get them looking presentable again, I promise!"

"Okay, Spikey, you're my hero!" She sang happily, dropping the drama; and casually went back reading the instruction book, and sipping her drink.

Applejack was sticking out her tongue while trying to fit parts together that looked like they could be combined, only to find they weren't compatible; it became more frustrating as she went on; with only the punctuating sound of Spike using the clippers to distract her from the task. She poured herself into the project. Connecting all the little tid-bits together, and only panicking when she misplaced the little spanner and screw driver tools that were needed. Time went on, and the ice in her Maremosa melted after working for a long while, watering it down.

Applejack held up the box with a picture of the typewriter she'd been working on, and gazed at what she built.

It looked like an amalgamation of parts piled up into a small mountain.

"Doh ponyfeathers, why can't I get this figured out?!" She cursed, tossing the box aside.

Rarity was laying comfortably on her side, while Spike was finishing polishing her back hooves. She closed the booklet with a distinctive clap, then cleared her voice in lady-like fashion. "Ahem, allow me, darling."

"Buah, hey!" Applejack jumped in surprise as a few errant parts levitated from beneath her tail, along with her pile, as it all circled around the room in a field of magic.

Rarity was no Twilight, but knew a smart mare poured their heart and soul into the little instruction pamphlet, so that other ponies could enjoy an easy, stress-free assembly. It would've be wrong to ignore such a labor of love.

And so, Rarity organized all the pieces in an easy and professional semi-circle around her. Each matching piece was together with its brethren, and arranged perfectly by size.

She connected piece after piece with the finesse of her fine-precision telekinesis. Multiple screws were simultaneously rotated into their sockets and tightened telekinetically.

"Amazin'..." Applejack gaped in wonder as the parts came together like that Transformares picture show her big brother liked to watch. She knew Rarity was a good multitasker, but never seen her be able to use her magic like this before.

"I know, she makes it look so easy." Spike echoed. "Twilight's able to lift more, but she can't match Rarity's finesse."

In a short couple of minutes there was a brand new typewriter sitting on the floor.

Rarity rubbed the strain out of her heated horn to the cheers and congratulations from Spike. "There now, would you mind testing it out for me, Applejack, darling?" She sighed and suckled on the last of her maremosa.

Applejack looked perplexed, then embarrassed. "Oh, okay, I'm guessin' this is what you really meant when you said ya needed my help?" She smiled sheepishly.

"Yes, but you seemed to be enjoying the process of discovery, and I didn't want to take that away from you." She smiled.

The box came with some scrap parchment to type on. Applejack loaded it up with little effort and typed: Hello there! The keys clacking with a punchy, yet satisfying sound.

Rarity watched over her shoulder. "How does it feel, do you think you could use this to write a book?"

Applejack balked then fidgeted in place. "Rare this is nice and all, but with my livelihood bein' what it is, I don't write enough to use a fancy machine like this here." Rarity looked hurt and confused to her, which Applejack tried to quickly remedy. "But this is mighty generous of ya, I appreciate it, really; I just, are you sure ya wanna be given me-"

"Oh no no no, darling; this gift is meant for someone else." Rarity was quick to correct.

Applejack looked both relieved and confused too, especially at the way Rarity said that. 'Some one?' It pinched at her brain.

"I'm so sorry, dear, I never meant to imply it was yours; I really needed an honest Earth Pony to tell me if this will work as a functional gift, and I can't think of anypony better than you."

Applejack fidgeted bashfully. "Oh, nah, that's alright, it does type good; can I ask who's it for?"

"It's going to be a gift for, Atchmon!" Rarity danced on her hooves excitedly. "Oh I think he'll just love it!" She gushed.

Applejack cocked her brow in confusion. She knew Rarity to be a generous pony to a fault, but she'd never spend so much Bits on a stranger. Only Pinkie Pie had the means and motive to splurge on a new town pony, that was her thing.

"Well, he must be a special fella..."

Rarity shouted in her over-the-top way. "Yes! One might even call him a 'special somepony'..." She hinted mischievously.

"Glck!" Spike made a noise that sounded like a choking duck, looking sick and sticking his tongue out while mock gagging.

Applejack repeated in disbelief. "You mean.. Atchmon is your... special somepony?" She couldn't believe it. Rarity was into mark-less stallions like... that. It couldn't be, she liked classy, strong, independent, successful noble bucks. Not some random wild stallion from the plains. But then, she didn't know much about him.

Applejack could tell Rarity was being genuine. This wasn't the same kind of crush with Trenderhoof. Which threw her for a loop.

'Even I gotta admit Atchmon's a good lookin' buck.' She thought back to what he looked like. That permanent smoldering gaze, his dark mane and tail, the shine of his copper coat.

Applejack personally knew only one other bay colored brunette, Caramel. A rare breed they were; and he lived just a ways from Rarity. More surprising was Rarity never seemed interested in him at all, but then Caramel was a bit of a stereotypical himbo himself, and Rarity did like intelligent conversation.

So what changed?

"Is everything alright, dear?" Rarity asked in concern.

Applejack blinked, having gotten so lost in her thoughts she missed what Rarity was saying.

"Oh, it seems I interrupted a deep thought, haven't I?"

"Whuh? Oh nah, it- I..." Applejack hesitated, then sighed pensively. "I'm jus' so glad you're back Rarity, I missed you somethin' fierce."

"Ooh Applejack, I can only imagine what you and all our friends went through while I was away. " Rarity felt flattered, and cooed at her sweet words.

Applejack's head shook, looking melancholy; wishing she'd asked this sooner. "I've been a right awful mess with you gone, Rare, it made me realize how short our lives are, and I- I was wonderin' if, would you like to- go out and do somethin' together sometime, my treat; we've never really done anything with jus' the two of us."

"Oh Applejack, I'd love to... but it just isn't the right time; I have to get my businesses back in shape, clothes need to be made, fashion competitions to compete in..."

Applejack looked so disappointed, it broke Rarity's heart. "How about this, once I'm back from Canterlot and Manehatten, we'll get together then, sound good?"

She brightened and nodded. "Yeah it-"

*KNOCK KNOCK*

Spike rushed to answer the door, thankful for the interruption. "Oh hi Granny Smith!"

Applejack stood stock still in dread, seeing she'd been over at Rarity's for nearly two whole hours.

That definitely wasn't "right away" as she promised.

Granny deadpanned while looking passed Spike at her granddaughter looking more guilty than when she was caught with an empty cookie jar. "Hi yourself, is my granddaughter in there, Applejack, get your rear over here on the double!" She hollered at increasing volume.

Applejack pinned her ears and tail down, and hurriedly shuffled out the door passed her elder. "Yes ma'am."

Granny sighed and considered Rarity. "Good t' see ya ain't dead, missy; Spike you're growin' like a weed; 'scuse me while I sort out my granddaughter."

"Lovely to see you again, darling; we really must get together for a spa date when I get back." Rarity called after Applejack, before Granny Smith closed the door on her.

"Bye Applej-" Spike tried to follow up.

Ouside, the old fry in her voice was nearly gone as she gave her granddaughter an earful about forgetting about her, and leaving her elder without help.

Author's Note

I'm am just spoiling ya'll with these updates, aren't I?

Gave this the quick and dirty edit. Hope it turned out alright. Off to bed!