Livin large...Sort Of

The sun had just risen over Ponyville as I rolled over and saw it through my window. Celestia's magic was incredibly appreciated by me this morning. The growing shafts of light struck the shimmering blue glass floors and lit the walls and ceiling of clouds with a beautiful rainbow of pinks and oranges. Slowly the colors shifted as the sun peeked out more and more from behind the hills surrounding Ponyville. Pinks faded to blues as the day began. I rolled out of bed and stretched. I had slept well that night after our long journey. I greeted the day with a yawn and trotted out of my newly furnished room, down a shimmering stone studded cloud staircase to the kitchen. I whipped up some breakfast, mainly consisting of all the apples we'd gotten, and sat on a balcony watching Ponyville wake up. Honestly, watching Ponyville in the morning was quite fun. From my cloud mansion, I could see doors opening, vendors popping up, and ponies beginning to scoot about their lives. I decided to go on an early morning flight to see Fluttershy. I took off from my rainbow waterfall and zipped over Ponyville enjoying the un-trafficked air. In Cloudsdale, a bunch of fitness nut ponies went on early flights and you had to dodge a million of them. Here, the air was free. The breeze was cool as the sun parted from the top of the hills behind the apple orchard. The wind stirred my mane and untangled it as I flew around the cottony country clouds.

"This isn't that bad," I said to myself, thanking Fluttershy for choosing Ponyville.

By the time I got to Fluttershy's, animals were scurrying around under-hoof everywhere. Bunnies darted this way and that, birds flitted from birdhouse to birdhouse, all sorts of critters played in the backyard, and I could hear Fluttershy's soothing voice coming from a chicken coop.

"Oh Pimento, I know. It's okay. Barry didn't mean to knock you over okay?" I couldn't help but giggle when I saw Fluttershy rise from the chicken coop shaking her head at a little mouse that darted by. "No more apples." She said to it sheepishly.

"Hey, Fluttershy," I called, trotting over to her and the mouse.

"Oh. Good morning Rainbow." She waved a hoof at me. "Clearance just reminded me that I was going to go to Sweet Apple Acres to go pick up that bushel of apples I ordered yesterday. Care to join me?" She asked with a smile.

"Of course."

"Ah. The air is so much cleaner than it is in Cloudsdale. Isn't it?" Fluttershy asked as the cool breeze ruffled her feathers and made our manes twist and shake.

"Yeah." I quietly agreed. "I watched the town wake up when I flew over here," I said with a small smile. "I think I could grow to like this little town." I blushed and grew increasingly aware of the scent of apples as Fluttershy gave me a funny look.

"Wait, but if you didn't think you would like it here then why did you come with me?" She asked, growing more puzzled as I turned my head to hide my cheeks that now matched the deep red of my mane.

"Uh- look!" I called. "The farm!" Thank Celestia for the location of the barn. Fluttershy shrugged and followed me down to the path leading to the doors. A muscular earth pony was waiting by the barn. Her coat was a peachy color that shone in the early morning light. Her mane was a silky yellow color and her head was half covered by a brown cowboy hat. Standing next to her was a big red stallion who was probably two times the size her. He had a thin orange mane and matching tail. When he saw us coming, he darted inside and came back out toting a bushel sized crate of apples. When we reached the front of the barn, the peachy mare came forward and stuck out her hoof.

"Howdy ya'll. Name's Applejack. This here is Big Macintosh and we run this here orchard." Fluttershy and I both shook her hoof. "Welcome ta Sweet Apple Acres." She said with a smile as she gestured to the acres of apples around us. "I trust that ya'll met Granny and Apple Bloom down at the market yesterday?"

"Yeah," I said. "I'm Rainbow Dash and this is Fluttershy." We both waved. Then Fluttershy took a small step forward.

"I'm the one who ordered the apples." She said meekly.

"Wait a minute." Applejack squinted. "You two must be them two Pegasi that little Bloom was ravin' bout yesterday."

"Yeah," I agreed. "We just flew in from Cloudsdale."

"Well button me up 'n call me weddin' gown, ya'll come on in an' have some cider. Granny just finished makin' some."

The cider was delicious. It was unlike anything I had ever tasted before. Fluttershy definitely thought so too. We were both on our fifth cup when Applejack announced that there was only a cup full left.

"How 'bout we give it to our little lady'ere?" Applejack said with a sly smile. Both me and Fluttershy lit up. "Aw you silly tumbleweed, Ah meant the purty one." Applejack said with a wink as she filled Fluttershy's glass. Both mine and Fluttershy's jaws hit the floor. Fluttershy blushed and looked down at her cup, I looked up and scowled at Applejack.

"Thank you," Fluttershy said meekly with a tinge of sadness in her voice.

"Aw, it's nutin' sugar cube. in fact, if ya love it so much, you can come on down here later and have s'more with me." She winked and leaned in. "And ditch the rainbow riot 'ere." She whispered to her. My face grew red and boiling as I heard these words.

"Um, I-" Fluttershy stammered. I stood up. If Applejack was going to try to make a move on Fluttershy, then I would have to have something to say about it.

"Clearly, you think that Fluttershy is one of those ponies who thinks it's funny to punch jokes at other ponies. But no! Fluttershy hates that! She is the kindest pony I've ever met. She loved it when you called her pretty but not at the expense of me not getting what I wanted. She's not a stupid farm pony like you." I scowled at the peachy pony as her face grew a completely new shade.

"Excuse me." Fluttershy grabbed my hoof. "Thank you two soooooo much." She said with a hasty laugh. "I'm sorry...um, I'll come back later for the uh apples." With that, we darted outside and took off. Once we were off the ground I turned to her.

"I'm sorry I-"

"Rainbow, it's okay. I just hate seeing every pony get mad. I-, thank you." She smiled at me and everything was okay. That smile just made everything perfect. "How about we go back to that bakery and see if we can meet that Pinkie Pie pony."