The sun sat high in the sky as Applejack trotted to the barn. “Hoo-ee, I’m a might tired,” she said to herself as she threw herself onto a bale of hay. In the summer, the Apple family had to work particularly long and hard to make sure the trees didn’t get scorched by the increasingly hot sun. Applejack closed her eyes. The rhythmic sounds of Apple Bloom and Big Mac chipping away at their remaining chores slipped slowly into the background as her mind drifted away from the present.

An hour later, the sun rested lower in the sky and Applejack sprang from her makeshift bed.
“Ah, shoot! I didn’t mean ta fall asleep!” With a mental list of tasks still left to be finished by sunset, she bolted out the door.

“Oof!”

Applejack fell backwards and found herself looking into the eyes of a knocked over Rarity.

“Oh dear, do look where you’re going next time, Applejack!”

“Rarity? What are you doin’ here? Listen, I got a whole lot more chores to do today so ya gotta make it quick.”

“Sorry to interrupt, darling. I dropped by to ask if you can help me this evening. I’m hosting a soiree tomorrow and would simply love if you could help me with your baking expertise?”

“I’m busier than an ant at a picnic, but I’ll help ya tonight, Rar. Now let me get to mah chores so I can keep that promise.”

“Oooh, thank you so much, Applejack!” Rarity said as she threw her hooves around Applejack. “I’ll see you this evening!”

Applejack watched for a moment as Rarity ran back to Ponyville. She never would have guessed she would become so close to a pony like Rarity, but over the years, Rarity had dug out her own special corner in Applejack’s heart. Applejack smiled to herself and went back to work.

Rarity made her way back to the Carousel Boutique and continued her party preparations.

“Maybe a splash of cerulean will brighten this display? No, no… that particular shade would be a bit gauche with the table settings…”

It had been some time since Rarity had hosted an event of her own, and this time it was to celebrate the success of the new young designers’ clothing being successfully sold from her Boutique. Hopefully Applejack would be willing to refine her down-home cooking for this event. Rarity was sure she could guide her along.

As she strung banners and decorations across the room, Applejack drifted in and out of Rarity’s mind. Rarity worked very hard to get where she was, but she’d never met another pony as hardworking as Applejack. It was amazing how much Rarity had grown to admire AJ, and just how close they’d become. She supposed she had Twilight to thank for bringing them together, even if Rarity’s first impression of AJ was less than savory.

Shortly after the sun set, there was a knock on the door. Rarity eagerly trotted over and opened it up to reveal a tired Applejack.

“Howdy, Rarity. I brought over some apples just in case. These are the best from the harvest—I thought you might like to use ‘em for your party.”

“Oh Applejack, you are SO thoughtful! Do come in. I’ve just preheated the oven.”

Applejack courteously wiped her hooves (a trait she learned from the purple-haired mare in front of her) on the mat outside and walked into Carousel Boutique.

“Wow, Rarity—you’ve outdone yourself!” she said, taking in the scene in front of her. Rich, ocean blue fabrics contrasted ivory, creamy light yellow, and seafoam green accents.

“Thank you, Applejack. I’m pulling out all the stops for this event; the new designers deserve it. Tomorrow night could be the chance of a lifetime for them. I’ve invited all of Equestria’s top designers. I do hope I’ve given them a boost by showing their pieces in my boutique—but tomorrow could very well mark the start of their professional careers!”

“That’s mighty kind of you, Rar. I’m sure even Inky Rose will smile… well, inside…”

Rarity chuckled heartily. “I do hope she does. Now let’s get cooking!”

They made their way to the kitchen and Rarity laid out the baking supplies, as well as sketches of ideas for her hors d’oeurves.

“Wow, Rarity—it always amazes me how much thought you put into the little things.”

“Oh, this is no small detail! If the designers are to have a good time, they must be aesthetically pleased; it creates comfort and ease of conversation—both deeply important to the success of the evening. Now, let’s begin. I want to test everything myself first.”

“If you say so, Rar. I know how fussy your Manehattan and Canterlot friends are, so I came up with a few ideas myself.” Applejack said while pulling a hoof-written recipe from her hat. “I made my Brown Betty’s all small and dainty-like. Let’s make ‘em and you can tell me whatchya think.”

“Oh, how thoughtful of you, dear! Let’s hop to it!”

Rarity measured out the appropriate amounts of flour, sugar, and Pinkie’s favorite baking powder while Applejack prepared the apples.

There was a certain peace Rarity felt with Applejack. There was no need to think in terms of societal politics and social standing. Though this was a luxury she enjoyed will all of her closest friends, there was a certain je ne sais quoi with AJ. Twilight had her royal duties and worries, Fluttershy her fears, Rainbow her cultivated air of coolness, and Pinkie her parties, but AJ knew the meaning of comfortable silence. Her presence didn’t compel Rarity to ruminate on topics of conversation. They could just be together, which was part of why Rarity absolutely cherished their closeness.

Rarity heard Applejack humming a familiar melody, and found herself smiling while she mixed. Rarity lifted the mixing bowl with her horn and, just before she reached the counter, AJ turned around abruptly, bumping into Rarity and throwing the mixing bowl flying into the air.

Before Rarity could even gasp, the dry ingredients came flying down right on top of Applejack’s head.

As a now white Applejack laughed and wiped the flour from her eyes, Rarity was sent into fits of laughter.

“Ohh ho ho, Applejack,” she fit in between breaths, “if you could see… the look on your…” Rarity couldn’t recall the last time she laughed this heartily.

As her laughter slowly subsided and Applejack could at last open her eyes, she saw that Rarity too had gotten some flour on her face.

“Let me get that for you, Rar,” AJ said as she lifted her hoof to Rarity’s cheek.

The flour must’ve mixed with the tears streaming from Rarity’s eyes, stubbornly refusing to move. Before long, Applejack shifted her gaze to Rarity’s bright blue eyes, peering comfortably and sweetly into her own. Applejack couldn’t help but smile as she held Rarity’s cheek in her hoof, and felt a rush of warmth to her own two cheeks.

“Uuuh, erm…” she said as she pulled away. “We better mix up those ingredients again if we’re gonna get these Brown Betty’s done before Celestia raises the sun!”

“Oh! Erm, yes, yes, of course. Let’s get back to work, darling!” Rarity agreed.

Just as quickly as the moment arose, it had passed. Applejack went back to her post and began humming her song again, and Rarity was left with a lingering feeling she couldn’t quite give a name to.

Author's Note

Much more to come! This is my first story here--please share your thoughts!