Equestria Girls: Bonds Forged of Friendship I (Love)

Alright, look...
Was it fair to say that Rarity might've been a little too prone to partaking in pipe dreams? That she could be an all-too-frequent flier onboard first-class flights of fancy?

Perhaps so...but even conceding that particular fault, the fashionista had never been one to turn a blind eye for too long toward either the harshest or the messiest of all likelihoods. That was especially true today, which was why she fully recognized—speaking of messy—that a day down on the farm probably wouldn't end with her smelling like a bushel of freshly picked apples.
She was going to get messy. She was going to get sweaty. She was going to get dirty.
That was all just as inevitable as either the tides or the seasons, and she had been more than prepared to accept and bear all of that.

But this!? This went beyond even her wildest of preparations!
And she thought this morning was bad!? Ha!
In the first hour alone of her harvesting, literally almost everything possible went poorly for the young tailor...

Where even to begin?
Well, first of all, there was nothing “great” about the great outdoors once you actually started immersing yourself in them! Good lord, if only the leaves and the dirt had been the worst of it. They're certainly much more preferable to the twigs that got tangled up in her hair or the insidious mud puddles that kept threatening to swallow up her boots whole! And leaving aside all of the aforementioned filth—which was indeed a huge issue—it was frankly ridiculous just how much mother nature itself was apparently out to get her!

And everything seemed so innocuous at first...

Carry this bin back over to the truck? No problem...until she trips over an upturned root and lands knees-first into a dirt mound!

“OH NO! Er...um, well...these pants were just for today...I suppose...”

Inspect the incoming apples for bruises and cuts? Easy enough...until a stealthy little worm nearly crawled right onto her finger!

“EWWW! GET IT AWAY! Get that horrid little thing away from me!”

Simply set up this ladder—away from all of the bumpy paths and slimy vermin? Yes, please...until a particularly vindictive little crow decided to try and fashion her hair into a makeshift nest!

“I SWEAR I'LL TURN YOU INTO A CHEW TOY FOR MY CAT, YOU—YOU...YOU MANGY OLD FEATHER-DUSTER!”

Honestly, it was just one arrant disaster after another around here, and every one of them pushed her to a new limit of patience!

But all of that might've been at least a bit more tolerable if Rarity could feel like she was actually helping out around here. Instead, however...it was the complete opposite. Already, she was constantly having to be looked after, which was bad enough, but even in the scant moments where nothing was going wrong, she could barely do anything right! She couldn't navigate these paths like a seasoned farmhand, or lug around anywhere near as much cargo, or even inspect apples half as quickly!
This was supposed to be her big chance to make everything up to her best friend, but in the end, it was exactly as she had feared from the very start. Without a stitch to sew or a fabric to knit, she was just a petty little seamstress in a world that she clearly didn't belong in. And without her powers on hand, she was practically useless around here...no, it was more than just that.

She was dirtied and disheveled...
She was embarrassed and frustrated...
She was nothing but a burden on Applejack...

This was one of the most miserable experiences of her life...AND SHE ABSOLUTELY COULD NOT WAIT TO BE DONE WITH IT ALL!

Or at least...that was how she felt, at first...

But, strangely enough, as the hours passed by and the harvest progressed, Rarity started to find herself...almost warming up to some of it...

Of course, it's not like she was getting any less filthy doing this—quite the opposite, in fact—but at least all of that sweat and grime started to...well, it still bothered her, but...it mattered less? Compared to everything that they were accomplishing, being perfectly immaculate just didn't seem quite as important then, insane as that may have sounded.

The funny thing was that, in some ways, this kind of work wasn't all that different from Rarity's own. After all, crafting the latest in fashion fantastique wasn't without its own share of messes to be made, especially when glitter or sequins were involved. But whenever it came to issues like that, there would always be time for tidying up later. The important thing was getting the job done first because a job well done was always well worth its trials and tribulations!

It was no different down here on the farm—or at least, that's what Applejack helped her to realize...

Speaking of, there was something about getting this particular kind of job done that Rarity actually found rather gratifying. Perhaps it was watching as the apple-bins steadily filled up, or indeed as the orchards themselves grew barer with each passing hour. They were such tangible senses of progress, after all—not unlike seeing a mannequin model more and more of her latest projects. But beyond all of that, perhaps the biggest part of her satisfaction then simply stemmed from observing her own progress.
Granted, it took a bit of time and coaching, as well as more than a few dozen or so attempts, but the fashionista definitely noticed how she was getting better at all of this. Turns out, even without her powers on hand, she could still prove to be quite the capable assistant around here! Why just look at everything she could accomplish by the end of her second hour!

Now, with Applejack's advice and but a few elegant twists at the stem, even she could seamlessly pluck a few apples in no time at all.
Now, through her own willpower and strength, as well as Applejack's own lending hand on occasion, even she could lug these weighty bins all the way back to the truck.
Now, with her impeccable eye for detail, even she—no, obviously she—could discern even the most minute imperfection on any and every apple, just so long as Applejack was there of course to...to protect her against any pests and...and...

...Actually, it really was all thanks to Applejack, wasn't it?

Of course, Rarity obviously recognized her best friend as one of the cornerstones to Sweet Apple Acres—arguably the most important one, in fact—so it only made sense that the farm girl could handle this harvest like it was nothing. She also knew that, beyond all of their silly disagreements and occasional bickering, there was nobody in the world that she could count on more for guidance and support than Applejack.
That simple fact hadn't changed in all of these years of knowing one another, and yet...it seemed so different as of late...so much more meaningful. Now, when they were together, it was as though Rarity could find the strength and confidence to do practically anything; even manual labor on a farm of all things and places!

Of course, even that couldn't have been at all easy for the poor farmhand to put up with. Exactly how much time today did she have to waste teaching her friend the basics of all this? And even after that was all firmly settled, how often did she still have to watch over the fashionista just to make sure everything was alright?

Quite a bit, as it so happened.
Rarity could still vividly recall earlier, when she had lost her balance and nearly tumbled down the ladder, only to feel her friend's hand suddenly press against her back and steadily push her up safely. She could still remember nearly spilling an entire bin of apples with a single misstep, only for her friend to swoop in and grab the other end at the very last second. And how could she forget nearly fainting at the sight of yet another blasted worm, only for her friend to take the horrid little thing onto her finger and gently set it down somewhere far away?

It was almost enough to make the young tailor feel even more guilty, and those were just some of the lower hanging fruits that she could readily pluck from this experience. And yet, whenever anything like that did happen, it always ended up the same way. Regardless of where she was in the middle of whatever mishap, Rarity would always look around to inevitably find Applejack standing nearby...and regarding her with a calm, confident, and tender little smile...

Maybe it was just that her friend simply had the patience of a saint, but seeing that always felt like so much more. After all, throughout this entire ordeal, Applejack had kept on laughing, making quips, sharing her thoughts...sharing in all of it, really. She just seemed so naturally in her element around here. So much like she was actually having fun. So genuinely happy.
And for some reason...that kept making Rarity feel even happier. It kept making this whole day all the more worthwhile.

Perhaps things might've gotten off to a bit of a bumpy start around here, but by the third hour...actually, in hindsight, even that first hour or so wasn't really all that bad. Of course, the fashionista could perhaps be a little overly dramatic at times, but at least her fumbling about and freaking out early on made for a few good laughs. At least she could prove to be a fast learner when it counted, and she certainly had a fabulous teacher to show her the ins and outs of this work.

Still, though, Rarity definitely preferred how things were going now.
Now, she could delight in finding little ways to actually help Applejack streamline their routines. Now, she could have fun trading in some good-natured ribbing with Applejack, before competing to see who could pluck the most apples faster. Now, she could just walk side by side with Applejack, lugging bins and bumping hips together, joking around and laughing together...and she could relish every moment of being together.

Thinking back on all of that, she was suddenly so glad to have helped out with the harvest today—to the point that, by quarter after three, her only lingering regret was that they had never done this sort of thing sooner...
Well, that...and the fact that she still needed to take such frequent breaks.

Using a log as a bench wasn't exactly befitting of a young lady, but at this point, Rarity was too worn out to debate a more proper choice of furnishings. She was also a bit too parched at the moment to gingerly partake in just a few sips of her drink then, as well.

“GAH!” she gasped sharply, following the last few voracious chugs of her latest water bottle. How many did that make now? At least four?
Meanwhile, Applejack sat there brandishing the same bottle that she'd been working on for the last hour or so.

“Never thought I'd see y'all of all folk guzzlin' down a drink like that. An' ain't ya the one always frettin' 'bout the dangers a' water weight?”

“Hah! I should think that I've perspired more than enough today for it to all balance out. But rest assured, darling, if I somehow stand to gain even one pound from this whole endeavor, then Sweet Apple Acres shall be receiving the bill for my aerobics classes.”

“Haha, fair enough. I'm sure we could at least cover a couple a' them classes, what with all the help ya gave us today.”

Her threats then might've been as empty as her bottle's calorie count, but Rarity still couldn't help taking pleasure in that little bit of praise. She also couldn't help but wonder...

“...Well then, how much progress would you say we've made thus far?”

“Hmm... Reckon we're a lil' past bein' a quarter a' the way through. Prolly coulda gotten closer to a third if Big Mac didn't have to run off an' fetch us more supplies...an' if the truck didn't lose two tires in a row...”

“Indeed. Honestly, Applejack, your family should really look into replacing that shoddy old thing. It's certainly no more pleasant to ride in than it is to maintain.”

“Aw, she ain't that bad off. Just needs a lil' extra elbow grease is all.”

“Yes,” Rarity said, suddenly spotting the opportunity for a playful little jab. “...A little extra elbow grease in the form of your super strength, right? And aren't you the one who was worried about overusing our Geodes?”

The farm girl could barely stifle an embarrassed cough at that one.
“Uh, w-well...it was takin' a while fer them to find the spares...an' we woulda been waitin' 'round even longer if I didn't tow her back myself, ya know?”

“And does 'waiting around' constitute much of an emergency?”

“Mmmm... Guess not... Shucks, sure can be tough sometimes not usin' these fancy powers, huh?”

“Believe me, I know. I was just thinking earlier how we probably shouldn't give Rainbow Dash such a hard time about that.”

“Yeah, yer right...but, uh, let's maybe not tell her that. Don't want her gettin' too ahead of herself again, right?”

“Agreed, hmhmhm!”

The two giggled and toasted to that little secret before Rarity once again began downing as much water as she could. She might've even been able to finish off bottle number five then, were it not for her friend suddenly surprising her...in more ways than one.

“...Hey, by the way...I really gotta thank ya, Rarity...”

“Hmm? Me? What ever for?”

“What for? Fer comin' down to the farm an' helpin' out today, a' course.”

“Oh. Well...I mean, you're certainly welcome, Applejack... I'm just not sure how much of a help I really was. You probably would've been better off with Rainbow or Sunset...don't you think?”

“Hmm...well, they prolly wouldn'ta been so scared by harmless lil' worms, I reckon.”

Rarity almost objected to that little barb—true though it might've been—but Applejack stopped chuckling just in time to continue her thought.

“...But, actually...that's kinda what I'm talkin' 'bout. I know this sort a' outdoorsy stuff ain't really yer thing. An' it must've even been pretty scary, 'specially after I surprised ya with not usin' our powers an' all. But...ya really did great today! Just look at ya now, already pluckin' an' peelin' like a pro, an' how ya eye so many apples so dang fast, an' how ya came up with that spiffy way to—”

The cowgirl looked as though she could've kept gushing on, but stopped for a moment to collect her thoughts. She seemed more than a little embarrassed then, but eventually pressed on regardless.

“...Point is...I know all that weren't easy...but...I'm mighty grateful to ya fer toughin' it out today with me, an'...I'm real proud of ya, Rarity!”

And there it was again...that smile...
Already, Rarity was so touched by the cowgirl's kind words then, but when Applejack regarded her with that same smile—all the while saying how proud she was of her—the fashionista suddenly found herself feeling...so overwhelmed!

“Ahahaha!” she laughed abruptly, all the while unable to even look her friend properly in the eyes. “W-Well, I...er, that, um...t-that is to say, it...it-it-it certainly hasn't been any...or, rather, it has been an interesting day, of course, but—goodness, is it getting warm—but it was also nothing that, um, a-a pair of seasoned heroines like yours and—like ourselves couldn't handle, haha!”

...That was perhaps the most embarrassed Rarity had felt all day.
Honestly, what kind of response was any of that!? She couldn't seem to wipe away this dopey grin on her face, and it was absolutely on fire then! Meanwhile, her flustered mind struggled to cobble together any kind of suitable response. What could one possibly say to such wholehearted sentiments!?

Thankfully, Applejack didn't seem put off by that ungraceful showing. If anything, she herself was looking a little overheated as well.
“Haha, yer darn tootin'! Though, uh, I do gotta admit...this kinda work sure can make ya hot under the collar...”

The farm girl took that opportunity to cool her own self off, removing her hat and using it as an impromptu fan in the process. It was only then, when absolutely certain that she wasn't being noticed, that Rarity could manage to look back at her best friend...and after that, she couldn't seem to look away...

It was strange.
The last time she'd seen that smile was during their fateful phone call in Manehattan. Back then, the young tailor had been so overcome with emotion that she couldn't actually pinpoint the thought as it was happening.
However, sitting here now and watching as her friend looked so serene and content, with eyes gently closed and cheeks faintly flushed, Rarity finally had a moment to just take in and appreciate...how beautiful Applejack really was. And actually, she was breathtaking. The healthy glow of that sun-kissed skin; those adorable freckles that punctuated her every expression; that same warm smile that seemed strong enough to raise even the heaviest of hearts.
Even the little imperfections then seemed perfect. The poor dear had stems and leaf bits caught within her slightly frizzed ponytail, but it was almost as though they were merely adrift—floating along this untamed river of spun gold that shined brilliantly and ran wildly down such a...such a deceptively...firm neck...

At that instant, Applejack turned back toward Rarity, finally making eye contact again as she spoke.

“...Say...care fer a bight?”

“...I... H-Huh!?”

For a second, the seamstress had been so spaced out there, to the point that her friend's offer caught her completely off guard—let alone shocked her for just how bold and...surprisingly risque it suddenly was.
Meanwhile, Applejack only looked confused by the whole thing.

“...Hmm? Ain't ya hungry? After a hard day's work, I know my tummy's usually growlin', an' Granny Smith said she'd fix us up a lil' lunch fer today.”

“I...O-Oh,” she replied, not entirely sure what was making her feel so embarrassed then...although her own growling stomach might've had something to do with it.

“Um...y-yes! I suppose I am feeling a bit peckish, haha.”

“Alright!” Applejack said as she stood up. “I'll go fetch us some grub! Be right back!”

“Oh! Shall I accompany you? I'd hate to make you get everything yourself.”

“Nah. Y'all just relax. Promise I'll be back in no time flat!”

Rarity would've objected further to being waited on then, but instead could only watch as Applejack made her way back over to the barn, her gaze firmly bound to the farm girl until she finally disappeared down the hillside...
It was just as well, considering how the young tailor was still feeling a bit winded—not to mention flustered. Perhaps a few minutes of solitude would help to clear her head and steady her chest. Honestly, no matter how much her friend assured her otherwise, she was clearly not cut out for this level of manual labor.

Well, with little else to do until Applejack's return, Rarity settled on simply allowing her mind to wander with nature for a bit.
Along the hills and horizons, she could see the occasional breeze gently comb its way throughout every cluster of orchards, creating these little chromatic ripples that seemed to spread all across the countryside. It was quite a splendid sight to behold. She may have preferred the view more from indoors, specifically in a suite outfitted with air conditioning and fluffed cushions, but there was no denying just how breathtaking the great outdoors could be...

...Breathtaking...

Actually, with the benefit of a few moments' peace, she realized now that it wasn't really all that warm out. Granted, and especially for a fall day, things weren't quite as cool as one would've expected, but...honestly, it was just a bit too muggy to be truly comfortable. Between that moist aroma in the air and those persistently murky skies, there was always that pervading sense that rain might be just around the corner.
How long had it been since Canterlot enjoyed some genuinely clear skies, anyway? Sadly, the weather reports didn't seem all that encouraging lately; cloudy skies for the foreseeable future, including right into the Fall Formal. Good lord, how depressing would it be if that was nothing but a literal washout? It would certainly put more than a few wrinkles into some of Rarity's big plans for that big day.

...It was almost hard to believe just how quickly the Formal was approaching now.
Rarity always loved that particular night. A school-wide gala underneath the starry skies, with music and lights and dresses and dancing. It was all just so enchanting...and so potentially romantic! Granted, the last few Formals were woefully bereft of such opportunities, for one reason or another, but how fittingly perfect would it be to finally find her prince charming on this one last occasion?
Of course, her best friend would always tease her about having such silly aspirations, but maybe this year it—

…Come to think of it...why didn't Applejack ever talk about this kind of stuff on her end? She hadn't even spoken of the Fall Formal that much, outside of being excited about Countess Coloratura's performance. She and Rarity both had always wanted to see in her concert, after all. But was it really too girly to at least occasionally get excited over things like dances...or even dresses or boyfrie—er, well...
Well...still though! It's not like she was completely uninterested in them...and surely that feeling was mutual, right? She should've at least had a few male suitors at CHS hopelessly pining for her attention. How could any eligible bachelor not recognize how special she truly was? ...

Without even realizing it, Rarity's eyes had settled on the shifting skies up above, and all it took was spotting a few darker clouds to make her conjure up a large diamond canopy. For almost two years now, she had avoided getting so much as a drop of rain on her thanks to these abilities, and she was firmly intent on maintaining that streak.
Of course, this probably didn't count as an emergency, but if the threat of waiting around had been enough to necessitate some super strength, then surely she could be afforded the liberty of a convenient little umbrella when needed, right?
Hopefully, it wouldn't start pouring while her friend was procuring lunch...

...Just as well...she was too good for most of them, anyway. Honestly, Applejack had proven time and again to be more of a gentleman than any of the boys over at their school. Today was certainly no exception to that effect.
The way she guided Rarity throughout this whole thing, never once succumbing to either impatience or indifference at her friend's own obvious inexperience.
How she consistently reassured the fashionista of her many doubts, as well as redressed all of the mistakes and reinforced each and every success.
The gallantry as she helped her up ladders and along those bumpy paths; the bravery as she fended off hideous worms and malicious birds just for her; the tenderness as she held her in those powerful arms and—

“Oooh!” Rarity moaned, shaking her head to desperately reel in her unfocused mind. “What in the world is wrong with you today, Rarity? She's not behaving any differently than normal...so why do you keep fixating on that stuff?”

The seamstress took a deep breath and stood up to stretch for a moment. She needed to get her head out of the clouds and focus on something more productive. What time was it, anyway? Almost quarter till four? Good heavens! Time had really flown today.
That's right. She was supposed to start work on dresses for the Formal this afternoon. That's what she had anticipated most of her day to consist of. Funny just how much those grand notions unraveled...not that she minded in the slightest. There was always tomorrow, after all...and—

Actually, just...one more thing...
It's just...Applejack was so stunning back there! How had Rarity never noticed that before?
Of course, all of her friends radiated beauty in their own unique ways, but her best friend's was different. And we're not just talking about aesthetic qualities, either. Her attitude, her dedication, her down-to-earth sensibilities. It was all so genuine...so effortless...so simply who she was...

And she was...well...
She was like a diamond; a strong and sturdy gem whose vibrant glow belied years of growth underneath the harshest and most demanding of conditions. As a result, she was as rough cut as they came, and yet every facet of her was all the more sensational for it. She could be so immensely powerful, and yet so surprisingly delicate in such subtle ways. She could be as stable as a skyscraper when needed, and yet as warm and inviting as a rustic little cottage...
Oh sure, there were certainly more than a few rough edges to this particular gem, and the occasional layers of dirt weren't exactly ideal...or hygienic. However, while much of that could eventually be polished away—into a pristine masterpiece, no doubt—would that not ruin everything that made this diamond what it was...everything that made Applejack so...so perfect now...
Moreover, it seemed like—

“OH, FOR HEAVEN'S SAKE!” Rarity shouted, finally sitting back down on her little log bench in a huff. “I swear... I must be so tired that I can't even think straight!”

And then, just to cap off her string of undignified behavior on display today, her stomach suddenly let out a rather audible growl.

“...Not to mention hungry...”

Perhaps she should've just accompanied Applejack after all. Clearly, waiting around wasn't going so swimmingly, not when her mind was so jumbled and her belly so empty...

Care for a bite?
Honestly, how could she even think something so uncouth? ...

How in the world could she even say something so embarrassing? ...
Blathering on like that about how great of a job her friend was doing...and how proud she was of her...

“Heh... Guess I'm pretty bad at this,” Applejack moaned...all the while unable to wipe the large grin from off her face.

There was nothing quite like a home-cooked meal to reward a hard day's work, and leave it to the Apple family to always make good on that kind of offer. On the menu for today's lunch, we had some cracked-pepper turkey sliders, a broccoli and roasted almond salad, and some fresh-made apple chips for dessert.

“Well, sure hope she's good an' hungry!”

Thankfully, and despite such a sizable spread, almost everything was already set up back at the house. She just had to fetch the food and some silverware, fold up a blanket, and get it all packed into the basket. Easy as apple pie.

However, as Applejack wandered about the kitchen, grabbing and packing things at a more leisurely pace then, her mind started to settle down and really take stock of everything—and not just with regards to the utensils and food, either. It was as though this day's events were finally catching up with her, and she needed a minute to process how it was all going.
At first, the cowgirl had been pretty nervous about spending the day with Rarity.
It was one thing to say that she was going to be herself and simply let the apples fall where they may, but there was always that niggling worry that...perhaps she herself would ruin everything like that. And indeed, despite trying her best to maintain a brave face, there were times today when that very fear sharply pricked at the back of her mind; times when she said or did something that in hindsight seemed a bit bold even for her.

Let's see...where to begin?
Well, there was her inability to stop giggling at her friend's little outbursts early on, despite the risk of only adding fuel to the fire in those heated moments.
Then there was how hands-on she was willing to be while showing her friend how to do everything, regardless of how potentially awkward such up-close contact could get.
And of course, who could forget those many moments where she simply spoke freely in front of her friend...including that aforementioned bit of praise right before coming back here?
Any one of those instances, among dozens of others, probably could've spoiled this entire day in a heartbeat.
And yet—

“Dag-burn flibbertigibbet!”

Well, that was certainly one way to derail a thought, especially since Applejack was too curious not to investigate the sudden outburst coming from their living room.
Of course, calling it a “living room” then might've been slightly off; a cross between a crime scene and the remains of a tornado barreling through seemed far more accurate. All over the floors and furniture were photos, portraits, and other little knickknacks scattered about in utter disarray. Meanwhile, Granny Smith was on her knees crawling around in search of...surely something.

“Uh...heya, Granny. How's the album comin' along'?”

“Ooh...that's the last time I ask yer cousin Goldie fer anything! Told her I was workin' on gettin' all a' our photos in order, an' she's a-sendin' me hundreds more! Now I can't find heads or tails a' what I was lookin' for.”

So much for taking the day off from harvesting to relax a bit.
Ever since she patched things up with their Grand Pear, Granny Smith had gotten a lot more interested in chronicling everything to do with the Apple family's extended lineage. And what a lineage it was proving to be! Part Apple; part Orange; part Pear!? Turns out, Applejack and her siblings were quite the little fruit-salad of different bloodlines—perhaps even a fruit-pie, if that genealogy website was to be believed...

Anyway, the latest in her grandmother's projects was to compile a series of photo albums for each household, starting with her immediate one and spreading out to the others over time. Sadly, looking at all that she had to work with just spread across the living room right now, it was probably going to be a while before she could even begin to move past the bulky trunk of this family tree.

“Now...where'd I put that one of yer sister's first day at school?”

At least Applejack didn't have to go too far to help then, considering she spotted a photo of Apple Bloom waving at her from literally out the side of her grandma's pocket.

“This the one ya lookin' fer?” she asked, promptly plucking the picture and handing it back to her grandma, who inspected it closely for a good moment.

“Ooh! There she is! Always was good at hidin' where ya'd least suspect her. Say, don't suppose ya seen another 'round here, have ya? One of y'all an' yer folks together? Been searchin' high an' low fer that one, an'—”

“Sorry, Granny,” she interrupted, already mindful of how long she had kept her friend waiting. “I'd love to help ya, but I gotta take them lunches ya made fer me an' Rarity.”

“What? O-Oh, right—the harvest. How's it goin' today?”

That should've been a simple enough question for Applejack to answer, but it was even more loaded than one of her family's apple barrels, and she couldn't help considering it for a moment.
She thought about all those scary ways that stuff could've gone wrong with her friend early on.
She thought about the way that things got easier as she embraced just being herself with her friend.
She thought about how much fun her friend seemed to be having now...and how much she was loving just being together...

“...Honestly...I think it's goin' real great!”

“Oh, good!” her granny said, wiping away a pile of photos so she could take a seat on the couch. “I figured ya been mighty worried about that lately.”

“Yeah...but I guess I... Wait... You did?”

“Well, sure! Harvestin' can get pretty dang stressful, an' you youngins tend to fret over stuff way more than ya oughta.”

“Oh...right. Harvestin'... Well, don't you worry none, Granny! I think I finally got things all under control!”

“Well, alright, Applejack. Y'all enjoy the food, an' give my thanks to Rarity!”

“Sure will!” she said, all the while making her way back to the kitchen.

It was only after the cowgirl had almost finished packing that she wondered...did she ever actually mention that Rarity was helping out today? She recalled telling her grandmother that some friends might be joining in, but...
Well...perhaps Granny just figured that her best friend would be here, like back when they used to have sleepovers almost every weekend in middle school. It certainly felt like those good old days between two best friends today...

Actually, no... This was so much better than that.
Admittedly, part of it was just because Applejack felt so much more...what's the right word? Liberated? Comfortable? Well, whatever the case, it all boiled down to actually being happy with herself for a change. Regardless of how outlandish or harmless they might be, there was nothing quite like facing one's fears to serve as a little pick-me-up. It was just like that time she finally worked up the nerve to go back on a boat after getting seasick last spring break—not to mention when the cruise-liner completely capsized back then...

But really...it was mostly thanks to Rarity, wasn't it?
It was almost ironic. Here she was, serving as the heart of all this nervousness lately, and yet it was the many ways that the fashionista continued to surprise and delight Applejack that really helped to put her mind at ease and make her feel so happy.
It was how, whenever the farmer was afraid that she'd spoken out of line, Rarity would rise up to the ribbing and counter with her own.
It was how, whenever something seemed too difficult or too messy, Rarity would push past all of that anxiety, take everything she'd been taught, and manage just fine on her own.
It was how Rarity could get so easily frazzled, and yet recover so gracefully in an instant. It was how Rarity could look so delicate and fragile, only to erupt with passion and fire moments later. It was how Rarity was just...everything that she was!

And she was...well...
She was like an apple...
Original, yes...but there was more to it than that! Because Rarity wasn't just like any ol' apple! So many of the competing brands and local chains—they talk a big game about how their produce is the prettiest and the shiniest and whatnot, but that's always just skin deep! You take a bite out of any one of those husks and all you can taste are the pesticides and the hormones needed to make them look so good. But Rarity wasn't like those other apples; she was a burst of unique flavors in every bite! Of course, not that Applejack actually wanted to bite her or anything! It's just...

“...Man...I'm real bad at this...”

The point is...Rarity was real. Yes, of course, she looked great on the outside, like so many others—better than great, even—but there was so much more beyond all of that. She wasn't shallow or devoid of substance. She was generous, funny, confident, hard-working, and clever—she was a million different things! And yeah, not every one of them might've been to everyone's liking, but...they were all wholesome...they were all her...and they were all that made her so...so perfect now...

When Applejack thought about it like that, was it really any wonder why she was having so much fun? How could anyone not be when they were in l—in-in such a...such deep admiration...of her friend...

“...Land sakes, I'm beyond bad at this!”

Thankfully, before the farmhand could hogtie her thoughts any further, the timer on the microwave finally went off. Now, with sandwiches warmed and a basket fully packed, she was more than ready to share a nice lunch with Rarity. Actually...she couldn't wait to now...

Before she even got halfway back up the hill they were on, Applejack was surprised to see Rarity making her own way down. Perhaps the cowgirl had taken longer than she realized to get things together. However, when the fashionista finally reached her, looking both slightly out of breath and rather grave, it quickly became apparent that food was the least of their concerns.

“Darling...did you see!?”

“See what?”

Without a moment's pause, Rarity handed Applejack her phone. On display was a string of messages from the others.

TS: We've got another EM emergency!!

RD: Alright! Where at!?

TS: Crystal Prep. It's Indigo Zap.

SS: Perfect! Pinkie and I will be right there! Twilight, can you show us their science lab first? I'll explain later...

Applejack was so shocked that she nearly dropped the basket then.
“Wait... How long ago was that!?”

“Just a few minutes. Did your phone not go off again?”

“I...aw, shoot!” she said, patting her pockets down for a phone that was nowhere to be felt. “Musta left it back in the truck!”

“Excellent! That's where we're heading anyway! Shall we!?”

“Right!”

The cowgirl spun around and began making for the barn, only to be stopped by one last question.

“Just a moment,” Rarity said, gesturing toward the basket. “Is that our food in there?”

“Huh? Oh...yeah. So much fer that... Tell ya what: y'all go ahead an' eat while I get us there. You don't mind scarfin' down some grub in the truck, right?”

“I don't, but you're having some as well.”

“What!? I can't eat an' drive at the same time!”

“Well...then I'll feed you!”

“I...huh?”

“You heard me!” Rarity said, the warmth on her cheeks suddenly outshone by the fire in her eyes. “We're no good to anyone if we're too hungry to think straight! So, if I have to slip some food into your mouth while you navigate, then so be it! Now, come along!”

At that, the fashionista marched right past Applejack, who could only stare in amazement at what she just heard. Talk about being stubborn and full of surprises.
Of course...not that she minded at all.

“Heh...wow,” she said, watching as her friend continued confidently forward. “...What a gal...”