A Day in the Life: A Closer Look at Appledash
Applejack was making a slow shuffle to her bedroom that resided on the second story of the Apple family’s countryside home Sweet Apple Acres. She was rightfully exhausted too; she had spent all day in the hot summer heat either bucking apples and corralling the farm’s rambunctious sheep, chickens, and pigs for vaccines and sheering. Her muscles ached all along her body too despite taking a long Epsom salt bath that Rarity swore by, but she did use a lavender-scented bath so at the very least she figured she’d have a nice long sleep to look forward to tonight. Before she pulled her covers back on her queen size bed, she reached down to pick her loyal dog Winona up and placed her on top of the quilted cover. A small laugh and an amused smirk came to Applejack as she watched Winona pranced on top of the bedspread and dug at the covers before curling up at the foot of the bed to go to sleep. Seeing that her dog was properly relaxed Applejack finally crawled into her cool bed and almost instantly fell asleep.
The sleep that Applejack found herself in was nothing short of glorious. She was passed out and sleeping like a rock, surely nothing could ever disturb this slumber. Nothing except a persistent tapping on Applejack’s window. A few seconds after the tapping started Winona darted up and started growling at whoever was at the window. Applejack was able to drown out the low growling for a few minutes, but the anonymous window tapper would not be denied and continued their tapping. Now Winona was getting upset. She started to yip and bark at the intruder in desperation hoping that Applejack would finally wake up and take care of the intruder. Finally, Applejack shot up out of her bed and marched to window scowling ready to unleash fury on whoever dared to wake her up at this ungodly hour. She tried to peer through the window, but she could not make out anything in the night sky. Applejack undid the latch on the window and raised it open. Applejack face-hooved when she saw the only pony brave enough, or perhaps dumb enough, to wake her up in the early AM, her lovely marefriend of the past two years Rainbow Dash hovering in place and sporting the widest smile Applejack had ever seen the Pegasus wear. There was a moment of awkward silence between the two before Applejack spoke up raising a hoof under her chin trying to mask her disdain,” Rainbow why in sweet Celestia’s name are you at my house at…, Applejack quickly glanced to the clock on her nightstand, … at two AM?”
Rainbow chuckled and jabbered, “Well babe you are not going to believe this but I just so happened to take initiative and did all of the applebucking you were going to do tomorrow so now you can sleep in and we can go on a lunch date to Sugarcube Corner or go out to dinner somewhere in Canterlot.”
Applejack cocked her head to the side in disbelief but try as she may she could not stay mad at her love, and calmed herself and with a small grin responded, “Rainbow you know I love you to pieces right?”
This stoked Rainbow’s ego just enough and boasted, “Well duh I’m the hottest mare in Equestria how could you not fawn over me?”
Applejack nodded her head in agreement, after all, she knew she never saw a pony more beautiful than Cloudsdale’s homegrown product. Applejack coughed into her hoof and began a small but collected rant, “Well in the years that I’ve known you’ve never really gone out of your way to do the “right thing” for somepony. And I have a hard time believing that just tonight you decided to help me out.”
Rainbow scoffed and flew a little closer to the open window and reduced the gap between her and Applejack she retorted, “I know AJ, but I was talking to Rarity the other day and she said I need to be more giving in our relationship. We both know I tend to get selfish so I thought I could surprise you by doing some work around the place so you could take it easy for a day or two.”
Applejack backed off and away from the window and waved Rainbow Dash in; cautiously Rainbow fluttered into the country home and landed on the wood floor with a creak. As she landed, she was wrapped into a warm bear hug and felt Applejack stroke her mane. Rainbow reciprocated and breathed a sigh of relief, “Oh man I thought you were angry at me for a minute.”
Applejack looked Rainbow square in the eyes and leveled to her, “Well I’d be lying if I didn’t say I was a bit steamed. I mean I was sleeping like a foal and if it were anyone, but you Rainbow, I’d have snapped and choked a mare out. Now let’s get to bed ok? I’ve been dying to go to sleep since Mac and I got done apple bucking.”
Applejack climbed back into her bed and Rainbow followed suit, both being as stealthy as possible to avoid waking Winona. Applejack laid on her back and stretched her right foreleg out for Rainbow to snuggle into and felt rainbow lay her head onto her chest. The couple laid out in the bed for a few minutes in silence enjoying their company and embracing in each other’s warmth. It took a moment for Rainbow Dash to get into a comfortable position and then she caught the new scent that Applejack was wearing for the night. Rainbow with her eyes still closed asked Applejack, “AJ you smell really nice. Did you go into town today or something?”
Applejack responded, “Nah I stayed at the farm today. I did, however, take a lavender-scented Epsom salt bath that Rarity wanted me to try.”
Rainbow nodded into her marefriend’s chest and tried to respond but the combination of Applejack’s lavender scent, slow rhythmic heartbeat, and warm embrace was too much to overcome and she quickly fell asleep.
Applejack, on the other hand, could not fall asleep nearly as easily seeing as she had slept for about six hours before Rainbow woke her up, but in her struggle to find sleep she was able to witness one of her favorite things that came with dating Rainbow Dash. And that was getting to witness one of the rare moments where Rainbow’s notoriously thick and tall walls of confidence and bravado were completely torn down. After admiring Rainbow for a few minutes Applejack finally felt the need for sleep overtake her and finally got to take her well-deserved slumber.
Eventually, the duo’s sleep was interrupted by the light of the noon sun shining through Applejack’s blinds. The bright light shined directly into Applejack’s eyes and instantly caused the orange pony to turn and stir in her sleep and woke both herself and Rainbow up. Rainbow was in shock by her partner’s uncharacteristic sleeping movements and in a panic shook Applejack saying, “AJ babe are you ok? What’s going on?”
Applejack used her right hoof to cover her eyes and while squinting retorted, “It’s the dang sun Rainbow. It’s so freaking bright and woke me up.”
Rainbow breathed a sigh of relief, “Ooof that’s a relief. I thought you were having a seizure or something and had me worried.”
Applejack climbed up in the bed running her hooves through Rainbow’s mane. Applejack stared at Rainbow for a brief moment and with a chuckle, “Oh bull Rainbow, you don’t care anymore about me than the mare in the moon. You’re just shocked to be up before 3 PM.”
Rainbow slapped her hooves on Applejack’s chest pinning Applejack to the bed and stammered with a blush, “I was too worried about you. You always sleep like a rock and I have never seen something make you spaz like that before.”
Applejack groaned, “Sugar I’m picking with you, I know you care about me. You don’t have to be so defensive all the time.”
Rainbow chided, “I’m a lot of things but defensive isn’t one of them.”
Applejack spun out of Rainbow’s pin and started to get of bed and walk to her bathroom but before left her mattress she responded, “Babe you’ve got walls built up so notoriously thick I couldn’t get through them with dynamite. There’s no point in trying to lie I’ve got you read like a book by now Rainbow.”
Rainbow hovered out from bed and got in front of Applejack, “Oh yeah name one time I got defensive then.”
Applejack instantly developed the smuggest smirk Rainbow had seen and she knew she was in for a razzing, “You really don’t remember six months ago when you bought that old school Wonderbolt replica starter jacket and Rarity and Pinkie instantly roasted you for how garish it looked and that you wasted a whole paycheck on it?”
“Listen I can’t help it that our friends don’t have an appreciation for classic streetwear. That was a fly jacket and you know it.”
“Oh, absolutely and that gold chain with your cutie mark attached to it really tied the whole outfit together.”
“I am not going to apologize for rocking that icy drip ok?”
“Rainbow you have to stop hanging out with Scootaloo so much. You’re thirty years old now not fifteen.”
“AJ you know I only use teen slang ironically.”
“See there you go being defensive again.” Applejack beamed at Rainbow knowing that she had fully won whatever this spat was about. As Applejack was turned back to Rainbow who was hovering in the air in silence hoof under her chin racking her brain for a comeback. Applejack gave a worrying smile and asked, “I didn’t hurt your feelings did I Rainbow?”
Rainbow responded, “No I just always forget that you’re sort of a roast master. And there’s really no way for me to compete”
With a coy smile, Applejack noted, “Well you know being from a big family like me you get to be really good at the whole roasting schtick. You’ll get there one day. Now buck up and let’s go shower you smell a greasy teen working at the Hayburger.” Applejack trotted into her bathroom to shower and Rainbow slowly followed behind her.
The duo took a long hot shower and after about thirty minutes they walked out with towels around their heads. Applejack removed her towel first and whipped her luscious golden back so that it draped around her shoulders, and Rainbow followed suit. Now both mares were clean and Applejack placed her foreleg around Rainbow Dash and asked, “See don’t you feel better now? Nice and clean and free from that nasty grease.”
“Yeah I feel good and my fur is super soft. Was that some sort of special shampoo you put on it?” Rainbow asked
“Yeah, it’s that shampoo Rarity gave all of us in her special little Hearths Warming care package from last year. I just started using it like last month. That Works really well actually I guess there is some method to the madness behind her self-care regime after all.” Applejack returned as she walked to her dresser to put on her Stetson.
“Don’t tell me that my rough and tough country mare is turning into a fashionista on me.” Rainbow teased
“I don’t think so, but I need to start caring for myself better. My hip has been super jacked up lately. You know maybe some creams and lotions can help that out a bit.” Applejack confessed rubbing her left flank with a grimace.
Rainbow walked over to Applejack’s dresser to comfort her, and asked her, “Do you have any acetaminophen or ibuprofen around? That always gets me through my flareups.”
Applejack threw a hoof up in frustration, “Probably down in the kitchen but I can’t imagine it’ll help me any.”
Rainbow flew out of the bedroom in a dart and after a few minutes was back in Applejack’s room, hooves holding a couple of blister packs over the counter medicine. Rainbow put one of the packs on the dresser and popped out four blue gel pills then set that pack down and grabbed the other one and popped out four red and blue capsules and handed them to Applejack, “Alright babe take these.”
Applejack looked at Rainbow concerned, “uh Rainbow do you think it’s safe for me to take both of those pills at the same time? I don’t want to get sick or anything.”
Rainbow blew out an amused laugh, “Nah you’ll be fine I had the same question and Twilight told me it was ok. Something about them not being broken down by the same organ or something. You trust Twilight, right?”
Applejack took the medication from Rainbow Dash and replied, “Well yeah she’s the princess of friendship and a dang genius. She probably knows what she’s talking about.” Applejack looked around her dresser and the room and noticed that she did not have a glass of water. “Hey, Rainbow you didn’t happen to grab me a glass of water did you?” Applejack asked
Rainbow replied, “Hmm nope. I knew I forgot something holds on for just one moment AJ.” And again, Applejack was bombarded by the prismatic flash of Rainbow’s flight trail and before she could turn to the door to see Rainbow out, she was back with a glass of water in hand.
“Alright, babe I got you your water,” Rainbow said as she handed Applejack the glass, and Applejack quickly took the eight pills and downed them and washed it down with the water.
“So anywhere you wanted to go for lunch today Rainbow?” Applejack enquired
Rainbow pondered for a minute before responding, “Yeah what was the name of that new bistro that Fluttershy and Rarity go to all the time? I think I’d like to try that out.”
Applejack answered, “Yeah I think it’s called The Coffeepot or Landmark or something like that. It’s like right next to Sugar Cube Corner. Let’s try that out.”
Applejack and Rainbow began to walk out of Applejack’s room and the house. As they approached the apple trees Applejack made Rainbow stop moving. “Yo AJ what the heck why’d you stop?” Rainbow probed
“I just gotta make a quick check and make sure you actually bucked these trees like you said you did.” Applejack chimed
“I told you I bucked them last night.” Stated Rainbow
Applejack waved away at her marefriend’s statement and acknowledged, “I know but I have to double-check. If we get behind even by one day it can throw off a whole season of apple harvesting.”
Rainbow Dash groaned and followed Applejack throughout the section of trees that she had bucked the previous night. The two trotted through the rows of trees until they were finished, and once they were done Applejack scoped up and down the trees bellowing an impressed whistle. “Well I’ll be danged, RD you really did buck all the trees for me last night. Thank you so much, babe.” Remarked Applejack as took Rainbow into a deep hug and kissed her on her cheek.
“Yeah, I told you I bucked them. You’re the element of honesty aren’t you supposed to have like a sixth sense when it comes to liars or something.” Rainbow gloated
“Sometimes I guess depends on how bad a liar is, but I’m not like some omniscient lie detector.” Applejack affirmed as she began to walk towards the entrance of Sweet Apple Acres.
“well then how come you can always call me out super-fast whenever I lie then huh?” Rainbow questioned as she hovered and followed Applejack
“Again, Rainbow I can read you like an open book. You have some pretty noticeable tells when you lie.”
“If you say so AJ, but I’m not gonna get started again. My ego’s a little bruised from this morning.” Rainbow chuckled
“Well then instead of bickering lets get moving to Landmark.” Applejack noted as she motioned her head to the exit to Sweet Apple Acres.
Then the two were off to Landmark bistro. If they weren’t talking about the insane training regime Spitfire had every Wonderbolt on for the upcoming touring season or Applejack’s plans for the apple harvesting they were admiring Ponyville in all the spoils of summer. The young ponies running around the park playing soccer and tag or swimming in the town’s river. Then, of course, there was the wonderful flora and fauna that populated the streets of the small town. Flowers like Marigolds, Zinnias and Cornflowers and others were scattered all around the town creating a wonderful spectrum of golds, pinks, purples and blues that enticed the sights of most every pony. Then there were all the little critters like squirrels, chipmunks, possums, and foxes that ran around freely much to the delight of the young ponies. After a rousing forty-five-minute trek Applejack and Rainbow Dash reached the bistro.
As they approached the restaurant Applejack turned to Rainbow and asked, “So what are you gonna get to eat?”
Rainbow bite her lip for a minute before responding, “Hmmm… I really don’t know I could really go for a chickpea burger or something like that. You?”
“You know Rarity says they have a really great mushroom-Reuben, here so I might try that.” Applejack confirmed not breaking eye contact from the storefront.
Rainbow cocked an eyebrow at Applejack, “Wait there’s absolutely no way Rarity eats a sandwich that’s messy and “uncouth” as a Rueben.”
Now Applejack turned to Rainbow and shrugged her shoulders, “It may be hard to believe but that girl can throw back some food when she wants to like more than we can.”
“Dang we need to hang out with Rarity more I have to see that at least once in my life.” Rainbow stated genuinely impressed
Before they could enter the restaurant, they heard a very distinct voice from the restaurant’s patio. “Oh well speak of the devil.” Applejack indicated.
Sure enough there was Rarity wearing a wide-brimmed cumbersome sun hat on with her white fur practically shining in the sunlight, and she hopped over the short black metal fence and pulled each of her friends into a hug and kissed their cheeks to greet them. “Oh, darlings I did not expect to see you two here today. Are you coming in for lunch? Rarity asked with excitement in her voice.
Applejack took her hat off and replied, “I was telling Rainbow how much you and Fluttershy like going here during your gal dates, so we thought we’d try it out. Speaking of is Fluttershy here with you?”
“Oh of course Applejack we just got back from the spa.” Acknowledged Rarity as she waved the pale-yellow horse over to her.
“Very nice Rarity and how was that?” Applejack enquired
“Splendid as always Applejack. When are you and Rainbow going to go with us? You two would love it especially their athletic massages I know you two have to be sore from Apple bucking and Wonder Bolt training.” Rarity probed
Before Applejack could respond Rainbow interjected, “Not in your life sport.”
Applejack playfully shoved her marefriend and responded to Rarity’s question with a smile, “You know I can’t be too sure. It won’t be for another couple months but how about you pencil us in for whenever apple-bucking season ends alright.”
Rarity clapped her hooves together, “Oh wonderous I promise you two won’t regret, and Rainbow you should try it just once. They have this glorious hot stone massage that really loosens up your muscles and tendons it’s supposed to improve your flexibility.”
Rainbow groaned and rolled her eyes at Rarity’s mention of flexibility, “Oh geez you sound like Spitfire when you talk about pliability.”
Now it was time for Applejack to give a confused eyebrow cock to Rainbow, “What does Spitfire have to do with flexibility? Does she like moonlight as a yoga instructor or something?
In exasperation, Rainbow threw a hoof up, “listen to like any sports radio show and they’ll just rail on and on forever about how revolutionary Spitfire is because of how flexible she is. Drives me insane, Applejack.”
Applejack nodded at her marefriend’s frustration, “I mean she is she like forty-seven or whatever to be able to fly and perform at that high of a level at her age is bonkers to be fair.”
“well yeah, she’s like my hero so of course, I’m impressed, but they don’t talk about anyone else it’s frustrating.” Contested Rainbow
“Oh, darling I understand what you are saying. When I studied abroad in Prance a few summers ago I tailored some of the finest dresses that I have ever had designed. But of course, none of the press cared about some mare from a small town like Ponyville they were focused on the Prance prodigy Velvet Seams. Oh, but she made the front page for every little thing she did no matter how basic or rudimentary her designs were. I still stew over that sometimes.” Rarity finished with a snarl.
“Oh, my Rarity are you ok?” Asked Fluttershy in a soft-meek voice as she walked up to the fence.
Rarity wiped a hoof across her face, “Yes Fluttershy I’m quite fine dear.”
“So, Rainbow, Applejack what are you two doing here this afternoon?” Fluttershy implored
“You know just going out on a little day date to get a late lunch. Anything you two would like to recommend?” Rainbow responded
“Ummmm well I really like their wedge salad with the bleu cheese crumbles and the raspberry balsamic vinaigrette dressing, but I know that doesn’t match either of your preferences. Rarity likes Their mushroom Rueben she normally gets one to go too.” Fluttershy earnestly responded
“Well dang Flutters you got my stomach all types of rumbling why don’t me and Dash go inside and try and get ourselves a seat and we’ll continue this impromptu double date in just a moment.” Applejack interjected before their agenda got anymore sidetracked. The Pegasus and earth pony waved bye to Fluttershy and Rarity and turned away from them as Applejack put her hat back on and they finally walked into the restaurant. They reached the host table where a tall and lanky pale brown earth pony with a tight Jheri curl stood.
“Hello welcome to the Landmark bistro how can I help you, two young ladies, this evening?” Inquired the stallion Applejack stepped forward and questioned, “Yes I was hoping I could get a table for two if you could please sir?”
The stallion let out a breath of disappointment and confided to the two mares, “So I am actually so sorry. Our tables are booked up for the next hour and a half. This normally doesn’t but I guess Mayor Mare took out all of her secretaries and assistants for lunch and I don’t have any clue as to when they’ll be done.”
“Oh no don’t worry about us sugar you can’t control any of that. We’ll catch y’all on some other time ain’t no problem.” Applejack reassured
The pale brown stallion leaned over his podium “Again so sorry you two I can tell you’re are on a date but let tell me we actually aren’t that busy during brunch and we can actually start serving lunch like forty-five minutes before the lunch schedule officially starts. So, if you can get here at like 1030 or so you should be fine.”
Applejack and Rainbow both gave a small nod in acknowledgment and they both walked out. “Well shoot where do we go now Rainbow.” Applejack implored completely lost for ideas.
“Do you want to go to The Blue Pony Tavern? I know it’s not as romantic as a patio date and that we went there a couple of weeks ago for some beers, but I thought the food was super good.” Rainbow stated also a bit frustrated.
“Oh yeah, that sounds good. Split some fried mushrooms and that slider tray they make. Sounds like it’ll be the bee's knees Rainbow. Let’s get on a roll I’m freaking starving. ” Applejack eagerly
So again, the couple walked through Ponyville this time they pointed out how much Ponyville had grown the last several years. New businesses had propped up and poured new wealth into the local economy and had largely became mainstays in the community. But if there was one thing, they both noted that did not change in the recent years of expansion it was that Sugar Cube Corner was still the hot spot for youth and elder alike to go to and this summer it was busier than ever. They were both insanely proud of how Pinkie and her finance Cheese Sandwich had been able to sustain and even improve upon the restaurant’s popularity through promotions like retro night, pet day, and their version of Oktoberfest. Eventually, the couple had trekked across to the other side of Ponyville and reached the Blue Pony Tavern. The interior of the Blue Pony was nothing too spectacular consisting of wood panel floor, a bar with spinning stools, in the center of the tavern were several circular tables with two or four seats with the perimeter consisting of a few booths that formed a semi-circle and, on the wall, framed Wonder Bolt, Buckball and soccer jerseys. As they walked in, they noticed there was only one other patron there a chunky stallion passed out on the bar counter. Since they did not see any waitstaff they decided to sit at their usual table located in the middle of the tavern. They sat at their table for a few minutes before a pink mare with a blonde mane walked up to them with menus hovering above her.
The waitress laid the menus down and in high pitched southern voice asked, “Rainbow Applejack welcome back to the Blue Pony what can I get y’all started with to drink today?”
“Ah yes, Appletini can you grab us our usual and get us a couple of ciders to start?” Rainbow answered politely.
“Oh of course dear be back in a jiffy,” Appletini responded as she walked away to the tavern’s bar.
Applejack and Rainbow Dash poured over their menu practically salivating over the pictures that were plastered on the menu pages. It only took a couple of minutes before they knew wanted, they wanted to eat, and eventually, Appletini came back with their large steins of foaming cider. Noticing that the menus were stacked and placed at the edge of the table Appletini levitated her notepad and pencil to her that she left on the bar counter asking, “Alright dearies what can I get you two to eat for lunch today.”
Rainbow responded, “Okie-Dokie for an appetizer I’d like to get us an order of fried mushrooms and for the main course let me get the fried cauliflower buffalo bites.”
Appletini nodded and motioned to Applejack for her start order, “So I’m gonna want to get these Jackfruit street tacos with guacamole on the side please.” Applejack responded handing off the menus to Appletini as she did. Then Appletini was gone again to the back to prepare their food.
Rainbow spoke up, “AJ I got the bill by the way.”
Applejack waved a hoof in disagreement, “No no no Rainbow I owe you for doing all that applebucking. Please let me get this one you covered our last date.”
Rainbow snickered, “Nah AJ I got this one. My Wonder Bolt signing bonus just came in the other day, and I’d be remised if I didn’t spoil you a little bit.”.
Applejack cheeks flushed a rare blush and she replied her voice soft, “Aww thanks sugar cube you are too good to me.”
Rainbow now sporting her trademark cocky smile responded, “Don’t I know it.”
Applejack glared and moved a hoof and pointed it at her marefriend, “Just to be clear I’m covering the next one you hear?”
Before Rainbow Dash could respond she overheard a voice from the overhead radio that instantly caused a vein to throb from her forehead. Applejack coked her head to the side and asked, “Uhhh Rainbow are you ok? What’s wrong sugar?
Rainbow anxiously ran a hoof through her mane as the speakers from the radio continued, “Welcome to Undisputed I am Hot Take joined as always with my co-host former wonderbolt captain Cloud Reaper. So, Reaper I’m sure you saw the big story of the day, right? Your former protégé Spitfire did a cover and interview for Playcolt magazine in the lead the leadup to her twenty fifth season as a Wonderbolt. Have you had the time to look through that yet?”
Reaper laughed and responded with his trademark lisp, “Well you know Take I did read her interview but I’m not gonna look through her modeling spread like you want me to. She’s like my daughter. From what I have had a chance to read I am very proud about how far she’s came since she was my rookie from way back when.”
“So how did you feel about her comments toward Rainbow Dash where she commented on her poor diet and the fact that she’s came to training camp out of shape two of the last three years?”
Cloud Reaper defended,“I think you’re taking her words out of context here. Just because rainbow doesn’t have Spitfire’s work ethic isn’t a real problem. When Spitfire came onto the scene, she wasn’t the most dedicated flyer I’ve seen. Now don’t get me wrong about Rainbow can eat she’ll put down a plate of Prench toast grits and hash browns like no other pony I’ve seen, but she’s just like so fast that she burns it all off.”
“what I’m gathering here Reaper is that you don’t think Rainbow is failing to live up her potential like Spitfire is implying here?” Hot Take asked.
“You don’t go these training camps and practices like I do Take. Rainbow works very hard in season to be at her best. I don’t like to do this whole GOAT ranking thing you like to do but it’s Spitfire and Rainbow then a huge gap to third. They’re just such genetic freaks and I’ve never seen anything like it before.”
Hot Take responded his voice dripping with vinegar, “Listen Reaper all I have to say is that genetic freak or not Rainbow has failed to live up to her what her true ceiling can be. She has all these individual records to her name but when it comes to on the field performance she’s lacking. She’s a one trick pony at the end of the day and we all know it.”
“Now now Hot Take you can’t be hating on my girl like that…” And before Cloud Reaper could continue Rainbow flew to the radio and turned it off.
“Dang Rainbow I ain’t never seen you act like that before. Does that guy really get your goat like that?” Applejack probed as she stretched her hoof across the table to hold Rainbow’s in comfort.
Rainbow responded in frustration, “It’s annoying AJ. Like every one of these sports commentators comes after all of us ponies from the younger generation and it’s annoying. Even Spitfire hates how hard everyone rides her”
“Well at least Cloud Reaper seems to like you right?” Applejack asked
“Reaper’s a cool dude yeah but it’s all stuff Spitfire and Soarin say we just have to filter out.”
Applejack nodded in agreement, “Trust me sugar I’m on your side here. You do work hard, and I see it almost every day. You have come a long way from that lazy mare that slept in a cloud all day and I couldn’t be more proud of you.”
Rainbow smiled in acknowledgment to Applejack’s praise, “Thanks babe you’re my rock and I don’t know what I’d do without you”
“Aww shucks Rainbow you’re my rock too I’d have killed over from stress if weren’t for you to be there to settle me down,” Applejack added. Then the two mares leaned across the table encroaching on each other, but before they could make an intimate move Appletini lowered the trays food down in-between the two.
The scents and heat radiating from the fried food and grilled jack fruit. Their mouths salivated in anticipation to eat. In a blaze of blue and orange, the two stacked their plates with a mix of their three plates of food. Sounds of loud crunches from the wings and fried corn shell filled the atmosphere as the mare’s voraciously devoured all of the food until they were nearly sick. Rainbow slouched back in her seat grasping at her stomach and moaned, “That may have been a mistake AJ. That was way too much food.”
On the other side of the table, Applejack mirrored Rainbow pose of gluttony Applejack carped out, “Sweet Celestia I’m gonna have to take a nap when we get back home Rainbow. No mare should ever eat that many carbs in one sitting.”
Appletini let the mares wallow in the afterglow of their binge for several minutes before bringing the check over to them, setting it in front of Applejack. Rainbow rolled her eyes and dragged the receipt away from Applejack, and asked Appletini, “So I didn’t bring any bits with me but if you’ll take my marefriend’s hat as collateral I will bring all the money plus a sizable tip for you.”
Applejack stared daggers at Rainbow Dash until Appletini responded with a smile, “Oh dear you don’t need to do that I know you’re good for it just make sure you bring the money back before the day ends.”
Rainbow nodded in agreement and darted out of the restaurant, leaving the waitress and Applejack alone in awkward silence for several minutes neither party looking the other in the eye until Rainbow returned bit bag in the mouth. Rainbow dropped the bag on the table, and it landed with a thud, and the couple made their way out of the tavern waving bye to Appletini.
Rainbow and Applejack walked side by side with each other in a comforting silence across Ponyville to get back home. Then Rainbow spoke up, “So AJ when we were talking to Rarity at that bistro why did you take your hat when you were started talking to her.”
Applejack’s eyes dilated as she gave a careful retort,” Uhhhh well Rainbow back when I dated Rarity she always made it known that was good manners to take your hat off whenever you talked to a sophisticated lady.”
Rainbow gave a sarcastic nod in agreement and replied, “Oh yeah that’s a super normal thing exes do around each other. Just a quirky little inside joke I’m sure.”
Applejack stammered back, “Oh come on Rainbow you know I broke up with Rarity years ago. There ain’t no harbored feelings between us I swear.”
Rainbow, “Oh whatever you still have a crush on her babe I can see it on her face. Your face is redder than a tomato.”
“No, I don’t. I don’t like Rarity that anymore. Do you really think I’d cheat on you or something?” Applejack questioned
A wicked grin crept across Rainbow’s face and in her worst faux southern accent repeated the very word Applejack told her earlier in the day, “Sugar I’m picking with you, I know you care about me. You don’t have to be so defensive all the time.” Then she brought Applejack into a side hug laughing as she did.
Applejack closed her eyes in silence acknowledging that her marefriend finally got her. “Yup never think you’d do it, but you got me good Rainbow.” Rainbow bore her cheeky grin at Applejack, and Applejack waved her hoof at her in dismissal.
Eventually, they were near the town park where they heard a familiar voice call out to them, “Hey Rainbow Dash, Applejack you two wanna play soccer with us?” The voice of Scootaloo shouted out.
The mares shrugged at each other and trotted over to the soccer field.” Alright sweet they’re in!” Scootaloo exclaimed as the two mares walked into the circle where another sixteen older teens were in. Scootaloo chimed in again, “Ok Rainbow is on my team and you guys get Applejack. The only rule is that they aren’t allowed to score. Now lets play.”
Rainbow and Applejack went their separate ways to play. Scootaloo’s team was set to start the game with Scootaloo and Dinky at the center field to start. Scootaloo passed back to Dinky and the game was underway. The combined competitiveness of Applejack and Rainbow Dash greatly elevated the competition on the field. The teen ponies were bumping each other slide tackling, hustling after loose balls to impress the Equestrian heroes. Eventually, the game was tied at three apiece when Rumble shot the ball just over the goal post. Before kicking the ball off Scootaloo announced, “Ok guys next score wins get ready.” Scootaloo punted the ball deep to Rainbow but Applejack was able to intercept the ball sending it flying the other way and she crashed on top of Rainbow. Rumble was able to gather the ball and passed it backwards to Applejack after she gathered herself, and when the ball approached her she turned around in her trademark apple-bucking stance and smacked the ball towards the goal. The ball was nearly screaming, and the goalie had to duck in fear of her safety, but it ricocheted off the top bar as loud warbles and vibrations echoed across the field. The goalie pounced on top of the ball and threw it to Rainbow who had come back to defend in case Applejack’s team got another chance to score. Rainbow easily juked past Featherweight and again approached centerfield where Applejack awaited her. Rainbow tried to unleash her fancy footwork, but Applejack could not be fooled. She kept Rainbow in front of her forcing the prismatic mare to retreat down the field. Applejack took this retreat as a sign of attack and charged at Rainbow going down to slide tackle her, but Rainbow anticipated this and flipped the ball over the muscular earth pony. With no one around Rainbow now she was able to easily re-secured the ball and saw Scootaloo one on one with Rumble on the other side of the field, and with a prayer booted it down the field hoping Scootaloo could outrun Rumble. Rumble and Scootaloo were in a dead heat for the ball with neither one being able to surpass the other. Looking over to her side Scootaloo could see Rainbow yell and cheer for her. So Scootaloo steeled herself as she took a deep inhale lowered her head and sprinted harder than she ever had before. Rumble found himself not being able to keep up with Scootaloo’s newfound drive but with the ball bouncing in the air he saw one last chance to win, and he leaped into the air to head the ball. When he went up to head the ball away he realized he overshoots and tumbled to the ground and when he landed he smacked the ground in frustration. Now it was Scootaloo all alone against the goalie. She stuttered stepped left and stuttered right and drew the goalie into confusion and she fired the ball into the right corner of the goal. A crisp swish was all Scootaloo and the goalie could hear as Scootaloo jumped into the air in jubilation. As she ran around the field, she felt the weight of Rainbow Dash crash on top of her. Soon the other six ponies on their team joined suite. Applejack took this time to run over to where Rumble still sat in his frustration and offered a hoof to help him up.
As Rumble was brought back up to his hooves Applejack spoke to him, “You did awesome today Rumble. I bet you’ll make starter for varsity this year.”
Rumble smiled, “You think so miss Applejack?”
Applejack slapped his side, “Of course you ain’t that klutzy little colt anymore. You got this.”
Rumble stood in silence for a moment trying to catch his breath before he responded, “I hope so, I’ve really been grinding it out with Thunderlane in the gym this summer. I may even make the all-Equestrian team like you and Thunder did.”
“I hope you do bud, even better than making all-Equestrian is winning the championship. You know Ponyville hasn’t been to the playoffs since Thunderlane and I graduated right?”
“Yeah, I do. Me and Scoots are gonna bring it back AJ just you watch.”
“I’m gonna hold you to it, and for the love of Celestia will you please ask Scootaloo out?”
Rumble leaned in and whispered, “Wait do you think Scootaloo likes me?”
Applejack, “Trust me, man, Applebloom comes in from school and tells me all about the look y’all give each other during school.”
“I thought she liked Dinky?” Rumble asked genuinely confused
“Ok now that I can’t validate, but you just gotta shoot your shot Rumble. That’s what I did with Rainbow.”
Rumble nodded nervously and ran over to where the rest of his classmates were. Rainbow and Applejack met each other halfway and made their way back to Sweet Apple Acres as the sun was beginning to set. Eventually, Applejack and Rainbow Dash made it back to the homestead. However, they could not make it back inside the house and to crash underneath an apple tree to recoup. Applejack rubbed her bum hip and grunted in pain, “Sweet Celestia I shouldn’t have gone so hard playing with those sweaty teens. I’m gonna swell up like a snake bite tomorrow.”
Rainbow rubbed Applejack’s side and probed, “Do we need to see a doctor tomorrow AJ? You’re not even thirty and your body is already falling apart.”
Applejack waved Rainbow’s concern off, “Nah I should be fine I was feeling better until that game. I really shouldn’t have tackled you like that. Probably hurt the both of us pretty bad huh?”
“You think? You know I have to start my next Wonder Bolt tour in like two months right? I don’t think we want Spitfire barging over here raining fire on us because my marefriend played a little too rough with me.”
“Yeah, I’m sorry about that hun. I went a little too far trying to relive the glory days.”
“It’s ok Applejack we wouldn’t be the couple that we are if we didn’t go at each other like that when we compete,” Rainbow replied as she brought Applejack into a tight hug.
Applejack’s face was buried into deep Rainbow’s chest face when they spoke, “Rainbow?”
Rainbow looked down at Applejack not noticing Applejack’s exposed eye growing redder, “what is it AJ?” Rainbow asked
“Please don’t go on your Wonder Bolt tour this year.” Applejack pleaded as she raised her head from Rainbow’s chest tears streaming down her face.
“I mean like I don’t want to leave you either AJ. It’s hard me too.” Rainbow responded trying to keep her face straight.
“Then don’t go then. Stay here, please. I miss you so much when you’re gone. Even when we weren’t dating, I always hated when you were on these long tours.” Applejack sobbed with tears still falling.
“AJ, I understand you’re upset but I have to do this last tour at least. I get a ten-thousand-bit pension for every year of service including when I was in the reserve. If I quit now, I’m only getting ninety thousand. At least one more year then we start our next chapter together. I promise.” Rainbow stated as looked deep into Applejack’s eye as she draped a leg around her back.
Applejack wiped her streaming tears from her eyes and laid her head back on Rainbow’s chest. “Rainbow just make sure you’re safe ok? You know I get real worried about all that high-speed flying.” Applejack asked wiping the tears off her face.
“Come on AJ you know us Wonder Bolts take our safety precautions to the next level.” Rainbow proudly boasted.
“If you say so, babe.” Applejack responded as she got up and stretched like a cat, and she offered a hoof to help Rainbow up. They started to walk back home side by side through the rows of apple trees when Rainbow yawned and stretched her wing over Applejack’s body to bring her in closer. Applejack chuckled, “Real smooth move cornball.”
Rainbow scoffed, “Ha don’t act like you don’t love it.”
“Of course, I do, sugar cube.” Applejack said with a coy smile as she pecked Rainbow’s cheek as they reached the porch of the house. They entered in together and made their way upstairs to Applejack’s bedroom. Rainbow plopped down on the bed while Applejack went into the bathroom to shower. Rainbow laid still until she heard the shower start to run and a devilish smile crept on her face. She got up and snuck out of the room and into Macintosh’s room.
Rainbow knocked on Macintosh’s door where she saw the silent stallion peaked out and motioned for Rainbow to enter. “So, Mac did you pick up the goods likeI asked you to?”
Mac nodded and replied with his signature trademark, “Yup.” As he made his way over to his bedside and pulled out a bottle of wine and a ring case.
“So sweet thank you so much, Mac, you really came into the clutch for me today. They didn’t give you any trouble at the ring store did they?” rainbow asked
“Nope,” Macintosh deadpanned replied.
“Thank you so much I owe a big one bro,” Rainbow said as she wondered over Macintosh’s haul from the day. She hugged her hopefully soon to be brother in law in thanks and made her way her way back to Applejack’s room. Luckily Applejack was still in the shower and Rainbow fist bumped to herself at her good fortune, and she got things prepared. She hid the ring under her pillow for easy access and placed the bottle of imported wine on Applejack’s nightstand and went back to laying on the bed when Applejack finally emerged out of the shower her golden mane let down and clinging to her body.
Instantly Applejack recognized the bottle of wine and asked, “So Rainbow what’s with the wine?”
“Oh, I bought the other day and I thought we’d crack it open and gave us a nice little night together before I have to leave,” Rainbow said trying her best to keep a straight face.
“Well Rainbow, we have like two months until you leave. Shouldn’t you hold off for a few weeks a least?” Applejack asked
“No, I shouldn’t need a reason to treat my mare to a little treat,” Rainbow noted
“Well ok, I guess I’ll go downstairs and get some glasses. But you are acting strange you didn’t get in trouble with the Wonder Bolts or something and need me to get your flank out of trouble again?” Applejack asked her face stern.
“No, it’s nothing like that I promise,” Rainbow swore.
“Ok, I’ll be right back.” Applejack said as she walked out of the room and downstairs. IN just a few minutes Applejack came back with a pair of wine glasses set them down beside the bottle of wine. She picked up the bottle and her eyes practically popped out of there skull.
“Rainbow this wine is all the way from Prance. How in sweet Celestia’s name did you manage to afford this?” Applejack sat down still staring at the bottle intently.
Rainbow snaked around by Applejack and peeled it out her marefriend’s hooves and calmly spoke, “I told you I don’t spare any expenses when I spoil my mare.”
Applejack blushed and tried to respond but stuttered as she did, “We-well Rainbow you didn’t have to sell the farm to do so. I don’t deserve that type of spoiling.”
Rainbow kissed Applejack’s cheek and turned her face to her’s and said, “AJ you do deserve it. You work so hard and I think you need to know-how I appreciate all the effort you do to keep everything afloat.”
Applejack turned away embarrassed saying, “Ok fine just fix the wine.”
Rainbow effortlessly popped the bottle without shying away from the pop. She poured the wine into glasses and offered one to Applejack which she practically snatched from Rainbow’s grasp. They dinked the glasses and began to sip their until they became a little loose from the alcohol’s effects. Some way or another the two mares started to get rowdy and began wrestling with each other on top of the bed. Rainbow tried to go over the top to bring Applejack down but Applejack down low on the mattress and bounced under Rainbow and flipped her down and pinned her. Readily Rainbow admitted defeat. Applejack rolled off Rainbow and onto her side of the bed. Both mares were huffing and gasping for air before Applejack was able to breathe out, “Did you like that move there Rainbow? I used to always take Mac out with that little trick when we were younger.” To Applejack’s surprise, Rainbow did not say anything sarcastic in response. Applejack turned to her right and saw Rainbow with the biggest cheesiest smile holding the ring box with a gorgeous golden ring presented that was encrusted in rubies and emeralds with Applejack’s cutie mark flanked with Rainbow’s cutie mark.
Applejack stared at the ring and up to Rainbow Dash and back to the ring flummoxed at the reveal. Rainbow coughed before asking the big question, “AJ will you marry me?” Rainbow asked her big smile getting bigger. Applejack sat there in silence for a little too and it prompted Rainbow’s charisma to crack instantly as she began to worry. Was this too soon? Was the ring too much? Did Rainbow have some wine stains on her teeth? The questions began to rack up in her mind before she spoke up her voice trembling with concern, “AJ if you don’t want to get married you can just say so.”
Applejack still did not reply but instead rolled off to the side of the bed and Rainbow’s eyes shrank to pen points in anxiety as she felt a cold sweat begin to form. “No, it ain’t like that Rainbow.” Applejack finally responded to break the silence as she walked over to her dresser and fished through the top drawer before pulling out a ring case of her own. “I’m just surprised was all. It’s just that I thought I was gonna propose to you before you left for your tour was all.” Applejack responded as she flipped open her ring case revealing a simple golden ring with some markings and a singular sapphire gem in its center to Rainbow. Applejack shrugged and asked,
“So Rainbow let me ask you, will you marry me?”
Rainbow closed her box and wiped her eyes and responded with a laugh in her voice, “Of course I’ll marry you AJ.”
Applejack slowly trotted back to Rainbow and hugged her and slid the ring on Rainbow’s hoof and kissed her. Now it was Rainbow’s turn and she proposed, “Now Applejack will you marry me?”
Applejack nodded and confirmed, “Of course I’ll marry you sugar cube.” She smiled as Rainbow slid the ring over her hoof, and the couple stared at each other before meeting the other with a deep kiss. The mares laid on the bed together in each other’s embrace revealing in their combined joy and ecstasy before finally drifting asleep and dreaming about what their next chapter together would hold.
