The Apple(Bloom) Of Her Eyeby Snow QuillChaptersA Question...A Party...A DateA Question...“Hi-yah!” Apple Bloom sailed through the air, her rear hoof poised to strike the apple tree, hitting it with a solid ‘thunk!’. She twisted in the air, using her momentum and kicking off the tree with her other hoof, aiming for its neighbor. “Whaaaaaa-!” ‘Thunk!’ She allowed herself to drop to the ground, back flipping and kicking her legs out to hit a third tree. “Take that!” ‘Thunk!’ She puffed her chest out with pride, looking over the buckets that were filled with apples now. “Apple Bloom! Now just what are ya doin with all those fancy flyin’ kicks of yours?” Apple Bloom whipped her head to the side, smiling broadly as Applejack walked up. “Ah’m just practicin mah karate! Don’t worry, ah ain’t hurting the trees.” Applejack made a sound of disagreement, peering close at the bark and sighing when she found no marks. “Hmph...Well alrighty then. Here, help me pick up the ones that missed the buckets. Big Mac should be coming up in a few minutes to get them. We gotta make sure we get plenty of apples down to the barn, Filthy Rich is coming by for his weekly pick.” “Ah’m on it!” As promised, Big Macintosh soon rolled up with a wagon, placidly chewing on a wheat stalk as they loaded up the apple filled buckets. Soon, they made their way down the hill, where Filthy Rich and Diamond Tiara were waiting. As Applejack and Filthy struck up a conversation about apple stocks and Big Mac started to unload the wagon, Diamond was uncharacteristically nervous. She glanced between the occupied adults and Apple Bloom before clearing her throat and tensely jerking her head to the side, a sign to move away from the others. Apple Bloom followed Diamond down the side of the barn, curious. “What‘s on yer mind Diamond? Haven’t seen you round the farm in a few moons.” Diamond stopped short and shuffled in place, seeming to have an internal debate before blurting out. “Apple Bloomwillyougoonadatewithme?!” Apple Bloom blinked, her ear twitching as she nervously chuckles, stiffly turning to face her. “Mah ears must be hearing wrong, it almost sounded like you just asked me on a date.” Diamond blushed fiercely, her lips pursed together as tears filled her eyes. Apple Bloom’s jaw dropped. “...Oh...oh. Uh, why?” Diamond gulped and scuffed the ground, regretting the action as she saw the dirt left on her hoof. “I um, well, I’ve always liked you okay! I know I used to make fun of you-“ “Yeah, for most of elementary school.” “-but it was only because I liked you. I mean, that’s, that’s how I thought you were supposed to treat your special somepony and-“ “No, Diamond. That’s really not how you are supposed to treat your special somepony.” Diamond sighed and hung her head. “Yeah...That’s what my therapist said too.” “Just where in the hay did you get such an idea? You basically terrorized me an’ my friends fer years! Now ah know you’ve been doing better, and we are getting along more civil like, and a lot of that stuff happened when we were foals, but you can still be pretty mean when ya wanna be. You can’t honestly believe Ah’d be able to forget all of that.” Diamond winced, “I, well, it’s how my mom treated my dad…I know that it’s not right, well, I know that now. I’m just, I, I thought if I showed you I changed…” She sniffled, and despite herself, Apple Bloom couldn’t help but reach out and put her hoof on her shoulder. She sighed deeply. “Yer right. You have changed Diamond. You said yer seeing a therapist now? That’s good.” “Yeah...Ever since Ponyville put on that show a few month’s back.” Apple Bloom frowned and removed her hoof. “Ah still can’t believe you tried to bully your way into Sweetie Belle’s spot!” “I wasn’t thinking clearly okay! I heard you said you really wanted to see The King and I, and I thought that maybe if I performed a lead role, I could impress you?” Apple Bloom snorted and shook her head. “Yer pretty messed up sometimes Diamond, ah hope ya know that.” “I know, I was really, really mean to Sweetie.” Diamond sniffled again and swiped her hoof over her face. “But trust me, it’s the last time I’ll be pulling a stunt like that. The director and Daddy made that very clear.” Apple Bloom shook her head again, rubbing her temple with a hoof. “So, tell me how this is supposed to make me believe you changed exactly?” “Oh! Um, I...don’t know really. My therapist said that talking through the bad things I’ve done with ponies I’ve done to them can help bring closure and, how did she put it, ‘mend the bridges I burned’? And, it might help if I explained my reasoning behind my actions, or, something.” “Uh huh…” “Apple Bloom, be honest, do I even have a chance at this point?” Apple Bloom felt a blush heating her cheeks as Diamond glanced up at her. She cleared her throat. “Consarn it... Ah’ve always thought you were pretty Diamond, and even when you were being mean, Ah couldn’t help but feel sorry for you. Ah just, it’s like ah knew that deep down, ya really did want to try an’ be a good pony. Even if it took a while for you to realize it. Even if you still slip up e’ery now and again.” She sighed. “To tell ya the honest truth, Ah think you do have a chance Diamond, ah really think ya do.” She held up her hoof at Diamond’s happy gasp. “Now that ain’t to say this won’t take work. Ah really do wanna believe you ain’t a bully no more, but ya gotta understand how much it still affects me and my friends.” Diamond nodded. “Of course. I was, well I was a rotten little filly.” Apple Bloom snorted. “Yeah, you were pretty bad.” Diamond pouted softly, biting back a snarky remark. For all she put Apple Bloom through, she deserved that one. “But, I really do want to be better. For you, and for him.” Diamond looked over to where her father and Applejack were. “Ever since the divorce, Daddy is a lot happier and we spend more time together now. I’ve started to work at Barnyard Bargains, and I’m actually making a lot of friends and helping ponies. It’s so much nicer to have ponies smile at me for doing a good job, rather than having them cower in fear.” Apple Bloom smiled. “Ah’m mighty glad to hear that Diamond. Hmm…” She tapped a hoof on her chin, “Well, how about this. We don’t go on a date, but we hang out with the CMC and Silver. We haven’t all hung out in a while, and it will be a good chance for you to prove you really ain’t a bully anymore. Deal?” “Oh um...Do you think Sweetie Belle will be okay with it?” Apple Bloom shrugged. “Ah ain’t sure, but it’ll be a good chance for you to prove yerself. In fact, you will have to convince everyone else to come.” Diamond gulped, desperately looking over Apple Bloom for any sign she was joking, that she wasn’t serious. But of course she would be serious about this. She sighed and hung her head again. “Alright, that’s, I guess that’s only fair.” Apple Bloom grinned and elbowed her. “Oh don’t look so glum about it, ah think you’ll do great!” Diamond returned her smile, tilting her head back up. “Heh, well, I’ll try anyways. It’s the thought that counts right?” Apple Bloom raised an eyebrow. “More like actions speak louder than words.” “Right.” “Tiara! I’m heading back to town, are you going to stay here with Apple Bloom for a bit?” Diamond turned, “Oh! Uh, no Daddy, I’ll be right there.” She looked back to Apple Bloom. “How’s this Saturday sound? The pegasus weather report says it’ll be hot, we can have a pool party!” “Sounds good, ah’ll be sure to ask AJ for the day off. See you then Diamond.” Diamond beamed, hesitating for a moment before giving Apple Bloom a short hug. “Thank you.” Apple Bloom was blushing again as Diamond trotted off to catch up with her father. ~~ Apple Bloom whistled to herself as she climbed the old ramp to the treehouse. While it no longer served as the Cutie Mark Crusaders headquarters, they still used it as a meeting place. She opened the door and smiled at the interior. Since they graduated school last year, it was renovated and updated to their new, ‘adult’ tastes. Namely, a bench was built in under the window with pillows on either end and a bookshelf to the side. Near the back wall was a round table with three cushions set around it. Nostalgia swept over her as she approached that table, running a hoof over its surface. It was similar to the table where they declared themselves the Cutie Mark Crusaders so long ago in Sugar Cube Corner. She had chosen it specifically for that reason, the cushions set to where they each had been sitting even. She placed her saddlebags by her spot, not wanting to sit yet as Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle should be there any minute. Diamond Tiara had kept her word and invited the two of them, but, understandably, Sweetie Belle wanted a CMC meeting before the party. Apple Bloom perked up at the sound of hoof steps, trotting to the door and throwing it open. “Sweetie! Scoots!” Sweetie Belle smiled as she climbed onto the deck and hugged Apple Bloom, Scootaloo close behind. The pegasus playfully rolled her eyes. “Jeez Apple Bloom, it’s been what, two days?” “So? Ah always love having us all here together!” Sweetie and Scootaloo shared a look and Scootaloo laughed, joining the hug. They embraced for a moment before breaking apart and heading inside the treehouse, taking a seat at their respective spots at the table. “Uh-“ “So-“ Apple Bloom and Sweetie started at the same time, but neither tried to continue. An awkward silence quickly descended over them, each not sure who should talk first. Scootaloo simply sat and glanced between them, Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle locked in an apparent staring contest. Finally, Sweetie Belle cleared her throat and blinked, ending it. “Well, I suppose I should start off with saying I’m glad Diamond went through with it and actually talked to you instead of the ridiculous showing off she was doing to try to get your attention.” Apple Bloom tilted her head and furrowed her brows. “Huh? Did she tell you when she asked about the party?” Sweetie sighed. “So she really didn’t tell you. No, I knew because I was the one who told her to talk to you in the first place.” Apple Bloom and Scootaloo’s jaws promptly dropped, gaping at this new information. Sweetie shrugged, “Well, when I got the spot in the Ponyville production of The King and I, she was my only competition. The director liked her though and made her my understudy. Then, when she started to bully me into quitting and basically give her my spot, something didn’t feel right about it. It wasn’t the same as when we were kids, the insults were more shallow and overall just less...Personal?” She shrugged again. “I don’t know how to explain it. Anyways, after the whole fiasco was done and I got over it, I found her and talked to her. She confessed her crush and I told her to stop being stupid and talk to you.” “But, what about, ah mean-“ “She’s just misguided, Apple Bloom. It was a stupid, foalish mistake to think you are mean to the ones you love and that she needed to show off all the time for you to notice her. However.” Sweetie straightened, the cold look on her face sending chills down Apple Bloom and Scootaloo’s spine. “I made it very clear to her she has one.chance. She blows it today? That’s it.” They remained in silence, Apple Bloom’s mind turning as Scootaloo simply sat in awe of her friend. It was the pegasus that broke the quiet, grinning and pumping her hoof in the air. “Hell yeah Sweetie Belle! I always knew you were a badass under all that fluff.” Sweetie rolled her eyes but couldn’t hide the small smile pulling at her lips. “What else did you expect from a lady? As my sister says, ‘a true lady hides her blade in her eyes, her venom in her smile, and always leaves her enemies guessing.’” “Damn, remind me never to get on either of your bad sides!” They shared a laugh, but a sniffle from Apple Bloom caught their attention as she wiped away happy tears. “Oh, Sweetie, ah, ah don’t know how to thank ya!” Sweetie’s smile turned into a smirk and she chuckled. “Well I knew you would have been absolutely miserable if you never had even the chance to date her.” Apple Bloom blushed heavily, sputtering. “Wha? Ah, ah don’t know what yer talkin’ bout-“ Scootaloo snorted. “Oh come on Bloom, even I know you’ve had the hots for her for years.” Outnumbered, the blushing mare sank into her seat as the other two high-hoofed. “Ah can’t believe ah’m friends with y’all…” “Hey, that’s ‘best friends’ to you!” Sweetie nodded in agreement, gasping softly as she came up with an idea. She grinned and put her hoof in the middle of the table, the two of them quickly catching on. Despite her grumpiness, Apple Bloom joined her and Scootaloo’s hoof and they shouted. “CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS POOL PARTY AT DIAMOND TIARA’S HOUSE...Yay!” A Party...Apple Bloom rang the doorbell, nervously teetering on her hooves as an elegant, grandfather clock chime sounded. The door opened almost immediately, revealing an equally nervous looking Diamond on the other side. “Oh, hey there, uh, everyone. I’m glad all of you could make it. Come on in, Silver Spoon should be here soon too.” After a nudge on the flank from Scootaloo, Apple Bloom walked in with her, Sweetie following last. Diamond led them through the mansion to the backyard, now seeming a bit irritated. “Unfortunately we will pretty much be on our own. Clear Waters, the pool attendant, is out sick and my personal maid Holly is off in Hoofington for a wedding or something.” She looked back and rolled her eyes. “I swear we can’t find any good help these days. Clear and Holly are usually so reliable, and now we don’t even have a doorpony! Neat Work was on front door duty, but had to move to take care of his mom.” Her expression softened and her voice took on an odd tone as she abruptly turned to look forward again. “It’s annoying but I guess he’s, like, a good son at least or something.” They walked in silence the rest of the trip to the back door, Diamond pausing before pushing it open and holding it for them. As Sweetie passed her, she cleared her throat. “Diamond, may I have a word?” Only Scootaloo caught the ‘request’ and subsequent whimper from Diamond, turning back slightly. Sweetie waved her forward. “It’s alright Scoots, go on ahead. Make sure Apple Bloom doesn’t go diving in recklessly.” Sweetie paused at the mischievous grin slowly spreading across Scootaloo’s face. “And for that manner, you be safe as well.” “Oh fine...Hey Apple Bloom! Wanna have a cannonball contest!” Sweetie sighed and resisted the urge to face hoof at her friends. She had more important matters at the moment. She glanced at Diamond, the pink mare trembling slightly. “Relax, will you Diamond? I just wanted to say thank you for inviting me.” Diamond blinked. “Oh, uh, your welcome.” Sweetie’s smile dipped into a frown for a fraction of a second. “Good job catching yourself as well. I know you are a rich spoiled brat, but I don’t think you are trying as hard as you can. If you want a relationship with Apple Bloom I need to make sure you aren’t going to make her feel bad for growing up on a farm and actually working all her life. Understand?” Diamond gulped and nodded. “Y-yes. I’m sorry, I’ll, I’ll work on my wording.” “Good, then we shouldn’t have a problem.” Sweetie’s smile broadened and she pulled Diamond into a tight hug, “Oooh I’m so glad! I’m sure you wouldn’t want to do anything to break Apple Bloom’s heart in her first relationship ever.” Diamond froze, though Sweetie seemed not to notice as she trotted off jauntily to join her friends. ‘Her first relationship? Has, has Apple Bloom been...waiting for me?’ Diamond shook her head. She was just scolded for being a rich filly who thought the world revolved around her, she wasn’t about to go further down that slippery slope. Besides, if today went well, and Apple Bloom did agree to a date, she could always ask her then. For now, she just had to survive Sweetie Belle. She closed the door as she pondered that mare. Such a timid and easy target growing up, she had really grown into her own and made quite an intimidating force when she wanted to. Diamond shuddered, resolving to never get on her bad side. Again. The chiming of the doorbell brought her out of her thoughts and she trotted to the front door. Outside, Apple Bloom was paddling towards the pool stairs, Scootaloo trailing behind her. “Well there ya are Sweetie! Come on in, the water feels amazing!” Sweetie carefully set her saddlebags by a table, taking a moment to adjust the other two. “Hey, wait just an apple pickin’ minute, where did Diamond go?” Sweetie turned around, “She didn’t follow me out? Hmm. Maybe she went to get refreshments?” “Be straight with us Sweets, did you scare her off?” Sweetie glared after Scootaloo. “No. No I did not. I’m sure she will be out soon.” “Well she better. We need at least one impartial judge for our splash contest.” Sweetie tilted her head with a soft smirk, eyebrow raised. “Are you saying I can’t be impartial?” Scootaloo floundered for a response, opening her mouth to say something then closing it again. She was finally rescued by Silver Spoon and Diamond Tiara walking out. “Sweetie Belle!” “Silver Spoon!” Silver quickly made her way to Sweetie and pulled her into a hug, whispering in her ear. “Thank Celestia you managed to get through to Diamond.” Sweetie returned the hug and responded. “Well somepony had to. We both know they would have been absolutely miserable had we let them try to figure it out by themselves.” The mares shared a laugh as they stepped back from the embrace, leaving a slightly confused Diamond and oblivious Scootaloo and Apple Bloom. “Alright! Now then, who wants to judge our splash contest?” Diamond furrowed her brows and tilted her head. “Splash contest?” Scootaloo and Apple Bloom gasped, staring at her intently. “You mean to tell me you’ve never done a splash contest?!” “Don’t you worry none Di, it’s easy! Ya just run and jump into the water to make the biggest splash you can. Silver, Sweetie, would y’all mind being judges fer us?” Silver and Sweetie shrugged, Silver elbowing Diamond. “Yeah, we’ll judge. Go on Diamond, try and make a big splash.” “I, um, okay…” Diamond put her namesake tiara on the table before hesitantly shuffling over to the pool side. She peered over the edge at the water, chewing on her lip. “So, just, jump in?” Scootaloo groaned loudly as she came up beside Diamond. “Oh come on! This is taking forever! If you aren’t gonna go…” The pegasus flared her wings and reared up, charging forward with a mighty cry of, “CANNONBALL!!!” A large splash erupted from her entry, drenching Diamond and sending waves across the pool. Diamond sputtered as Scootaloo broke the surface, grinning broadly. “Oh man, that must have been huge!” After a look from Diamond she shrugged sheepishly. “Oh, uh, sorry Diamond. But, I mean, you were gonna be getting wet anyways right?” Diamond was shaking, her mouth pressed into a thin line as she angrily snorted and shook her head. “Just what do you-“ “CANNONBALL!” Diamond’s tirade was cut off by the cry of Silver and Sweetie as they rushed past her and jumped into the pool, drenching Diamond once again. Diamond blinked, ears twitching at the laughter of her friends. Wait, friends? Well of course Silver was her friend, had been most of her life. But, what about the others? Time seemed to slow down as she glanced between all their smiling, happy faces. She was reminded of a past pool party, when it became known the Cutie Mark Crusaders were friends with Princess Twilight and having special ‘Twilight Time’. Back then, the party was a mark of importance. ‘Look how close I am to Twilight, the Princess.’ And yet, here they were again, just a group of mares, a group of friends, having fun in the water. A small smile overtook the frown, that’s right, they were all friends now. Not gossiping, backstabbing socialites that smile at you only to glare once your head is turned, quietly stacking their ammunition against yours in an endless pissing contest to prove who was ‘better’. She had friends now. And sometimes friends did funny things, like splashing a sheltered rich filly who had never participated in a ‘splash contest’ before. Everyone had gone quiet, looking at Diamond with varying levels of apprehension and concern as she had her epiphany. Finally, she began to laugh. “Oh! Now I get it, cannonball!” She took a few steps back, giggling like a mad mare as she ran and lept into the pool, her body half curled in a very loose ‘cannonball’. Diamond resurfaced to cheers, smiling as she pushed her mane out of her eyes. “Hey, not too shabby…” Scootaloo smirked and splashed at her, “For a rich girl.” Diamond and Silver mocked offense, Diamond gasping, “You dare besmirch my honor! Have at thee!” She brought her hoof in front of her in a wide arc, sending a spray of water back at the pegasus. Even while sputtering and trying to shake the water off, Scootaloo managed to maintain a cocky composure. “Oh? Do you really want to challenge me to a water fight?” Diamond responded with a smirk and another wave of water. “Silver Spoon! To my side!” “Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle! Gimme backup!” The pool quickly became a war zone of waves and splashes, laughter and playful insults, water flung left and right. Somehow in the chaos, Diamond found herself facing Apple Bloom, but there was no mercy in a water fight. That is, until Diamond and Apple Bloom were pushed towards each other in a perfectly coordinated attack by Silver and Sweetie. Diamond crashed into Apple Bloom and the two tumbled under the water. Limbs flailed and tangled together as they tried to orient themselves, a clumsy dance as they fought to breach the surface. Finally, Diamond broke free, gasping for air as Apple Bloom followed a moment after. “S-Silver!” “Sweetie!” The mentioned mares simply shrugged and whistled innocently while Scootaloo waggled her eyebrows. “Making the moves on Bloom already are we Diamond~?” Bright blushes exploded on their faces as Diamond stammered and Apple Bloom stared slack jawed at the snickering trio of Scootaloo, Silver, and Sweetie. Diamond gave up on a response and resorted to pouting, directing the look at Silver. “Oh don’t look at me like that Di, it was all Sweetie’s idea.” Sweetie giggled. “Guilty as charged.” Apple Bloom sank until her nose was just barely above the water, blowing exasperated bubbles. Diamond shook her head, still blushing. “Alright, well, I think that’s enough splashing for now. I don’t want to drown from good intentions.” The glare directed at Silver either went unnoticed or ignored, Diamond wasn’t sure which. Scootaloo shrugged. “Well what else can we do then? We tried a splash contest, did a water fight...Ooh! What about Marco Polo?” She glanced at Silver and Diamond. “Do you know how to play that one?” Silver deadpanned. “Marco Polo? Why would we want to play a game named after an old, Itstallion merchant? What would even be the objective of such a supposed ‘game’?” Scootaloo tilted her head, “So...Is that a yes or a no?” “Of course we know how to play. Diamond and I used to play it in our mansions, like an improvised hide and seek.” Diamond giggled and smiled at the memories. “Oh yeah, those days were fun. Especially with the echo from the tall ceilings, it was hard to determine exactly where your voice was coming from.” Sweetie cooed, “Aww, that actually sounds adorable and like a lot of fun. Who knew Diamond Tiara actually liked fun.” Maturely, Diamond stuck out her tongue in response. Scootaloo rolled her eyes. “Yeah yeah, so, who’s it first?” “Nose goes!” Apple Bloom shouted as she placed her hoof on her nose. Sweetie followed with Scootaloo right behind her, Silver catching on and leaving Diamond the odd mare out. Scootaloo declared, “Looks like it’s Diamond.” “Alright, I’m going to dunk under water for 10 seconds and then count to 10 once I’m up, fair?” There was a round of agreements and Diamond nodded. She took a couple deep breaths before closing her eyes and sinking under the water. The rest of the group scrambled to swim away from her and get some distance from each other as well, moving as quietly as possible once she broke the surface and began to count out loud. “-5. 4. 3. 2. 1. Marco!” A chorus of ‘Polo’s rang out from all around Diamond, and the game began. They spent the afternoon playing various pool games and racing, of which mostly Scootaloo and Apple Bloom were declared winners. As the sun began to sink and they found themselves too exhausted to continue swimming, they laid on towels by the pool and rested. Plenty of laughter and jokes were to be had still, half hearted accusations of cheating and proclamations of ‘why I never!’ Scootaloo stuck her tongue out at Apple Bloom, “Well it’s not my fault my sleek pegasus body is aerodynamic and made for speed.” Apple Bloom snorted, “So Scootaloo ain’t a chicken, she’s a fish!” “At least I can eat things other than apples.” “Least mah hooves are on the ground, you have yer head in the clouds so much it’s a wonder ya have room for all the hot air in there!” “Of course she does,” Sweetie joined in, “heat rises. She can’t spend too much time on the ground or else she’ll deflate!” Scootaloo groaned and flopped backwards at Sweetie’s addition. “Ugh, that was a good one, but you are such an egghead.” Diamond frowned softly as she listened to the exchange. “Um, question. Isn’t that, well, what your saying...Isn't it like bullying?” Scootaloo sat back up, glancing at Sweetie and Apple Bloom. “Um, well, no. We are friends and know that it’s not serious or anything.” Sweetie nodded. “I can understand how it might be confusing to you,” Diamond did her best not to take offense to that statement, instead perking her ears to show interest in Sweetie’s words while she continued to explain. “But there is a difference. You used to tease us about things we didn’t like about ourselves just for fun. We tease each other about silly things, like the running joke that Apple Bloom can’t eat fruits other than apples, or that Scootaloo is a chicken, or I’m an egghead. We joke about past experiences and tease each other out of love. We laugh with each other instead of at each other. Does that make sense?” Diamond slowly took in this new information, finding it did make sense. “Huh, okay. But what if someone doesn’t feel you are joking? What if they get offended?” Scootaloo shrugged. “Then we apologize and try not to bring that subject up again unless they say it’s okay. For me, I can’t take any jokes about my wings or how long it took for me to learn to fly.” “I can’t stand when people say I’m a fussy prude ‘just like my sister’.” “And ah really can’t stand jokes about my family being all inbred and such nonsense.” Diamond nodded. “Thank you guys, I promise I won’t make jokes about those things.” Sweetie smiled. “Good to hear that. While we are on the topic, is there anything either of youdon't want us to joke about?” Silver shrugged. “My cutiemark mostly. I’ve heard every spoon joke in Equestria, and trust me, it gets old fast.” Sweetie tsked. “Oh darn, so that means I have to actually be creative?” Silver smirked, “I’m sure an egghead unicorn like yourself can figure it out. Hey, maybe you can become the Princess of Wisecracks.” “Seems like you should start practicing your bowing then, Lady Silver Spoon.” Diamond raised an eyebrow at the two's closeness, Silver and Sweetie having leaned in during their exchange. Scootaloo gagged loudly. “If you two kiss, I’m gonna barf.” Sweetie blushed, jerking back and glaring at Scootaloo. “A-anyways, ahem, Diamond, is there anything off limits for you?” Silver was blushing as well, but tried to act nonchalant as she looked at Diamond and waited for her answer, happy for the diversion. Diamond nervously glanced down at her hooves, “Um, well, please try not to joke about the bullying and...my mom.” “Damn, I had some real good zingers about her.” “Scootaloo!” The pegasus held up her hooves in surrender. “Hey, I’m not gonna say them. Just saying I thought of some.” Diamond shrugged, “It’s okay, just, for the future. If we hang out again.” “What do you mean ‘if’? If you think you can date our best friend and not hang out with us too, you got another thing coming missy!” Sweetie chuckled and nodded with Scootaloo’s exclamation. “Yeah, you might get to date Apple Bloom, but we aren’t gonna let her go completely.” Diamond blushed, but a smirk slowly spread across her face. “Oh yeah? Well the same goes for you and Silver Spoon.” Silver did a spit take, coughing and sputtering as Scootaloo laughed uproariously and Sweetie sat frozen, her entire face reddening. Apple Bloom snickered to the side as Diamond grinned. “OKAY.” Sweetie started a little too loudly, clearing her throat awkwardly. “Um, who else is hungry? I know I sure am. Diamond, did you have any plans for dinner?” Diamond’s eyes widened. “Oh my sun I didn’t even think about it. I uh, to be completely honest, I wasn’t expecting the party to still be going…” She shrugged, chuckling. “How about we go to Sugarcube Corner? My treat.” There was no disagreement, and so after making sure they were sufficiently dry, did the group head off for sweets. A DateDiamond hummed to herself as she trotted down the main street of Ponyville on her way to work. It was a clear Monday morning and looked to be a beautiful day. Saturday was amazing. The pool party was a great success and everyone had a good time at Sugarcube Corner after. The night ended with little fanfare and Diamond found she was grateful for it. There was a bit of underlying tension between her and Apple Bloom sure, especially since they sat next to each other, but it went okay. Everyone had backed off on teasing about relationships and focused on other, normal young adult things like work, school and the future. After gorging on sweets and shakes, everyone went home. Diamond wasn’t sure how long she should wait before trying to ask Apple Bloom out again, but figured she would at least give her a week. Just because they had fun didn’t mean she would be ready right away for a date. Diamond sighed. It was a hard thought, but one she had to accept all the same. “Mornin’ Diamond Tiara!” She stumbled, whipping her head to the side. She recovered with a small smile as she trotted to the apple stand. “Good morning Apple Bloom, Big Mac. How are you?” “Doin’ good Diamond. Ya headed off to work?” “Yup. I’m opening this morning. Say, doesn’t Applejack normally work the apple stall?” Big Mac nodded. “Eyup.” “Sis was feeling a mite sick this morning. Big Mac was gonna go to Barnyard Bargains to pick up some medicine and head on home to take care of her.” “Oh! Um, do you want to walk with me Big Mac? Opening doesn’t take too long, and that way you can get back to Applejack quickly.” He shrugged and looked at Apple Bloom. “That’s a great idea Diamond! Yeah, you go on ahead with her Big Mac, ah can watch the stall.” Big Mac nodded, “Alright Apple Bloom. Ah’ll see you at home.” “Eyup!” Diamond smiled and waved a goodbye to Apple Bloom before continuing on her walk, this time with Big Mac following. Diamond wasn’t quite sure what to make of the stallion. He was quiet, a stallion of few words. One might even call him ‘stoic’. For Diamond, she found him intimidating, especially knowing he was Apple Bloom’s older brother. Despite being an only child, she’d heard stories and saw movies with overprotective big brothers who threatened anyone who dated their younger sibling to make sure they treated them right. Especially if it was a younger sister. But, they were just walking, almost onto the store actually. With each step Diamond relaxed, thinking instead to the day ahead. As they approached the store front, Diamond brought her keys out, humming as she unlocked the door and pushed it open. She flipped on the light switch and headed over to the register. “Go ahead and pick out the medicine you want, I’ll be up here.” Big Mac wordlessly walked off as Diamond began her opening duties of checking the register and running through notes left by the closing shift. “Ah! Celestia dammit…” Diamond cursed softly as she knocked over a cup of pens, kneeling under the counter to pick them all up. The sound of a throat being cleared startled her and she jumped, smacking her head. “Ah! Ow…” She grumbled and rubbed her head as she carefully stood up, glancing on the countertop to see Big Mac had made his selection. She picked the boxes up and tallied the total, “Alright, that will be… 5 bits. Would you like a bag?” “Nope.” He slid a stack of bits over and she deposited them in the register. “Would you like the receipt?” “Nope.” “Alright then, you are all set. I hope you have a good day and that Applejack gets well soon.” Normally, the customer would already be halfway out the door by the time she bid them well. Instead, Big Mac stood there and stared at her. She gulped and shuffled on her hooves. “Is uh, is there anything else I can do for you?” He waited a moment longer. “Stay good fer her Diamond. You’ve come a long way.” He picked up the medicine and left, leaving her confused. That was it? The movies and rumors always made it seem so scary. Heck, Diamond was expecting to be scared. Instead, he almost sounded...proud? Proud that she had changed and was a better pony, most of the time anyways. That she had become someone who deserved Apple Bloom. She realized with a start he didn’t need to threaten her, because the idea of losing Apple Bloom was threat enough. Suddenly, she had a deeper appreciation and respect for the red stallion. She shook her head to clear it. Right now she had to work, she could think about personal matters later. ~~ “Alright, I’m heading out Bon Bon, you got the store?” “Yup! Have a good day Diamond.” “You too!” Diamond sighed in content as she waved goodbye to Bon Bon and walked out of the store. She really enjoyed opening shifts, as it meant she still had most of the afternoon and evening to do whatever she wanted. She made a mental note to talk to Daddy about getting Bon Bon a promotion, that mare had really proven herself to be a good worker over the last six months and she felt she really deserved a reward. Spirits high, she trotted past the market stalls, noting the apple stall was gone. She wasn’t too surprised, they normally sold out about noon and it was just past 2 now. She was a little disappointed she wouldn’t be able to talk to Apple Bloom, but oh well. With Applejack sick, she and Big Mac would probably have their hooves full with chores. ‘Hmm, maybe I should make a care package for Applejack. Big Mac got medicine of course, but maybe I can make some soup?’ She paused for a moment to ponder if that might be seen as trying to ‘buy’ Applejack’s blessing, and if that was what she was trying to do. Sure, it would probably be a good thing if both Applejack and Big Mac gave their blessing, but in the end only Apple Bloom could decide if she loved her. Diamond shrugged off the possible negative implications. If there was anyone who could see the purity behind her intentions, it would be Applejack. With that thought, she turned back to the market to buy some fresh herbs and vegetables. ~~ The evening was young as Diamond Tiara knocked on the front door of the Apple family house. She hadn’t intended on taking so long, but she figured the end product would be worth it. In addition to the soup, she brought a thermos of ginger lemon tea and baked some ginger snap cookies. The door opened and she was surprised to see Applejack’s face poking out. “Oh, howdy there Diamond Tiara. What brings you here?” “Oh, Applejack! Um, Apple Bloom mentioned you were feeling sick so I Uh…” Diamond blushed and held up the basket. “I made some soup and tea. And some cookies.” Applejack chuckled. “Well butter my biscuits! That’s mighty kind of ya Diamond. As ya can see, ah’m feeling alright now, was just a little stomach bug.” “Oh that’s good to hear. So, I, I guess I should go back home then. Tell Apple Bloom I said hi.” “Why don’t you go tell her yerself? She’s on the hill over yonder to look at the stars.” Diamond looked where Applejack was pointing, trying not to perk up too much. “Thank you Applejack.” “Go git her Diamond.” Diamond blushed again and whipped her head back around to stare wide eyed at Applejack. “Oh come on now, ya didn’t think Apple Bloom would tell her big sister y’all was gonna court? Shoot, we talk about everything.” She smiled softly. “Ah’ve seen you grow from a nasty little filly into an amazing mare Diamond. Ah’m proud of ya and will support your relationship. Now go on, ah know she’ll appreciate the company.” It took incredible effort for Diamond to not go running off and squealing like a filly, but she just managed to trot off with quiet glee towards the hill. She found Apple Bloom sitting on a blanket, a few books and charts spread in front of her. Diamond chuckled. “And here I thought Sweetie Belle was the egghead.” “Ah!” Apple Bloom cried out in surprise, looking over her shoulder at Diamond as a blush reddened her cheeks. She stared at the ground and rubbed her shoulder, muttering, “Ah like stars...” Diamond sat beside her and glanced over the materials. “Clearly. This is quite an impressive spread. What are you doing?” Apple Bloom cleared her throat and pointed at a chart. “There’s supposed to be some rare stars and constellations visible tonight. Starswirl’s Beard is the one ah’m most looking forward to.” She gestured at a scroll, which featured crude illustrations of the constellations and some notes scribbled besides them. “Ah’ve been drawing them when ah find them.” “Why not just draw from the chart?” Apple Bloom shrugged. “Ah don’t like drawing from others art, it would be like cheating on a test.” Diamond nodded. “Well that makes sense. Your drawings look pretty good, you can really see the effort put into it.” “Would look better if Ah was a unicorn or even a pegasus…” Diamond bit her lip, resisting the urge to lean over and nuzzle her. She chose her words carefully, knowing it was a hard topic. “I like you as an earth pony Apple Bloom. Unicorns may have magic, and pegasi flight, but we earth ponies are special all on our own.” Apple Bloom leaned into her and sighed, taking no notice of Diamond’s sudden stiffening. “Ah know, Ah know. But Ah still can’t help but dream about it.” Diamond very carefully wrapped a hoof around Apple Bloom, relaxing when she didn’t seem to have a problem with it. She looked up at the sky. “I know what you mean. I dream about it sometimes too. Mostly being a unicorn. Having magic seems it would be really convenient just for everyday life. Brushing my mane, cooking, stocking the shelves at work…” Apple Bloom snuggled closer into her side and looked up as well. “Ah dream of being a pegasus, flying through the air, walking on clouds, it seems so...Freeing.” “Weelllll, I might not be able to get you wings but, my Daddy does own a hot air balloon, or I could even take you on an open air cruise. There’s one that goes from Canterlot to Mt. Eris and the views are absolutely breathtaking.” “You, you would really do that fer me?” Diamond looked down at her and nodded. “But of course. Any...friend… of mine is more than welcome on a luxury vacation.” Apple Bloom frowned at ‘friend’ and gently pushed away from her, making Diamond regret her words. “Wait! I’m sorry Apple Bloom, I just, I don’t want to scare you off by using words you may not be ready to use.” Apple Bloom seemed to be fighting with herself over something, finally coming to a decision as she leaned forward and kissed Diamond. It was a bit awkward and clumsy, as most first kisses are, but neither of them cared. Diamond found herself crying as she wrapped her hooves around Apple Bloom and pulled her closer. The mare of her dreams, the filly she had been chasing for years, and now they were finally together. It was Apple Bloom who broke the kiss, sniffling as happy tears of her own rolled down her cheeks. “N-now what do ya gotta say to that?” Diamond giggled and pecked her nose. “I say it’s about damn time.” Apple Bloom wiped her face, giggling as well. “Would... would you like to stay and look at the stars with me?” “I would love to.” Apple Bloom squeed quietly and hugged her tight, Diamond nuzzling the top of her head. “You know, for all the ideas I had for a first date, I never expected this.” Apple Bloom blushed and chuckled self consciously. “This, this is a date, ain’t it? Ah’ll be darned if Ah didn’t think our first date would be going out to eat at a fancy restaurant.” “Well, it might not be 3 Hoof cuisine but…” Diamond gently untangled herself from Apple Bloom and reached over to the basket, pulling out the tray of cookies. “I made ginger snaps.” Apple Bloom furrowed her brows. “Diamond, Ah would love a cookie, but I got a couple questions.” Diamond set the tray in front of them and removed the cover. “After work I went to the market to get stuff to make Applejack some soup since she wasn’t feeling well. There was a great deal on ginger and I got inspired.” She shrugs, rubbing the back of her neck. “I have some ginger lemon tea too if you are thirsty.” “Now Ah don’t mean to offend ya Diamond, but Ah didn’t think you could cook.” Diamond laughed, grabbing a cookie and considering it. “I don’t know how to do much. I learned the basics from our chef, Rosemary, and she still gives me cooking lessons occasionally. Our schedules don’t always line up though.” She shrugs again and takes a bite of the cookie. Apple Bloom smiled and took a bite of her own. “Well it tastes good. If ya wanted, Applejack an’ Ah could teach ya how to cook the Apple Family way.” “You know, I would love to cook with you Apple Bloom.” They sat there for a while in a comfortable silence, munching on cookies and watching the sky turn dark as the stars came out. “Hey Diamond?” “Yeah?” “When did ya first figure you liked me?” Diamond choked on her cookie, coughing and thumping her chest as Apple Bloom sat up in alarm. She soothingly rubbed her back, desperately searching the basket for the earlier mentioned tea. She took the thermos out and opened it, Diamond shakily taking it and sipping on the warm tea. “Ahh! Ahem, whew. You sure know how to make a mare choke up Apple Bloom.” Apple Bloom shook her head but couldn’t stop her smile. “Well maybe you should be more careful.” Diamond took another sip and sighed. “Fair enough. Um, okay, so, when I first developed my crush huh? To be completely honest, at my cutecenara.” “But ah thought you said you always picked on me cause you liked me? You were a bully before the party.” “Well, yes, but before that it was just general teasing. You were a blank flank and I already had my cutie mark, you were an easy target. Not to mention your accent…” Apple Bloom deadpanned. “Gee thanks.” Diamond winced, “Sorry, that, that came out wrong. My mom always talked about how I needed to make a good impression on ‘high society’ ponies and make sure they knew I wasn’t friends with anyone...not.” She cringed back further, one again slapped in the face with how terrible her mom was. “She lectured me before the first day of school, about your family and how while they may have a good relationship with Barnyard Bargains, the rest of the world didn’t need to know that.” Apple Bloom snorted angrily. “Yer mother is a real piece of work.” Diamond nodded, heaving a heavy sigh. “I know. The worst part is, I want to hate her, or, or at least not feel like she’s my mom. But I just can’t. I don’t want anything to do with her now of course, but…” “But ya still love her.” Apple Bloom nuzzled her. “It’s okay Diamond, Ah promise. And, if one day, you want to introduce me to her as yer mare friend, Ah’ll go along with it. Ah never got to know my ma, all Ah got are stories, but, if there’s one thing Ah know, it’s that family is important.” “Even family who treats you horribly and tries to turn you into them?” Apple Bloom gently turned Diamond’s face to look at her. “Wanna hear the other thing Ah know?” “Huh?” Apple Bloom pecked her lips. “Ponies can change. You grew up and broke the cycle Diamond. Maybe yer ma can do the same someday.” Diamond sniffled and pressed her forehead to Apple Bloom’s. “What did I do to deserve you?” “You let out the good pony that was inside ya all along.” Diamond smiled. “Heh, I did do that, didn’t I?” “Well look at y’all, all snuggled up like love birds already.” Diamond and Apple Bloom jumped apart, letting out soft shrieks of surprise as Applejack walked up. Bright blushes burned their faces as they suddenly found the ground very interesting, Diamond in particular wishing she could dig herself into a hole. “Well shucks, Ah know Apple Bloom’s grown now, but y’all are still young enough to need a chaperone. From the looks of things Ah got here just in time.” Apple Bloom groaned and fell face forward onto the blanket, hiding her face in her hooves. “Siiiiiiiiiiis…” “Now none of that Apple Bloom, Ah’m still yer big sister and Ah ain’t ready for you to be that grown yet. Ah’ll be over by the tree, so you can just pretend Ah ain’t here. But know that Ah will be.” Applejack kept to her word and walked off a few feet and sat at the base of an apple tree, adjusting herself so she could keep an eye of them out of the corner of her eye. Diamond sat up stiffly, squirming under the watchful side eye of Applejack. She gulped and hesitantly poked Apple Bloom’s side. “Hey um, should, should we look for those stars you wanted to draw?” Apple Bloom let out an exasperated sigh and pushed herself onto her hooves. “Ah suppose we should. According to this chart here, Starswirl’s Beard should be visible most the night, so Ah pretty sure we ain’t missed it yet.” Diamond nodded and offered her a cookie as she straightened the chart and her scroll of drawings. Apple Bloom smiled and grabbed it with her mouth, humming happily as she dug through a bag. Finally, she brought out a rolled piece of canvas and a small inkwell, unrolling the canvas to reveal her collection of pens and what looked like a quill wrapped in plastic. At Diamond’s quizzical glance, Apple Bloom transferred the cookie in her hoof and explained. “Pens are okay to draw with, but Ah really like the quill, except Ah used to end up with a mouth of feathers of course. So, whenever Ah need to buy a new one, Ah use leftover wrappers to make it easier to hold!” “Apple Bloom that’s, that’s amazing!” “Aww, shucks Diamond…” “I really mean it.” “Ah know.” They smiled at each other. It had been a rough road to get to this point, but now that they were there, it was looking to be a lot smoother.
A Question...“Hi-yah!” Apple Bloom sailed through the air, her rear hoof poised to strike the apple tree, hitting it with a solid ‘thunk!’. She twisted in the air, using her momentum and kicking off the tree with her other hoof, aiming for its neighbor. “Whaaaaaa-!” ‘Thunk!’ She allowed herself to drop to the ground, back flipping and kicking her legs out to hit a third tree. “Take that!” ‘Thunk!’ She puffed her chest out with pride, looking over the buckets that were filled with apples now. “Apple Bloom! Now just what are ya doin with all those fancy flyin’ kicks of yours?” Apple Bloom whipped her head to the side, smiling broadly as Applejack walked up. “Ah’m just practicin mah karate! Don’t worry, ah ain’t hurting the trees.” Applejack made a sound of disagreement, peering close at the bark and sighing when she found no marks. “Hmph...Well alrighty then. Here, help me pick up the ones that missed the buckets. Big Mac should be coming up in a few minutes to get them. We gotta make sure we get plenty of apples down to the barn, Filthy Rich is coming by for his weekly pick.” “Ah’m on it!” As promised, Big Macintosh soon rolled up with a wagon, placidly chewing on a wheat stalk as they loaded up the apple filled buckets. Soon, they made their way down the hill, where Filthy Rich and Diamond Tiara were waiting. As Applejack and Filthy struck up a conversation about apple stocks and Big Mac started to unload the wagon, Diamond was uncharacteristically nervous. She glanced between the occupied adults and Apple Bloom before clearing her throat and tensely jerking her head to the side, a sign to move away from the others. Apple Bloom followed Diamond down the side of the barn, curious. “What‘s on yer mind Diamond? Haven’t seen you round the farm in a few moons.” Diamond stopped short and shuffled in place, seeming to have an internal debate before blurting out. “Apple Bloomwillyougoonadatewithme?!” Apple Bloom blinked, her ear twitching as she nervously chuckles, stiffly turning to face her. “Mah ears must be hearing wrong, it almost sounded like you just asked me on a date.” Diamond blushed fiercely, her lips pursed together as tears filled her eyes. Apple Bloom’s jaw dropped. “...Oh...oh. Uh, why?” Diamond gulped and scuffed the ground, regretting the action as she saw the dirt left on her hoof. “I um, well, I’ve always liked you okay! I know I used to make fun of you-“ “Yeah, for most of elementary school.” “-but it was only because I liked you. I mean, that’s, that’s how I thought you were supposed to treat your special somepony and-“ “No, Diamond. That’s really not how you are supposed to treat your special somepony.” Diamond sighed and hung her head. “Yeah...That’s what my therapist said too.” “Just where in the hay did you get such an idea? You basically terrorized me an’ my friends fer years! Now ah know you’ve been doing better, and we are getting along more civil like, and a lot of that stuff happened when we were foals, but you can still be pretty mean when ya wanna be. You can’t honestly believe Ah’d be able to forget all of that.” Diamond winced, “I, well, it’s how my mom treated my dad…I know that it’s not right, well, I know that now. I’m just, I, I thought if I showed you I changed…” She sniffled, and despite herself, Apple Bloom couldn’t help but reach out and put her hoof on her shoulder. She sighed deeply. “Yer right. You have changed Diamond. You said yer seeing a therapist now? That’s good.” “Yeah...Ever since Ponyville put on that show a few month’s back.” Apple Bloom frowned and removed her hoof. “Ah still can’t believe you tried to bully your way into Sweetie Belle’s spot!” “I wasn’t thinking clearly okay! I heard you said you really wanted to see The King and I, and I thought that maybe if I performed a lead role, I could impress you?” Apple Bloom snorted and shook her head. “Yer pretty messed up sometimes Diamond, ah hope ya know that.” “I know, I was really, really mean to Sweetie.” Diamond sniffled again and swiped her hoof over her face. “But trust me, it’s the last time I’ll be pulling a stunt like that. The director and Daddy made that very clear.” Apple Bloom shook her head again, rubbing her temple with a hoof. “So, tell me how this is supposed to make me believe you changed exactly?” “Oh! Um, I...don’t know really. My therapist said that talking through the bad things I’ve done with ponies I’ve done to them can help bring closure and, how did she put it, ‘mend the bridges I burned’? And, it might help if I explained my reasoning behind my actions, or, something.” “Uh huh…” “Apple Bloom, be honest, do I even have a chance at this point?” Apple Bloom felt a blush heating her cheeks as Diamond glanced up at her. She cleared her throat. “Consarn it... Ah’ve always thought you were pretty Diamond, and even when you were being mean, Ah couldn’t help but feel sorry for you. Ah just, it’s like ah knew that deep down, ya really did want to try an’ be a good pony. Even if it took a while for you to realize it. Even if you still slip up e’ery now and again.” She sighed. “To tell ya the honest truth, Ah think you do have a chance Diamond, ah really think ya do.” She held up her hoof at Diamond’s happy gasp. “Now that ain’t to say this won’t take work. Ah really do wanna believe you ain’t a bully no more, but ya gotta understand how much it still affects me and my friends.” Diamond nodded. “Of course. I was, well I was a rotten little filly.” Apple Bloom snorted. “Yeah, you were pretty bad.” Diamond pouted softly, biting back a snarky remark. For all she put Apple Bloom through, she deserved that one. “But, I really do want to be better. For you, and for him.” Diamond looked over to where her father and Applejack were. “Ever since the divorce, Daddy is a lot happier and we spend more time together now. I’ve started to work at Barnyard Bargains, and I’m actually making a lot of friends and helping ponies. It’s so much nicer to have ponies smile at me for doing a good job, rather than having them cower in fear.” Apple Bloom smiled. “Ah’m mighty glad to hear that Diamond. Hmm…” She tapped a hoof on her chin, “Well, how about this. We don’t go on a date, but we hang out with the CMC and Silver. We haven’t all hung out in a while, and it will be a good chance for you to prove you really ain’t a bully anymore. Deal?” “Oh um...Do you think Sweetie Belle will be okay with it?” Apple Bloom shrugged. “Ah ain’t sure, but it’ll be a good chance for you to prove yerself. In fact, you will have to convince everyone else to come.” Diamond gulped, desperately looking over Apple Bloom for any sign she was joking, that she wasn’t serious. But of course she would be serious about this. She sighed and hung her head again. “Alright, that’s, I guess that’s only fair.” Apple Bloom grinned and elbowed her. “Oh don’t look so glum about it, ah think you’ll do great!” Diamond returned her smile, tilting her head back up. “Heh, well, I’ll try anyways. It’s the thought that counts right?” Apple Bloom raised an eyebrow. “More like actions speak louder than words.” “Right.” “Tiara! I’m heading back to town, are you going to stay here with Apple Bloom for a bit?” Diamond turned, “Oh! Uh, no Daddy, I’ll be right there.” She looked back to Apple Bloom. “How’s this Saturday sound? The pegasus weather report says it’ll be hot, we can have a pool party!” “Sounds good, ah’ll be sure to ask AJ for the day off. See you then Diamond.” Diamond beamed, hesitating for a moment before giving Apple Bloom a short hug. “Thank you.” Apple Bloom was blushing again as Diamond trotted off to catch up with her father. ~~ Apple Bloom whistled to herself as she climbed the old ramp to the treehouse. While it no longer served as the Cutie Mark Crusaders headquarters, they still used it as a meeting place. She opened the door and smiled at the interior. Since they graduated school last year, it was renovated and updated to their new, ‘adult’ tastes. Namely, a bench was built in under the window with pillows on either end and a bookshelf to the side. Near the back wall was a round table with three cushions set around it. Nostalgia swept over her as she approached that table, running a hoof over its surface. It was similar to the table where they declared themselves the Cutie Mark Crusaders so long ago in Sugar Cube Corner. She had chosen it specifically for that reason, the cushions set to where they each had been sitting even. She placed her saddlebags by her spot, not wanting to sit yet as Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle should be there any minute. Diamond Tiara had kept her word and invited the two of them, but, understandably, Sweetie Belle wanted a CMC meeting before the party. Apple Bloom perked up at the sound of hoof steps, trotting to the door and throwing it open. “Sweetie! Scoots!” Sweetie Belle smiled as she climbed onto the deck and hugged Apple Bloom, Scootaloo close behind. The pegasus playfully rolled her eyes. “Jeez Apple Bloom, it’s been what, two days?” “So? Ah always love having us all here together!” Sweetie and Scootaloo shared a look and Scootaloo laughed, joining the hug. They embraced for a moment before breaking apart and heading inside the treehouse, taking a seat at their respective spots at the table. “Uh-“ “So-“ Apple Bloom and Sweetie started at the same time, but neither tried to continue. An awkward silence quickly descended over them, each not sure who should talk first. Scootaloo simply sat and glanced between them, Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle locked in an apparent staring contest. Finally, Sweetie Belle cleared her throat and blinked, ending it. “Well, I suppose I should start off with saying I’m glad Diamond went through with it and actually talked to you instead of the ridiculous showing off she was doing to try to get your attention.” Apple Bloom tilted her head and furrowed her brows. “Huh? Did she tell you when she asked about the party?” Sweetie sighed. “So she really didn’t tell you. No, I knew because I was the one who told her to talk to you in the first place.” Apple Bloom and Scootaloo’s jaws promptly dropped, gaping at this new information. Sweetie shrugged, “Well, when I got the spot in the Ponyville production of The King and I, she was my only competition. The director liked her though and made her my understudy. Then, when she started to bully me into quitting and basically give her my spot, something didn’t feel right about it. It wasn’t the same as when we were kids, the insults were more shallow and overall just less...Personal?” She shrugged again. “I don’t know how to explain it. Anyways, after the whole fiasco was done and I got over it, I found her and talked to her. She confessed her crush and I told her to stop being stupid and talk to you.” “But, what about, ah mean-“ “She’s just misguided, Apple Bloom. It was a stupid, foalish mistake to think you are mean to the ones you love and that she needed to show off all the time for you to notice her. However.” Sweetie straightened, the cold look on her face sending chills down Apple Bloom and Scootaloo’s spine. “I made it very clear to her she has one.chance. She blows it today? That’s it.” They remained in silence, Apple Bloom’s mind turning as Scootaloo simply sat in awe of her friend. It was the pegasus that broke the quiet, grinning and pumping her hoof in the air. “Hell yeah Sweetie Belle! I always knew you were a badass under all that fluff.” Sweetie rolled her eyes but couldn’t hide the small smile pulling at her lips. “What else did you expect from a lady? As my sister says, ‘a true lady hides her blade in her eyes, her venom in her smile, and always leaves her enemies guessing.’” “Damn, remind me never to get on either of your bad sides!” They shared a laugh, but a sniffle from Apple Bloom caught their attention as she wiped away happy tears. “Oh, Sweetie, ah, ah don’t know how to thank ya!” Sweetie’s smile turned into a smirk and she chuckled. “Well I knew you would have been absolutely miserable if you never had even the chance to date her.” Apple Bloom blushed heavily, sputtering. “Wha? Ah, ah don’t know what yer talkin’ bout-“ Scootaloo snorted. “Oh come on Bloom, even I know you’ve had the hots for her for years.” Outnumbered, the blushing mare sank into her seat as the other two high-hoofed. “Ah can’t believe ah’m friends with y’all…” “Hey, that’s ‘best friends’ to you!” Sweetie nodded in agreement, gasping softly as she came up with an idea. She grinned and put her hoof in the middle of the table, the two of them quickly catching on. Despite her grumpiness, Apple Bloom joined her and Scootaloo’s hoof and they shouted. “CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS POOL PARTY AT DIAMOND TIARA’S HOUSE...Yay!”
A Party...Apple Bloom rang the doorbell, nervously teetering on her hooves as an elegant, grandfather clock chime sounded. The door opened almost immediately, revealing an equally nervous looking Diamond on the other side. “Oh, hey there, uh, everyone. I’m glad all of you could make it. Come on in, Silver Spoon should be here soon too.” After a nudge on the flank from Scootaloo, Apple Bloom walked in with her, Sweetie following last. Diamond led them through the mansion to the backyard, now seeming a bit irritated. “Unfortunately we will pretty much be on our own. Clear Waters, the pool attendant, is out sick and my personal maid Holly is off in Hoofington for a wedding or something.” She looked back and rolled her eyes. “I swear we can’t find any good help these days. Clear and Holly are usually so reliable, and now we don’t even have a doorpony! Neat Work was on front door duty, but had to move to take care of his mom.” Her expression softened and her voice took on an odd tone as she abruptly turned to look forward again. “It’s annoying but I guess he’s, like, a good son at least or something.” They walked in silence the rest of the trip to the back door, Diamond pausing before pushing it open and holding it for them. As Sweetie passed her, she cleared her throat. “Diamond, may I have a word?” Only Scootaloo caught the ‘request’ and subsequent whimper from Diamond, turning back slightly. Sweetie waved her forward. “It’s alright Scoots, go on ahead. Make sure Apple Bloom doesn’t go diving in recklessly.” Sweetie paused at the mischievous grin slowly spreading across Scootaloo’s face. “And for that manner, you be safe as well.” “Oh fine...Hey Apple Bloom! Wanna have a cannonball contest!” Sweetie sighed and resisted the urge to face hoof at her friends. She had more important matters at the moment. She glanced at Diamond, the pink mare trembling slightly. “Relax, will you Diamond? I just wanted to say thank you for inviting me.” Diamond blinked. “Oh, uh, your welcome.” Sweetie’s smile dipped into a frown for a fraction of a second. “Good job catching yourself as well. I know you are a rich spoiled brat, but I don’t think you are trying as hard as you can. If you want a relationship with Apple Bloom I need to make sure you aren’t going to make her feel bad for growing up on a farm and actually working all her life. Understand?” Diamond gulped and nodded. “Y-yes. I’m sorry, I’ll, I’ll work on my wording.” “Good, then we shouldn’t have a problem.” Sweetie’s smile broadened and she pulled Diamond into a tight hug, “Oooh I’m so glad! I’m sure you wouldn’t want to do anything to break Apple Bloom’s heart in her first relationship ever.” Diamond froze, though Sweetie seemed not to notice as she trotted off jauntily to join her friends. ‘Her first relationship? Has, has Apple Bloom been...waiting for me?’ Diamond shook her head. She was just scolded for being a rich filly who thought the world revolved around her, she wasn’t about to go further down that slippery slope. Besides, if today went well, and Apple Bloom did agree to a date, she could always ask her then. For now, she just had to survive Sweetie Belle. She closed the door as she pondered that mare. Such a timid and easy target growing up, she had really grown into her own and made quite an intimidating force when she wanted to. Diamond shuddered, resolving to never get on her bad side. Again. The chiming of the doorbell brought her out of her thoughts and she trotted to the front door. Outside, Apple Bloom was paddling towards the pool stairs, Scootaloo trailing behind her. “Well there ya are Sweetie! Come on in, the water feels amazing!” Sweetie carefully set her saddlebags by a table, taking a moment to adjust the other two. “Hey, wait just an apple pickin’ minute, where did Diamond go?” Sweetie turned around, “She didn’t follow me out? Hmm. Maybe she went to get refreshments?” “Be straight with us Sweets, did you scare her off?” Sweetie glared after Scootaloo. “No. No I did not. I’m sure she will be out soon.” “Well she better. We need at least one impartial judge for our splash contest.” Sweetie tilted her head with a soft smirk, eyebrow raised. “Are you saying I can’t be impartial?” Scootaloo floundered for a response, opening her mouth to say something then closing it again. She was finally rescued by Silver Spoon and Diamond Tiara walking out. “Sweetie Belle!” “Silver Spoon!” Silver quickly made her way to Sweetie and pulled her into a hug, whispering in her ear. “Thank Celestia you managed to get through to Diamond.” Sweetie returned the hug and responded. “Well somepony had to. We both know they would have been absolutely miserable had we let them try to figure it out by themselves.” The mares shared a laugh as they stepped back from the embrace, leaving a slightly confused Diamond and oblivious Scootaloo and Apple Bloom. “Alright! Now then, who wants to judge our splash contest?” Diamond furrowed her brows and tilted her head. “Splash contest?” Scootaloo and Apple Bloom gasped, staring at her intently. “You mean to tell me you’ve never done a splash contest?!” “Don’t you worry none Di, it’s easy! Ya just run and jump into the water to make the biggest splash you can. Silver, Sweetie, would y’all mind being judges fer us?” Silver and Sweetie shrugged, Silver elbowing Diamond. “Yeah, we’ll judge. Go on Diamond, try and make a big splash.” “I, um, okay…” Diamond put her namesake tiara on the table before hesitantly shuffling over to the pool side. She peered over the edge at the water, chewing on her lip. “So, just, jump in?” Scootaloo groaned loudly as she came up beside Diamond. “Oh come on! This is taking forever! If you aren’t gonna go…” The pegasus flared her wings and reared up, charging forward with a mighty cry of, “CANNONBALL!!!” A large splash erupted from her entry, drenching Diamond and sending waves across the pool. Diamond sputtered as Scootaloo broke the surface, grinning broadly. “Oh man, that must have been huge!” After a look from Diamond she shrugged sheepishly. “Oh, uh, sorry Diamond. But, I mean, you were gonna be getting wet anyways right?” Diamond was shaking, her mouth pressed into a thin line as she angrily snorted and shook her head. “Just what do you-“ “CANNONBALL!” Diamond’s tirade was cut off by the cry of Silver and Sweetie as they rushed past her and jumped into the pool, drenching Diamond once again. Diamond blinked, ears twitching at the laughter of her friends. Wait, friends? Well of course Silver was her friend, had been most of her life. But, what about the others? Time seemed to slow down as she glanced between all their smiling, happy faces. She was reminded of a past pool party, when it became known the Cutie Mark Crusaders were friends with Princess Twilight and having special ‘Twilight Time’. Back then, the party was a mark of importance. ‘Look how close I am to Twilight, the Princess.’ And yet, here they were again, just a group of mares, a group of friends, having fun in the water. A small smile overtook the frown, that’s right, they were all friends now. Not gossiping, backstabbing socialites that smile at you only to glare once your head is turned, quietly stacking their ammunition against yours in an endless pissing contest to prove who was ‘better’. She had friends now. And sometimes friends did funny things, like splashing a sheltered rich filly who had never participated in a ‘splash contest’ before. Everyone had gone quiet, looking at Diamond with varying levels of apprehension and concern as she had her epiphany. Finally, she began to laugh. “Oh! Now I get it, cannonball!” She took a few steps back, giggling like a mad mare as she ran and lept into the pool, her body half curled in a very loose ‘cannonball’. Diamond resurfaced to cheers, smiling as she pushed her mane out of her eyes. “Hey, not too shabby…” Scootaloo smirked and splashed at her, “For a rich girl.” Diamond and Silver mocked offense, Diamond gasping, “You dare besmirch my honor! Have at thee!” She brought her hoof in front of her in a wide arc, sending a spray of water back at the pegasus. Even while sputtering and trying to shake the water off, Scootaloo managed to maintain a cocky composure. “Oh? Do you really want to challenge me to a water fight?” Diamond responded with a smirk and another wave of water. “Silver Spoon! To my side!” “Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle! Gimme backup!” The pool quickly became a war zone of waves and splashes, laughter and playful insults, water flung left and right. Somehow in the chaos, Diamond found herself facing Apple Bloom, but there was no mercy in a water fight. That is, until Diamond and Apple Bloom were pushed towards each other in a perfectly coordinated attack by Silver and Sweetie. Diamond crashed into Apple Bloom and the two tumbled under the water. Limbs flailed and tangled together as they tried to orient themselves, a clumsy dance as they fought to breach the surface. Finally, Diamond broke free, gasping for air as Apple Bloom followed a moment after. “S-Silver!” “Sweetie!” The mentioned mares simply shrugged and whistled innocently while Scootaloo waggled her eyebrows. “Making the moves on Bloom already are we Diamond~?” Bright blushes exploded on their faces as Diamond stammered and Apple Bloom stared slack jawed at the snickering trio of Scootaloo, Silver, and Sweetie. Diamond gave up on a response and resorted to pouting, directing the look at Silver. “Oh don’t look at me like that Di, it was all Sweetie’s idea.” Sweetie giggled. “Guilty as charged.” Apple Bloom sank until her nose was just barely above the water, blowing exasperated bubbles. Diamond shook her head, still blushing. “Alright, well, I think that’s enough splashing for now. I don’t want to drown from good intentions.” The glare directed at Silver either went unnoticed or ignored, Diamond wasn’t sure which. Scootaloo shrugged. “Well what else can we do then? We tried a splash contest, did a water fight...Ooh! What about Marco Polo?” She glanced at Silver and Diamond. “Do you know how to play that one?” Silver deadpanned. “Marco Polo? Why would we want to play a game named after an old, Itstallion merchant? What would even be the objective of such a supposed ‘game’?” Scootaloo tilted her head, “So...Is that a yes or a no?” “Of course we know how to play. Diamond and I used to play it in our mansions, like an improvised hide and seek.” Diamond giggled and smiled at the memories. “Oh yeah, those days were fun. Especially with the echo from the tall ceilings, it was hard to determine exactly where your voice was coming from.” Sweetie cooed, “Aww, that actually sounds adorable and like a lot of fun. Who knew Diamond Tiara actually liked fun.” Maturely, Diamond stuck out her tongue in response. Scootaloo rolled her eyes. “Yeah yeah, so, who’s it first?” “Nose goes!” Apple Bloom shouted as she placed her hoof on her nose. Sweetie followed with Scootaloo right behind her, Silver catching on and leaving Diamond the odd mare out. Scootaloo declared, “Looks like it’s Diamond.” “Alright, I’m going to dunk under water for 10 seconds and then count to 10 once I’m up, fair?” There was a round of agreements and Diamond nodded. She took a couple deep breaths before closing her eyes and sinking under the water. The rest of the group scrambled to swim away from her and get some distance from each other as well, moving as quietly as possible once she broke the surface and began to count out loud. “-5. 4. 3. 2. 1. Marco!” A chorus of ‘Polo’s rang out from all around Diamond, and the game began. They spent the afternoon playing various pool games and racing, of which mostly Scootaloo and Apple Bloom were declared winners. As the sun began to sink and they found themselves too exhausted to continue swimming, they laid on towels by the pool and rested. Plenty of laughter and jokes were to be had still, half hearted accusations of cheating and proclamations of ‘why I never!’ Scootaloo stuck her tongue out at Apple Bloom, “Well it’s not my fault my sleek pegasus body is aerodynamic and made for speed.” Apple Bloom snorted, “So Scootaloo ain’t a chicken, she’s a fish!” “At least I can eat things other than apples.” “Least mah hooves are on the ground, you have yer head in the clouds so much it’s a wonder ya have room for all the hot air in there!” “Of course she does,” Sweetie joined in, “heat rises. She can’t spend too much time on the ground or else she’ll deflate!” Scootaloo groaned and flopped backwards at Sweetie’s addition. “Ugh, that was a good one, but you are such an egghead.” Diamond frowned softly as she listened to the exchange. “Um, question. Isn’t that, well, what your saying...Isn't it like bullying?” Scootaloo sat back up, glancing at Sweetie and Apple Bloom. “Um, well, no. We are friends and know that it’s not serious or anything.” Sweetie nodded. “I can understand how it might be confusing to you,” Diamond did her best not to take offense to that statement, instead perking her ears to show interest in Sweetie’s words while she continued to explain. “But there is a difference. You used to tease us about things we didn’t like about ourselves just for fun. We tease each other about silly things, like the running joke that Apple Bloom can’t eat fruits other than apples, or that Scootaloo is a chicken, or I’m an egghead. We joke about past experiences and tease each other out of love. We laugh with each other instead of at each other. Does that make sense?” Diamond slowly took in this new information, finding it did make sense. “Huh, okay. But what if someone doesn’t feel you are joking? What if they get offended?” Scootaloo shrugged. “Then we apologize and try not to bring that subject up again unless they say it’s okay. For me, I can’t take any jokes about my wings or how long it took for me to learn to fly.” “I can’t stand when people say I’m a fussy prude ‘just like my sister’.” “And ah really can’t stand jokes about my family being all inbred and such nonsense.” Diamond nodded. “Thank you guys, I promise I won’t make jokes about those things.” Sweetie smiled. “Good to hear that. While we are on the topic, is there anything either of youdon't want us to joke about?” Silver shrugged. “My cutiemark mostly. I’ve heard every spoon joke in Equestria, and trust me, it gets old fast.” Sweetie tsked. “Oh darn, so that means I have to actually be creative?” Silver smirked, “I’m sure an egghead unicorn like yourself can figure it out. Hey, maybe you can become the Princess of Wisecracks.” “Seems like you should start practicing your bowing then, Lady Silver Spoon.” Diamond raised an eyebrow at the two's closeness, Silver and Sweetie having leaned in during their exchange. Scootaloo gagged loudly. “If you two kiss, I’m gonna barf.” Sweetie blushed, jerking back and glaring at Scootaloo. “A-anyways, ahem, Diamond, is there anything off limits for you?” Silver was blushing as well, but tried to act nonchalant as she looked at Diamond and waited for her answer, happy for the diversion. Diamond nervously glanced down at her hooves, “Um, well, please try not to joke about the bullying and...my mom.” “Damn, I had some real good zingers about her.” “Scootaloo!” The pegasus held up her hooves in surrender. “Hey, I’m not gonna say them. Just saying I thought of some.” Diamond shrugged, “It’s okay, just, for the future. If we hang out again.” “What do you mean ‘if’? If you think you can date our best friend and not hang out with us too, you got another thing coming missy!” Sweetie chuckled and nodded with Scootaloo’s exclamation. “Yeah, you might get to date Apple Bloom, but we aren’t gonna let her go completely.” Diamond blushed, but a smirk slowly spread across her face. “Oh yeah? Well the same goes for you and Silver Spoon.” Silver did a spit take, coughing and sputtering as Scootaloo laughed uproariously and Sweetie sat frozen, her entire face reddening. Apple Bloom snickered to the side as Diamond grinned. “OKAY.” Sweetie started a little too loudly, clearing her throat awkwardly. “Um, who else is hungry? I know I sure am. Diamond, did you have any plans for dinner?” Diamond’s eyes widened. “Oh my sun I didn’t even think about it. I uh, to be completely honest, I wasn’t expecting the party to still be going…” She shrugged, chuckling. “How about we go to Sugarcube Corner? My treat.” There was no disagreement, and so after making sure they were sufficiently dry, did the group head off for sweets.
A DateDiamond hummed to herself as she trotted down the main street of Ponyville on her way to work. It was a clear Monday morning and looked to be a beautiful day. Saturday was amazing. The pool party was a great success and everyone had a good time at Sugarcube Corner after. The night ended with little fanfare and Diamond found she was grateful for it. There was a bit of underlying tension between her and Apple Bloom sure, especially since they sat next to each other, but it went okay. Everyone had backed off on teasing about relationships and focused on other, normal young adult things like work, school and the future. After gorging on sweets and shakes, everyone went home. Diamond wasn’t sure how long she should wait before trying to ask Apple Bloom out again, but figured she would at least give her a week. Just because they had fun didn’t mean she would be ready right away for a date. Diamond sighed. It was a hard thought, but one she had to accept all the same. “Mornin’ Diamond Tiara!” She stumbled, whipping her head to the side. She recovered with a small smile as she trotted to the apple stand. “Good morning Apple Bloom, Big Mac. How are you?” “Doin’ good Diamond. Ya headed off to work?” “Yup. I’m opening this morning. Say, doesn’t Applejack normally work the apple stall?” Big Mac nodded. “Eyup.” “Sis was feeling a mite sick this morning. Big Mac was gonna go to Barnyard Bargains to pick up some medicine and head on home to take care of her.” “Oh! Um, do you want to walk with me Big Mac? Opening doesn’t take too long, and that way you can get back to Applejack quickly.” He shrugged and looked at Apple Bloom. “That’s a great idea Diamond! Yeah, you go on ahead with her Big Mac, ah can watch the stall.” Big Mac nodded, “Alright Apple Bloom. Ah’ll see you at home.” “Eyup!” Diamond smiled and waved a goodbye to Apple Bloom before continuing on her walk, this time with Big Mac following. Diamond wasn’t quite sure what to make of the stallion. He was quiet, a stallion of few words. One might even call him ‘stoic’. For Diamond, she found him intimidating, especially knowing he was Apple Bloom’s older brother. Despite being an only child, she’d heard stories and saw movies with overprotective big brothers who threatened anyone who dated their younger sibling to make sure they treated them right. Especially if it was a younger sister. But, they were just walking, almost onto the store actually. With each step Diamond relaxed, thinking instead to the day ahead. As they approached the store front, Diamond brought her keys out, humming as she unlocked the door and pushed it open. She flipped on the light switch and headed over to the register. “Go ahead and pick out the medicine you want, I’ll be up here.” Big Mac wordlessly walked off as Diamond began her opening duties of checking the register and running through notes left by the closing shift. “Ah! Celestia dammit…” Diamond cursed softly as she knocked over a cup of pens, kneeling under the counter to pick them all up. The sound of a throat being cleared startled her and she jumped, smacking her head. “Ah! Ow…” She grumbled and rubbed her head as she carefully stood up, glancing on the countertop to see Big Mac had made his selection. She picked the boxes up and tallied the total, “Alright, that will be… 5 bits. Would you like a bag?” “Nope.” He slid a stack of bits over and she deposited them in the register. “Would you like the receipt?” “Nope.” “Alright then, you are all set. I hope you have a good day and that Applejack gets well soon.” Normally, the customer would already be halfway out the door by the time she bid them well. Instead, Big Mac stood there and stared at her. She gulped and shuffled on her hooves. “Is uh, is there anything else I can do for you?” He waited a moment longer. “Stay good fer her Diamond. You’ve come a long way.” He picked up the medicine and left, leaving her confused. That was it? The movies and rumors always made it seem so scary. Heck, Diamond was expecting to be scared. Instead, he almost sounded...proud? Proud that she had changed and was a better pony, most of the time anyways. That she had become someone who deserved Apple Bloom. She realized with a start he didn’t need to threaten her, because the idea of losing Apple Bloom was threat enough. Suddenly, she had a deeper appreciation and respect for the red stallion. She shook her head to clear it. Right now she had to work, she could think about personal matters later. ~~ “Alright, I’m heading out Bon Bon, you got the store?” “Yup! Have a good day Diamond.” “You too!” Diamond sighed in content as she waved goodbye to Bon Bon and walked out of the store. She really enjoyed opening shifts, as it meant she still had most of the afternoon and evening to do whatever she wanted. She made a mental note to talk to Daddy about getting Bon Bon a promotion, that mare had really proven herself to be a good worker over the last six months and she felt she really deserved a reward. Spirits high, she trotted past the market stalls, noting the apple stall was gone. She wasn’t too surprised, they normally sold out about noon and it was just past 2 now. She was a little disappointed she wouldn’t be able to talk to Apple Bloom, but oh well. With Applejack sick, she and Big Mac would probably have their hooves full with chores. ‘Hmm, maybe I should make a care package for Applejack. Big Mac got medicine of course, but maybe I can make some soup?’ She paused for a moment to ponder if that might be seen as trying to ‘buy’ Applejack’s blessing, and if that was what she was trying to do. Sure, it would probably be a good thing if both Applejack and Big Mac gave their blessing, but in the end only Apple Bloom could decide if she loved her. Diamond shrugged off the possible negative implications. If there was anyone who could see the purity behind her intentions, it would be Applejack. With that thought, she turned back to the market to buy some fresh herbs and vegetables. ~~ The evening was young as Diamond Tiara knocked on the front door of the Apple family house. She hadn’t intended on taking so long, but she figured the end product would be worth it. In addition to the soup, she brought a thermos of ginger lemon tea and baked some ginger snap cookies. The door opened and she was surprised to see Applejack’s face poking out. “Oh, howdy there Diamond Tiara. What brings you here?” “Oh, Applejack! Um, Apple Bloom mentioned you were feeling sick so I Uh…” Diamond blushed and held up the basket. “I made some soup and tea. And some cookies.” Applejack chuckled. “Well butter my biscuits! That’s mighty kind of ya Diamond. As ya can see, ah’m feeling alright now, was just a little stomach bug.” “Oh that’s good to hear. So, I, I guess I should go back home then. Tell Apple Bloom I said hi.” “Why don’t you go tell her yerself? She’s on the hill over yonder to look at the stars.” Diamond looked where Applejack was pointing, trying not to perk up too much. “Thank you Applejack.” “Go git her Diamond.” Diamond blushed again and whipped her head back around to stare wide eyed at Applejack. “Oh come on now, ya didn’t think Apple Bloom would tell her big sister y’all was gonna court? Shoot, we talk about everything.” She smiled softly. “Ah’ve seen you grow from a nasty little filly into an amazing mare Diamond. Ah’m proud of ya and will support your relationship. Now go on, ah know she’ll appreciate the company.” It took incredible effort for Diamond to not go running off and squealing like a filly, but she just managed to trot off with quiet glee towards the hill. She found Apple Bloom sitting on a blanket, a few books and charts spread in front of her. Diamond chuckled. “And here I thought Sweetie Belle was the egghead.” “Ah!” Apple Bloom cried out in surprise, looking over her shoulder at Diamond as a blush reddened her cheeks. She stared at the ground and rubbed her shoulder, muttering, “Ah like stars...” Diamond sat beside her and glanced over the materials. “Clearly. This is quite an impressive spread. What are you doing?” Apple Bloom cleared her throat and pointed at a chart. “There’s supposed to be some rare stars and constellations visible tonight. Starswirl’s Beard is the one ah’m most looking forward to.” She gestured at a scroll, which featured crude illustrations of the constellations and some notes scribbled besides them. “Ah’ve been drawing them when ah find them.” “Why not just draw from the chart?” Apple Bloom shrugged. “Ah don’t like drawing from others art, it would be like cheating on a test.” Diamond nodded. “Well that makes sense. Your drawings look pretty good, you can really see the effort put into it.” “Would look better if Ah was a unicorn or even a pegasus…” Diamond bit her lip, resisting the urge to lean over and nuzzle her. She chose her words carefully, knowing it was a hard topic. “I like you as an earth pony Apple Bloom. Unicorns may have magic, and pegasi flight, but we earth ponies are special all on our own.” Apple Bloom leaned into her and sighed, taking no notice of Diamond’s sudden stiffening. “Ah know, Ah know. But Ah still can’t help but dream about it.” Diamond very carefully wrapped a hoof around Apple Bloom, relaxing when she didn’t seem to have a problem with it. She looked up at the sky. “I know what you mean. I dream about it sometimes too. Mostly being a unicorn. Having magic seems it would be really convenient just for everyday life. Brushing my mane, cooking, stocking the shelves at work…” Apple Bloom snuggled closer into her side and looked up as well. “Ah dream of being a pegasus, flying through the air, walking on clouds, it seems so...Freeing.” “Weelllll, I might not be able to get you wings but, my Daddy does own a hot air balloon, or I could even take you on an open air cruise. There’s one that goes from Canterlot to Mt. Eris and the views are absolutely breathtaking.” “You, you would really do that fer me?” Diamond looked down at her and nodded. “But of course. Any...friend… of mine is more than welcome on a luxury vacation.” Apple Bloom frowned at ‘friend’ and gently pushed away from her, making Diamond regret her words. “Wait! I’m sorry Apple Bloom, I just, I don’t want to scare you off by using words you may not be ready to use.” Apple Bloom seemed to be fighting with herself over something, finally coming to a decision as she leaned forward and kissed Diamond. It was a bit awkward and clumsy, as most first kisses are, but neither of them cared. Diamond found herself crying as she wrapped her hooves around Apple Bloom and pulled her closer. The mare of her dreams, the filly she had been chasing for years, and now they were finally together. It was Apple Bloom who broke the kiss, sniffling as happy tears of her own rolled down her cheeks. “N-now what do ya gotta say to that?” Diamond giggled and pecked her nose. “I say it’s about damn time.” Apple Bloom wiped her face, giggling as well. “Would... would you like to stay and look at the stars with me?” “I would love to.” Apple Bloom squeed quietly and hugged her tight, Diamond nuzzling the top of her head. “You know, for all the ideas I had for a first date, I never expected this.” Apple Bloom blushed and chuckled self consciously. “This, this is a date, ain’t it? Ah’ll be darned if Ah didn’t think our first date would be going out to eat at a fancy restaurant.” “Well, it might not be 3 Hoof cuisine but…” Diamond gently untangled herself from Apple Bloom and reached over to the basket, pulling out the tray of cookies. “I made ginger snaps.” Apple Bloom furrowed her brows. “Diamond, Ah would love a cookie, but I got a couple questions.” Diamond set the tray in front of them and removed the cover. “After work I went to the market to get stuff to make Applejack some soup since she wasn’t feeling well. There was a great deal on ginger and I got inspired.” She shrugs, rubbing the back of her neck. “I have some ginger lemon tea too if you are thirsty.” “Now Ah don’t mean to offend ya Diamond, but Ah didn’t think you could cook.” Diamond laughed, grabbing a cookie and considering it. “I don’t know how to do much. I learned the basics from our chef, Rosemary, and she still gives me cooking lessons occasionally. Our schedules don’t always line up though.” She shrugs again and takes a bite of the cookie. Apple Bloom smiled and took a bite of her own. “Well it tastes good. If ya wanted, Applejack an’ Ah could teach ya how to cook the Apple Family way.” “You know, I would love to cook with you Apple Bloom.” They sat there for a while in a comfortable silence, munching on cookies and watching the sky turn dark as the stars came out. “Hey Diamond?” “Yeah?” “When did ya first figure you liked me?” Diamond choked on her cookie, coughing and thumping her chest as Apple Bloom sat up in alarm. She soothingly rubbed her back, desperately searching the basket for the earlier mentioned tea. She took the thermos out and opened it, Diamond shakily taking it and sipping on the warm tea. “Ahh! Ahem, whew. You sure know how to make a mare choke up Apple Bloom.” Apple Bloom shook her head but couldn’t stop her smile. “Well maybe you should be more careful.” Diamond took another sip and sighed. “Fair enough. Um, okay, so, when I first developed my crush huh? To be completely honest, at my cutecenara.” “But ah thought you said you always picked on me cause you liked me? You were a bully before the party.” “Well, yes, but before that it was just general teasing. You were a blank flank and I already had my cutie mark, you were an easy target. Not to mention your accent…” Apple Bloom deadpanned. “Gee thanks.” Diamond winced, “Sorry, that, that came out wrong. My mom always talked about how I needed to make a good impression on ‘high society’ ponies and make sure they knew I wasn’t friends with anyone...not.” She cringed back further, one again slapped in the face with how terrible her mom was. “She lectured me before the first day of school, about your family and how while they may have a good relationship with Barnyard Bargains, the rest of the world didn’t need to know that.” Apple Bloom snorted angrily. “Yer mother is a real piece of work.” Diamond nodded, heaving a heavy sigh. “I know. The worst part is, I want to hate her, or, or at least not feel like she’s my mom. But I just can’t. I don’t want anything to do with her now of course, but…” “But ya still love her.” Apple Bloom nuzzled her. “It’s okay Diamond, Ah promise. And, if one day, you want to introduce me to her as yer mare friend, Ah’ll go along with it. Ah never got to know my ma, all Ah got are stories, but, if there’s one thing Ah know, it’s that family is important.” “Even family who treats you horribly and tries to turn you into them?” Apple Bloom gently turned Diamond’s face to look at her. “Wanna hear the other thing Ah know?” “Huh?” Apple Bloom pecked her lips. “Ponies can change. You grew up and broke the cycle Diamond. Maybe yer ma can do the same someday.” Diamond sniffled and pressed her forehead to Apple Bloom’s. “What did I do to deserve you?” “You let out the good pony that was inside ya all along.” Diamond smiled. “Heh, I did do that, didn’t I?” “Well look at y’all, all snuggled up like love birds already.” Diamond and Apple Bloom jumped apart, letting out soft shrieks of surprise as Applejack walked up. Bright blushes burned their faces as they suddenly found the ground very interesting, Diamond in particular wishing she could dig herself into a hole. “Well shucks, Ah know Apple Bloom’s grown now, but y’all are still young enough to need a chaperone. From the looks of things Ah got here just in time.” Apple Bloom groaned and fell face forward onto the blanket, hiding her face in her hooves. “Siiiiiiiiiiis…” “Now none of that Apple Bloom, Ah’m still yer big sister and Ah ain’t ready for you to be that grown yet. Ah’ll be over by the tree, so you can just pretend Ah ain’t here. But know that Ah will be.” Applejack kept to her word and walked off a few feet and sat at the base of an apple tree, adjusting herself so she could keep an eye of them out of the corner of her eye. Diamond sat up stiffly, squirming under the watchful side eye of Applejack. She gulped and hesitantly poked Apple Bloom’s side. “Hey um, should, should we look for those stars you wanted to draw?” Apple Bloom let out an exasperated sigh and pushed herself onto her hooves. “Ah suppose we should. According to this chart here, Starswirl’s Beard should be visible most the night, so Ah pretty sure we ain’t missed it yet.” Diamond nodded and offered her a cookie as she straightened the chart and her scroll of drawings. Apple Bloom smiled and grabbed it with her mouth, humming happily as she dug through a bag. Finally, she brought out a rolled piece of canvas and a small inkwell, unrolling the canvas to reveal her collection of pens and what looked like a quill wrapped in plastic. At Diamond’s quizzical glance, Apple Bloom transferred the cookie in her hoof and explained. “Pens are okay to draw with, but Ah really like the quill, except Ah used to end up with a mouth of feathers of course. So, whenever Ah need to buy a new one, Ah use leftover wrappers to make it easier to hold!” “Apple Bloom that’s, that’s amazing!” “Aww, shucks Diamond…” “I really mean it.” “Ah know.” They smiled at each other. It had been a rough road to get to this point, but now that they were there, it was looking to be a lot smoother.
