Apples and Flowersby Rainbowfan45ChaptersChance MeetingMagic of Friendship GrowsWhat's Happening?Time for AdviceHead over HoovesChance Meeting"Last stop Ponyville, everypony off!" The conductor pony threw the doors open to allow the passengers to leave. Nopony noticed the tall, slender pony that dashed from one of the train cars and made a mad dash for nearby inn. She slipped in quietly and approached the desk. "Hello, sign your name, take a key, room is twenty-five bits per night." The bored looking young clerk tossed a key on the desk. "Room 8, up the stairs, last door on the left." The pony didn't speak a word; she simply lit the horn hidden under the thick cloak she wore and magically wrote a name on the inn ledger. Dropping the quill and catching up the key, she headed up the stairs and to the aforementioned room. Once safely inside with the bolt securely locked, she let the heavy cloak fall off, levitating it to a chair, revealing her slender form. Her alabaster coat was still as pristine as when she had slipped out of Canterlot a few hours before, and a quick glance in the mirror showed that her pale lavender mane needed just a brief brushing. "Well, Fleur, you are none the worse for wear considering your harrowing escape from that mob." She mused aloud, removing her mane brush from the saddle bags still resting across her back. "You still look fabulous." She grinned at the remembrance of said escape. The Ponyrazzi were nothing if not determined, but with a little bit of disguising and clever quick thinking, Fleur had slipped right past them. She sobered, sighing heavily. Modeling was enjoyable, but at times it was tiring, especially since there was constant attention and news crews and large audiences. Sometimes she just wanted to be a normal mare again for awhile. Which was why she had finally left. Honestly being without her ensemble of assistants and her press agent, and the aggravating Ponyrazzi, felt very freeing. She smiled and tossed her larger saddlebag over on the chair before checking her looks in the mirror a final time. Then, taking a steadying breath, she left the inn and headed outside to hopefully just enjoy some rest and relaxation. }==============[]=============={ She soon found herself at Sugarcube Corner, and after debating briefly she casually entered the sweet shop, making her way to the counter. As she studied the delightful confections and baked goods, a pink blur whizzed past, went round the room, and then skidded to a stop behind the counter. "Hello hello! Hi! Welcome to Sugarcube Corner, what can I get you today??" Pinkie's eyes went wide and a monumentally long, obnoxiously loud gasp escaped. "You're Fleur de Lis!!! I'd know you anywhere! Rarity talks about you and I've seen pictures and you've been in the papers and ohmygoshthisisjustsoexcitingtohavearealcelebrityintown!!!!" Fleur offered a soft, slightly awkward laugh. "That- would be me." "Welcome to Ponyville!" Pinkie motioned wildly. "What can I get you?" "Two strawberry tarts, one blueberry muffin, two chocolate chip cookies, and one Pinkie Pie Super Special Surprise." Fleur grinned at the wide eyed look. "It sounds very interesting." "Okie dokie lokie!!!" Pinkie whirled about like a pink tornado, rapidly filling the order and packaging it before depositing it in her customer's hooves. "Twenty bits please!!" Fleur smiled and paid the required bits, then took her purchase and exited the establishment. She withdrew a cookie and snacked on it as she slowly walked through town, looking around at all the sights. Her attention was captured by a pair of birds up in the sky, and she watched them as she continued to walk, chuckling at how cute it was to watch them play. THUMP! "Umpf!" "Tarnation!" She and the pony she'd collided with echoed their sentiments simultaneously. Fleur looked up as the orange mare righted herself and adjusted the stetson she wore. "I'm sorry, I wasn't paying attention!" She apologized, also getting up. "Naw, tweren't nothin'. I wasn't payin' attention neither." The mare peered at her. "Wait a cotton pickin' minute...Fleur de Lis?!" Fleur blinked. "Wait, you're Applejack, right?" "I sure am!" Applejack shook her hoof. "I'm right pleased to meet ya." "Ah...yes, because the whole model thing." "Naw." Applejack grinned. "I ain't much for that. I ain't a pony that cares much on what you do, more on who ya are. I'd be happy to show you around, get to know ya better." Fleur blinked. "You- don't want autographs or anything?" "Nope! Just a chance to be your friend." Fleur was confused. She'd never met a pony who didn't automatically want autographs or pictures with her because she was famous. This pony didn't do that. She just was being nice because. Finally realizing Applejack was waiting, she shook herself out of her stupor. "Oh! Of course. That would be lovely, thanks, Applejack." }===============[]==============={ Applejack kept in easy synchronized step with her taller companion as she showed the supermodel around Ponyville. Fleur easily kept up with her discriptions of buildings, the names of shops, and the identifications of the ponies they passed along the way. "And that there is the Town Hall." Applejack concluded her township lesson with a jab of her hoof in the direction of said building. "I reckon that covers just about everythin'. Any questions?" "Not that I can think of." Fleur looked around at her surroundings. "Slot of ponies seem to be staring though." "Probably are. Famous pony like yourself attracts attention, and I bet ya a bushel of my best red apples they want to meet ya first-hoof." Fleur smiled slightly. "I'll bet you an ice cream sundae that you're right." Applejack laughed. "Well now, I best be gettin' on back to Sweet Apple Acres. It was nice meetin' ya and spendin' time with ya. If there's anythin' I can do, just call on me." With a nod of her head she turned and trotted off, Fleur watching her leave with a wide smile on her face. When she turned back around, she found herself nearly swallowed by a small crowd of excited ponies. "Miss Fleur! It is you!" Somepony cried excitedly. "Can we get your autograph and some pictures?? Please??" Fleur sighed and forced a smile as she nodded, dutifully allowing the adoring public to hand her things to sign and snap photos, all the while hoping it wouldn't take long. It didn't. The dreamy eyed Fleur Fan Club dispersed fairly rapidly, and Fleur beat a hasty retreat back to the inn. She retrieved her key and went to her room, where she locked the door and crawled into the soft blankets. If she was being honest, the time she'd spent with Applejack had been the highlight of her day. Not being treated as somepony big and famous, but just being treated like any other pony. Like an equal. She missed that. Being famous automatically put her on a level above every other normal pony in Equestria. Once you reached that level, really nopony could ever view you as equal again. But Applejack was the first to defy that and see her as just a pony she wanted to be friends with. Fleur let her eyes close as she smiled softly. Truthfully, she was hoping to get a chance to talk more to this pony that had made her feel perfectly normal again. She wanted to get to know her better, because with Applejack she wasn't some big celebrity. She was just Fleur de Lis, a pony like all the rest. It was a good feeling. Fleur yawned, and slowly drifted off to sleep still smiling. Magic of Friendship GrowsShe really should have known that her presence would reach the ears of the town seamstress and resident fashionista extraordinare. By the time she had arisen from bed, gotten breakfast, and taken another brief walk through town, several ponies had graciously informed her that Rarity was on her trail and would certainly be catching up to her any time. She decided to the boutique, knowing she would end up there anyway. No sooner was she there than Rarity came rushing inside, quite out of breath and bubbling with excitement. Fleur squeaked when she was caught in a hug. "Fleur, darling! How lovely to see you again! Why didn't you write that you were coming? We would have found more regal lodgings for you than that barely passable excuse for an inn." "The inn is perfect actually." Fleur replied politely and honestly. "It's quiet and out of the way, and ponies haven't tried approaching me there." "If you say so. Oh!! Darling! While you're here, I simply must have you model my new dress line for me! Why it's it's absolutely fabulous and I think you'll love it!" As she spoke, she levitated over a dress and started magically trying to put it on Fleur. Sighing, Fleur allowed it, and stood still while Rarity situated the dress just so, taking meticulous pains to see that every cuff and piece of hem was perfectly straight and smoothed. "There!" Rarity stepped back and her eyes won't wide as she let out a joyful gasp. "Oh, it's simply perfect!! Fabulous! Oh, Rarity, you have outdone yourself this time!" Fleur bit her tongue in an effort to not laugh at the mare's enthusiastic self-praise. "Oh! Next dress!" Two more dresses later, Fleur was starting to wish that she wasn't a model that looked stunning in pretty much everything, if only to get the private modeling session with Rarity over with. Just as she would have said something, the door to the boutique swung open, and Applejack trotted in, balancing a small basket of apples on her head which she carefully dropped on a table. "Here's your apples, Rarity!" She announced cheerfully. "No charge, neither. Oh hey, Fleur!" The farmer took in the scene in front of her with some amusement as Fleur managed to return her greeting with a nod. "Applejack, darling, doesn't this dress look simply stunning? Absolutely divine?" Rarity was all but squealing with delight. "I reckon it looks right nice." Applejack returned. "A bit too, er, fru-fru and fancy for my tastes, but then I ain't much for fancy." "Too fancy?! Too fru-fru?! Wha- Oh, you just have no sense of high fashion!" Rarity huffed indignantly, magically releasing Fleur from the constraints of the admittedly much longer than necessary dress. Before she could put on another, Fleur escaped to Applejack's side. "Help me out of here, please!" She wispered urgently. "Rarity is worse than a dozen adoring fans put together!" Applejack stiffled a laugh with her hat, then righted it and looked towards Rarity, who was busy redoing a ribbon. "Ah, Rarity? I showed Fleur here the town yesterday, I'm plannin' to show her the countryside too. Might take her to Sweet Apple Acres for a spell, too." "Sounds lovely!" Fleur said eagerly. "What?! Oh but I had more dresses-" "Another time Rarity." Applejack piped up, grabbing Fleur's hoof and dragging her along to the door. "I'm sure she'll be back over when she's good and ready." "Oh, well, but-" "So long!" And Applejack slammed the door behind them, leaving Rarity to huff and whine in dramatic disappointment. }===============[]============={ "Thank you for rescuing me back there." Fleur said as they walked through the streets and headed out of town. "Rarity is...quite a task to handle." "Think nothin' of it, sugarcube. She can be, uh, a bit intense when she's all in her fashion space." Applejack snickered. "It's not that I mind the dresses, but I came here to get away from all the adoring fans and press and all that, only I walked straight into another mob of them here." She sighed. " I honestly just want to be treated like any other pony for once, like I used to. Not as some famous, exclusive supermodel." "Well if it helps, I don't see ya as those things. To me, you're just a pony same as me, and if those fans of yours get to be too much, well shucks, you just light your tail over to Sweet Apple Acres and hide." Applejack flashed her a grin. Fleur smiled back, almost shyly. "You have no idea how much that means to me, Applejack, thank you." "Anytime, sugarcube. Always happy to help a friend." Their walk was very enjoyable to them both, especially Fleur, who loved being able to have a fun, normal, non-fashion related conversation. They laughed and joked about Rarity, all in good fun and with not a single offensively insulting remark towards her. They talked about Pinkie, which really had Fleur laughing as she heard about some of the hyper pony's escapades. "Did she really clone herself??" She asked breathless, between gales of laughter. "She sure as tarnation did." Applejack wiped a tear away as she struggled to regain control. "Whooooweee, I ain't never seen such a confudled mess as that created! Every pony in town wanted to hang her up by her tail or run her outta town for a year's worth o' Sundays." "Did they?" "Nahhh. Pinkie bein' the Element of Laughter worked in her favor that day." Applejack chuckled. "Ponies realized they'd be stuck with planning' their own parties and such. Plus seein' the sad look on her face made their hearts melt." "Aww." Fleur smiled. "I love cute stories." Applejack snorted and then waved a hoof. "Here we are! Sweeeeet Apple Acres!" Fleur was completely taken aback at the sight of the farm. She inhaled deeply, catching a distinct hint of sweet apple scent in the air, mingled with another, slightly sweeter scent that she realized came from the flowering buds on the trees. "It's absolutely beautiful!" She exclaimed, eyes wide with awe and appreciation. "Why thank ya." Applejack puffed her chest out just slightly. "We here take great pride in our apple orchards. Been our livelihood for generations." She led the way into the nearest stand of trees, and they walked along the path in the shade beneath them. Fleur took in the sight and scent of her surroundings, pausing to inhale deeply once again, the mesmerizing apple perfume flooding her senses. "Absolutely fabulously, amazingly, unspeakably gorgeous!" She breathed out, entranced. Applejack sat down under one of the, leaning back against the trunk, and smiled slightly as she watched her companion stand there with her head slightly lifted, eyes half closed, just lost in the beauty of the orchard. As she watched her, she was struck by the fact that Fleur found it so awe inspiring and worthy of such elegant discriptions. Applejack pondered, realizing that Fleur was the only non-Apple related pony to ever be so completely lost in her special world of sweet fruits, and it sent a happy warmth through her body and straight into her heart, causing her face to soften into a sweet and tender smile without her even knowing. Fleur shook herself out of her trance and gazed at Applejack, noting the farmer staring at her with a tender and soft smile on her lips as her emerald eyes glinted with appreciative joy. She blinked, feeling her face heat up a little as Applejack's gaze seemed to peirce straight through her. She coughed lightly, snapping both of them out of the now slightly awkward moment. "Oh, uh...right!" Applejack managed, blinking rapidly. "Anywho, this is just one orchard. We ain't the type to do things by halves. We got about ten orchards in total, iffen ya wanna take a look at the rest, or I could just show ya the house and barn and introduce ya to my family?" Fleur smiled brightly. "I'd love to meet the rest of the Apple family. Are they as charming and friendly as this one?" She leaned over and playfully jabbed Applejack's chest with a hoof, causing the other mare to redden and sputter slightly. "Aw now, shucks, don't go gettin' me all flustered with your fancy compliments!" Applejack rubbed her neck with an embarrassed grin. "Bad as Rarity, ain't ya?" Fleur laughed outright. "No. Rarity takes her compliments well over the top and gives them out to everypony as a habit...so it's hard to tell at times if it's even deserved. If Fleur de Lis compliments you so elegantly, you can rest assured it's the truth and absolutely deserved." Applejack mumbled under her breath, huffing as she blushed intensely, removing her hat and then plopping it back onto her head in very embarrassed agitation. "Well shucks." She inhaled deeply. "Alrighty then, miss Fleur, just come with me and I'll introduce ya to the other Apples." Fleur grinned at her obviously flustered friend and fell into step next to her as they made their way up to the farmhouse. }===============[]==============={ The remaining Apples were indeed as charming as Applejack, Fleur decided, as she listened to Granny Smith rattle on about zap apple jam one one side of her, while Apple Bloom rattled on about her being famous on the other. Big Mac may not have been the most vocal of ponies, but he was nevertheless charming in his own right. "I was just about to put food on the table." Granny Smith finally stated. "Now yer gonna stay for dinner, ain't ya?" It was phrased more as a statement than a question. Fleur glanced at Applejack, then Apple Bloom, then Big Mac. They all seemed open to this request, so she grinned. "Of course, Granny Smith. Thanks for asking me." "Eeyep. Apple Bloom, drop that confounded whirly thingy yer tryin' ta make and help set the table! Big Mac, you just get yerself out ta the shed an' bring in another chair. Applejack! Go fetch a jar o' my zap apple jam from the pantry!" The younger Apples scrambled to obey their elder's commands while Fleur looked on from where she sat. "Can I help with anything?" She asked. "Noooope." Granny Smith drawled out as she forced her creaking limbs to lift her out of her rocker and carry her over to the stove. "Ya'll just set yerself where ya are. Yer a guest an' in this house guests don't work!" "Really I'm perfectly happy to help." Fleur persisted. "I can help Apple Bloom with the table. Or help you with lifting the pots on the stove." Granny Smith stared at her hard. "Now young'un. I may be old but I kin still move my own pots. Iffen yer gonna be stubborn, then ya kin go ahead an' help Apple Bloom! Hmph. Persnickety whippersnapper, thinks I can't move my pots an' pans..." Fleur swallowed a laugh as Granny set about dishing up the food, and offered her assistance to Apple Bloom. Between them, they set the table in record time. Applejack and Big Mac reappeared just as they finished. Applejack stopped short and blinked. "Granny! I thought we had a rule against guests workin' in the house?!" "It was my doing." Fleur quickly interjected. "I kind of argued." "Persnickety young'uns these days." Granny complained. Applejack snorted, quickly covering it with a cough. Dinner was a short affair, and Fleur insisted on helping clean up, prompting further complaints from Granny about young whippersnappers. After that task was done, Applejack asked Fleur if she'd like to see the barn and rest of the orchards. Fleur agreed eagerly, and the others bid them farewell before Applejack tugged her friend off for a further farm tour. Fleur decided she could easily spend all the time in the world with Applejack, given the chance, because being treated the way she treated her was refreshing and rejuvenating, not to mention very heart warming as their friendship seemed to deepen with every moment they spent laughing and talking. She gave a happy sigh accompanied by a wide smile. This was beyond fabulous. It was magical. What's Happening?As the days passed, Fleur spent a lot more time with Applejack. Partly because she enjoyed her company, and partly because it gave her a chance to escape her fans in town. Applejack, for her part, had no issues with the fashion model tagging along with her or coming out to Sweet Apple Acres to hang out and talk. She found Fleur delightfully entertaining, and for being a big city gal she seemed to quickly take to the country-isms she saw and heard, even adopting a few to throw back at Applejack as good natured retorts. "I'm surprised that nopony has come banging down my door to drag me back to Canterlot." Fleur commented one afternoon, leaning on the fence and watching Applejack repair her plough as she absently chewed on a piece of straw. Applejack looked up and snickered as she spotted the straw. "Fleur, iffen ya don't watch it, you're gonna turn country too." Fleur giggled. "That's not so bad. Hey, can I try using that plough? It looks fun!" Applejack blinked, arching one eyebrow in disbelief. "Are ya sure about that? This here is pretty dirty work, ya know. Lotta dust involved." Fleur grinned. "I don't care. It looks fun and if you don't mind, I'd like to try it!" Applejack scratched her head, nearly knocking her hat off, pondering the request for a moment. "Well, alright then. Just lemme fix this one last thing." As she finished her task, she cleared her throat. "Oh and, uh, 'bout nopony draggin' ya back to Canterlot...hope ya don't mind it none, but I talked to Twilight, and she sent a strongly worded letter informing your agents and assistants that you were fine and not to be disturbed." Fleur blinked. "You did?? I-I don't know what to say. Thanks, Applejack." Applejack flashed her a gentle smile. "Think nothin' of it, sugarcube. I figured ya needed to just be left alone. If ya don't mind my sayin' so, you do look a mite happier than your first appearance in town. And in spite of the fact them townsponies keep after ya some dots, you seem more relaxed." Fleur inhaled. "Well, I reckon it's because I have such a very good friend that helps me feel just like a normal, non famous pony." The pure joy and tenderness in the answering look she got made her heart do an unexpected and weird flutter. 'Goodness, what was that?!' she thought, her face warming up considerably. 'What is this feeling?! I haven't felt that since that time I met that stallion in...' Oh. Oh dear. She nearly fell over the fence. Applejack rushed to steady her, and the touch of her hooves sent a jolt of electricity through her, causing her fame to flame more. "You ok there, sugarcube?" Applejack enquired in concern. "Uh...uh...yes! Yes of course. Just clumsy this morning I suppose." Sweet Celestia, what was happening?! She was suddenly flustered and feeling a rush of slightly awkward emotions. Could she honestly be having feelings deeper than friendship for Applejack?! But how?! What?! Why?! Although to be honest, it wasn't so bad, was it? It wasn't like Applejack wasn't a very good looking mare. Beautiful eyes that shimmered like emerald glass in the right lighting. Strong and sturdily built body with finely toned muscles. An amazingly sweet and charming smile. And a certain rustic tenderness that was definitely appealing. 'Fleur! Snap out of it!!' she scolded herself desperately. Applejack had let her go and finished her repair work. Now she turned and shot that charming grin at her. "Still wanna try this thing?" Fleur inhaled to steady her breathing. "Absolutely!" She responded cheerfully. She walked through the gate and stood where Applejack pointed, remaining still as the farmer placed the plough's harness around her body, carefully fastening it so it was not uncomfortable. "How's that? Not too tight?" "Not at all." "Alright then! Now. The secret to this is easy. Just point your muzzle at somethin' straight ahead of ya and walk right at it." Applejack patted her on the back in encouragement, and Fleur nearly jumped at the electrifying contact, her heart pounding and her stomach doing a series of acrobatics. She managed a wide grin, then focused on a tree stump and started walking straight towards it. Applejack watched intently, impressed by the city mare's determination and ability. For somepony that had never done farmwork before, Fleur was doing a good job of using that plough. Her row was perfectly straight and even, and she was walking with just the right speed...something that had taken Applejack multiple tries to master the first time she'd ever used the equipment. Fleur was enjoying this immensely. She finished her first row, then turned around to do another. She set her sight on Applejack, still watching her intently from the gate, and started walking back, her mind wandering to all their time together as she felt her heart thump excitedly. Applejack watched her return, admiring the way she so gracefully pulled the plough, head held up high and her back straight, her eyes glinting in the sunlight. Her lips were parted in a slight smile, and she looked absolutely stunning and beautiful. Why, it was enough to make a mare want to go shower her in tender hugs and sweet kisses! Waaaaait a cotton pickin' minute... 'What in tarnation! Where the hay did THAT come from?!' Applejack felt her face heat up. 'Applejack, what're you thinkin'?!' Fleur had completed her second row, and stood just inches from Applejack, slightly breathless and still smiling that amazing smile. Applejack reddened further and coughed, rubbing her neck. "Uh...fine job there, sugarcube." She praised, quickly undoing her from the harness. "Now why don'tcha take a breather and lemme finish this up?" "Or we could both take a quick break and then we'll take turns finishing the job." Fleur said with a grin. "Work before play, city mare." Applejack returned with a snort. Eyes twinkling with mischief, Fleur inched closer. "All work and no play makes Applejack a dull pony." With that, she snatched Applejack's stetson in her teeth and laughed as she took off running. Applejack's jaw dropped. The only ponies who ever dared to attempt the theft of her hat were Apple Bloom and Big Mac. It was a general rule that you didn't touch her hat. But somehow she wasn't mad about it. She snorted and started after Fleur. "Consarn it all, you bring me back my hat!" Her tone held no note of anger, just playful warning, so Fleur continued to run around, switching to carrying the hat in her magic so as to free her mouth to talk. "You want it? You're going to have to catch me first!" "Ya consarned whippersnapper, gimme that hat!" Applejack laughed as she chased her around the pasture. When straight out chasing her didn't work, Applejack decided to resort instead to subterfuge. She slipped away unnoticed, leaving Fleur running around alone. When Fleur finally realized this, she stopped, looking around in confusion. "Applejack?" She called out. "Where did you go?" She started searching for her, calling out her name as she went, but Applejack didn't respond back. Fleur finally trotted around the barn, and as she rounded the corner an orange blur flew from a haystack and slammed into her, knocking her sprawling into the grass with an undignified and startled squeal. "Gotcha, ya consarned hat thief." Applejack teased with a smirk, pinning her down with her body while reclaiming her hat triumphantly. "Oh now that was just unfair." Fleur complained in mock indignation, putting just a hint of a whine in her voice. Applejack grinned wider, and then suddenly became aware just how close they were. A blush crossed her face as she felt the heat of Fleur's body underneath her own, and Fleur's own face flamed as her heart hammered hard enough she was amazed Applejack couldn't hear it. For a moment, they stayed that way, eyes locked together intensely, as Applejack, overcome with a wave of emotions she hadn't felt before, started to lean down closer. Fleur didn't even move, eyes closing halfway as Applejack's face moved closer to hers. Just as their lips were an inch apart, Applejack snapped out of her stupor and yelped as she fell off backwards. The two sat in the grass, blushing furiously while trying to avoid eye contact with each other. At long last Applejack spoke up. "Er, well, uh, I got my hat back." Awkward silence. Fleur inhaled deeply, willing her emotions to settle down, and managed a weak smile. "You did. So...now what?" "Heh. Well, I reckon I outta finish ploughing that patch for Granny. Uhm...do ya still wanna help?" Her eyes were hopeful, in spite of how awkward she felt. Fleur smiled wider. "I'd love to. To be honest, I really like spending time with you." Her eyes held a spark of sincerity and deep affection. Applejack reddened again and unnecessarily readjusted her hat. "Well shucks...bein' honest, I really like spendin' time with you too." After a brief silence, during which they stared intently at each other, Fleur cleared her throat. "S-should we get that job done for Granny?" "Oh, right, yeah. That. Eeyup. We should do that right now." Time for Advice"Twilight!! Twilight, where in the cotton pickin' hay are ya?!" Applejack paced back and forth while yelling for her bookish friend. A quick pop and Twilight teleported in front of her, making her yell and tumble back in surprise. "Applejack, what in Equestria are you telling about?! And what is so Celestia-darned important that you had to interrupt my study on-" "I think I might be in love." Twilight forgot all about her study, and stared at Applejack in astonishment. "Come again?" "I think I'm in love!" Twilight blinked. "Er...ok?" "Gosh darn it all, Twi, I need ya to help me figure this out! I ain't never been in love so I got nothin' to go on!" Twilight chuckled slightly at her flustered gesturing. "Fine. Let's talk. But first, let me have Spike make some tea, because from the looks of it, you need it." }===============[]============={ "Rarity!! Rarityyyyyy!!! Where are you?! Are you home?" Fleur paced the floor of the boutique in agitation. Rarity was really the only pony she knew well enough to talk to about her current predicament. "I'm coming, I'm coming, no need to shout! Oh, Fleur! Hello darling, what brings you here today?" Rarity offered her warmest smile, sending immediately the agitated mood that was plaguing the taller unicorn. "Rarity. If I share something, can you keep it between us?" "Well of course I can, Fleur. I won't breathe a word." "I need your help." "Oh? With what, may I ask?" "I...may be in love." Rarity blinked, clearly having expected a more earth-shattering issue to be at the root of her friend's mood. "Alright...?" She said hesitantly. "I mean, that's wonderful, darling! Isn't it?" "I'm not sure. Which is why I was hoping I could talk to you. Perhaps if I rant about it, it might sort it all out in my mind." "Of course. What are friends for? Have a seat and I shall make some soothing tea. At the rate you are pacing my floor, you shall wear a hole in it." }===============[]=============={ "Now, what is this all about being in love?" Twilight enquired, watching as Applejack slowly downed half of her tea before placing the cup on the table between them. "Just what it sounds like. I think I might be in love." "You're not sure?" "Not particularly. Well, maybe a mite sure, but I ain't so sure if it's good or not." Twilight raised an eyebrow. "Why would it not be?" Applejack hesitated. "Well. Me and this pony, we're about as alike as an apple and a carrot as far as our lives go. Get down to the root of things though and we ain't quite so different. But h- erm, their style is way different. I'm a country gal, a farmer. And they're, well, more than a mite opposite of that." "So not a country pony then." "Well the thing is that she adapted well enough to my way of livin', y'know the farm work, but she's used to big city life and fancy parties and such." Twilight's brain was rapidly going through a checklist of ponies, trying to settle on the identity of Applejack's potential love interest. She suddenly realized the checklist wasn't necessary. Only three mares in town were aquatinted with high society living and fancy parties. One was married, and one of them was already interested in somepony else. Plus she wouldn't be caught be dead working in dirt unless it was a dire emergency. So that just left... "Fleur." She finished her thought out loud. Applejack flushed. "How'd ya guess?" "Well, it wasn't hard. You two have been pretty inserperable the last several weeks." "Consarn it, Twilight, I got myself all these feelings and it's just plumb confusin' the Tartarus outta me." "How does she make you feel?" "Well. I get downright jittery and I got a whole mess of butterflies usin' my insides for fancy flyin' manuevres. And my tongue gets plumb twisted on the gosh danged words I'm tryin' to say. And I can't think worth two licks of honey cuz all I can focus on is how she's just the prettiest mare in all Equestria..." Applejack trailed off, going red in the face as she realized she had gone dreamy eyed and that her answer had been intermingled with happy sighs. Twilight grinned and refilled their teacups. "I've done gone and fallen in love." Applejack pulled her hat over her eyes. "Oh sweet Celestia." "You have. And I think you ought to tell her." "But we're worlds apart! I mean I can't give her the fancy parties with all the doodads and whatchamacallits." "Applejack. Has she even one time expressed any kind of displeasure at anything about your country living?" "Well no..." "Then talk to her. Tell her how you feel." Twilight sipped her tea. "The worst than can happen is she doesn't return your feelings." Applejack sighed. "I reckon you're right. Alright, I'll do it." Twilight chuckled. "Good! Now tell me some more about this marefriend of yours." "She ain't my marefriend!" "Yet." ". . . Yet." }==============[]================={ A similar discussion had been taking place at the boutique, with Fleur telling Rarity all about her feelings of love for a certain pony. "So this mare." Rarity said. "Does she share your sentiments?" "I believe so. Maybe. Unless it's just wishful thinking on my part." Rarity chuckled. "Applejack is not very eloquent at expressing feelings." Fleur blinked. "How did you-?" "Darling, please. You have spent so much time together, it's not hard to figure out that she is the one you love." "But does she really need to have a mare like me in her life?" "Whatever do you mean?!" "I'm a fancy city girl and model. Famous all over Equestria. Constantly nagged by the press and adoring fans and Ponyrazzi. Applejack is...well, she's happy just being a simple farm pony. Could I ask her to throw herself into my world, with all the publicity that she would be be faced with?" "I dare say Applejack would adjust. She is an Element Bearer, darling, she already deals with fans and the press." "Not to the extent that I do." "Perhaps not, but she is capable of handling it. Did she show any kind of distaste for your profession at all?" "No. She knows who I am, what calling I have, and she has never let that stop her from being my friend. She sees me for who I am deep inside, and she knows the flashy, insane fame goes along with it." "Do you think she returns your feelings?" Fleur hesitated. "Well...she uh, almost kissed me the other day." Rarity's eyes widened. "Then it's safe to assume she returns your affections." She smiled. "Fleur, you two deserve to be happy. And if you wish to be happy together then you should go for it. Tell her how you feel. And know that you have the full support of all those around you." Fleur smiled back at her. "I really am grateful for the support, Rarity." "Anytime, darling. More tea?" "Please." Their conversation remained centered on Fleur and Applejack as they sipped their tea and continued to laugh and visit. Head over Hooves"So where are we off to?" Fleur enquired curiously as she walked alongside Applejack on a small path leading outside of Ponyville. "If I told ya, it wouldn't be a surprise, now would it?" Applejack returned with a grin, readjusting the saddlebags on her bag. She had talked things over with Twilight, and had reluctantly agreed to also let Rarity in on her planned confession of love, and together they had worked out just the perfect way to carry it out. Applejack would take Fleur to a special hilltop outside town for a private picnic lunch, which Rarity graciously volunteered to prepare for them. After lunch had been eaten, she would tell Fleur exactly how she felt. She was excited but at the same time she was extremely nervous. "This is beautiful. We haven't been this way yet, have we?" Fleur asked, breaking her out of her wandering thoughts. "Nope! New spot that I ain't showed ya yet." Applejack answered. "But I can garuntee you're gonna love it." 'And hopefully me too.' Fleur refrained from further questions, instead eagerly following Applejack and taking in her new surroundings with awe. The path led through a stand of oak trees and directly to the top of a hill overlooking long, rolling green pastures. "Here we are!" Fleur took in the sight breathlessly. "Oh...oh it's gorgeous." She murmured, her eyes shining. Applejack grinned and eased her saddlebags from her back before setting up their picnic spot with a blanket. Fleur turned around. "Wha- a surprise picnic?!" "Eeyup!" Applejack pulled out the sandwiches and brownies that Rarity had packed for them, and dragged out two cold bottles of fruit punch that Twilight had supplied. She dug out napkins and utensils and then waved her hoof at the ready lunch. "Soup's on! Well, I reckon I should say sandwiches." Fleur laughed and settled onto the blanket, eyeing the food a tad hungrily. Settling down next to her, Applejack passed her a bottle of punch as they both picked up a sandwich. "This is delicious!" Fleur announced. "Who made these?" "Er, I may have got Rarity to help, cuz my specialty is apples, not sandwiches." Fleur laughed as she took another bite. They sat in companionable silence, eating their lunch while gazing out at the gorgeous view in front of them. Once they had consumed the sandwiches, the brownies met the same fate, and for awhile the two mares just sat unmoving and unspeaking on the blanket, each lost in her own thoughts. "Fleur-" "Applejack-" They spoke at once, and laughed awkwardly as they both blushed in embarrassment. "Fleur, I brought ya up here today cuz there's somethin' I want to tell ya." Applejack started. "Yes?" Fleur said quietly. "Well...uh...ya see..." Applejack hesitated, then took a deep breath. "Consarn it all, I-I love you." Fleur blinked rapidly. "I-wha-say that again?" Applejack inhaled. "I got to know ya as a friend, but as time went on, I guess I started fallin' for ya cuz the other day, at my farm, well...I realized I was in love with you." Her gaze locked on the speechless Fleur. "Now I know I ain't no fancy city mare, and I ain't got much. Just my heart. But it's yours if ya want it. Course, I don't reckon I rightly know if ya want to be on a farm during all them times ya need a break from modelin', but-" She was silenced by a hoof resting on her mouth, and saw a glint of tears in Fleur's eyes as the mare leaned forward slightly. "Applejack. You were kind and saw me as just another pony, and wanted to be close to me just because of who I am inside rather than because of my fame. I deeply appreciated that. I still do. But the other day at your farm, I came to realize that I..." She paused to inhale. "...I have fallen in love with you too. And it doesn't bother me that you're a country mare and farm pony. I'll spend lots of time on the farm between modeling jobs, because I know that's where you want to be, and I just want to be with you." Applejack smiled, struggling to contain her joy as she took Fleur's hooves in hers. "I reckon if ya will have me then, I'd be right proud to be with ya too." She inhaled slowly. "I won't ever take ya away from your callin', sugarcube. You're meant to be a model, and I ain't gonna stop ya. I can leave the farm for a few days to be with ya in Canterlot or wherever your jobs take ya. And then we can come back here when you're done. I just...I just wanna be with ya no matter where ya go." Fleur nodded. "You couldn't get rid of me now if you tried." She plucked Applejack's hat from her head and flipped it onto her own. "I reckon you're plumb stuck with me forever." Applejack laughed at the failed accent attempt, and then the two mares looked at each other. Orbs of violet gazed deeply into ones of emerald, neither of them speaking a word for the longest time. Finally, Fleur leaned in and wrapped her forelegs around Applejack, hugging her tightly, and Applejack readily reciprocated, nuzzling her head into her neck and sighing in happy contentment. They pulled apart after a moment and gazed at each other again, then Applejack leaned closer and placed her lips on Fleur's, kissing her very gently and almost hesitantly. Fleur responded by wrapping her forelegs around her neck and kissing her back with enthusiasm. Once they came apart for air, Applejack smirked. "Fleur de Lis, I got a question." "Yes??" "Will ya do me the honor of bein' my marefriend?" "YES!" With a happy squeal, Fleur hugged her tightly, and they sealed their new relationship with another kiss before settling down and gazing off over the hills, forelegs wrapped around each other, basking in the love they felt for each other. Above them, birds sang happily in the trees, celebrating with them. "Applejack?" "Yeah?" "I love you." "I love ya more."
Chance Meeting"Last stop Ponyville, everypony off!" The conductor pony threw the doors open to allow the passengers to leave. Nopony noticed the tall, slender pony that dashed from one of the train cars and made a mad dash for nearby inn. She slipped in quietly and approached the desk. "Hello, sign your name, take a key, room is twenty-five bits per night." The bored looking young clerk tossed a key on the desk. "Room 8, up the stairs, last door on the left." The pony didn't speak a word; she simply lit the horn hidden under the thick cloak she wore and magically wrote a name on the inn ledger. Dropping the quill and catching up the key, she headed up the stairs and to the aforementioned room. Once safely inside with the bolt securely locked, she let the heavy cloak fall off, levitating it to a chair, revealing her slender form. Her alabaster coat was still as pristine as when she had slipped out of Canterlot a few hours before, and a quick glance in the mirror showed that her pale lavender mane needed just a brief brushing. "Well, Fleur, you are none the worse for wear considering your harrowing escape from that mob." She mused aloud, removing her mane brush from the saddle bags still resting across her back. "You still look fabulous." She grinned at the remembrance of said escape. The Ponyrazzi were nothing if not determined, but with a little bit of disguising and clever quick thinking, Fleur had slipped right past them. She sobered, sighing heavily. Modeling was enjoyable, but at times it was tiring, especially since there was constant attention and news crews and large audiences. Sometimes she just wanted to be a normal mare again for awhile. Which was why she had finally left. Honestly being without her ensemble of assistants and her press agent, and the aggravating Ponyrazzi, felt very freeing. She smiled and tossed her larger saddlebag over on the chair before checking her looks in the mirror a final time. Then, taking a steadying breath, she left the inn and headed outside to hopefully just enjoy some rest and relaxation. }==============[]=============={ She soon found herself at Sugarcube Corner, and after debating briefly she casually entered the sweet shop, making her way to the counter. As she studied the delightful confections and baked goods, a pink blur whizzed past, went round the room, and then skidded to a stop behind the counter. "Hello hello! Hi! Welcome to Sugarcube Corner, what can I get you today??" Pinkie's eyes went wide and a monumentally long, obnoxiously loud gasp escaped. "You're Fleur de Lis!!! I'd know you anywhere! Rarity talks about you and I've seen pictures and you've been in the papers and ohmygoshthisisjustsoexcitingtohavearealcelebrityintown!!!!" Fleur offered a soft, slightly awkward laugh. "That- would be me." "Welcome to Ponyville!" Pinkie motioned wildly. "What can I get you?" "Two strawberry tarts, one blueberry muffin, two chocolate chip cookies, and one Pinkie Pie Super Special Surprise." Fleur grinned at the wide eyed look. "It sounds very interesting." "Okie dokie lokie!!!" Pinkie whirled about like a pink tornado, rapidly filling the order and packaging it before depositing it in her customer's hooves. "Twenty bits please!!" Fleur smiled and paid the required bits, then took her purchase and exited the establishment. She withdrew a cookie and snacked on it as she slowly walked through town, looking around at all the sights. Her attention was captured by a pair of birds up in the sky, and she watched them as she continued to walk, chuckling at how cute it was to watch them play. THUMP! "Umpf!" "Tarnation!" She and the pony she'd collided with echoed their sentiments simultaneously. Fleur looked up as the orange mare righted herself and adjusted the stetson she wore. "I'm sorry, I wasn't paying attention!" She apologized, also getting up. "Naw, tweren't nothin'. I wasn't payin' attention neither." The mare peered at her. "Wait a cotton pickin' minute...Fleur de Lis?!" Fleur blinked. "Wait, you're Applejack, right?" "I sure am!" Applejack shook her hoof. "I'm right pleased to meet ya." "Ah...yes, because the whole model thing." "Naw." Applejack grinned. "I ain't much for that. I ain't a pony that cares much on what you do, more on who ya are. I'd be happy to show you around, get to know ya better." Fleur blinked. "You- don't want autographs or anything?" "Nope! Just a chance to be your friend." Fleur was confused. She'd never met a pony who didn't automatically want autographs or pictures with her because she was famous. This pony didn't do that. She just was being nice because. Finally realizing Applejack was waiting, she shook herself out of her stupor. "Oh! Of course. That would be lovely, thanks, Applejack." }===============[]==============={ Applejack kept in easy synchronized step with her taller companion as she showed the supermodel around Ponyville. Fleur easily kept up with her discriptions of buildings, the names of shops, and the identifications of the ponies they passed along the way. "And that there is the Town Hall." Applejack concluded her township lesson with a jab of her hoof in the direction of said building. "I reckon that covers just about everythin'. Any questions?" "Not that I can think of." Fleur looked around at her surroundings. "Slot of ponies seem to be staring though." "Probably are. Famous pony like yourself attracts attention, and I bet ya a bushel of my best red apples they want to meet ya first-hoof." Fleur smiled slightly. "I'll bet you an ice cream sundae that you're right." Applejack laughed. "Well now, I best be gettin' on back to Sweet Apple Acres. It was nice meetin' ya and spendin' time with ya. If there's anythin' I can do, just call on me." With a nod of her head she turned and trotted off, Fleur watching her leave with a wide smile on her face. When she turned back around, she found herself nearly swallowed by a small crowd of excited ponies. "Miss Fleur! It is you!" Somepony cried excitedly. "Can we get your autograph and some pictures?? Please??" Fleur sighed and forced a smile as she nodded, dutifully allowing the adoring public to hand her things to sign and snap photos, all the while hoping it wouldn't take long. It didn't. The dreamy eyed Fleur Fan Club dispersed fairly rapidly, and Fleur beat a hasty retreat back to the inn. She retrieved her key and went to her room, where she locked the door and crawled into the soft blankets. If she was being honest, the time she'd spent with Applejack had been the highlight of her day. Not being treated as somepony big and famous, but just being treated like any other pony. Like an equal. She missed that. Being famous automatically put her on a level above every other normal pony in Equestria. Once you reached that level, really nopony could ever view you as equal again. But Applejack was the first to defy that and see her as just a pony she wanted to be friends with. Fleur let her eyes close as she smiled softly. Truthfully, she was hoping to get a chance to talk more to this pony that had made her feel perfectly normal again. She wanted to get to know her better, because with Applejack she wasn't some big celebrity. She was just Fleur de Lis, a pony like all the rest. It was a good feeling. Fleur yawned, and slowly drifted off to sleep still smiling.
Magic of Friendship GrowsShe really should have known that her presence would reach the ears of the town seamstress and resident fashionista extraordinare. By the time she had arisen from bed, gotten breakfast, and taken another brief walk through town, several ponies had graciously informed her that Rarity was on her trail and would certainly be catching up to her any time. She decided to the boutique, knowing she would end up there anyway. No sooner was she there than Rarity came rushing inside, quite out of breath and bubbling with excitement. Fleur squeaked when she was caught in a hug. "Fleur, darling! How lovely to see you again! Why didn't you write that you were coming? We would have found more regal lodgings for you than that barely passable excuse for an inn." "The inn is perfect actually." Fleur replied politely and honestly. "It's quiet and out of the way, and ponies haven't tried approaching me there." "If you say so. Oh!! Darling! While you're here, I simply must have you model my new dress line for me! Why it's it's absolutely fabulous and I think you'll love it!" As she spoke, she levitated over a dress and started magically trying to put it on Fleur. Sighing, Fleur allowed it, and stood still while Rarity situated the dress just so, taking meticulous pains to see that every cuff and piece of hem was perfectly straight and smoothed. "There!" Rarity stepped back and her eyes won't wide as she let out a joyful gasp. "Oh, it's simply perfect!! Fabulous! Oh, Rarity, you have outdone yourself this time!" Fleur bit her tongue in an effort to not laugh at the mare's enthusiastic self-praise. "Oh! Next dress!" Two more dresses later, Fleur was starting to wish that she wasn't a model that looked stunning in pretty much everything, if only to get the private modeling session with Rarity over with. Just as she would have said something, the door to the boutique swung open, and Applejack trotted in, balancing a small basket of apples on her head which she carefully dropped on a table. "Here's your apples, Rarity!" She announced cheerfully. "No charge, neither. Oh hey, Fleur!" The farmer took in the scene in front of her with some amusement as Fleur managed to return her greeting with a nod. "Applejack, darling, doesn't this dress look simply stunning? Absolutely divine?" Rarity was all but squealing with delight. "I reckon it looks right nice." Applejack returned. "A bit too, er, fru-fru and fancy for my tastes, but then I ain't much for fancy." "Too fancy?! Too fru-fru?! Wha- Oh, you just have no sense of high fashion!" Rarity huffed indignantly, magically releasing Fleur from the constraints of the admittedly much longer than necessary dress. Before she could put on another, Fleur escaped to Applejack's side. "Help me out of here, please!" She wispered urgently. "Rarity is worse than a dozen adoring fans put together!" Applejack stiffled a laugh with her hat, then righted it and looked towards Rarity, who was busy redoing a ribbon. "Ah, Rarity? I showed Fleur here the town yesterday, I'm plannin' to show her the countryside too. Might take her to Sweet Apple Acres for a spell, too." "Sounds lovely!" Fleur said eagerly. "What?! Oh but I had more dresses-" "Another time Rarity." Applejack piped up, grabbing Fleur's hoof and dragging her along to the door. "I'm sure she'll be back over when she's good and ready." "Oh, well, but-" "So long!" And Applejack slammed the door behind them, leaving Rarity to huff and whine in dramatic disappointment. }===============[]============={ "Thank you for rescuing me back there." Fleur said as they walked through the streets and headed out of town. "Rarity is...quite a task to handle." "Think nothin' of it, sugarcube. She can be, uh, a bit intense when she's all in her fashion space." Applejack snickered. "It's not that I mind the dresses, but I came here to get away from all the adoring fans and press and all that, only I walked straight into another mob of them here." She sighed. " I honestly just want to be treated like any other pony for once, like I used to. Not as some famous, exclusive supermodel." "Well if it helps, I don't see ya as those things. To me, you're just a pony same as me, and if those fans of yours get to be too much, well shucks, you just light your tail over to Sweet Apple Acres and hide." Applejack flashed her a grin. Fleur smiled back, almost shyly. "You have no idea how much that means to me, Applejack, thank you." "Anytime, sugarcube. Always happy to help a friend." Their walk was very enjoyable to them both, especially Fleur, who loved being able to have a fun, normal, non-fashion related conversation. They laughed and joked about Rarity, all in good fun and with not a single offensively insulting remark towards her. They talked about Pinkie, which really had Fleur laughing as she heard about some of the hyper pony's escapades. "Did she really clone herself??" She asked breathless, between gales of laughter. "She sure as tarnation did." Applejack wiped a tear away as she struggled to regain control. "Whooooweee, I ain't never seen such a confudled mess as that created! Every pony in town wanted to hang her up by her tail or run her outta town for a year's worth o' Sundays." "Did they?" "Nahhh. Pinkie bein' the Element of Laughter worked in her favor that day." Applejack chuckled. "Ponies realized they'd be stuck with planning' their own parties and such. Plus seein' the sad look on her face made their hearts melt." "Aww." Fleur smiled. "I love cute stories." Applejack snorted and then waved a hoof. "Here we are! Sweeeeet Apple Acres!" Fleur was completely taken aback at the sight of the farm. She inhaled deeply, catching a distinct hint of sweet apple scent in the air, mingled with another, slightly sweeter scent that she realized came from the flowering buds on the trees. "It's absolutely beautiful!" She exclaimed, eyes wide with awe and appreciation. "Why thank ya." Applejack puffed her chest out just slightly. "We here take great pride in our apple orchards. Been our livelihood for generations." She led the way into the nearest stand of trees, and they walked along the path in the shade beneath them. Fleur took in the sight and scent of her surroundings, pausing to inhale deeply once again, the mesmerizing apple perfume flooding her senses. "Absolutely fabulously, amazingly, unspeakably gorgeous!" She breathed out, entranced. Applejack sat down under one of the, leaning back against the trunk, and smiled slightly as she watched her companion stand there with her head slightly lifted, eyes half closed, just lost in the beauty of the orchard. As she watched her, she was struck by the fact that Fleur found it so awe inspiring and worthy of such elegant discriptions. Applejack pondered, realizing that Fleur was the only non-Apple related pony to ever be so completely lost in her special world of sweet fruits, and it sent a happy warmth through her body and straight into her heart, causing her face to soften into a sweet and tender smile without her even knowing. Fleur shook herself out of her trance and gazed at Applejack, noting the farmer staring at her with a tender and soft smile on her lips as her emerald eyes glinted with appreciative joy. She blinked, feeling her face heat up a little as Applejack's gaze seemed to peirce straight through her. She coughed lightly, snapping both of them out of the now slightly awkward moment. "Oh, uh...right!" Applejack managed, blinking rapidly. "Anywho, this is just one orchard. We ain't the type to do things by halves. We got about ten orchards in total, iffen ya wanna take a look at the rest, or I could just show ya the house and barn and introduce ya to my family?" Fleur smiled brightly. "I'd love to meet the rest of the Apple family. Are they as charming and friendly as this one?" She leaned over and playfully jabbed Applejack's chest with a hoof, causing the other mare to redden and sputter slightly. "Aw now, shucks, don't go gettin' me all flustered with your fancy compliments!" Applejack rubbed her neck with an embarrassed grin. "Bad as Rarity, ain't ya?" Fleur laughed outright. "No. Rarity takes her compliments well over the top and gives them out to everypony as a habit...so it's hard to tell at times if it's even deserved. If Fleur de Lis compliments you so elegantly, you can rest assured it's the truth and absolutely deserved." Applejack mumbled under her breath, huffing as she blushed intensely, removing her hat and then plopping it back onto her head in very embarrassed agitation. "Well shucks." She inhaled deeply. "Alrighty then, miss Fleur, just come with me and I'll introduce ya to the other Apples." Fleur grinned at her obviously flustered friend and fell into step next to her as they made their way up to the farmhouse. }===============[]==============={ The remaining Apples were indeed as charming as Applejack, Fleur decided, as she listened to Granny Smith rattle on about zap apple jam one one side of her, while Apple Bloom rattled on about her being famous on the other. Big Mac may not have been the most vocal of ponies, but he was nevertheless charming in his own right. "I was just about to put food on the table." Granny Smith finally stated. "Now yer gonna stay for dinner, ain't ya?" It was phrased more as a statement than a question. Fleur glanced at Applejack, then Apple Bloom, then Big Mac. They all seemed open to this request, so she grinned. "Of course, Granny Smith. Thanks for asking me." "Eeyep. Apple Bloom, drop that confounded whirly thingy yer tryin' ta make and help set the table! Big Mac, you just get yerself out ta the shed an' bring in another chair. Applejack! Go fetch a jar o' my zap apple jam from the pantry!" The younger Apples scrambled to obey their elder's commands while Fleur looked on from where she sat. "Can I help with anything?" She asked. "Noooope." Granny Smith drawled out as she forced her creaking limbs to lift her out of her rocker and carry her over to the stove. "Ya'll just set yerself where ya are. Yer a guest an' in this house guests don't work!" "Really I'm perfectly happy to help." Fleur persisted. "I can help Apple Bloom with the table. Or help you with lifting the pots on the stove." Granny Smith stared at her hard. "Now young'un. I may be old but I kin still move my own pots. Iffen yer gonna be stubborn, then ya kin go ahead an' help Apple Bloom! Hmph. Persnickety whippersnapper, thinks I can't move my pots an' pans..." Fleur swallowed a laugh as Granny set about dishing up the food, and offered her assistance to Apple Bloom. Between them, they set the table in record time. Applejack and Big Mac reappeared just as they finished. Applejack stopped short and blinked. "Granny! I thought we had a rule against guests workin' in the house?!" "It was my doing." Fleur quickly interjected. "I kind of argued." "Persnickety young'uns these days." Granny complained. Applejack snorted, quickly covering it with a cough. Dinner was a short affair, and Fleur insisted on helping clean up, prompting further complaints from Granny about young whippersnappers. After that task was done, Applejack asked Fleur if she'd like to see the barn and rest of the orchards. Fleur agreed eagerly, and the others bid them farewell before Applejack tugged her friend off for a further farm tour. Fleur decided she could easily spend all the time in the world with Applejack, given the chance, because being treated the way she treated her was refreshing and rejuvenating, not to mention very heart warming as their friendship seemed to deepen with every moment they spent laughing and talking. She gave a happy sigh accompanied by a wide smile. This was beyond fabulous. It was magical.
What's Happening?As the days passed, Fleur spent a lot more time with Applejack. Partly because she enjoyed her company, and partly because it gave her a chance to escape her fans in town. Applejack, for her part, had no issues with the fashion model tagging along with her or coming out to Sweet Apple Acres to hang out and talk. She found Fleur delightfully entertaining, and for being a big city gal she seemed to quickly take to the country-isms she saw and heard, even adopting a few to throw back at Applejack as good natured retorts. "I'm surprised that nopony has come banging down my door to drag me back to Canterlot." Fleur commented one afternoon, leaning on the fence and watching Applejack repair her plough as she absently chewed on a piece of straw. Applejack looked up and snickered as she spotted the straw. "Fleur, iffen ya don't watch it, you're gonna turn country too." Fleur giggled. "That's not so bad. Hey, can I try using that plough? It looks fun!" Applejack blinked, arching one eyebrow in disbelief. "Are ya sure about that? This here is pretty dirty work, ya know. Lotta dust involved." Fleur grinned. "I don't care. It looks fun and if you don't mind, I'd like to try it!" Applejack scratched her head, nearly knocking her hat off, pondering the request for a moment. "Well, alright then. Just lemme fix this one last thing." As she finished her task, she cleared her throat. "Oh and, uh, 'bout nopony draggin' ya back to Canterlot...hope ya don't mind it none, but I talked to Twilight, and she sent a strongly worded letter informing your agents and assistants that you were fine and not to be disturbed." Fleur blinked. "You did?? I-I don't know what to say. Thanks, Applejack." Applejack flashed her a gentle smile. "Think nothin' of it, sugarcube. I figured ya needed to just be left alone. If ya don't mind my sayin' so, you do look a mite happier than your first appearance in town. And in spite of the fact them townsponies keep after ya some dots, you seem more relaxed." Fleur inhaled. "Well, I reckon it's because I have such a very good friend that helps me feel just like a normal, non famous pony." The pure joy and tenderness in the answering look she got made her heart do an unexpected and weird flutter. 'Goodness, what was that?!' she thought, her face warming up considerably. 'What is this feeling?! I haven't felt that since that time I met that stallion in...' Oh. Oh dear. She nearly fell over the fence. Applejack rushed to steady her, and the touch of her hooves sent a jolt of electricity through her, causing her fame to flame more. "You ok there, sugarcube?" Applejack enquired in concern. "Uh...uh...yes! Yes of course. Just clumsy this morning I suppose." Sweet Celestia, what was happening?! She was suddenly flustered and feeling a rush of slightly awkward emotions. Could she honestly be having feelings deeper than friendship for Applejack?! But how?! What?! Why?! Although to be honest, it wasn't so bad, was it? It wasn't like Applejack wasn't a very good looking mare. Beautiful eyes that shimmered like emerald glass in the right lighting. Strong and sturdily built body with finely toned muscles. An amazingly sweet and charming smile. And a certain rustic tenderness that was definitely appealing. 'Fleur! Snap out of it!!' she scolded herself desperately. Applejack had let her go and finished her repair work. Now she turned and shot that charming grin at her. "Still wanna try this thing?" Fleur inhaled to steady her breathing. "Absolutely!" She responded cheerfully. She walked through the gate and stood where Applejack pointed, remaining still as the farmer placed the plough's harness around her body, carefully fastening it so it was not uncomfortable. "How's that? Not too tight?" "Not at all." "Alright then! Now. The secret to this is easy. Just point your muzzle at somethin' straight ahead of ya and walk right at it." Applejack patted her on the back in encouragement, and Fleur nearly jumped at the electrifying contact, her heart pounding and her stomach doing a series of acrobatics. She managed a wide grin, then focused on a tree stump and started walking straight towards it. Applejack watched intently, impressed by the city mare's determination and ability. For somepony that had never done farmwork before, Fleur was doing a good job of using that plough. Her row was perfectly straight and even, and she was walking with just the right speed...something that had taken Applejack multiple tries to master the first time she'd ever used the equipment. Fleur was enjoying this immensely. She finished her first row, then turned around to do another. She set her sight on Applejack, still watching her intently from the gate, and started walking back, her mind wandering to all their time together as she felt her heart thump excitedly. Applejack watched her return, admiring the way she so gracefully pulled the plough, head held up high and her back straight, her eyes glinting in the sunlight. Her lips were parted in a slight smile, and she looked absolutely stunning and beautiful. Why, it was enough to make a mare want to go shower her in tender hugs and sweet kisses! Waaaaait a cotton pickin' minute... 'What in tarnation! Where the hay did THAT come from?!' Applejack felt her face heat up. 'Applejack, what're you thinkin'?!' Fleur had completed her second row, and stood just inches from Applejack, slightly breathless and still smiling that amazing smile. Applejack reddened further and coughed, rubbing her neck. "Uh...fine job there, sugarcube." She praised, quickly undoing her from the harness. "Now why don'tcha take a breather and lemme finish this up?" "Or we could both take a quick break and then we'll take turns finishing the job." Fleur said with a grin. "Work before play, city mare." Applejack returned with a snort. Eyes twinkling with mischief, Fleur inched closer. "All work and no play makes Applejack a dull pony." With that, she snatched Applejack's stetson in her teeth and laughed as she took off running. Applejack's jaw dropped. The only ponies who ever dared to attempt the theft of her hat were Apple Bloom and Big Mac. It was a general rule that you didn't touch her hat. But somehow she wasn't mad about it. She snorted and started after Fleur. "Consarn it all, you bring me back my hat!" Her tone held no note of anger, just playful warning, so Fleur continued to run around, switching to carrying the hat in her magic so as to free her mouth to talk. "You want it? You're going to have to catch me first!" "Ya consarned whippersnapper, gimme that hat!" Applejack laughed as she chased her around the pasture. When straight out chasing her didn't work, Applejack decided to resort instead to subterfuge. She slipped away unnoticed, leaving Fleur running around alone. When Fleur finally realized this, she stopped, looking around in confusion. "Applejack?" She called out. "Where did you go?" She started searching for her, calling out her name as she went, but Applejack didn't respond back. Fleur finally trotted around the barn, and as she rounded the corner an orange blur flew from a haystack and slammed into her, knocking her sprawling into the grass with an undignified and startled squeal. "Gotcha, ya consarned hat thief." Applejack teased with a smirk, pinning her down with her body while reclaiming her hat triumphantly. "Oh now that was just unfair." Fleur complained in mock indignation, putting just a hint of a whine in her voice. Applejack grinned wider, and then suddenly became aware just how close they were. A blush crossed her face as she felt the heat of Fleur's body underneath her own, and Fleur's own face flamed as her heart hammered hard enough she was amazed Applejack couldn't hear it. For a moment, they stayed that way, eyes locked together intensely, as Applejack, overcome with a wave of emotions she hadn't felt before, started to lean down closer. Fleur didn't even move, eyes closing halfway as Applejack's face moved closer to hers. Just as their lips were an inch apart, Applejack snapped out of her stupor and yelped as she fell off backwards. The two sat in the grass, blushing furiously while trying to avoid eye contact with each other. At long last Applejack spoke up. "Er, well, uh, I got my hat back." Awkward silence. Fleur inhaled deeply, willing her emotions to settle down, and managed a weak smile. "You did. So...now what?" "Heh. Well, I reckon I outta finish ploughing that patch for Granny. Uhm...do ya still wanna help?" Her eyes were hopeful, in spite of how awkward she felt. Fleur smiled wider. "I'd love to. To be honest, I really like spending time with you." Her eyes held a spark of sincerity and deep affection. Applejack reddened again and unnecessarily readjusted her hat. "Well shucks...bein' honest, I really like spendin' time with you too." After a brief silence, during which they stared intently at each other, Fleur cleared her throat. "S-should we get that job done for Granny?" "Oh, right, yeah. That. Eeyup. We should do that right now."
Time for Advice"Twilight!! Twilight, where in the cotton pickin' hay are ya?!" Applejack paced back and forth while yelling for her bookish friend. A quick pop and Twilight teleported in front of her, making her yell and tumble back in surprise. "Applejack, what in Equestria are you telling about?! And what is so Celestia-darned important that you had to interrupt my study on-" "I think I might be in love." Twilight forgot all about her study, and stared at Applejack in astonishment. "Come again?" "I think I'm in love!" Twilight blinked. "Er...ok?" "Gosh darn it all, Twi, I need ya to help me figure this out! I ain't never been in love so I got nothin' to go on!" Twilight chuckled slightly at her flustered gesturing. "Fine. Let's talk. But first, let me have Spike make some tea, because from the looks of it, you need it." }===============[]============={ "Rarity!! Rarityyyyyy!!! Where are you?! Are you home?" Fleur paced the floor of the boutique in agitation. Rarity was really the only pony she knew well enough to talk to about her current predicament. "I'm coming, I'm coming, no need to shout! Oh, Fleur! Hello darling, what brings you here today?" Rarity offered her warmest smile, sending immediately the agitated mood that was plaguing the taller unicorn. "Rarity. If I share something, can you keep it between us?" "Well of course I can, Fleur. I won't breathe a word." "I need your help." "Oh? With what, may I ask?" "I...may be in love." Rarity blinked, clearly having expected a more earth-shattering issue to be at the root of her friend's mood. "Alright...?" She said hesitantly. "I mean, that's wonderful, darling! Isn't it?" "I'm not sure. Which is why I was hoping I could talk to you. Perhaps if I rant about it, it might sort it all out in my mind." "Of course. What are friends for? Have a seat and I shall make some soothing tea. At the rate you are pacing my floor, you shall wear a hole in it." }===============[]=============={ "Now, what is this all about being in love?" Twilight enquired, watching as Applejack slowly downed half of her tea before placing the cup on the table between them. "Just what it sounds like. I think I might be in love." "You're not sure?" "Not particularly. Well, maybe a mite sure, but I ain't so sure if it's good or not." Twilight raised an eyebrow. "Why would it not be?" Applejack hesitated. "Well. Me and this pony, we're about as alike as an apple and a carrot as far as our lives go. Get down to the root of things though and we ain't quite so different. But h- erm, their style is way different. I'm a country gal, a farmer. And they're, well, more than a mite opposite of that." "So not a country pony then." "Well the thing is that she adapted well enough to my way of livin', y'know the farm work, but she's used to big city life and fancy parties and such." Twilight's brain was rapidly going through a checklist of ponies, trying to settle on the identity of Applejack's potential love interest. She suddenly realized the checklist wasn't necessary. Only three mares in town were aquatinted with high society living and fancy parties. One was married, and one of them was already interested in somepony else. Plus she wouldn't be caught be dead working in dirt unless it was a dire emergency. So that just left... "Fleur." She finished her thought out loud. Applejack flushed. "How'd ya guess?" "Well, it wasn't hard. You two have been pretty inserperable the last several weeks." "Consarn it, Twilight, I got myself all these feelings and it's just plumb confusin' the Tartarus outta me." "How does she make you feel?" "Well. I get downright jittery and I got a whole mess of butterflies usin' my insides for fancy flyin' manuevres. And my tongue gets plumb twisted on the gosh danged words I'm tryin' to say. And I can't think worth two licks of honey cuz all I can focus on is how she's just the prettiest mare in all Equestria..." Applejack trailed off, going red in the face as she realized she had gone dreamy eyed and that her answer had been intermingled with happy sighs. Twilight grinned and refilled their teacups. "I've done gone and fallen in love." Applejack pulled her hat over her eyes. "Oh sweet Celestia." "You have. And I think you ought to tell her." "But we're worlds apart! I mean I can't give her the fancy parties with all the doodads and whatchamacallits." "Applejack. Has she even one time expressed any kind of displeasure at anything about your country living?" "Well no..." "Then talk to her. Tell her how you feel." Twilight sipped her tea. "The worst than can happen is she doesn't return your feelings." Applejack sighed. "I reckon you're right. Alright, I'll do it." Twilight chuckled. "Good! Now tell me some more about this marefriend of yours." "She ain't my marefriend!" "Yet." ". . . Yet." }==============[]================={ A similar discussion had been taking place at the boutique, with Fleur telling Rarity all about her feelings of love for a certain pony. "So this mare." Rarity said. "Does she share your sentiments?" "I believe so. Maybe. Unless it's just wishful thinking on my part." Rarity chuckled. "Applejack is not very eloquent at expressing feelings." Fleur blinked. "How did you-?" "Darling, please. You have spent so much time together, it's not hard to figure out that she is the one you love." "But does she really need to have a mare like me in her life?" "Whatever do you mean?!" "I'm a fancy city girl and model. Famous all over Equestria. Constantly nagged by the press and adoring fans and Ponyrazzi. Applejack is...well, she's happy just being a simple farm pony. Could I ask her to throw herself into my world, with all the publicity that she would be be faced with?" "I dare say Applejack would adjust. She is an Element Bearer, darling, she already deals with fans and the press." "Not to the extent that I do." "Perhaps not, but she is capable of handling it. Did she show any kind of distaste for your profession at all?" "No. She knows who I am, what calling I have, and she has never let that stop her from being my friend. She sees me for who I am deep inside, and she knows the flashy, insane fame goes along with it." "Do you think she returns your feelings?" Fleur hesitated. "Well...she uh, almost kissed me the other day." Rarity's eyes widened. "Then it's safe to assume she returns your affections." She smiled. "Fleur, you two deserve to be happy. And if you wish to be happy together then you should go for it. Tell her how you feel. And know that you have the full support of all those around you." Fleur smiled back at her. "I really am grateful for the support, Rarity." "Anytime, darling. More tea?" "Please." Their conversation remained centered on Fleur and Applejack as they sipped their tea and continued to laugh and visit.
Head over Hooves"So where are we off to?" Fleur enquired curiously as she walked alongside Applejack on a small path leading outside of Ponyville. "If I told ya, it wouldn't be a surprise, now would it?" Applejack returned with a grin, readjusting the saddlebags on her bag. She had talked things over with Twilight, and had reluctantly agreed to also let Rarity in on her planned confession of love, and together they had worked out just the perfect way to carry it out. Applejack would take Fleur to a special hilltop outside town for a private picnic lunch, which Rarity graciously volunteered to prepare for them. After lunch had been eaten, she would tell Fleur exactly how she felt. She was excited but at the same time she was extremely nervous. "This is beautiful. We haven't been this way yet, have we?" Fleur asked, breaking her out of her wandering thoughts. "Nope! New spot that I ain't showed ya yet." Applejack answered. "But I can garuntee you're gonna love it." 'And hopefully me too.' Fleur refrained from further questions, instead eagerly following Applejack and taking in her new surroundings with awe. The path led through a stand of oak trees and directly to the top of a hill overlooking long, rolling green pastures. "Here we are!" Fleur took in the sight breathlessly. "Oh...oh it's gorgeous." She murmured, her eyes shining. Applejack grinned and eased her saddlebags from her back before setting up their picnic spot with a blanket. Fleur turned around. "Wha- a surprise picnic?!" "Eeyup!" Applejack pulled out the sandwiches and brownies that Rarity had packed for them, and dragged out two cold bottles of fruit punch that Twilight had supplied. She dug out napkins and utensils and then waved her hoof at the ready lunch. "Soup's on! Well, I reckon I should say sandwiches." Fleur laughed and settled onto the blanket, eyeing the food a tad hungrily. Settling down next to her, Applejack passed her a bottle of punch as they both picked up a sandwich. "This is delicious!" Fleur announced. "Who made these?" "Er, I may have got Rarity to help, cuz my specialty is apples, not sandwiches." Fleur laughed as she took another bite. They sat in companionable silence, eating their lunch while gazing out at the gorgeous view in front of them. Once they had consumed the sandwiches, the brownies met the same fate, and for awhile the two mares just sat unmoving and unspeaking on the blanket, each lost in her own thoughts. "Fleur-" "Applejack-" They spoke at once, and laughed awkwardly as they both blushed in embarrassment. "Fleur, I brought ya up here today cuz there's somethin' I want to tell ya." Applejack started. "Yes?" Fleur said quietly. "Well...uh...ya see..." Applejack hesitated, then took a deep breath. "Consarn it all, I-I love you." Fleur blinked rapidly. "I-wha-say that again?" Applejack inhaled. "I got to know ya as a friend, but as time went on, I guess I started fallin' for ya cuz the other day, at my farm, well...I realized I was in love with you." Her gaze locked on the speechless Fleur. "Now I know I ain't no fancy city mare, and I ain't got much. Just my heart. But it's yours if ya want it. Course, I don't reckon I rightly know if ya want to be on a farm during all them times ya need a break from modelin', but-" She was silenced by a hoof resting on her mouth, and saw a glint of tears in Fleur's eyes as the mare leaned forward slightly. "Applejack. You were kind and saw me as just another pony, and wanted to be close to me just because of who I am inside rather than because of my fame. I deeply appreciated that. I still do. But the other day at your farm, I came to realize that I..." She paused to inhale. "...I have fallen in love with you too. And it doesn't bother me that you're a country mare and farm pony. I'll spend lots of time on the farm between modeling jobs, because I know that's where you want to be, and I just want to be with you." Applejack smiled, struggling to contain her joy as she took Fleur's hooves in hers. "I reckon if ya will have me then, I'd be right proud to be with ya too." She inhaled slowly. "I won't ever take ya away from your callin', sugarcube. You're meant to be a model, and I ain't gonna stop ya. I can leave the farm for a few days to be with ya in Canterlot or wherever your jobs take ya. And then we can come back here when you're done. I just...I just wanna be with ya no matter where ya go." Fleur nodded. "You couldn't get rid of me now if you tried." She plucked Applejack's hat from her head and flipped it onto her own. "I reckon you're plumb stuck with me forever." Applejack laughed at the failed accent attempt, and then the two mares looked at each other. Orbs of violet gazed deeply into ones of emerald, neither of them speaking a word for the longest time. Finally, Fleur leaned in and wrapped her forelegs around Applejack, hugging her tightly, and Applejack readily reciprocated, nuzzling her head into her neck and sighing in happy contentment. They pulled apart after a moment and gazed at each other again, then Applejack leaned closer and placed her lips on Fleur's, kissing her very gently and almost hesitantly. Fleur responded by wrapping her forelegs around her neck and kissing her back with enthusiasm. Once they came apart for air, Applejack smirked. "Fleur de Lis, I got a question." "Yes??" "Will ya do me the honor of bein' my marefriend?" "YES!" With a happy squeal, Fleur hugged her tightly, and they sealed their new relationship with another kiss before settling down and gazing off over the hills, forelegs wrapped around each other, basking in the love they felt for each other. Above them, birds sang happily in the trees, celebrating with them. "Applejack?" "Yeah?" "I love you." "I love ya more."
