Butter Knows Best

With a picnic basket loaded to the brim with baked goodies, Rarity was elated as she made her way down the path to the Sweet Apple Acres farmhouse. This was the night she would look forward to every week; the night when she and Applejack would have some time together. Though the Earthpony never took the time to get gussied up for their dates, Rarity was quite another story.

For hours, she would prepare her mane; not a hair out of place, perfectly coiffed, while taking care to scrub her white alabaster fur with only the fanciest of soaps. After which followed a luxurious facial scrub, and after that she would prepare her outfit.

As Equestria’s top fashionista, she prided herself on never wearing the same thing twice and all of her outfits were made by her own hooves. Tonight she sported an almost formal pantsuit, that was a rich charcoal gray, though her blouse sparkled and twinkled with the same blue as her triple diamond cutie mark. On her head she wore a sunhat, matching the same color as her pants that had been accented with shiny baby blue rhinestones while a brilliant set of crystal baby blue horseshoes with charcoal gray accents adorned her hind hooves.

Dressed to kill, she would then make her way to the Cakes; having scheduled thirty minutes with Mrs. Cake to bake some special apple-based confectioneries for her marefriend. Like always, she wanted each moment with Applejack to be magical, though lately, Applejack seemed distant quite a bit more often. This made Rarity a bit uneasy at times, though she couldn’t put her hoof on exactly why.

Banishing any doubts or fears from her mind, she now made her way to and knocked on the rustic old oak door. Humming to herself, she was a bit surprised when Pear Butter, Applejack’s mother, answered the door instead of her marefriend.

“Oh hello Rarity, I wondered who was knocking this late. Here for Applejack?”

Rarity stood there, momentarily tongue-tied as she stared back at the mare. She never knew why, but for some reason, she always felt funny around Pear Butter; not in a bad way, but still she felt her face flush with a rosy hue, every time. Her pulse quickened and time itself would seem to stop. Though, with her being the mother of her marefriend, Rarity always chalked these strange sensations up to her being nervous to gain her approval.

“Erm- yes, Mrs. Apple.”

Laughing lightly, Pear Butter reached out her forehoof and used it to lift Rarity’s muzzle, forcing her to look into her eyes. As she did so Rarity couldn’t help but think about how they resembled two perfect orbs of pristine aquamarine crystal; much like the ones, she mines for her dresses.

“No need to be so formal, Rarity. Just call me Butter.”

Pear Butter’s words were silky, almost playful, or was Rarity just imagining that? Did she even say that at all? She wasn’t sure what exactly had been said, as Pear Butter had swiftly turned around without waiting for an answer.

The only thing on Rarity’s mind as she watched the mare walk away, was just how much exercise it would take to have such well-toned thighs. Calling over her shoulder, Pear Butter’s gentle voice once more reached her ears.

“Come in, come in, Applejack’s busy at the moment, but she will be back soon; I’m sure.”

***

Ten minutes later, Rarity found herself sitting on an antique loveseat, though how exactly she managed to be sitting next to Pear Butter while both sipped on some warm cider, Rarity wasn’t sure. The only thing she knew was she suddenly felt her body fill with warmth.

Her blood felt like it was boiling and for all the world she could swear her white fur had turned a shade of bright strawberry red, with the embarrassment she was now feeling. She had watched and now couldn't tear her eyes away from the sight, as Pear Butter leaned back against the loveseat, the matriarch's body splayed at just the right angle for Rarity to see everything.

Noticing this, Pear Butter teasingly asked her.

“See something you like?”

Completely flustered at the sight, Rarity accidentally swallowed the entirety of her cup’s contents; sputtering and coughing as the hot cider hit her stomach. Pear Butter quickly sat up to help her, patting her on the shoulder.

“Hey now, easy girl.”

As Rarity slowly ceased her fit of coughing, Pear Butter sighed and spoke wistfully, now sitting in a much more modest positioning. Crossing her hind hooves she told Rarity.

“I envy you, you know.”

Blinking, Rarity asked her why, in complete surprise.

Pear Butter gave a soft chuckle.

“Not everypony could handle having such a bold relationship with two others, you know.”

Nonplussed, Rarity explained how Applejack was her only somepony and there was no other. Pear Butter shook her head in response.

“My daughter told me all about your agreement for her to see Rainbow Dash, as well. There’s no need to be ashamed, dear. It’s quite the bold choice.”

Rarity, who had begun pouring more cider, had frozen in mid-pour; forgetting what she was doing immediately. What did she just say? Surely, Rarity had heard wrong, right? Seemingly unaware, Pear Butter continued.

“Though I wonder what’s keeping her. Normally her dates with Rainbow Dash don’t last this long; she’s usually back by the time you show up. After all, they only went to Sugarcube Corner for a milkshake. Maybe they went off to have a little fun. Ah, the joys of youth.”

With the sound of smashing glass, the bottle of homemade cider crashed to the floor, causing Pear Butter to turn to face Rarity.

"Are you alright?”

Completely enraged, Rarity’s focus on her levitation spell had failed, causing the bottle to shatter, scattering shards of glass across the old maple flooring. Rarity’s eyes were narrowed, her brow furrowed. She spoke in a voiceless whisper as she stood up, completely ignoring Pear Butter’s inquiries of her well-being. Appearing completely at a loss of this reaction, Pear Butter asked her to repeat what she said.

With a guttural screech that rattled the rafters of the old farmhouse, Rarity snarled.

“I’ll kill her!”

Before Pear Butter could move, Rarity had already raced out the front door, galloping down the path towards Ponyville.

***

Pear Butter chuckled as Rarity took off. That daughter of mine, so young, so carefree. So foolish, blinded by her youth.

***

Turning down the avenue, Rarity narrowly avoided running into Strawberry Sunrise, the Element of Honesty, walking home from a day of selling her strawberries in the square.

***

Applejack doesn’t realize what she has and thinks she can do anything without any consequences, but she’s about to learn.

***

Rarity’s lungs screamed for air as she raced as fast as her four alabaster hooves could carry her.

***

It’s just one date, surely Rarity won’t get mad besides she’ll never know, as Applejack told me. After all, the others didn't. Poor Rarity.

***

Rarity’s muscles screamed as she shot past the Old Ponyville Library of Twilight Sparkle, the Element of Magic, who peeked her head out the door, curious at the commotion Strawberry Sunrise was causing with her yelling at nearly being hit.

***

That lovely Unicorn doesn't deserve this. My daughter doesn't deserve her. She needs a mare to treat her right, not some foolish, immature filly.

***

Her body about to give up in protest, Rarity panted as she came to a stop in front of the double doors of Sugarcube Corners, her eyes growing wide at what she saw.

***

No, Applejack has no clue what she has. And she won’t know.

***

Rarity’s heart broke. There at the bar, sat Applejack and Rainbow Dash, the Element of Loyalty, sharing a milkshake and nuzzling each other. Rarity burst through the doors in a rage, screaming at the top of her lungs.

“Applejack! How could you?”

Jerking her head around, Applejack quickly sputtered as she was caught in the glare of scorned mare.

“It ain’t what it looks like, Rar!”

“Save it! Cheating on me? And with Rainbow, no less!”

“Wait, what?”

Rainbow Dash blinked in confusion for a moment before smacking Applejack with her hoof angrily.

“You’re already with Rarity? You told me there was nothing between you two!”

“Rainbow, she means nothing to me!”

That was the final straw, Rarity’s voice dropped to a quiet tone.

“What? Actually, you are right, Applejack. There isn’t anything between us. We are through!”

As she punctuated these words with a flip of her mane, Rarity turned up her nose and calmly walked out of the now deathly silent bar. Once outside, she bolted at top speed towards the Boutique.

Slamming open the door to her home, she tore up the stairs before rushing into and slamming her bedroom door shut. Sobbing uncontrollably she flung herself onto her bed; wailing incoherently, over and over, as she punched her pillow with all the strength she could muster.

***

As soon as Rarity had left, Applejack had quickly turned back to Rainbow, placing her hooves on Rainbow’s thigh.

“So then, Sugarcube, where were we?”

Barely able to prevent herself from raging, and using words that would make even a denizen of Tartarus blush, Rainbow Dash just smiled.

“I believe you were enjoying a nice-”

Dumping a nearly full strawberry milkshake right on top of Applejack’s head, she snorted as her nostrils flared.

“-Strawberry milkshake, you, you, poor excuse for a mare. There's isn't a chance in Tartarus, Applejack! Rarity’s my friend and you would dare betray her by lying to me? You can’t be serious right now. Buck off, AJ. I’m outta here.”

Grabbing her purse, she muttered angrily as she headed towards the door.

"So. Not. Cool."

Watching as her date stormed out, the bartender walked over to Applejack, who was sitting, dumbfounded in silence while strawberry ice cream dripped from her mane onto the floor. Sliding a piece of paper across to her, he smiled, clearly trying to hold back his laughter. Looking down at the paper, Applejack's eyes widened in fear; it was the bill.

"That'll be 32 bits for all the milkshakes, miss."

***

Meanwhile, Pear Butter sat on the love seat, thinking about that pained expression that had been written on Rarity’s face before she stormed out. No, Applejack won’t know what she has. Until it’s gone. Forever.

The mare’s lips curled up in a playful smile as she stretched out on the loveseat and sipped cider straight from the bottle, daydreaming about Rarity. She laughed excitedly, raising the bottle to the sky and, almost hungrily, declaring out loud.

“But don’t worry, my daughter, mommy will take very good care of her.”