It was Sunday. Sunlight streamed through the window of a colorful room. Pinkie Pie's mind was in a turmoil as she tried to decide what to do.

"What am I going to do?" she murmured, pacing back and forth. "Maybe I should give it a chance."

A silence settled in.

"Perhaps I should try," Pinkie said. "But what if talking to Rarity makes my friends think I'm not being loyal to them?"

She stopped and turned toward the small stuffed crocodile lying on the bed.

"Oh, Gummy, what should I do? My friends don't want to know anything about Rarity, but she seems so remorseful..."

Gummy didn't respond.

"I know it's not easy, but... maybe, just maybe, if I talk to her and give her a chance, things could get better... or worse."

Pinkie sat on her bed, hugged her stuffed animal tightly. Her thoughts were tangled, but deep down, she felt she knew what she had to do.

"You're right, Gummy, maybe I should go out for a bit and clear my head. I wish I had work today at Sweet Snacks Café to distract me, but maybe having a milkshake will help me think."

Put Gummy back in his usual spot on the pillow, got up, took a coat just in case, and headed to the bedroom door to leave the house.

In another part of the city, a girl with wavy hair stepped out of her house.

"I'm going out for a while, I'll be back soon," the seamstress bid farewell to her family.

Rarity closed the door of her house with a sigh, trying to shake off the discomfort from her last encounter with the girls at the mall. She needed to clear her mind and decided that a walk in the park might help.

Sweet Snacks Café
Starlight and Trixie were walking in to buy some takeaway cappuccinos. While they waited for their order to be ready, someone caught the attention of the gray-haired girl.

"Isn't that Pinkie?" Trixie asked, pointing at her. Starlight followed her gaze with curiosity.

Pinkie was sitting at a table in the back of the café, playing with the straw of her milkshake. She looked thoughtful and a little disheartened.

"It does seem like her," Starlight nodded.

"Here are your cappuccinos!" the barista announced with a friendly smile.

"Thank you," they both responded, taking their cardboard cups.

They exchanged a glance and headed to the table of the downcast party girl.

"What's wrong, Pinkie?" Starlight asked.

The party girl sighed and looked at her friends with sadness. "Hi, girls," she greeted with a forced smile.

The two decided to sit across from Pinkie Pie to find out what was bothering the usually cheerful girl.

"What's going on? It's not normal to see you like this," Trixie commented, puzzled. "You're always so happy, bouncing around."

"Girls, what would you do if an old friend showed up who did things in the past and therefore your friends don't want anything to do with her?"

"Hmm... I don't know," the gray-haired girl said thoughtfully.

"It depends on what she did," Starlight added. "Does it have to do with Rarity?" she asked.

"How do you know?" Pinkie asked in surprise.

"Well, lately we've noticed that every time she tries to get close to you guys, you leave her behind before giving her a chance to interact," Starlight explained carefully. "At first, I thought you didn't notice her presence, but it became more and more apparent that something was going on there."

Trixie nodded.

"I really need advice, so I'll tell you what happened," the party girl said.

"Okay, we're listening," Starlight said.

"It all started with Applejack and Rarity..." Pinkie began. Took a deep breath. "In the past, they were a couple, but their relationship ended badly. Then, Rarity did something that upset us. She left and came back to town, things got even more complicated. And now, I don't know how to act." Spoke quickly and anxiously.

"Wow, slow down, Pinkie," Starlight requested.

"Yeah, I barely understood and I think I misheard," said the confused Trixie. "Because I thought I heard you say they were a couple."

"Okay, I'll start slower," Pinkie agreed. "And you didn't mishear, Trixie... AJ and Rarity were a couple."

"They were what!?" Trixie exclaimed in disbelief.

"Rarity... and Applejack?" Starlight asked, a little incredulous.

Pinkie nodded. "Well, it all started four years ago when we went with the Apples to the beach..."

Four years ago
The Apple and Pie families were enjoying a sunny day at the beach. The Pie parents stayed back at the rented house to rest. They preferred not to go out as much and enjoy the tranquility.

"Hey Maud, do you want to swim?" Pinkie asked.

"No, I'm going to take Roca for a walk," Maud replied in her usual monotone voice as she held a small rock.

Pinkie nodded and turned to her other sisters. "And you, Marble?"

Marble nodded shyly.

"And you, Limestone?" the party girl asked.

"I'm going to stay here and make sure everything is in order. Someone has to watch our stuff," Limestone said firmly, crossing her arms.

"Alright. Enjoy keeping watch," Pinkie said with a smile.

"What if we go for some ice cream? It's hot," Apple Bloom suggested, brushing the sand off her feet.

Pinkie, who was about to walk into the sea, stopped and considered the idea. "Ice cream! That sounds delicious! I changed my mind, let's go for ice cream." She turned around.

"Good idea, Bloom," Applejack said, getting up and shaking the sand off her legs. "Do you want to come, Big Mac?"

"No, thanks. I'm going to stay here and swim a bit," Big Mac replied.

"Okay, does anyone else want to come?" the party girl asked eagerly.

Marble shook her head timidly and pointed to herself and the ocean waves. "I'm going to stay here, Pinkie. I'd rather swim for a while."

"And you, Granny Smith?" Apple Bloom asked.

"I'm going to rest under the umbrella for a while. I'm not up for walking around much anymore," Granny Smith said, settling into her beach chair.

"Alright, then we'll go for ice cream," Applejack said, looking at her cousin and sister. "Let's go."

To accompany her cousins, Pinkie Pie wore her colorful one-piece swimsuit, light denim shorts, and a sleeveless pink shirt. On her feet, she wore pink rubber sandals.

Applejack, who never changed out of her clothes to swim, wore a casual green hoodie with the zipper pulled up, exposing part of her chest before the neck, and with the sleeves rolled up to the elbows, which she paired with blue denim shorts and beach sneakers. Instead of her usual hat, she opted to leave her hair loose.

As for the youngest of the Apples, she sported a sleeveless lime green shirt with a drawing of a red apple in the center and light blue denim shorts. On her feet, she wore brown leather sandals with buckles.

"I hope they have my favorite mint with chocolate chips," Apple Bloom said.

"And I want to try one of those crazy flavors they always have at beach stalls," Pinkie added.

As they made their way to the ice cream stand, one of Apple Bloom's sandal buckles seemed to have come loose, causing her sandal to slip off.

"Are you okay?" Applejack asked with concern.

"Yeah, just my sandal slipped off," the youngest replied.

"Go ahead, I'll take care of it," Pinkie offered, squatting down to help her cousin.

"Thanks," the blonde said before heading off to the ice cream line.

Applejack headed towards a small line to buy ice cream, not too far away, so Pinkie could see her from where she was. As the blonde waited, Pinkie helped Apple Bloom fix her loose sandal.

The line moved quickly. The party girl and the youngest finished fixing the sandal and joined the farmer just in time; now there were only two people ahead of them, a girl with a little girl who were buying their ice creams.

With their ice creams in hand, Applejack started to walk, but she didn't notice that the girl who had been in front of her in line had stayed to the side for some reason.

Accidentally bumping into her, she caused the wavy-haired girl to spill her own ice cream.

"Ahhh," the girl started to scream, bringing a hand to her stained lavender blouse.

"I'm really sorry," Applejack apologized, embarrassed, as she looked at her cousin and handed her the ice cream, then took the napkins she had in her other hand.

"Do you have any idea what you've done!?" the wavy-haired girl exclaimed, her tone annoyed, slightly frowning.

Apple Bloom and Pinkie, seeing what was happening, took a few steps back, moving aside but staying close enough to hear and see the scene.

"It really was an accident," the blonde apologized again, looking at the girl from the side.

"Can't you watch where you're going?" the girl complained without looking at the blonde, busy trying to get the ice cream off her blouse.

"But you were the one standing there," Applejack responded in an annoyed voice. "Look, here, I have something for you to clean up with," she offered, extending the napkin towards the girl.

The girl lifted her gaze a little, seeing only the napkin in the blonde's hand. When she tried to take it, it slipped from her hand, but luckily there wasn't much wind to blow it away. Both bent down to grab the napkin, applying pressure to keep it from flying away.

"It wasn't necessary, I could do it," the girl said.

"Seriously, you should be more..." Applejack started to say.

"…"

Whatever she was going to say hung in the air, because when they lifted their heads, they looked into each other's eyes, emerald green meeting sapphire blue. Suddenly, it felt as if time stopped and the noise around them was replaced by a harmonious sound.

They stayed like that for a few seconds until the violet-haired girl reacted and took the napkin, then stood up. Applejack did the same.

"Uh... yes, you're right. I shouldn't have stopped in the middle," the wavy-haired girl admitted, calmer and with a soft tone.

"Yeah, and I... should have also paid attention... if someone was in front of me," Applejack added, putting her hand on her neck and lowering her head a bit, but still looking her in the eyes.

"Sis, here, I brought more napkins," the little girl said, returning with more napkins.

The wavy-haired girl blinked twice and turned her head to see the child. "Thank you, Sweetie," she said, taking the napkins and starting to clean herself.

The girl was wearing a sleeveless lavender cotton blouse with an elegant halter neck paired with a short white denim skirt with lace details on the hem. She wore flat sandals adorned with small gems. Her violet hair was tied in a high, loose, wavy ponytail.

"Is something wrong?" Sweetie Belle asked, seeing her sister's expression.

"Uh?" the girl said, somewhat distracted. "Yes, I'm fine," replied, stopping cleaning. "Let's go, Mom and Dad are probably wondering why we're taking so long." She gave one last look at the blonde, with a mix of confusion and amazement, then turned and started walking with the little one.

Applejack watched the wavy-haired girl walk away with her sister.

Pinkie and Apple Bloom, who had seen the whole scene, looked at each other and then at their relative with a knowing smile. Applejack turned to them; she still had an expression of amazement.

"What happened there?" Pinkie asked, raising and lowering her eyebrows.

"What do you mean?" Applejack said, starting to blush a little.

"It seems like my sister had her heart stolen," the youngest commented.

"I don't know what you're talking about," she tried to cover up.

"Uh-huh," Apple Bloom said, holding back laughter. "Tell us, when's the date?" she joked.

"Apple Bloom!"

"I want to be in the front row for the wedding," the party girl joked.

"Pinkie!"

"...and then, when they both bent down to pick up the napkin, they looked into each other's eyes and it was like... boom! Sparks flying everywhere!" Pinkie finished telling with enthusiasm.

"Wow, love at first sight," Trixie said, impressed.

"It's amazing how sometimes the most unexpected things can lead to something so special," Starlight commented with a smile.

"Yeah, sometimes a simple accident can change everything," Pinkie added, reminiscing about the moment.

"And to think it all started with an ice cream... who would've thought!" Trixie said.

"Of course, my cousin acted all indifferent at first, though it didn’t last long..." Pinkie paused dramatically.

"The Great and Powerful Trixie is intrigued. What happened next?" Trixie asked with curiosity.

"Well, as I said, my cousin pretended to be indifferent. When we got back to the house we had rented and told everyone what happened, it was obvious AJ wanted to know more about her. So, one day we went out and..."

Pinkie and Applejack left the beach house with the intention of going to the craft fair to see if they could find a certain girl. The blonde had a feeling, as her cousin would say, a 'Pinkie sense,' that something would happen there.

"What are we looking for, cousin?" Pinkie asked, bouncing.

"The girl from yesterday," replied.

"Ooh, is it to ask her out?" the party girl teased.

"What... I just want to apologize! I don't want any misunderstandings and give her a bad impression," Applejack tried to excuse herself.

"Bad impression, ehhh...?" Pinkie insinuated, wiggling her eyebrows playfully.

"Impression... of, um... well, you know... of..." Applejack didn't know how to excuse herself. "Let's just go, Pinkie."

Applejack tried not to seem interested and kept walking with Pinkie following her.

"Well, I don't think she left yet... since, as we saw, she has a little sister. They always indulge the youngest despite the vacation ending soon," the blonde tried to find hope in her words.

"You know, since we saw that girl, I noticed something curious," Pinkie commented, frowning.

"What do you mean?"

"I'm sure I've seen that girl before, but I don't know where," the party girl said thoughtfully. "Maybe in the city or... somewhere else."

"Do you think so?" Applejack exclaimed almost excitedly.

Pinkie gave the blonde a playful look.

Realizing what she had said, Applejack coughed, trying to downplay her excitement. "What I meant was that the city must be very small not to notice that she had always lived here."

The party girl raised an eyebrow. "AJ, you're almost always helping at the barn and don't do much else after school."

"Eh... good point," admitted.

After that, Applejack and Pinkie walked a little more until the hustle and bustle of the craft fair surrounded them. Although Applejack tried to seem carefree, she hoped to meet the mysterious wavy-haired girl again.

They had already walked along the exhibits, and Applejack was starting to lose hope of seeing the girl again. Pinkie, noticing her cousin's expression, decided to cheer her up by distracting her a bit.

"What do you think of this bracelet?" Pinkie asked, holding a bracelet decorated with bright colors.

The blonde smiled. "It's nice... we could see it for Apple Bloom."

"Hmm... let's go there," the party girl suggested, pointing to another bracelet exhibit. They walked to see what kind of bracelets they had. The party girl took one and showed it to the blonde.

"That bracelet looks great. But I think... eh," murmured, looking at a bracelet that caught her eye. She took a few steps to the other side of her cousin to see it better.

She reached out to grab it, but another hand touched hers, feeling a spark. She quickly turned her head to see who it was. Standing there beside her was the wavy-haired girl.

The girl took her hand, feeling that strange sensation and frowned slightly, confused. "I apologize, I liked that brace-" She stopped realizing who she was talking to. Remembering their previous encounter on the beach, she decided to break the ice casually.

"Hello again," she greeted with a friendly smile.

Applejack was surprised to see the wavy-haired girl again but was glad to meet her. "Hi! Uh... how are you?"

"I'm fine, thank you. You're the girl who stained my blouse at the beach, right?"

The farmer nodded, smiling somewhat shyly. "Yes, I'm really sorry about that."

"Don't worry, although I'll have to do a few things to get the stain out," she replied kindly.

"To make up for it, take the bracelet. Though honestly, I'm not sure a charming girl like you needs it."

For some reason, the girl felt something unfamiliar inside her. "Thank you, I was looking at it for my sister. It was her idea to come here," said, taking the bracelet. In a few seconds, she heard her sister's voice.

"Rarity! Did you find something?" Sweetie Belle approached and greeted the fashionista enthusiastically.

Rarity pointed at the bracelets. "I'm looking at these bracelets. What do you think of this one?" she asked, showing the bracelet in her hand.

"Oh, it's very pretty," the little girl said, looking at the bracelet. "Do you think mom and dad will let me buy it?"

"How far did you go to see and ask them to pay?" the fashionista asked.

"Not too far, I'll be right back," her sister replied before running off.

Rarity smiled and turned to the blonde.

"Rarity..." the farmer smiled, finally knowing the girl's name, thinking how well it suited her.

The fashionista was surprised to be called by her name. "Yes... my name is Rarity," she introduced herself, feeling a slight blush on her cheeks.

"I know you didn't ask me," the farm girl said, scratching her head a little, "but... my name is Applejack."

"Nice to meet you, Applejack," Rarity replied with a smile.

"Same here, Rarity," Applejack replied kindly.

The younger sister rushed back, holding some coins in her hand. "Rarity! Here you go to pay for the bracelet."

The fashionista accepted the coins and gave them to the vendor, then handed the bracelet to her sister. Sweetie Belle put the bracelet around her wrist and then looked at the blonde with curiosity.

"And who are you?"

Before Applejack could respond, Rarity intervened. "She's Applejack. We met a few days ago."

"Hi, Applejack," the little girl greeted. "Hmm... have I seen you before?"

The blonde let out a laugh, remembering that Rarity's sister was also there. "Yes, it was at the ice cream parlor."

"Oh, you were the one who stained my sister," the little girl recalled.

"But it's all sorted out, and everything's fine now," Rarity clarified, so her sister didn't extend the topic further. The farmer seemed grateful for that.

"Okay... Mom and dad said we should hurry," Sweetie Belle commented. The older sister nodded and looked at the blonde.

"Well, goodbye, Applejack. I don't know if we'll meet again someday, but see you," the fashionista said goodbye.

"Goodbye, Rarity."

After saying goodbye, the fashionista began to walk away with her sister.

Pinkie, who had watched the scene from the next exhibit, approached her cousin, seeing the girl leave again. "You're right, the world is so small. And by the way, did you flirt with her?" asked with a mischievous smile.

"Flirting? It wasn't that, I just wanted to be decent in front of her," Applejack replied.

"And who would have thought you'd like a refined girl like that Rarity?" Pinkie said.

"I don't like her that way," the farmer insisted, trying to hide her feelings, though she felt a slight warmth on her face.

"Whatever you say. I have good news for you about that girl," Pinkie said.

"What do you mean?"

"No wonder she seemed familiar, and now that I heard her name, I know why," Pinkie commented.

"So, where do you know her from?" Applejack asked, trying to sound casual.

"She goes to our school," the party girl revealed excitedly.

"What? She goes to our school? Wait, do you know her because she's in your class?" Applejack asked, surprised.

"No, she's not in my class, but since I roam the 'A side' a lot, I sometimes see her walking down the halls, and she's considered one of the prettiest girls," Pinkie explained.

"I see why she's considered the prettiest," Applejack said with a sigh.

Pinkie gave her a half-smile and nudged her gently.

"I mean because she's pretty and nothing else," the farmer added.

"It's true, she is," the party girl acknowledged. "The good thing is you'll see her again, eh..."

"Pinkie, stop," Applejack said, crossing her arms, but her gaze softened as she looked where the fashionista had gone and smiled.

"Applejack was almost losing hope, so I decided to try to cheer her up and we went to see one of the exhibits, and then it happened... they met again. It was so exciting!" Pinkie exclaimed, waving her hands enthusiastically.

"Wow, it seems like destiny keeps playing an important role in their lives," commented Trixie.

"Definitely. It's amazing how they keep bumping into each other again and again," added Starlight.

"Exactly! It sounds like something out of a movie," Pinkie added with a wide smile.

"No doubt," affirmed the gray-haired girl.

"Sometimes I think the universe conspires to bring the right people together at the right time," said Starlight.

"Totally agree! Isn't it exciting to think about all the possibilities and what would have happened if...?" the party girl continued, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

"And their sisters had something to do with it," Trixie pointed out.

"Chains of events..." Starlight nodded. "If Apple Bloom hadn't wanted to get ice cream, AJ wouldn't have bumped into Rarity."

"And also with Sweetie Belle. If she hadn't decided to go to the craft fair, they wouldn't have seen each other again, or they might have met again at school," added the gray-haired girl.

"What a thing, right? And you're not wrong, Trixie, they saw each other again, but since I wasn't there that time, I'll tell you what my cousin told me," Pinkie continued.

The gray-haired girl took a sip of her cappuccino and put it back on the table, intrigued by what would come next.

"Well, the week went by and classes started. The two of them met again at school. According to what Applejack told me, it was quite an unexpected situation. AJ had to stay a bit later than usual and unexpectedly bumped into her in the hallway, and when Rarity saw her, she seemed as surprised as she was excited..."

"... My cousin told me that she saw how Rarity's eyes opened wide in recognition, as if she had seen something she didn't expect to find there. Her expression was a mix of surprise and something else..."

"... Then they started meeting during recess, and my cousin said that all along she could see a struggle on Rarity's face, as if she was discovering a part of herself that she didn't even know existed."

"Did they start dating after that?" asked the gray-haired girl, curiously.

"No, actually, they started getting to know each other," Pinkie replied.

"I thought they would already be a couple. Wasn't it love at first sight?" said Trixie, looking confused.

"Trixie, even if it was love at first sight, you need to get to know the person well. You might fall in love with the wrong person," Starlight clarified, frowning slightly.

"Hmm... I hadn't thought about that, but I guess that was part of it too," the party girl said, looking thoughtful.

"A part of it? Wait, internal struggle? ... I think I understand," Starlight thought. "And what happened next?"

"I think we'll need more milkshakes or coffee," said Pinkie, pointing to her empty glass. "Hey!" she called to an assistant and at the same time one of her coworkers.

"Hmm?!" exclaimed Trixie, looking at the party girl confused.

The boy approached the table. "Yes, Pinkie? More milkshakes?" her coworker asked with a friendly smile.

"You read my mind," Pinkie replied, winking.

Trixie and Starlight looked at each other, intrigued.

"Get ready, girls, because this is just the beginning of their story..." the party girl announced with an enigmatic smile.

The fashionista arrived at the park, feeling a bit more relieved as she saw the lively activity around her. She decided to enter, hoping to find some distraction.

She strolled along the paths, admiring the natural beauty around her and enjoying the fresh air. However, her mind kept returning to the conversation with her parents about how to handle the situation with the Mane Six.

Stopped near a bench and sighed. "Why does it have to be so complicated? I know I'm responsible... I wish I hadn't let myself get carried away," murmured to herself.

"Hi, Rarity!" Lyra greeted, snapping her out of her thoughts.

"Hello, Rarity! How are you?" Bon Bon added with a smile.

Rarity turned and returned their smile. "Hello, girls."

"Exploring the city?" Bon Bon asked.

"No, I already know it. You know I'm new, but I used to live here before," she explained.

"Sorry, I thought..." Bon Bon quickly apologized.

"It's okay... I came for a walk," the seamstress responded. "And you?"

"We're on a date, and like most couples, we usually walk around here after or before our date," Lyra explained, holding Bon Bon's hand.

"I understand, I used to do the same when..." Rarity stopped, realizing what she almost said.

Lyra and Bon Bon exchanged curious looks.

"With whom did you used to do that?" Bon Bon asked, raising an eyebrow with interest.

The seamstress smiled. "Oh, just things from the past."

"One day, you'll tell us about that beau," Lyra commented with a giggle.

The seamstress looked surprised at the comment. "Uh... maybe," was all she said.

"Well, we're off," Bon Bon added.

Rarity smiled as she bid them farewell. "Goodbye, girls."

"Goodbye, Rarity!" Lyra and Bon Bon replied, continuing on their way hand in hand.

Watching them walk away holding hands and remembering what she almost revealed, Rarity had a small flashback of when she was with Applejack. She remembered meeting her at the beach, then meeting again at the craft fair, and later at the school. It was so unexpected for her to see her there, but a part of her had hoped to see her again, though she didn't understand why at the time. She was surprised to find out they had always been at the same school, just never crossing paths.

They shared lunches, helped each other with school projects despite being in different classes. She remembered how the farmer was always there for her when she needed it. Although Rarity didn't like activities related to the earth, she made an effort to accompany Applejack when she was in the barn or picking apples.

"Beau..." the seamstress chuckled humorlessly. "I don't seem like that kind of girl... I don't blame them, I thought the same too."

A memory came to mind. "Ha, I still remember that time. It was so embarrassing..."

Applejack got out of a taxi, apparently alone, and approached a large house. She checked a piece of paper where Rarity had written her address to make sure she was in the right place, as she hadn't expected to see such a big house. After confirming she was in the right place, she rang the doorbell and waited. Seconds later, a young woman with red hair opened the door.

"Ah, hello. Does Rarity Belle live here?" the blonde asked.

"You must be Applejack," the red-haired woman responded. "Hello, I'm Roseluck, Rarity and Sweetie Belle's aunt. The girls are under my care while their parents are away."

"I see," Applejack said.

The fashionista approached the door. "Auntie, I'm not that young. I am already of age," Rarity commented.

Roseluck nodded with a sympathetic smile. "I know, dear, but you'll always be the little girl I watched grow up," she added affectionately. "Besides, I can't leave my nieces alone," she said as she went back inside, leaving her niece at the door.

"Hi, Applejack," Rarity greeted with a dreamy smile.

"Hi, Rarity," Applejack responded with a similar smile. "Uh... I know you said you only invited me, but I couldn't leave my sister."

"I don't understand," the fashionista said, frowning slightly, confused.

"Apple Bloom, come on," the blonde called to her sister.

"Hi, Rarity," greeted the youngest Apple as she approached the door.

"No one was going to be home, so I had to bring her," Applejack explained, a bit embarrassed. "I hope you don't mind," said with a forced smile.

"Hello... unexpected surprise..." Rarity said, surprised, and then put a hand on her chin. "You can have fun with Sweetie Belle."

"Sweetie Belle?" asked the younger girl.

Rarity opened the door wider and stepped aside, letting the two sisters in.

"Sweetie Belle, can you come here?"

The younger sister came out of the kitchen and approached. "Yes, Rarity," responded, surprised to see someone her age.

"Sweetie Belle, this is Apple Bloom. Apple Bloom, this is my sister Sweetie Belle," Rarity introduced her sister.

Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle greeted each other shyly but quickly began to converse, finding common interests. Meanwhile, the older girls watched the interaction with smiles.

"I'm glad you could come," Rarity confessed, looking at the blonde with a slight blush. "I wanted to spend more time with you."

"I wanted that too...," Applejack responded, looking at her with a soft expression.

The two girls looked at each other for a moment, feeling a special connection.

"Shall we go inside? You can show me where you work your magic," Applejack suggested, breaking the silence.

"Sure, come on in. I'll show you," Rarity agreed with a smile.

The fashionista turned to close the door.

"Come. I'll show you my sewing room. It's where I spend most of my time creating," Rarity said, taking her by the hand.

"Sure," the blonde responded.

Rarity guided Applejack to her sewing room, while Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle went to another part of the house to play. Once inside the room, the fashionista realized their hands were still joined, so she slowly let go. Both seemed to blush, and Rarity tried to change the atmosphere by beginning to show Applejack her materials and designs.

"This is where all the magic happens. I love creating beautiful things from these simple fabrics," Rarity shared, pointing to a table full of fabrics and sketches.

"Wow. You're really talented. All of this is impressive," the blonde praised, looking around.

The fashionista felt flattered by the compliment and continued showing her work.

"I always knew you were amazing, but this is even more than I imagined. You have a gift," Applejack expressed with a warm smile.

Rarity stood there looking at her, feeling her heart race. Applejack's words moved her deeply, and the mix of emotions began to overwhelm her. She started to get lost in the features of the farmer: her freckles, those emerald eyes, and her smile.

The farmer was wearing a long-sleeved white shirt with green details on the edges of the sleeves, which were rolled up. In the center of the shirt was a drawing of an apple. This outfit was complemented by blue jeans and light brown cowboy boots, finishing with her characteristic hat.

"I... um... thank you. It's... it's really nice of you," the fashionista stammered.

"I really mean it. You're a wonderful person," affirmed Applejack, taking a few steps towards her.

Rarity felt a warmth in her face and began to sweat slightly. She tried to keep her composure, but the blonde's proximity and her words made her increasingly nervous.

"I... I also think that you're... wonderful. What you do in the barn is great," she responded.

"Thanks, Rarity. That means a lot to me," said Applejack, smiling even more.

The seamstress looked at the table trying to find something. "Oh, look, this... this fabric is... is silk. Yes, silk."

"It's really beautiful. You have a great eye for details," appreciated the blonde, getting closer.

"Yeah, well, thanks... um, do you want to see... see more fabrics?" Rarity said nervously.

"Of course, I'd love to," the blonde accepted. "Although I don't know much about it," she thought with amusement.

The seamstress began frantically searching for the fabrics. "Here... here it is... oh, no, this one isn't it. Um... here... Oh! Look at this, it's... it's cotton. No, wait, it's linen... no, no, yes, it's cotton. I think," she said even more nervously.

"Relax, Rarity. You don't have to get nervous," said the farmgirl, laughing softly.

"Yeah, sure, I'm not... not nervous. It's just... it's just hot in here, don't you think?" Rarity said trying to hide her nervousness.

"Yeah, it could be. Maybe we should take a break," suggested Applejack, noticing the girl's attitude. Something told her she knew the reason for her behavior.

"Yeah, yeah, that would be... great. Let's go for a drink..." said the seamstress quickly, opening the door.

"Perfect, let's go," the blonde agreed, following her.

"What's happening to me? I've never felt like this before..." she wondered.

Applejack followed Rarity as they headed to the kitchen.

"Follow me. The kitchen is just this way," Rarity indicated, trying to sound calm.

"Thanks. I didn't want to get lost in your mansion," the blonde commented, letting out a laugh.

"Oh, it's not that big. Just a little... spacious," Rarity replied.

Upon arriving in the kitchen, Rarity served the drinks while Applejack observed her, noticing the elegance with which she moved.

Both took their drinks and headed to the living room. Roseluck was nearby, watching the little ones as they played, but she observed the interaction between the two older girls with curiosity.

"So, Applejack, tell me more about your farm. Must be a lot of work, right?" Rarity asked, trying to keep the conversation light.

"As I told you before, it's more of a mini farm since we have apple trees and the barn. And yeah, it's quite a bit of work, but I enjoy it. Every day brings something new, and it's rewarding to see the results of our effort," explained Applejack.

"I admire your dedication. I... I couldn't do it; I'm not much of an outdoor worker," admitted Rarity with a slight smile.

"Well, you have your own impressive skills. I couldn't imagine myself doing what you do with fashion," commented Applejack.

"Oh, well, thank you. It's just... um, what I'm passionate about," responded Rarity, trying not to stutter.

"It's great to find something you're so passionate about," commented the farmgirl, looking at the seamstress warmly.

"Yeah, it's... it's important to follow your dreams, right?" she responded nervously, with the drink trembling slightly in her hand.

"Absolutely," said Applejack with a smile that made Rarity's heart beat faster.

Roseluck, from her nearby position, watched with a mixture of curiosity and understanding. She saw how Rarity was getting nervous and decided to intervene a bit to smooth things over.

"It looks like you two get along very well. It's nice to see my niece with such an attentive friend," commented the red-haired woman with a friendly smile.

"Yes, Applejack is... is a great friend," said Rarity, trying to calm down.

"And Rarity is a very important friend to me," added Applejack, looking at her affectionately.

The seamstress felt her cheeks grow warmer. Her heart beat strongly every time the blonde looked at her like that, and she started to stutter again.

"I... um... yeah, you're also... Applejack. It's... it's great... to be with you," said Rarity, trying to smile, but clearly nervous.

"Everything okay?" asked the farmgirl, noticing the modiste's nervousness.

"What? Oh, yeah, yeah. I'm fine, just... it got a bit hot again, didn't it?" she responded.

Meanwhile, Roseluck, with a subtle smile of complicity, moved slightly away from the scene, giving space to the two young women.

"Yeah, maybe a little. Why don't we open a window?" suggested Applejack, laughing softly.

"Yeah, yeah, that would be... that would be good," agreed Rarity.

As Rarity got up to open a window, she accidentally tripped over a table, spilling a bit more of her drink. Applejack quickly approached to help her.

"Relax, Rarity. It's okay," said the farmgirl, smiling softly.

"I... I'm so sorry," she apologized. "Why am I acting so clumsy?" Rarity thought, her face red with embarrassment.

"Don't worry, it happens to all of us," assured Applejack, helping her clean up.

Rarity opens the window and returns to her seat, trying to calm down. Applejack looks at her with a comforting smile, making Rarity feel a little calmer. They both look at each other for a moment. Roseluck watches from a distance, seeing the sincere friendship. Something tells him that she is going to have a talk with her niece.

After Rarity calmed down and got back on track, the two returned to her room, where the dressmaker showed her some sketches that she was working on, but that are not yet finished.

After a while, they moved to the living room along with Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom. After a moment, the doorbell rang.

"Oh, that must be my parents. Come, let me introduce you to them," said Rarity, heading to the door.

She opened the door and greeted her parents with a warm smile. The two sisters got up to greet them.

"Mom, Dad, let me introduce you to Applejack, a friend from school, and her sister, Apple Bloom," introduced the fashionista.

Rarity's parents greeted Applejack and Apple Bloom kindly.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Applejack, Apple Bloom. Rarity has told us a lot about you," said Cookie.

"Yes, she's told us things, but how about we go for dinner and continue the conversation there?" suggested Hondo.

Although Applejack initially declined the idea, mentioning that they should leave before it got late, she eventually accepted the invitation. With everyone at the table, Hondo began the conversation on some topic.

"Tell us, Applejack, what do you like to do in your free time?" asked Hondo.

The blonde smiled. "Well, I love working in the barn we have at home, taking care of the animals, and spending time outdoors."

Rarity's parents nodded with interest as the conversation continued.

"That sounds like a very active and rewarding life," remarked Hondo.

"And tell me, do you have any more... sophisticated hobbies? Something not related to the farm, let's say," asked Cookie.

Applejack hesitated for a moment, surprised by the question. "Well, I'm not sure if you'd consider it sophisticated. I'm interested in construction because I enjoy working with my hands and seeing how things take shape. I'm still learning," she replied.

Cookie nodded with a serious expression.

Rarity smiled, pleased that Applejack was making a good impression despite her mother's unexpected question.

"Is there anyone special in your life?" Rarity's mother asked again.

The blonde, taken aback by the question, was about to speak, but before she could respond, they heard Rarity cough; apparently, she had choked on her tea. Roseluck rubbed her niece's back to help her get rid of the cough.

"Rarity, are you okay?" her aunt asked.

The seamstress nodded as best she could.

"Responding to your question, I don't have a partner, but there is someone very present in my daily life," said Applejack, looking at Rarity, who finally stopped coughing and blushed at those words.

"Yes, and it's..." Apple Bloom was about to reveal who it was, but Sweetie Belle gave her a slight kick. "Ouch! Hey..." exclaimed.

"Come on, Apple Bloom, what are you saying..." said Sweetie Belle with a playful smile.

"I agree, you shouldn't spill the beans prematurely," added the aunt.

"I agree with Rose. Darling, are you feeling better now?" asked Cookie.

"Yes, Mom, I just got distracted, and that happened just now," replied Rarity, trying to cover up.

"So, Applejack, have you ever thought about exploring other areas of interest besides farming and construction?" asked Hondo.

"Well, actually, yes. Lately, I've been interested in learning more about music and art. Although I don't have much free time between the farm and school, I try to dedicate a few hours each week to practicing guitar and attempting to draw," replied the farmer.

"How interesting! Music and art are wonderful forms of expression. How do you feel when you play the guitar or paint?" asked Cookie.

"When I play the guitar or try to paint, I feel completely at peace. Everything else fades away, and only the music or art remains," explained the blonde.

"It sounds like you've found a way to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and immerse yourself in your own creativity," commented Rarity.

"Exactly. It's like a refuge where I can set aside all worries and simply let myself be carried away by the creative flow," said Applejack.

"Rarity also finds refuge in music. She must have told you that she plays an instrument," added Roseluck.

"Really!?" exclaimed Applejack and Apple Bloom.

"She can play the piano excellently!" said Sweetie Belle.

"Come on, Sweetie, don't be modest. I can play, it's true, but I do tend to make mistakes in some notes," admitted Rarity.

"Just like my sister, she often makes mistakes," said Apple Bloom.

"It's normal, dear, you start slowly. Later you'll see that you'll know everything by heart and maybe you'll even play more instruments," said Cookie.

The farmer thanked them; she could see they were a very close-knit family. The conversation continued, but as Applejack shared her experiences and passions, she began to feel a slight knot in her stomach. Memories of her parents, who always encouraged her in her artistic interests, flooded her mind, causing a mild sense of nostalgia and melancholy. Although she tried to stay present in the conversation.

Applejack, Apple Bloom, Rarity, and Sweetie Belle were waiting outside as they waited for their Uber to arrive. Applejack, spending most of her time working, wasn't familiar with modern things, so she didn't know what an Uber was.

"Are you okay, Applejack?" Rarity asked.

"Yes, why do you ask?" responded.

"I saw how you got lost in the conversation," Rarity said.

"I felt nostalgic being surrounded by your parents. It reminded me of... well, you know..." confessed the blonde.

Rarity nodded understandingly, recalling previous conversations in which Applejack had talked to her about her past.

"Sometimes, remembering those who are no longer with us can be difficult. But it's nice to think that they're always with us," commented the seamstress, searching for the right words.

"Thank you, Rarity. It's just that... sometimes, I miss my parents. I wonder how everything would be if they were still here," said Applejack, a little subdued.

"I imagine... um, I don't like to think about what would happen if..." she tried to continue.

"I understand. No one would like to think about it," added the blonde.

Applejack seemed on the verge of tears, but she struggled to stay strong. Rarity noticed this, so she placed a comforting hand on the blonde's cheek, looking at her with affection.

"You don't always have to be strong and tough. It's okay to show your emotions and allow yourself to feel. We all need support from time to time," expressed.

The farmer was moved by Rarity's words and placed her hand over hers. "You're right. Being with you makes everything better," admitted with a smile.

The seamstress felt her heart beating a little faster and blushed. She saw the charming eyes of the blonde, those emerald greens she had seen the first time she met her, and those freckles that, even though Applejack herself said she didn't like how they looked, Rarity thought looked cute.

"T-that's the least I can do, I... your... side... always. Um, what I meant is being... by... your... side... oh, sorry, I can't speak," stammered the seamstress.

Applejack smiled. She knew exactly what was happening, and she wasn't going to force her to realize it. She knew it would be complicated for her. The blonde had been through that situation before.

The two younger ones who were having fun in the front yard saw some of their sisters' interaction.

"Hey, your sister really got to mine. Applejack doesn't usually open up to just anyone," commented Apple Bloom.

"I could tell, but my sister doesn't like girls," Sweetie asserted confidently.

"Then why did you hit me at dinner?" asked Apple Bloom, raising an eyebrow.

"I'm not entirely sure what's going on with Rarity," said Sweetie, pausing a bit to sigh, "but I think it was better not to say anything to avoid causing a stir in my sister's head, who seems to have her mind all over the place," she explained.

Minutes later, the Uber arrived, but before leaving, Applejack approached and hugged Rarity tenderly.

"Thank you, Rarity. I had a nice day with you," said the farmer.

"Goodbye, Applejack," Rarity bid farewell.

"Goodbye, Rarity," said Apple Bloom.

Rarity said goodbye to the younger of the Apple sisters and watched as both of them got into the vehicle. She unconsciously smiled, feeling a mixture of emotions. She remembered Applejack's words throughout the day and how she made her feel. She widened her eyes in surprise, wondering if that's how it feels... But she immediately tried to dismiss that idea.

"I was surprised to realize that my preferences leaned that way," Rarity murmured to herself as she watched Lyra and Bon Bon disappearing into the distance, lost in their own world. She lowered her head with a slightly sad smile. "I remember trying to deny what was happening to me... trying to deceive myself."

How could it be that her sexual orientation had taken such an unexpected turn? That was the question she asked herself years ago.

She lifted her head and saw some leaves fluttering in the wind, which brought a smile to her face. "Sooner or later, I had to accept it..."

The dressmaker was sitting on the bed in her room, with her hands on her face and her elbows resting on her thighs. Roseluck entered the room and gently closed the door behind her.

"Are you okay, dear? I've noticed you've been a little quiet lately," her aunt asked.

Rarity lifted her head, sighed, and looked down, unable to find the right words to express what she was feeling.

"I don't know, aunt. I feel confused. But I think I have the answer, although at the same time I don't know what to think," she replied.

Roseluck sat next to Rarity and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.

"Confused about what, honey? You can talk to me, I'm here to help you," her aunt said.

"It's just...lately, I've been feeling strange things towards Applejack. Things I've never felt towards a person before," she confessed.

Roseluck nodded in understanding.

"I understand. What exactly do you feel?" her aunt asked.

Rarity looked at her aunt, doubting her a little.

"At first I didn't know for sure, but the other day I confirmed it. When I'm around her, my heart beats more than usual and every time she says nice words to me... And with my actions the other day it was something embarrassing "Rarity explained.

"Yes, the other day he gave you everything. It was your way of showing your love," said Roseluck.

"But I shouldn't..." the dressmaker muttered.

"Why shouldn't you?" Roseluck asked.

"She's a girl and I shouldn't feel that way either." she began, pausing a little. "We were always taught how couples should be. But when I met Applejack, I felt like the world stopped. It was the most beautiful thing that happened to me," she said as she began to shed tears, but with a smile.

"What you are experiencing is completely natural, Rarity. Sometimes, love and attraction can manifest in unexpected ways. There is no one right way to feel," Roseluck assured.

Rarity nodded slowly, absorbing the words of her aunt, who began to wipe away her tears.

"Thank you, Auntie. I feel a little better knowing I can talk to you about this," Rarity said.

Roseluck tenderly hugged her niece, assuring her that she would always be there to support her every step of her journey.

"I will always be here for you, dear. Don't be afraid to be who you are and follow what you feel in your heart," her aunt added.

Back in the present, as she looked around her, her aunt's words echoed in her mind.

"Don't be afraid to be who you are," Rarity murmured to herself. "They already have an idea of what I'm like, if I could just show them... that I'm not that person."

Although she still wasn't sure how to approach the topic, the idea of being honest with herself and others resonated in her mind. Even with doubts, she decided to walk a little further to see if she would find more answers. Her parents had already given her advice, but she also had to think about what would happen next.

Author's Note

• Hello again, I know I'm late but I felt a little bad since I went to get the vaccine and they gave me its side effects. To compensate you in the next few hours I will upload the next chapter depending on how long it takes to translate it into English.

• I said that things were coming, because part of it is the story of the past relationship between Applejack and Rarity. I tried to be as cliche as possible, since I have read stories (fanfics in general) where the characters meet by circumstances and immediately say their names. And I'm like, "Dude, you just met him/her. Even though it's love at first sight and you feel a connection, why would you tell a stranger your name?" For this reason, I tried to present them in a more natural way.

• Do you remember that I told you that I would change the ages of some characters? Well, that happened with Roseluck, who I turned into Sweetie and Rarity's aunt.

• Question, I rarely see mlp in English so I don't know what Maun rock is called. Roca or Rock?

• I hope you liked this half. I read them