Valentine's Day
Valentine's day was once again in full swing in Ponyville. People were bustling about, purchasing gifts for their special someone or taking advantage of the sales to stock up on chocolate for quality “me-time” later that evening. Applejack gained a warm smile as she observed all of this from the edge of the town fountain. She sat there for a little while longer, taking in all the affection that seemed to radiate from the joyful features of Ponyville's inhabitants, before checking her watch.
“Half past three,” she thought “I better hurry!”
~3:45~
She made her way through the crowds toward her first stop, Roseluck's floral shop. Breaking free of the crowd, she grabbed the handle to the quaint shop's door and entered, her nose greeted by the pleasant smell of flowers. She navigated to the back of the shop where two people patiently waited to get to the register and purchase their floral bounties. The first was the town's clockmaker, Mr. Turner. The second was a young man Applejack didn't recognize, he had a rather flashy suit on and carried an air of nobility about him as he checked his pocket watch.
“Are you certain you wouldn't prefer something a little more romantic, Mr. Turner?” Roseluck asked, “I'll only charge you the price of those daises for a dozen roses.”
“That's very generous of you Rose, but Ditzy loves her daises almost as much as muffins.”
“Very well, that'll be 10 bits. Say hi to that adorable mail-carrier of yours for me, will ya?”
“Will do. Happy Valentine's Day, Rose.”
“Same to you, Turner.”
Mr. Turner gathered his bouquet and headed for the exit, giving Applejack a small wave, which she returned before moving forward in the line.
“Will this be all, sir?” Roseluck asked.
The man nodded.
“That'll be 15 bits.”
“Thank you very much, miss.” The man said, placing 15 bits on the counter. His voice had a heavy Canterlot accent which seemed out of place in the rural town. Applejack dismissed the stranger's accent and watched as he picked up his small bouquet of yellow roses and left. As Applejack approached the counter, Roseluck's face lit up before racing to the backroom of the shop. Applejack prepped her bit pouch as Roseluck returned with a dozen sapphire blue roses.
“You're just in time, Applejack! I was getting ready to close up shop and I worried you wouldn't come in.” Roseluck exclaimed.
“I lost track of time, didn't mean to worry you none Miss Rose.”
“That's quite alright, I just didn't want these beautiful flowers to go to waste. Did you want to pick anything else up?”
“No, thank you, those will do just fine.”
“Alright, that'll be 25 bits.”
Applejack placed the 25 bits on the counter, thanked Roseluck and hurried to her next destination.
~4:00~
Applejack stopped in front of a small shop named “Bon-Bon's Bon-Bons.” She pushed the door open and the bell notified the slightly pudgy shopkeeper of her customer's presence.
“Well, if it isn't Applejack! Come to pick up some chocolates for your special someone?” Bon-Bon inquired.
“I reckon I am, you wouldn't happen to have those fancy chocolates, uh, Fairy Roacher?”
“Ferrero Rocher? Sounds like someone's special someone has expensive tastes. That'll be 10 bits.” Bon-Bon replied with a wink.
“Here you go,” Applejack exchanged the 10 bits for the box of chocolates, a slight blush forming in her cheeks,“You and Lyra have yerselves a nice Valentine's day.”
“You too, Applejack!”
Applejack checked her watch once she was outside. “Four-fifteen, just enough time to get back to the farm before Fluttershy.” She set off toward Sweet Apple Acres hoping to beat Fluttershy there.
~4:45~
When Applejack entered the farmhouse she found Fluttershy having a cup of tea with Applebloom who was chatting about the Crusaders latest round of excitement.
“-and that's when Pinkie Pie found us covered in flour! Oh, hey sis!”Applebloom exclaimed
“Howdy, AB, Fluttershy. Sorry about bein' late, had to grab some last minute supplies for tonight, you still got time to fix me up all hoity toity like?”
“Of course, I can. I'm free for the evening so I'm in no rush.”
Applejack frowned “What about Miss Dash? Don't y'all got something planned for Valentine's day?”
“I would rather not talk about it... If that's okay with you...” Fluttershy whispered
“I understand, sugar cube. Let's get to work, shall we?”
Fluttershy nodded, picked up her bag, and followed Applejack upstairs.
~5:45~
Applejack looked at her reflection in awe, impressed with Fluttershy's makeover. Her hair, save the bangs, were pulled back into an elegant braid under the hat Rarity had made her for the gala. She had on a green blouse that she had purchased the week before, Fluttershy insisted it would bring out her eyes, a pair of dark jeans, and her cleanest boots.
“Wow, Fluttershy... This is incredible!” Applejack exclaimed
“You really think so? I'm just glad I could help...” Fluttershy said, her voice trailing off
“And I'm glad you were willing to help! I can't wait to see the look on her face...”
She and Fluttershy made their way downstairs where Big Mac was waiting in a surprisingly fancy outfit.
“What's with the getup, Big Mac? Got a date tonight?” Applejack asked
“Eeyup. Miss Cheerilee and I decided we'd like a proper date to test the waters.” he replied, shooting a glare towards Applebloom who promptly scurried off.
“Can you give us a ride into town? It's getting close to sun down and I'd feel a bit safer in the car.” Applejack asked
“Eeyup. Where do you need to go?”
“Fluttershy needs to get back to her cottage. As for myself, I've got business at Carousel Boutique.”
~6:00~
Applejack got out of her brother's car, saying goodbye to Fluttershy and wishing her brother luck on his date before turning toward the boutique, her stomach was full of butterflies. The light was on inside, which was a good sign, but it only served to make the butterflies more active.
“Get a hold of yerself, Applejack! You've got this.” she assured herself before doing a mental checklist, “Flowers? Check. Chocolate? Check. Breath?” she blew into her free hand and sniffed, “Minty. Well, here goes nothing.” she held the chocolates and flowers in her left hand, which she hid behind her back before walking toward the door and knocking.
“Coming!” called out a sing song voice. Applejack gulped but composed herself before the door opened. Rarity stood in the threshold, her hair, in it's signature curls, bounced over her shoulders. She was wearing a white dress that complimented her figure very nicely. Applejack broke her stare and noticed a familiar bouquet of yellow roses lying on a coffee table. Before Applejack could comment on them, Rarity's eyes widened.
“Why, Applejack! You look simply stunning! What ever are you doing here at this hour?”
“Well, seeing as it's Valentine's Day I figured I should, uh,” Applejack ran a finger under her collar, “Tell you-”
A voice sporting a heavy Canterlot cut her off, “Rarity, are you quite ready to leave? I know the reservation isn't until 6:45, but it never hurts to get there early.”
“One moment, Caesar. I'm chatting with a friend.” Rarity replied “I believe you were saying something, Applejack?”
Applejack's face fell and she pulled her hat down to hide her despair “I reckon I was just gonna stop by and wish you a happy Valentine's day, enjoy yer evenin'.” her nose crinkled up as she spoke the words and promptly backed away from the door before dashing off into the twilight.
~7:15~
Applejack sat in silence on her favorite bench in the Ponyville park, the tears had subsided, the sun had long since set and the park was empty. “I should've known better... Rarity is always goin' on about how she's gonna find some sophisticated noble type to settle down with. Sure, I'm an element of harmony but that don't carry no weight on social status and when it comes down to it, I'm just a simple farm girl.” Applejack sighed looking up in the sky before speaking
“Ma, Pa, I don't rightly know if y'all can hear me but I just want to talk to you. I'd talk to Granny Smith but she's gettin' a bit eccentric in her old age. How do y'all manage heartbreak? I mean, I was sad when Granny told me y'all wouldn't be coming home, but what do you do when you've got all these mushy feelings for someone and they're clearly outta yer league?” Silence. “I figured it'd be too much to hope for...”
“Well, you certainly don't give up, darling.”
Applejack spun around to face the voice “Rarity? What're you doin' out here? Shouldn't you be off with that fancy Caesar guy?” Applejack asked, her voice faltering.
“That date was a complete bust, the man threw a fit about our seating arrangement and tried to get a little too friendly before our food even arrived! So, I splashed my wine on him and stormed out.” Rarity let out a giggle, “After that I set out to find you. Sorry about taking so long, I walked all the way to Sweet Apple Acres only to find out you weren't there. Your grandmother was nice enough to give me a ride back to town and an idea of where you might be. You left before you could tell me what you were doing at the boutique...” Rarity said as she sat down on the bench.
“Aw, c'mon Rare, I told you I was just wishing you a happy Valentine's day.” Applejack lied, her nose crinkling again.
“Applejack, you and I both know you are a terrible liar.” She patted the bench, “Now, come over here and talk to me.”
Applejack complied. She fidgeted for a little while, attempting to find the right words to say. She glanced at Rarity who smiled warmly, patiently waiting for her to begin.
“Well, I ain't to good with words and I'm no fancy noble lady, but when I look at you I get all gushy on the inside. It all started at Twilight's slumber party and since then you've proven to be more than just a pretty face with dreams of Canterlot. I don't rightly know if it's love or not, but” she picked up the roses and chocolates “I was hoping you might give me a chance.” at this point Applejack's face was bright red, “Rarity, will you be my Valentine?”
Rarity sat in silence, this confession is more than she had expected. A friendly Valentine's day gift, maybe, but not this. As she processed all of this, Applejack seemed to get nervous. “Did I say too much? Should I have just asked her to drop it? No. You're the Element of Honesty, it's the best policy.”
Finally, Rarity spoke. “Applejack, it would bring me nothing but pleasure to be your Valentine!” She threw her arms around her companion “All this time I thought you might have an old fashion mindset when it came to dating...”
Applejack wrapped her arms around the girl of her dreams and chuckled, “Just cause I live on a farm don't mean I'm all about the old ways of life. Now c'mon, it's late and I need to get you home.” With that she slung an arm over Rarity's shoulder and began walking toward town.
“Very well, I do have one question, who were you talking to before I got here?”
“Oh, uh, it's gonna sound silly, but I was talkin' to my Ma and Pa. Big Mac would always tell me that they weren't really gone, they just became shootin' stars.”
“I see.” Rarity stopped abruptly “One moment, darling.” Rarity turned toward the sky above the bench, “Mr. and Mrs. Apple, I would like to let you know that your daughter has grown into a wonderful woman, I'm certain you would be proud of her.” Rarity then rejoined the smiling Applejack and they continued back to town.
~7:50~
They arrived at Rarity's boutique just before eight, neither of them were quite ready to call it a night. Reluctantly, Applejack gave Rarity a hug and set off for home.
“Applejack!” Rarity called out, “I hope it's not too forward of me, but would you care to stay with me for the night? Sweetie is with our parents and it gets rather lonely...”
“It would be my honor, sugar cube.” Applejack replied, removing her hat and doing a mock bow.
~8:30~
After switching into pajamas that Rarity provided and dining upon frozen pizza, the two of them sat down on the couch to watch Rarity's favorite romantic comedy.
~9:15~
As the movie progressed, Applejack noticed how Rarity would sigh longingly at the quirky romantic gestures and decided she should watch some more of this genre for ideas.
~10:20~
By the time the credits started to roll, Rarity was snuggled up against Applejack. Applejack took advantage of the closeness and the power ballad to lean in for a kiss. As their lips touched, Rarity giggled.
“What's so funny?” Applejack asked with a pout
“The kiss was just so cliche, I thought it was cute!”
“So much for my first kiss being wonderful...” Applejack grumbled.
“What was that, darling? I'm afraid you'll have to speak up.”
“I said, so much for my first kiss being wonderful...”
Rarity sat up and gasped, “Oh, my. I thought surely you had kissed someone before me...”
“Nope, never had much time for romancin' too busy on the farm.” Applejack said with an embarrassed blush
“Well, allow me to make up for laughing at your romantic gesture.”
Rarity leaned over to her girlfriend, placed a hand on the back of her head and kissed her tenderly. Applejack caught on and returned the kiss. Once they separated, Applejack sat in a daze, lost in the euphoric after effects of the kiss. Rarity giggled at the dazed Applejack and snuggled up against her.
~11:00~
Applejack and Rarity sat on the couch in silence after the movie, simply soaking in the others presence. Rarity began to drift off into sleep, the events of the night had finally caught up to her. Applejack decided it would be best to move her sleeping fashionista to her bed and gently lifted her up and whisked her upstairs to her bedroom. Once she had Rarity properly situated in bed, she kissed her forehead before turning to get cozy on the couch. However, Rarity, in a half sleeping state, requested that Applejack join her which she was more than happy to oblige. As the new couple drifted off to sleep, two shooting stars passed over the boutique.