Chapter 1 Oppurtunity Knocks
On a rather gorgeous sunny day in Ponyville, a unicorn fahsionista was sewing away in her Carousel Boutique. The sunlight poured in through the window, filling the room with warm light. The unicorn concentrated as she used her dainty hooves to feed the fabric through the bejeweled sewing machine, humming a tune softly as she did so.
She enjoyed these quiet times in the morning, before Sweetie Belle awoke and would make her busy day that much busier.
Not to say she didn't adore her younger sister. She loved that filly. But alone time was something the ivory unicorn savored. Other ponies found it strange. They often wondered why she spent so much time locked away in her boutique, obsessing over fashions and new ensemble creations, when there was so much more to life than glamour and money.
Her friends loved her and always enjoyed her company, but they all found her…a bit high maintenance at times. She didn't let that bother her, though. She was perfectly happy with being prissy and materialistic. It was simply who she was.
She was using her magic to put the finishing touches on a party dress for a client when she heard the faint clip-clop of small hooves. The next sound to reach her ears was the door swinging open, followed by the breaking of glass against the floor.
Rarity shut her eyes and gritted her teeth, her volatile temper threatening to rear its head.
"Morning Rarity!" a young voice chirped.
Rarity quickly grinned to hide her irritation and turned to greet her sister. "Good morning Sweetie Belle."
Sweetie Belle looked down at the mess she'd just accidentally made. She'd flung the door open a little too far and the edge of the door had hit a decorative vase, knocking it off the table it had been placed on. The young filly gasped and gave her older sister a sincerely apologetic look. She put her hooves over her mouth. "Oops," she squeaked.
Rarity walked over and assessed the damage with a frown. She'd really loved that vase. It was a gift from a previous suitor. He had moved away to Canterlot months ago, and they decided it best to end their courtship. But their time together was a memory she’d always treasure.
And now even the vase itself was nothing but a memory.
Sweetie Belle cowered away, in fear of being yelled at. "I'm so sorry Rare!" she exclaimed.
Rarity was silent as he gave herself a chance to internally calm herself. She finally let out a sigh and smiled. "It's alright, darling. Nothing a little broom and dust pan can't fix."
The little filly's eyebrows quirked at her sister's reaction. "Uh…aren't you gonna yell at me?"
The older unicorn used her horn to magically sweep up the shards of glass and dispose of them in the nearby trash can. "Now, what good would that do?" Rarity asked. "Just please be more careful next time, ok dear?"
Sweetie Belle nodded.
"Now," said Rarity. "Is there something you needed?"
On cue, Sweetie Belle's stomach growled. "I'm a little hungry," said the filly apologetically, her head lowered.
Rarity smiled and mussed her sister's mane gently with one hoof. "Well, come on then. I'll fix you some breakfast."
Sweetie Belle smiled. "You're the best, sis!" She turned and hopped out of the room, followed by her older sister and caretaker.
After cooking a plate of fluffy golden pancakes, Rarity served herself and her sister. As they ate, Sweetie Belle struck up conversation with her sister.
"Hey Rarity, you know that girl in my class that's real smart? Her name's Smart Cookie.” She put a hoof to her chin. “Actually, her name fits her pretty well, come to think of it. Anyway, remember her?"
"Mm, you've mentioned her before if I recall," Rarity said absently, her mind mainly focused on all the projects she was stressing over as she ate. While her stressed mind sifted through her current projects and deadlines, she skimmed the morning paper.
"Well,” the filly continued, “her older sister is about your age, and she just got married! Isn't that cool?"
Rarity smiled and nodded as she nibbled at the pancake on her plate. "Yes, that's lovely. Weddings are such beautiful events. Marvelous decorations and exquisite food. And the occasion is always memorable if coordinated properly by the right group of ponies."
"So…how come you've never had one?"
Rarity's eyes snapped up to her sister's curious expression. "Hmm?" she asked.
"How come you've never had a wedding?" Sweetie Belle repeated.
Rarity laughed softly, dismissing the thought of marriage almost immediately. "Oh Sweetie Belle, darling, ponies don't just have weddings because they want to or because they're fun events. A wedding is a serious occasion in honor of two ponies joining together after falling in love."
"Ohhkay," Sweetie Belle said. "So…aren't you in love with anypony?"
Rarity sipped coffee from her china cup. "Not currently, no," she answered in a casual tone.
"Well why not?" demanded the talkative filly.
Rarity shrugged. "I just have so many things occupying my time right now. I don't really have the time for nonsense like…dating or…love..." She cleared her plate from the table using her magic and took it to the sink.
"How can you say that?" Sweetie Belle asked, totally shocked by her sister's words. "Smart Cookie says falling in love is, like, the best thing that ever happened to her sister! And what do you mean you don't have time for love? Can't you make time sis?"
Rarity washed her hooves at the kitchen sink. She really wasn't interested in having this sort of discussion with her younger sister. As she’s told her previously, she had far too many things on her mind. "Mm, perhaps one day darling, just not right now." She walked over and took the filly's empty plate. With a smile she added, "Besides, I'm much too busy caring for you as well, Sweetie Belle dear. Not that I mind."
Her younger sister smiled. "Well ok, if you say so," replied Sweetie Belle.
Just then, there was a loud persistent knock at the front door.
Rarity glanced up at the clock on the wall. "Strange," she mused. "Customers don't normally come in this early…"
She trotted to the foyer and opened the door. There stood her friend Applejack. The earth pony looked frazzled, her mane wind-blown and her breathing heavy due to galloping all the way to the boutique. "Howdy Rarity," Applejack huffed, tipping her Stetson hat.
Surprised, Rarity's eyes grew wide. "Good morning Applejack. What brings you to my boutique?"
Applejack sprinted into Rarity's house, struggling somewhat to catch her breath. "I got a real big favor to ask of ya, Rare."
The unicorn was so behind on her projects, but she would always make time for her friends. Rarity smiled at her. "How can I be of assistance?"
Applejack’s frown never diminished. "Well, ya see, my cousin is actually tha one in need of yer 'assistance'. She came here all tha way from Manehattan. She saw yer work in some of them stores up there, and wants you to design a dress for her personally. It's fer some kinda party she's goin' to or somethin'. Masker-…somethin’ or other."
Rarity gasped. "Oh my! Manehattan! What a magnificent city to reside in. And the ponies there are so sophisticated! I would be honored to design a dress for your cousin, darling."
"Whew!" Applejack sighed in relief. "Ah'm awful glad to hear that Rarity. Cause if ya didn't, Mandarin'd be a mighty big pain to be around, due to her not gettin' her way and all."
Rarity held a hoof up. "Not to worry, Applejack. I'll make sure that she gets a fabulous piece from me. Exactly as she requests."
Applejack grinned back. "Thanks Rare. She's staying with us at Sweet Apple Acres, and she'd like ya to come over as soon as ya can today."
The unicorn nodded. "Of course. Let me just gather up some supplies and I’ll be over shortly."
"Hey Applejack!" Sweetie Belle greeted her, trotting into the room.
Uh-oh, thought Rarity. I forgot about Sweetie Belle!
Rarity looked to the farmpony. "Would it be alright if Sweetie Belle came along with me? I can't simply leave her here."
A bright smile stretched across Applejack's muzzle. "Course it'd be alright! Apple Bloom needs a playmate anyway; she's been annoyin' Mandarin with all her questionin'."
Rarity smirked, knowing exactly what it was like to have an inquisitive filly around the house.
"Yippee!" Sweetie Belle, jumping up and down in excitement.
As Rarity made her way to Sweet Apple Acres, her sister trotting cheerfully alongside her, she ran into Spike, who was delivering a stack of parchment back to Twilight. If he didn't have his hands full, he would've waved, but instead smiled brightly. "Hi Rarity! Hey Sweetie Belle!"
Rarity smiled and nodded to the baby dragon. "Hello Spike."
The filly grinned and waved. "Hi Spike!"
Rarity knew full well that Spike had an obvious crush on her, but she never once thought anything of it. He was a dragon, after all. And much too young for her. She treated him like a little brother, or a cute little kid, which is exactly what he was to her.
But to Spike, Rarity was Celestia's gift to Equestria. She was gorgeous, generous, caring, creative, talented, everything he wanted in a girl. And he was more than simply infatuated with the elegant unicorn, not that the baby dragon was ready to confess his feelings for Rarity just yet. He still had some time to muster up his courage however. Though he practically groveled at her hooves, she didn't seem to pay him much mind. He was still optimistic, however, that one day soon, he could tell her how he really felt and she would reciprocate. But all he could say to the beautiful unicorn at this point was: "You look like you got a big project there."
She glanced at the abundance of materials she was magically levitating around her. "Oh well, yes," she replied. "I'm designing a gown for a pony from Manehattan."
"Wow," said Spike. "That sounds really fun!"
Rarity laughed nervously with a modest shrug of her shoulders. "Well, while it may be fun, I'm worried that my seamstress skills won't measure up to a debutante pony's lofty expectations."
"You'll do fine," Spike said with a reassuring smile. "She's gonna love whatever you design for her. Your seamstress skills are incredible, and I'm not just saying that. Your talent as a dressmaker is totally unsurpassable."
If any other guy had complimented her this way, she would've been taken aback. But since it was only her little Spikey-Wikey, Rarity simply smiled and patted his head. "Aw, well thank you Spike." She stopped abruptly and noticed that Spike was now walking alongside her.
"Uh…Spike? Weren't you…walking in the other direction?" Rarity asked, puzzled, her eyebrows furrowing.
Snapping back into reality after daydreaming about the lovely pony, he rapidly shook his head to clear his lovestruck mind. "Huh? Oh, yea. I uh, you’re right, I was. I was bringing this stack of parchment back to Twilight. She's been writing a lot of letters to the princess lately and we've run out of pretty fast, so, here I am, out and about and running errands." He forced a chuckle. "You know me, number one assistant!"
Rarity nodded. "Mm…I see. Well Spike, I would love to stick around and converse with you, really I would, but I simply must get going. Applejack's cousin is expecting me over at Sweet Apple Acres." She waved and galloped away.
"Wait up Rare!" Sweetie Belle called before galloping after her. She turned to wave at the baby dragon. "See ya later Spike!"
Spike sighed deeply as he watched the beautiful unicorn gallop away, followed by her little sister. Her dark violet mane flowed so sinuously in the afternoon breeze.
"One day soon," Spike said quietly to himself. "I'll make you mine Rarity. This I swear." Once rarity was completely out of sight, he turned and continued his walk back to Twilight’s library home.
Rarity and Sweetie Belle finally arrived at Sweet Apple Acres. As the two approached the front gate, Rarity looked around, taking in the rustic environment. She hadn't been here in ages, as she did her best to stay away from country settings. She was a pony who enjoyed the finer things after all.
Hearing the approaching ponies, Big Macintosh looked up to see Rarity and her little sister. He slowly unhitched himself from the cart he was pulling and leisurely trotted over to the front gate. He opened it to let the two girls in.
"Hey Big Mac!" said Sweetie Belle, running up and hugging his large front leg. "Is Apple Bloom around?"
Big Macintosh nodded. "Eeyup.” He gestured with his head toward the farmhouse. “She's upstairs in her room."
"Thanks!" Sweetie Belle took that as an invitation and dashed into the house in search for her best friend.
Rarity walked passed him, and she smiled up at him politely. "Thank you kindly for letting us in, Big Macintosh," she said in a courteous tone.
He smiled a friendly smile. "Sure thing, Miss Rarity. Mah sister said you were comin' over."
She nodded. "Yes, I'm here to make a dress for your cousin."
Big Mac slowly nodded. "Ah see. So that's why all them fancy fabrics and tools are floatin' around ya then?"
She giggled, a grin appearing on her face. "Precisely. They are crucial for making her dress."
About that time, Applejack galloped over to the two. "Oh, thank Celestia yer here Rarity! Mandarin was getting’ a tad antsy. Now come on, she's waitin’ for ya inside."
Rarity turned her attention back to the taller stallion. "It was nice to see you, Big Macintosh."
"Always a pleasure, Miss Rarity," he answered back with an amiable grin. "If ya'll be needin' anything while yer here, feel free to let me know."
"Of course," she replied and nodded before Applejack grabbed one of her hooves, catching her by surprise, and began leading her to the house. "Come on!" said Applejack. "You two can chat later. Rarity's got work to do!"
The crimson stallion chuckled as he watched his sister trot to the farmhouse with Rarity close behind.
Mighty cute for a unicorn, Big Mac thought to himself. Polite little thing too. It'll be nice to have her around today.
Author's Note
This is a story I started after being inspired by Evan McIan's "The Lucky One" on fanfiction.net. It was a wonderful story that made me fall in love with this pairing. Cleaned it up a little and decided to post it here. Enjoy!
Chapter 2 The Sweetest Apples
Rarity entered the farmhouse following closely behind Applejack, anxiety taking over her perfectionist mind. Have I brought all the proper supplies? Should I have brought more? How do my dressmaking skills even have a prayer of measuring up to a Manehattan pony’s standards? her mind screamed, but on the outside, she made sure to remain calm and collected, as if she wasn't worried about such a daunting task in the slightest.
When in reality, she was worried, very much so. The deep frown on her muzzle was proof of that.
Sweetie Belle was already upstairs, playing with Apple Bloom. The light laughter of the two fillies could faintly be heard from the lower level of the farmhouse.
Rarity took a moment and looked around, admiring the quaint atmosphere the simple farmhouse had to offer. It displayed a rustic sort of charm, from its patterned rugs decorating the wood floors, to the stone fireplace on the far side of the living room, to the potted cactus plant she spotted in one corner, to the aged look to the wooden furniture, making each table and cabinet look antique.
Applejack didn't have time to give her a grand tour though. She quickly motioned Rarity with a hoof. "C'mon. Everypony's in the den. Just folla' me."
Rarity did as she was told and follwed her friend down the nearby hallway and into the cozy den. There, she entered to see two very different groups of ponies.
On one side of the room was Granny Smith and a few other ponies Rarity didn't recognize. Granny sat in her rocking chair, rocking and nodding off, while the couple sat on the couch next to the elder pony. Though they all looked very laid back and seemed to carry themselves the way Applejack did.
The listless look in their eyes and their relaxed posture were both sure signs that they were as Southern as Applejack and her immediate family.
The other group of ponies was the one that captured Rarity's attention to an even greater extent. They were sitting on a couch on the other side of the small room. The expensive jewelry they wore shimmered brightly despite the dim light the lamps in the room provided. The three ponies sat up straight with perfect posture, their snouts tilted up in the air ever so slightly.
These ponies were the total opposite of what anypony would consider 'country', by any means.
One of them was a pony with a hot pink coat, who sported a sleek emerald green mane and tail. She was smoothing her already perfectly straight mane, looking incredibly bored. Not used to sitting on any sort of upholstery that felt lumpy, she grimaced and moved over a few inches.
Sitting next to her was a lavender pony with a wavy cerulean blue mane and tail. She was dabbing powder on her face, staring at her reflection in the mirror of her compact. Examining her facial features closely, she tilted her head from side to side so she could view her magnificent face from all angles.
Lastly was the pony standing in the center of the room. She was a sight to behold, with her slender chartreuse body and cascading curly orange locks of hair falling over her shoulders. She was quite a bit taller than Applejack and Rarity, her thin frame making it seem as if she hadn't eaten in days.
"Everypony," Applejack spoke up, getting the attention of the others in the room. "I'd like to intr'duce ya'll to Rarity, mah good friend and dressmaker."
The tall pony whipped her mane about haughtily. "Ugh, finally." She walked over and smiled down at the unicorn, her cyan eyes gleaming. "It's so nice to be in the company of a sophisticated pony after being surrounded by these common southerners all day." She glanced back at the country ponies. "Uh, not that I don't love my Apple relatives dearly," she explained, flashing a fake grin before turning her attention back to Rarity.
Applejack huffed and rolled her eyes and her cousin shot her a disapproving look, shaking her head to silently warn her not to say another word.
Applejack trotted over to the older couple in the corner of the room. "This here is mah Aunt and Uncle Apple Spice, Rare."
Rarity smiled respectfully at them. "Hello! Pleased to meet you all," she greeted them, to which they responded with nods of their heads and small smiles of their own.
"And I'm Mandarin." The charteuse pony said, lifting a hoof to gesture to the other debutante ponies. "These are my friends."
Rarity bowed her head politely. "It's such a delight to meet you, Mandarin." Rarity waved, acknowledging the pink and lavender ponies, who smiled and nodded, but said nothing to the shorter unicorn. "Applejack has told me nothing but good things about you," Rarity said to her. Mandarin smirked at that, knowing it to be totally untrue. "She tells me you live in Manehattan," the ivory unicorn continued. "What a marvelously exquisite city it is! I've always longed to live in a place like that."
Mandarin smiled, seemingly impressed with Rarity's introduction. She nodded, scrunching her small muzzle in repugnance. "Yes I came all the way here from my lovely home to this…boring…smelly farm, because I want you to design an original piece, specifically for me."
"And I would be thrilled to do so," replied the posh unicorn. "As you can see, I have all my supplies here with me for whatever fabric, stitching, and accessories you desire."
Mandarin's friends exchanged impressed glances.
"Well then," said Mandarin, casually flipping her mane out of habit. "Let's head upstairs so we can discuss the design I prefer." Mandarin looked back to her friends, arching her eyebrows sharply. "Girls?"
Like soldiers being called to attention, her friends stood and filed out of the room behind their posse leader. They even seemed to canter with arrogance.
Rarity smiled, obediently following the taller ponies upstairs.
Applejack shook her head once they were gone, her nostrils flaring. She ran over to her relatives on the couch. "Aunt and Uncle Apple Spice, Ah do apologize dearly for mah cousin's attitude and whatnot." She stamped a hoof in disgust. "She really is somethin' else, Ah swear."
Applejack's Aunt Spice nodded, pushing her glasses further up on her snout. "Ain't a thing we can do about it. She's family after all. However, yer little friend…mm…Rarity, was it? She seems like a nice young lady, even if she might be a tad on the prissy side."
Applejack's uncle nodded, clearing his throat. "Sweet little gal, don't look like one who belongs nowhere near a farm though," he joked.
The three ponies laughed.
Applejack smiled. "Yea, she does hate to get them hooves of hers dirty, but she's awful kind and generous, Ah'll give her that much."
A few hours later, Mandarin promenaded back into the den wearing a flowing red dress. It was pleated and fitted her snugly around her slender body, per her request. The jewels on the crisscrossing straps sparkled as brightly as her dangly earrings and shimmering bracelets. An haute couture gown that could undoubtedly rival the work of any fashion designer in Canterlot.
Mandarin was very pleased with her own finished product the unicorn created for her. Once she thanked Rarity, she and her conceited friends soon left Sweet Apple Acres so they could catch their afternoon train back to Manehattan. Getting Rarity to design and make Mandarin's dress was the only reason they came to Ponyville in the first place. They were already jaded by the quaint town that did little to entertain their debutante lifestyles.
As soon as the three had left, Rarity eased herself back onto an empty spot on the couch. She put a hoof to her forehead, sighing. "Well, I do hope she was satisfied with my work, and not just complimenting me to be courteous," Rarity worried aloud.
Applejack scoffed. "Believe me Rare, if she said she liked it, she wasn't butterin' you up none. That cousin a' mine is the biggest whiner an' complainer in our whole family. Nothin' ever pleases that spoiled pony. You musta' done good work if she was complimentin' you and such." The earth pony smiled at her. "Thank ya kindly for comin' over and makin' her dress Rarity."
Rarity smiled. "It was my pleasure Applejack."
She said goodbye to Applejack's relatives and then trotted over to the base of the staircase. "Sweetie Belle!" she called. "It's time to go home now!"
She heard a door slowly creak open, and Sweetie belle and Apple Bloom came into view at the top of the stairs. The two fillies had disappointed looks on their faces.
"Already?" whined Sweetie Belle, her lower lip poking out.
"I'm afraid so, dear," her older sister answered. "I have work to get back to at the boutique."
Sweetie Belle sighed and trudged downstairs. "Fine," she grumbled. She looked over her shoulder. "See ya Apple Bloom."
Apple Bloom waved. "Bye."
Applejack walked the two girls out. "Mighty nice havin' ya'll over. Come back whenever ya feel up to it."
Rarity smiled and nodded, though she felt quite certain that she wouldn't be spending any more of her time on a farm, of all places. "Of course," Rarity called over her shoulder nonetheless. She didn't want to be rude, after all.
As she made her way down the path towards the gate, a male voice called to her.
"You leavin' Miss Rarity?"
Rarity stopped and looked over to see Big Macintosh standing by one of the hundreds of apple trees on the farm. He was displaying an almost disappointed look on his face.
She gave him a surprised look in return. "Well…yes. It's about time Sweetie Belle and I went home. We've been imposing on your relatives for much too long today."
"Aw shucks," said Big Mac as he began trotting over to her slowly. "That ain't true, y'all ain't imposin'. We're always happy to have folks over. 'Sides, I feel like ya'll just got here."
Rarity looked up at him and his relaxed but warm and friendly smile. She had to admit: for a farmhand, he was a bit on the handsome side. Quite strong too. She found her gaze lingering on his defined muscular build, her eyes moving from his shoulders to his haunches.
She mentally chided herself immediately after for eyeing him in such a way. Stop that right now Rarity! What's the matter with you? And to think of Applejack's brother in such a way. That's preposterous. It's absolutely absurd!
She smiled up at him shyly. "I suppose it does seem that way doesn't it?"
"Eeyup," he simply replied.
There was a lengthy moment of awkward silence, the only noise to be heard was the occasional call of birds in the trees.
Big Macintosh tried desperately to think of a way to strike up conversation with the pretty unicorn, but what could he say? He wanted to talk to her, to have something meaningful to initiate conversation with, but failed to come up with something interesting enough to say to her. He didn't really understand where this desire to speak with the fashionable dressmaker came from, yet here he was, his mind scrambling to form words.
All his mind could conjure up was Gosh, she sure is a pretty lil' thing.
Rarity decided to end the awakward moment with a nervous laugh. "Well," she said, running a hoof through her curly mane. "I suppose we should be going now."
The crimson stallion's face fell. He bit his lip as he watched her begin to walk down the path with her younger sister. Then a light bulb flashed in his mind and he thought up an idea. "Hey, wait!" he called, trotting after her.
She stopped and turned to face him once more. "Yes, Big Mac?"
"Ya know," he began with a smile, "it'd be mighty rude a' me to see you off without givin' ya one of the apples from our special grove here."
Rarity tilted her head in curiosity. "Special grove?" she asked.
Big Mac nodded. "Eeyup. Prettiest apple trees ya ever did see. And they grow the tastiest darn apples around too." He paused a moment before working up the courage to continue. "Ah…Ah could take ya down past the pasture and show ya...if ya'd like?"
A bright smile formed on Rarity's muzzle and her gentle laughter rang out. "Why…that actually sounds lovely Big Macintosh. And...I am a little hungry, since I skipped breakfast this morning. I'm rather curious to see for myself if these apples are as delicious as you say they are. If it's alright for me to try one that is."
He chuckled warmly. "'Course it's alright." He motioned her with his head. "C'mon."
Sweetie Belle watched the two older ponies walk out near the pasture, matching gaits, strolling side by side.
"Soooo…I guess that means we're staying a little longer then Rare?" Sweetie Belle called out to her sister.
The little filly waited, but didn't receive an answer.
Sweetie Belle grinned. "I'll take that as a yes!" She turned and galloped back inside the farmhouse.
Rarity walked along the dirt path with Big Macintosh at her side. She looked around and noticed that the orchard she and Big Macintosh found themselves in was actually a lovely tranquil setting. Rarity hadn't spent much time outdoors, and considered the fact that maybe she was missing out on the beauty of the world around her.
Big Macintosh couldn't believe such a gorgeous pony was walking alongside him. He wanted to strike up conversation with her, but just like before, he refrained from saying anything right away, for fear of sounding stupid, so he waited for her to speak first.
That didn't take long as Rarity admired the country setting. "It's such a gorgeous sunny day," she noted with a small sigh, watching the clouds slowly pass over head in the light blue sky.
"Eeyup," Big Mac agreed. "Such a lovely day to take a walk with a…" he cleared his throat, "…a lovely girl like yourself, Miss Rarity."
She blushed deep crimson and gave a coy smile. "Well, umm...thank you Big Macintosh. I-I'm flattered. And, no need for formalities, darling. You can just call me Rarity."
"Alrighty then," he said, smiling back down at her. He was relieved that she wasn't put off by his statement. That was certainly a step in the right direction.
"I'm enjoying our walk as well," she informed him.
He laughed softly, silently admiring her striking azure eyes, which captured his attention the most. Those beautiful blue irises, they reminded him of shimmering diamonds, sparkling in the sunlight. He found himself getting lost in them, if only for a moment. But to keep his mind from wandering too much, he shook his head and replied, "Well ah'm awful glad to hear that."
The red stallion looked up to see they had finally reached the grove of what he referred to as Sweet Apple trees.
He walked up to the base of a large tree. "This is it," he stated. "Them apples up there are sweeter than anything you'll ever taste in yer life, I guarantee it."
Rarity giggled softly. "Well I must try one then." She frowned as she looked up at the lofty branches, her head canting to the side and her small equine ears twitching. "Oh, but they're awfully high up," she spoke in a subdued murmur.
Big Mac smirked. "Not a problem. Ah can fix that." He turned and, in one swift move, used his powerful hind legs to kick the base of the tree.
The trunk shook and the branches quivered wildly from the impact, and within seconds, a few ripe apples fell near the roots, landing in the tall blades of grass below.
Rarity trotted over with an impressed look on her face. "That's quite a talent you have there, Big Macintosh."
Raising his head to look at her astonished expression, he felt his cheeks burning as he blushed, though the color could hardly be seen on his dark red cheeks, much to his relief. He hid it to the best of his ability, keeping his cool. "Aw shucks, Miss Rarity. Uh, ah mean, Rarity." He shrugged, flashing an amused grin. "Nothing to it."
The sweet smile still adorning her lips, she used her magic to lift an apple off of the ground, her horn glowing as she levitated the large fruit. "Now, let's see if these apples are as scrumptious as you say they are."
She took a bite and found the apple to be so sweet and delicious that her mouth practically watered. After swallowing the morsel of fruit, she licked her lips and said, "Oh my! Big Macintosh, you were right, these are truly delectable!"
The red stallion chuckled, watching her nibble at the juicy apple. "Told ya."
After Rarity and Big Mac each indulged in a Sweet Apple, they headed back for the farmhouse, not saying much, but enjoying the peaceful environment of the farm.
When they reached the front steps of the house, Rarity turned to him. "Well that was quite fun. Thank you for showing me the grove."
"Mah pleasure, Rarity." He nervously dug at the dirt with the edge of his hoof. "Maybe next time ya come around..." He shrugged. "Ah could…Ah dunno, give ya a full tour or somethin'…that is…if yer plannin on comin' back to Sweet Apple Acres again…"
Normally, for any other reason, Rarity would respectfully decline. Being around a farm simply wasn't her cup of tea. She wasn't a southern sort of mare, she'd never taken much pleasure in outdoor settings, she was a fashionista for Celestia's sake! A pony who yearned to be among the elite crowd.
So why did she all of a sudden find herself captivated by those bright green eyes of the handsome farmhand, who was staring back at her intently?
She beamed up at him, her tail swishing in a jovial manner as she finally answered him. "I shall definitely take you up on your offer, Big Macintosh. For now though I really must get Sweetie Belle home. And I have so much work to do at the boutique that I desparately need to catch up on. But this was fun! Really it was."
He nodded. "Sure was. It...was real nice spendin' time with ya today, Rarity."
Without realizing it, Rarity batted her lashes. "The feeling is mutual, Big Macintosh."
They smiled at each other for a long moment.
"There ya'll are!" came Applejack's voice. "We had no idea where ya'll two had run off to!"
The two raised their heads to see Applejack now standing on the porch.
"Oh, not to worry Applejack," Rarity assured her. "Your brother was just showing me around Sweet Apple Acres. Quite a nice location once you…give it a chance."
Applejack looked at her brother in confusion. She had no idea what in tarnation those two ponies were doing hanging out together. But she decided it wasn't worth fretting over and shrugged her shoulders.
Big Macintosh simply smiled and nodded.
Rarity trotted up the porch steps. "I'll just go get Sweetie Belle and we'll be on our way."
Once she and her little sister began to make their actual exit that day, Big Macintosh walked over and opened the gate for them.
Rarity waved to the burly stallion before she and her sister strolled further down the road. He waved back.
As Rarity and Sweetie Belle walked home, the little filly looked up to her older sister. "So Rarity, did you have fun hanging out with Apple Bloom's big brother today? Huh sis, did ya?"
Rarity smirked down at the filly, who cantered beside her, her features alit with curiosity. "Yes, I did actually," Rarity told her.
Sweetie Belle gasped, a large grin on her tiny muzzle. "Does that mean ya'll are friends then?"
Rarity laughed softly. "I suppose you could say that Sweetie, yes."
Sweetie Belle smiled and hopped along beside her cheerfully. "I always have so much fun going to Sweet Apple Acres. I wish we could go there more often."
"You know," said Rarity, a warm smile on her lips as her thoughts drifted back to the red stallion. "That sounds like a wonderful idea to me, Sweetie Belle."
Author's Note
Chapter 2, here we are, altered again from the ff.net version, hopefully it reads more smoothly.
