Feel the Music

Chapter 6: Chases and Fliers

Applejack's POV

I couldn't decide whether to be pissed off, embarrassed, or disappointed. At that moment, walking through town, I was mostly embarrassed. Had I been talking in my sleep when Apple Bloom woke me up? Did she know about my newfound feelings for Rainbow? Or was it just one of her "harmless" pranks? Before I knew it, I was outside of the Carousel Boutique. I doubted they'd be foalish enough to hide at the clubhouse where there wouldn't be any witnesses, so this was the most likely place for them to be hiding. I knocked on the door in a way Rarity would probably consider to be uncouth. By this point, I was so worked up that I didn't give two bucks. Said mare opened the door, and her eyes immediately widened.

"Applejack!" she said at a suspicious volume. "What ever are you doing at the front door?"

My brows furrowed. "What other door would ah use?"

She chuckled nervously. "Oh, well, don't you usually use the back door?"

I was about to comment on how crazy she sounded when I heard shuffling in the shop. My eyes narrowed. She's hiding them! Of all the-

"Rarity, can ah come in?" I asked suspiciously.

She gulped. "Well, you see, darling, I-"

"Rarity, cut the crap. Ah'm not as stupid as y’all seem to think. Jus' send out Apple Bloom an' Scootaloo an' ah'll be outta yer hair."

A door slammed behind her and she chuckled again. "Too late." The door was slammed in my face and I growled. So this is how it's gonna be, huh?

I ran around the boutique and looked around. I saw a little purple tail going into an alleyway. Ha. Gotcha.

I ran full speed, turning down the alley. It was a dead end, and it was also empty. I snarled. Those fillies must be hiding. They're gonna regret this.

"Apple Bloom! Scootaloo! Y'all get on out here 'fore ah get angry!"

Apple Bloom's head popped out from behind a dumpster. "Ya mean yer not angry now?"

I took a deep breath to keep calm. "Please get out here, you two. Ah don't wanna have ta get mad, but ah will if ah gotta."

Ears pressed back and tails between their legs, Apple Bloom and Scootaloo came out from behind the garbage. They sat in front of me and hung their heads.

"Thank you. Now what in tarnation was that about?" I glared and Apple Bloom's eyes shifted nervously.

"Uhm, well, we just ta, uh, get our pranking cutie marks! Ya, that’s it!" I knew she was lying, but I didn't know what to do about it. I was so embarrassed, I wasn't sure I even wanted to know the truth. I glared harder and decided I'd better call her out on it.

"Well, now," I said. "Ah hope ya didn't think you'd be able ta get away with lyin' ta yer big sis like that. An’ where’s Sweetie Belle? What part did she play in all o’ this?”

Applebloom and Scootaloo both looked confused, like they had no clue how to answer me. After a few moments of silence, Scootaloo spoke up. "We're sorry, Applejack. We didn't mean to upset anypony."

I took a deep breath again. I guess I don't really need the truth, as long as they apologized. "Well, ah hope yer pleased with yerselves. Ah got a lotta apple buckin' to make up, so if you'd excuse me."

I trotted out of the alley, heading back to the farm. What in the Sam heck is going on? Since when does Apple Bloom lie like that? Of all the things she could've done, locking me in a closet with the mare I'm falling for is one of the worst at the moment.

Speaking of that, I should've just broken the door down instead of asking her to play for me. If Mac hadn't shown up, Celestia knows what would've happened! I mean, I definitely like her. No point in denying it now that Mac got it out of me. Question is: do I really want to risk ruining our friendship? Age old question, never going to be an easy answer.

Those songs she sang...they were amazing. I doubt they were for me, but I couldn't help the way I felt when she was staring into my eyes as she sang. Her beautiful magenta eyes were sparkling with emotion. When she finished, I wanted to look away, to watch the floor instead, but instead I felt paralyzed. I literally couldn't look away. And those lyrics...they left me filled with longing. My resolve had completely broken. I'd wanted to kiss her then and there. I was actually about to before Big Mac opened the door.

Could those songs have been for me after all?

Did I want them to be?

Apple Bloom's POV

"Phew," I said to Scootaloo and we walked back to the boutique. "That sure was a close one!"

She sighed. "Yeah, it was. I told you it wouldn't work! You really need to work on your lying, AB."

I glared at her. "'S not mah fault she's the element o' honesty! You try lyin' ta her an' tell me how it goes."

She glared back, and we were quiet until we entered the boutique. Sweetie Belle was waiting there for us.

"So, how'd it go?" she squeaked.

Scootaloo huffed. "It didn't work. The only thing we managed to do was upset Applejack." Then she gasped. "Wait, you don't think Rainbow Dash is upset, too, do you?"

I rolled my eyes. "I'm sure she's not upset with you, Scootaloo. Next to how she felt about Gabby Gums, this is nothing!"

Scootaloo sighed in relief. “Good point. Oh, Sweetie Belle, did you get the tape?”

Sweetie Belle shook her head. “Nope! The recorder’s still in the closet!”

I sighed. “Alright, fine. Ah’ll get it later. It was still a total failure though.”

“Ya,” Scootaloo nodded in agreement. “I-”

 Sweetie butted in. "Wait, you guys, I don't think it was a total failure!"

Scootaloo raised an eyebrow. "How so?"

"Because!" she exclaimed, her voice cracking again. "Applejack was upset, right? Not angry, just upset?" We nodded. "That must mean that she was embarrassed! Maybe this proves that she likes Rainbow Dash!"

I jumped up and down in excitement. "Wow, Sweetie Belle! Ah never thought 'bout it like that!"

Scootaloo wasn't convinced. "I don't see it."

Sweetie and I just rolled our eyes. "Whatever," I said. "C'mon, we need another plan!"

Rainbow Dash's POV

When I got to my cloud house, I started beating up my pillow. Stupid, stupid, STUPID! I was so close! I was finally going to kiss Applejack! But no, Big Macintosh just had to open the door and make AJ freak out! Gah!

Whoa there, Rainbow. Deep breaths. It's not his fault he came in right when you were finally gonna show AJ how you felt...

What the buck am I supposed to do, now? I'll probably never have another chance like that! AJ's sure to avoid me after that. Why wouldn't she? She just figured out she likes mares! Well, I mean, I’m not exactly out, but I don't have an old-fashioned family to worry about. She's probably scared out of her mind!

I laid down on my back. Maybe I won't be given another opportunity like that, but that doesn't mean I can't create the opportunity! I need to figure out a way to show her how I feel. A subtle way, so that I don't accidentally out her to the whole town, but romantic enough to sweep her off her feet! But how...?

There was a knock at my door and I jumped. Who the hell...

I opened the door. "Oh, hey, Derpy," I said carefully. "You got some mail for me?"

She nodded and I waited. After a few minutes, she said, "Oh, yeah! Hang on, it's in my bag."

I chuckled. Oh, Derpy. She put her head in her bag and I tapped my hoof, trying and failing to be patient with her. Eventually, she pulled out a stack of about five letters and gave them to me.

"Here ya go, Rainbow Dash." She saluted me and flew away.

I sighed and shook my head as I closed the door. Let's see, what did I get. Eww, jury duty? Gross!...Bill...Bill...Weather assignment for tomorrow...Stupid Flier...

Wait! Flier?

I looked at it more closely. There were pictures of ponies doing a bunch of cool things, like playing guitar and break-dancing. It said:

PONYVILLE'S FIRST ANNUAL TALENT SHOW!

Do you have a special talent that you want the town to know about? Do you want to impress somepony? Are you struggling with bits?

Then sign up to participate in Ponyville's first ever talent show this Friday! Sing, dance, play an instrument, or do all three! Got a magic act? Show it!

The most important rule: Your talent can't be something involving your cutie mark!

First place wins 100 bits and a free dinner for two at the restaurant of your choosing!

Registration form is on the back! Only 5 bits to enter!

I hoof-pumped. By Celestia, this is perfect! I'll do a song for AJ at the town talent show! I won't tell her until we're at the restaurant, though...assuming I win, of course. But why wouldn't I? I'm awesome! Granted, two days isn't much time to prepare...whatever!

Grinning, I flipped over the flier and started filling out the form. AJ, prepare to be wooed.