The Shy Apple

Applejack paced nervously around the Carousal Boutique as Rarity busily worked on the final touches of her dress. Normally Applejack would have never resorted to coming to Rarity but she was desperate, she wanted to look nice for her date with Fluttershy tonight.

"Applejack darling I still don't understand who you're going on a date with" Rarity suddenly exclaimed as she put the final touch on the dress. "Who could possibly be so important to you that you actually want ME to make YOU look nice?"

"Ah already told you Rarity. Ah don't want to tell ya'll 'till Ah know whether this relationship's gonna work out" Applejack explained with a sigh as she stopped pacing and turned to face the unicorn.

"Oh I know you said that. I'm just curious" Rarity mused, "Especially since you pretty much refuse to ever look nice. This pony must be very important to you if you want to look nice for them"

Applejack's mind drifted to the beautiful pegasus she would be taking out tonight. Fluttershy was important to her, and yes she wanted to look nice. It was only because she was scared that if this date didn't end up being perfect that Fluttershy would never want to go out with her again.

"Alright Applejack." Rarity sighed, "Come on. I'll get your hair done. I already know you don't want to wear makeup or anything really girly so I'll just start with the basics"

Applejack followed Rarity to a corner of the boutique where she had some chair set up in front of some large mirrors.

"Do you have anything in mind? Or would you just like a master like me to do whatever will look good?"

"Uh... you can just.... do whatever. Just as long as you don't make me look too girly."

"I know." Rarity said with a small pout, "I really wish you weren't so stubborn. If you weren't covered in dust and dirt all the time you would actually look really good."

Applejack hopped up onto the chair and Rarity levitated a large piece of fabric to her and fixed it around her neck. She then levitated Applejack's hat off her head and placed it on the table in front of the mirror. Rarity pulled Applejack's mane and tail out of their ponytails and started brushing out all the knots.

"Oh hun you have so many knots" Rarity commented slightly disturbed.

"Well uh... Ah don't really get a lot of time to brush mah mane...."

Rarity frowned a little but continued to brush the knots out of Applejack's mane and tail. Once all the knots were out of Applejack's mane and tail Rarity carefully braided the mane into one long braid and put the ponytail around it to make sure it stays. She then carefully braided different sections of Applejack's tail and tied them all at the tip with the other ponytail. She styled Applejack's bangs to the side and placed an apple shaped clip to keep it in place. She turned the chair so Applejack could see.

Applejack's eyes widened a little. "It looks amazin' Rarity"

"I know" Rarity grinned.

Applejack watched as Rarity levitated her hat back over to her and placed it gently over her carefully styled mane and removed the cloth from around her neck. She then tied a red ribbon around the base of the hat and placed an apple shaped clip on it.

"There. Your hair is finished, and because I know you don't want to wear anything really frilly I though instead of dressing you up I can just add some accessories to your hat."

Applejack admired herself in the mirror for a moment, "Thanks a lot Rarity"

Rarity smiled, "Anytime Applejack. If the date goes well let me know!"

Applejack laughed, "Ah will. Don't you worry 'bout that."

Applejack thanked Rarity one more time and made her way to the entrance. She pushed the door open and walked out into the early afternoon sun. Applejack took a calming breath and started making her way towards Sugar Cube Corner. There were a few things that she needed to pick up from Pinkie before heading back to Sweet Apple Acre's to start on the meal. She trotted over to the entrance to Sugar Cube Corner and pushed the door open. The bell above the door jingled and Pinkie dashed out of the kitchen to greet her guest.

"Applejack!? Ooooohhh! You look nice! What's the occasion?" Pinkie squealed excitedly as she bounced up and down in front of Applejack.

"Ah'm goin' on a date" Applejack replied with a small laugh, "and Ah was wonderin' if you had anymore o' them applecakes?"

"Ooohhh I get it! Your gonna try to seduce your date with some delicious apple cakes!"

"Not exactly. Ah'm makin' dinner for the two of us and Ah just wanna make sure the meal is perfect." Applejack explained. "Ah just though that yer apple cakes would be a good desert."

Pinkie let out a little giggle. "I get it. I've still got lots of apple cakes too!"

Pinkie dashed back into the kitchen and walked back out a few minuted later with a large container of apple cakes balanced on her head.

"Here you go!"

Applejack smiled, "Thanks"

"No problem!" Pinkie gently placed the container on Applejack's back. "Be careful not to drop it!"

"Ah wont drop it Pinkie." Applejack reassured as she started heading to the exit, "Thanks again Pinkie!"

"Have fun on your date!"

Applejack smiled to herself as she pushed her way out of the bakery and started heading back to Sweet Apple Acres. Humming to herself she looked around at the peaceful scenery around her, everything seemed so much more beautiful today.

When she arrived at Sweet Apple Acres she pushed open the door and made her way to the kitchen carefully balancing the container of apple cakes.

"APPLEJACK!"

Applejack jumped and managed to get the container on the table before it fell off her back. Applebloom raced into the kitchen.

"Applebloom what in the hay?" Applejack asked started.

Applebloom stopped and stared at her sister in awe, "Ah was just gonna ask where you've been all day. What's with the fancy hair?"

"It's none of yer business Applebloom."

Applebloom was about to reply angrily when Macintosh walked into the room.

"Macintosh! Just the pony ah wanted t' see!" Applejack greeted turning to her brother. "Can you do me a huge favor?"

Macintosh just stared silently at Applejack, she took that as a yes.

"Could you take Applebloom and Granny Smith into Ponyville fer a few hours?" Applejack asked.

"Eeyup" Macintosh answered, "Why though?"

"Well.... uh.... Ah've got a date tonight and uh... well... I'm... bringin 'em here." Applejack replied slowly, "Ah just... don't want nopony interruptin' us."

Macintosh nodded, "Okay. C'mon Applebloom. Let's get Granny Smith and we'll go to town fer awhile."

Applebloom nodded slowly, "Okay."

When the two left the kitchen Applejack opened the container of applecakes and put them onto a large plate. She trotted over to the fridge and took out the salad that she had made before going to Rarity. She placed it on the table and went to the counter to make the daffodil sandwiches. Once the sandwiches were done she placed them on a plate and put it beside the salad and the applecakes on the table. Applejack smiled to herself, it wasn't the most romantic meal, but it would be delicious.

Fluttershy trotted towards Sweet Apple Acre's from Rarity's boutique. She had stopped by there to get her mane styled so she would look nice for Applejack. Rarity had asked a lot of questions but Fluttershy only told her that she was eating out with a friend of hers and wanted to looks nice. It was partly true, but Fluttershy wasn't sure whether Applejack wanted other ponies to know about them yet. Especially when they hadn't even had their first date yet, better not to tell the others when the relationship had barely started.

As soon as she arrived at Sweet Apple Acres she could smell the delicious meal waiting for her. Her ears perked up slightly and she sped up a little until she arrived at the door. She raised a hoof and knocked on the door.

She didn't have to wait long and the door opened to reveal Applejack. Fluttershy let out a small gasp. She looked beautiful, she must have went to see Rarity.

"Hello Applejack"

"H-Hey Fluttershy, w-why dontcha come in?" Applejack greeted nervously and awkwardly stepped back to give Fluttershy room to walk into the house.

Fluttershy dipped her head in thanks and walked into the house. She smiled as the scents of the food reached her once again.

"It smells delicious." Fluttershy stated.

"Ah-Ah hope so" Applejack stuttered slightly, "Ah worked hard on it."

Fluttershy smiled and nuzzled Applejack's neck. Applejack blushed and nodded towards the kitchen.

"c'mon, lets go eat"

Applejack tried to focus on the conversation with Fluttershy, but she was so distracted. She knew she was going to be nervous, this being her first date with the pegasus, but she wasn't expecting it to be this bad. She was nervous, and at the same time in awe of Fluttershy's beauty. Rarity had obviously worked very hard on the shy pegasus. Her man was styled back into a loose ponytail and was loosely curled. There were a few flowers and butterflies arranged in her mane but what really caught Applejack's eye were the sparkles in her mane. They caught the light and made Fluttershy look even more beautiful than Applejack already knew she was.

"Applejack?"

Applejack jolted slightly, Fluttershy was looking at her with large curious eyes.

"W-what?"

Fluttershy giggled a little, "I was just telling you that the food is delicious. You must have spent a lot of time on it."

"O-Oh. t'was nothin'." Applejack replied.

Fluttershy smiled, "Well I'm glad. I don't want to trouble you too much."

"It was no trouble makin' this. As long as your happy Ah'll do anything."

Fluttershy smiled again and fluttered her wings a little, "I'm always so happy when I'm with you Applejack."

"Ah'm happy when ah'm with you too Fluttershy."

Applejack walked beside Fluttershy back to her cottage. She had decided to walk the pegasus home after they had eaten and went to see a movie at the theater. It had taken them a while to pick a movie but they eventually settled on a romantic comedy. It had been a really good movie, but it was getting late and it was about time that they went to bed.

Fluttershy was being really quiet. Applejack was worried that she had ruined the date somehow, Fluttershy probably didn't want to ever go out with her again. It was making Applejack a little depressed. She hoped Fluttershy enjoyed herself as much as she had.

When they arrived at Fluttershy's cottage Fluttershy stopped in front of the door and turned towards Applejack.

Fluttershy smiled and mumbled, "I had a great time Applejack."

Applejack shuffled her hooves awkwardly. "Ah don't see why.... Ah was so nervous... Ah did everything wrong... it was probably a really bad date.... Ah'm sorry."

"What? No Applejack, I had a great time. Really I did. You weren't the only one nervous."

"...truly?" Applejack asked.

Fluttershy smiled, "Cross my heart and hope to fly."

Applejack laughed relieved. "Thanks Fluttershy. Ah'm glad you had a good time. Ah should probably go though, It was a long night and we both need to rest."

Fluttershy nodded and quickly leaned forward to place a gentle kiss on Applejack's cheek.

"Goodnight."

The pegasus turned and walked into her cabin. The door slowly closing once she was inside. Applejack stood rooted to the spot for a moment until a grin spread across her muzzle. She turned and started heading back to Sweet Apple Acres. The date had been a success, they definitely needed to go out again soon.