Applejack stood at the front door of Sugarcube corner with no idea what to expect from the evening ahead of her. She’d gotten as much work done on the farm as possible before eating an early dinner and bathing to get ready for the party. However, now that she was standing on the threshold of the event, she had to stop auto piloting through the day and focus enough to have some fun with her friends, or failing that, at least avoid dragging the mood down too far. Plus, this was an opportunity to get some answers out of Pinkie Pie.

Applejack wasn’t angry anymore… Irked seemed a better word for how she was feeling. She wanted to give Pinkie the benefit of the doubt, but first she had to figure out what doubt she was even giving her the benefit of. Part of her wondered if she shouldn’t have just bit the bullet and made the journey into town yesterday and confronted Pinkie about it all, but that didn’t feel right.

Applejack didn’t want to confront Pinkie. That wasn’t how these things were supposed to go. She was supposed to tell Pinkie she loved her, and Pinkie’s giant blue eyes were supposed to twinkle with excitement as she said she felt the same way, and they were supposed to snuggle and watch the sunset and… Well, and a lot of things that didn’t seem to follow a confrontation.

She sighed to herself. In the worst case scenarios she’d imagined, where Pinkie told her she didn’t feel the same way but that she valued Applejack’s friendship more than anything and nothing would ever change that (Because, as Applejack was beginning to feel she’d been pointing out to herself entirely too often lately, ‘this was still Pinkie Pie’), she knew she could handle it. Applejack was nothing if not resolved. She’d gotten over worse in her past, and while rejection stung, the pain would fade and she would move on with her life.

This, though? This was worse. There was no stinging to get over, just an emptiness. A void waiting to be filled with crushing despair, but staved off by a stupid glimmer of unrealistic hope that maybe things would still turn out her way. Applejack couldn’t stand it. She knew it was foolish to think it might still work out; Even if Pinkie hadn’t said the words, that look in her eyes when she’d confessed told her all she needed to know.

Fact was, however, she needed to hear the words. No, she deserved to hear the words. If Pinkie was really her friend, she owed it to her, Applejack thought. She didn’t even feel like that was asking too much; Pinkie wouldn’t be the one walking out of Sugarcube Corner with a broken heart, after all.

So much for not dragging down the mood… Applejack tried to smile to herself, but found it too difficult to manage. Still, she’d been sitting outside for almost 15 minutes now. She had to go inside eventually, but she still didn’t want her friends to think something was wrong. Perhaps she could think of something else to smile about, for appearance’s sake?

First she tried thinking of the farm, but that just led to her thinking about how morose she’d been while working the last two days, which made her think about Pinkie. That was right out.

Next she tried thinking of dinner, the wonderful apple pie Granny Smith had made for the family, and how delicious it was. Apple pie was delicious, plenty delicious to get her to smile at its memory. Just as she was about to put a hoof on the door to open it and go inside, she rewound her thoughts.

Apple… Pie.

Applejack and Pinkie Pie.

Nope, that was right out too. Applejack groaned in frustration. Fed up with her stupid brain constantly ruining all her moods, she decided resolutely that she’d had apple fritters, not pie, for dinner, and they were Celestia-darned delicious, so delicious in fact that she was going to go enjoy this party come wild bulls or high water, and no stupid emotions were going to stop her.

She didn’t even realize she was wearing a determined glare instead of a smile as she pushed the door open and stomped inside.

------

“Hey AJ!” Applejack heard the scratchy voice of Rainbow Dash call her as soon as she entered into Pinkie’s room. Looking to her right, she saw her standing with Twilight by the punch bowl, already filling up a cup with the beverage and approaching Applejack with it. Off to her left Pinkie Pie was dancing along with Fluttershy and Rarity, and it didn’t appear any of them had noticed her come in yet. “You’ve gotta try this punch, Pinkie came up with a new recipe and it’s at least 20% awesomer than normal.”

“You mean 20% more awesome than normal.” Twilight immediately corrected, rolling her eyes.

“Yeah, whatever. Seriously, try it.” Rainbow grinned as she proffered the drink to Applejack.

Apple fritters. “Thanks, RD,” Applejack said as she accepted the cup and was led over to the punch bowl by Rainbow.

“Hi Applejack, how’ve you been? I haven’t seen you around town lately,” Twilight asked, sipping from her own cup.

“I reckon I’ve been a mite busy, Twi, what with Applebuck season comin’ up and all.” Applejack said as she eyed the purple concoction in her cup. It looked murky, she thought, as she raised the cup and took a sip. It really was good.

“Well,” said Twilight with a friendly smile, “you know that if you need any help again this year, we’re all ready and willing to do what we can.”

“And I appreciate that. What about yourself? How’s the… er… Princessin’ goin’?”

Twilight subconsciously resettled her wings as she blushed a bit. “Honestly, not much has changed, other than the visits to Canterlot every few days, but that should let up a bit soon… I’ve finally gotten most of the town to stop bowing every time they see me, which is good.”

Applejack chuckled at that. She knew Twilight was much too humble to let her head get caught up in all the fanfare that had surrounded her coronation, but it was still nice to have that knowledge confirmed by reality.

Twilight was about to say something else when the three ponies by the punch bowl heard a loud gasp from across the room. Turning her head, Applejack saw Pinkie Pie bouncing across the room toward them.

“Hi Applejack! I’m sooooo glad you could make it! I was a little worried maybe you wouldn’t since I didn’t get to invite you myself, but I trusted Rainbow to do it, but then you weren’t here on time and even though Rainbow assured me she remembered to invite you and Rarity told me you were probably just arriving fashionably late, I got a little bit worried that maybe you forgot and then a little bit more worried that maybe something happened back at the farm and you wouldn’t be able to make it and then a LOT more worried that maybe something happened to you on your way here, but now you are here so I guess all those worries were unfounded!” Pinkie smiled brightly as she pulled her friend into a hug for a moment before letting her go and focusing her eyes somewhere above Applejack’s.

“Aww, you didn’t wear the bow.” Pinkie let her smile slip into an odd look for the briefest of moments before retaking her usual countenance. She’d almost looked... disappointed?

Applejack didn’t know how to respond to that. She glanced around at the other ponies and saw none of them had particularly dressed up for the occasion, though, so she just smiled sheepishly--Apple fritters--and said “Sorry, I didn’t think it was supposed to be a fancy party, so I didn’t dress up my hat. Is that alright?”

“Of course it is. I’m just glad you made it! Now we can really get this party started!” Pinkie leaped away as a shower of streamers shot into the air from… somewhere. Applejack certainly had no idea as to their origin, but as usual, didn’t question it.

------

The rest of the party went by without a hitch as the six ponies laughed, danced, drank, ate, and were generally merry in all the best possible ways. Rarity regaled them all with the tale of a mysterious new benefactor, who could not be named for reasons the other five would just have to understand, that wanted to feature her work in a showcase in Los Pegasus. Fluttershy told them all about the new clutch of baby bunnies that were born under one of her bushes and a few amusing anecdotes about Angel’s jealousy. Rainbow brought out an elaborate blueprint for a new trick that she wanted feedback on, which Twilight had to tell her would violate at least 9 separate laws of physics if she was to perform it as described. Rainbow reacted to this by instigating a bet with the librarian, though Applejack didn’t actually remember the details of the bet. She’d been too busy thinking about apple fritters to pay much attention, anyway.

So it was that the hour grew late and ponies began filtering out of the party. Rarity excused herself first, stating that she had to get to work early in the morning if she wanted to have the dresses ready for the showcase, followed by Rainbow who had to get up in time to go to Cloudsdale and pick up a new batch of clouds for the weather team. Twilight left next, saying she’d love to stay but had to go to Canterlot tomorrow morning to speak with Princess Celestia about some problem or another, and finally Fluttershy left to go feed her nocturnal animals.

Ultimately, only Applejack and Pinkie Pie remained. Applejack had wondered if Pinkie wouldn’t pull her aside for a quick chat during the party, or maybe even just take the opportunity now that they were alone to explain what had happened two days ago, but as she watched the pink mare mosey about the room cleaning up confetti and streamers and finishing off leftover cake in massive slurps, it quickly became apparent that she had no such intentions.

There was a day when Applejack would have relished a moment like this. She could make small talk, hear a few jokes, and generally enjoy the company of the ridiculous pink pony that she loved. Today, she regretted, after all that had happened (Or rather, not happened), was not that day. Being alone with her now, she realized she had a choice to make. She could either accept Pinkie’s non-response, or she could swallow her pride and bring it up herself.

As difficult as it was to do, Applejack knew that living with that gnawing emptiness would be worse in the long run. She had to get an answer out of Pinkie Pie, even if that answer felt like it had the potential to kill her.

Applejack took a deep breath as she resigned herself to the task at hoof. She just needed to keep control of the conversation, and not get angry or worked up. As long as she stayed calm and collected, nothing bad would happen. “So, you need any help cleaning up?” Applejack asked with as large a smile as the rapidly waning power of apple fritters could muster.

“No, I’m good. Cleaning up is the hostess’ responsibility, after all, and I am Pinkie ‘Responsibility’ Pie’, right?” Pinkie smiled at Applejack as she collected the punch cups and stacked them neatly by the door. “I can set up the guest room for you if you don’t want to walk home, since it’s kinda late and all.”

Applejack shook her head, still trying to smile. “I don’t mind, sugarcube, really. I insist.”

Pinkie looked up as if to object, but appeared to decide against it. “Okay, since you offered. Can you box up what’s left of the snacks for me?”

“Sure thing.” Applejack replied as she made her way over to the snacks table and began sliding the remaining treats back into their pastry boxes, condensing them down where she could. It took about a minute of silently doing this before she managed to get out what she needed to say next.

“Pinkie… Why didn’t you come by the farm Wednesday like you said you would?”

Applejack looked up just in time to see Pinkie freeze in the middle of gathering up a pile of streamers. She pulled her hoof back from the pile for a second before continuing on with her task, though her usual smile had completely disappeared. “I’m sorry, Applejack. I… got sidetracked.”

Applejack paused. Pinkie got sidetracked? What did that even mean? “Well, I guess I don’t rightly know what to say to that, Pinkie. This was… no, this is important to me. You sayin’ you just plum forgot about it don’t make me feel good at all.”

If Pinkie Pie was capable of looking down in the dumps, Applejack thought she looked it now. “I know… I’m super sorry. I would have come by yesterday, but I had to babysit for the Cakes.”

Applejack sighed. “It’s okay, sugarcube, but ya know we’ve gotta talk about it eventually.” Applejack grimaced. She felt like she was giving a guilt trip, which was neither her intention nor to her liking. Doing her best to steady her voice, she continued. “I gotta admit, it made me a mite angry, like you’d just brushed me off. If you don’t feel the same about me, I reckon I at least deserve to hear the words.” Pushing that sentence out of her lungs took all the courage Applejack had, but she felt some relief at having said it. At least Pinkie would have to answer her now.

“It’s not that… I just…” Pinkie cast her glance off to the side, and Applejack could have sworn she heard her sniffle a bit. Applejack tried to wait for her to continue, but when she didn’t, she felt the need to prompt her.

“You just what?”

Pinkie Pie ran a foreleg across her muzzle before she turned back to look at Applejack again, her eyes wavering slightly. “Do you think we could finish cleaning up first?”

“Pinkie…”

“Please? We’re almost done here. I just need you to take the dishes downstairs for me, and I’ll have the rest cleaned up by the time you get back up here. Then we can talk.”

Applejack sighed. She didn’t want to walk away right now, but if she wanted to get Pinkie Pie to finally tell her what was on her mind, maybe it was best if she appeased the request. Still, she needed some assurance Pinkie wasn’t going to run out on her. “Fine, just promise me you’re not gonna go crawlin’ out a window or somethin’, okay? I mean it when I say we need to talk about this.”

“I promise.”

“Pinkie promise.”

Pinkie seemed surprised for a moment, but quickly nodded. “Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye,” she said resolutely as she acted out the appropriate gestures.

Applejack wasn’t entirely sure if she felt secure with that, but if there was any pony who took a Pinkie promise seriously, it was Pinkie Pie herself. She remembered the diabolic level of rage Pinkie tapped into when she felt that Applejack had broken her own Pinkie promise back at Dodge Junction, and decided it would have to do. “Okay. Good. I’ll be right back then, and then we talk.” Applejack picked up the cups and plates and exited Pinkie’s room.

Sugarcube Corner was dark, as was expected given that it was nearly 11 at night. Applejack squinted as her eyes adjusted to the low light, and then slowly made her way downstairs. It helped that she’d been here so often for parties and to help Pinkie bake things, as she was able to navigate her way into the dark kitchen and over to the dishwasher without any trouble. She opened the dishwasher and placed the dishes inside carefully, trying not to make too many audible clinks, considering the sleeping infants upstairs.

Finished with her task, Applejack walked out of the kitchen and over to the bottom of the stairs. She took one last moment to get control of her breath and brace herself for what she was about to hear before marching up the stairs and over to Pinkie’s door.

She was about to open the door when she heard a soft noise from the other side. It took only a moment for her to realize it was a sob. Was Pinkie crying? Applejack’s eyes widened as she grabbed the door knob and twisted.

It was locked.

Applejack felt a part of her brain short circuit. Pinkie locked her out of the room. Why did Pinkie lock her out of the room? She tried the knob again, pulling on it hard, hoping maybe it had just been her imagination on her first attempt, or that her hoof had slipped, but it remained firmly in place. Feeling panic begin to settle in, she frantically tugged on the door knob. “Pinkie, what the hay is this! You promised we’d talk!”

“K-Keep your v-voice d-down… P-Pound and Pumpkin are s-sleeping.” Applejack heard Pinkie reply softly between sobs. Panic was slowly turning back into anger as Applejack continued to tug on the door to no avail.

“Open the door Pinkie, we need to talk! You’re breaking your Pinkie promise!” Applejack tried to contain herself to a whisper, but her frayed mental state and rising anger made that very difficult.

“N-No I’m n-not!” Pinkie’s voice came back through the door. “I p-promised I wouldn’t crawl out the w-window, I never said I wouldn’t l-lock the door!”

Applejack let go of the door knob. She most certainly was not starting to cry. She must’ve been hearing the reverberations from Pinkie’s crying coming from her own throat… And the increased moisture in the air from Pinkie’s tears was clogging up her nose. Through the closed door. That was all.

"Pinkie, please, just open the door. Please, I just want to talk. No matter what you have to say, I won't be mad, I swear!" Applejack could hear the desperation in her voice overtaking the anger as the two competed for control of her vocal chords.

"No... G-Go away!"

“Pinkie, open this door now! You owe me a talk!” She said as anger retook the lead, throwing her front hooves against the door and pounding as her chest heaved involuntarily.

“P-Please, just go away! I c-can’t do this!” Pinkie’s sobs were getting louder, but Applejack could barely hear them over the roaring of her growing anger.

“Pinkie, open this door or I swear, I’m gonna buck it down!” It must have started to rain at some point, and Sugarcube Corner was clearly in need of intensive roof repairs, because Applejack could barely see through the water in her eyes.

“I c-can’t! I just c-can’t! I d-don’t w-wanna be P-Pinkie ‘Heartbreaker’ Pie, and It’s not f-fair of you to m-make me!”

As Applejack tried to process Pinkie's words her anger consumed her. Pinkie Pie was saying this wasn’t fair? What right did Pinkie Pie have to say something wasn’t fair? Pinkie Pie wasn’t the one who’d been deceived, even betrayed, by one of her best friends. Pinkie Pie wasn’t the one facing rejection with no reason given. Pinkie Pie wasn’t the one feeling her heart fracture into a million more tiny pieces with every time she had to knock on the door.

Applejack's desperation and anger teamed up and decided she’d had quite enough of this. She didn't even try to keep her voice down as she turned and reared up her back legs. “That’s it, I’m coming in!” she shouted as she sent her hooves into the wood, splintering it easily. A thunderous crack echoed down the hallway as Applejack felt her back hooves hit the ground.

Immediately she heard the wailing cries of two infants woken from their sleep and barely managed to make out a light coming under one of the bedroom doors down the hall. “Pinkie? Is everything alright out there?” she heard the tired voice of Mr. Cake calling. Applejack froze. Anger was turning back into panic. She looked behind her and saw the shattered fragments of the door scattered across the floor, one large piece still hanging off the door frame by the lower hinge and swinging slowly.

Worse than that, she saw Pinkie Pie laying on her back, a large piece of wood laying on top of her. She was barely lifting her head and looking back at Applejack, the unmistakable look of fear and pain in her watery eyes.

Pinkie was afraid. Of her.

Applejack couldn’t keep it together any longer. Shutting her eyes tight, she bolted down the hallway, past the sound of the opening door, down the stairs and out of Sugarcube Corner.

------

Applejack didn’t remember Rainbow saying anything about an overnight rainstorm, which was weird, because it definitely rained on her the whole way home. She supposed Sugarcube Corner wasn’t alone in needing roof repairs, because the farmhouse’s ceiling seemed to be just as ineffectual at keeping the rain out of Applejack’s eyes. The fact that her coat and mane were still perfectly dry didn’t mean anything. It was like that thing Twilight once said about putting a group of monkeys in a cage with a typewriter. Eventually, they’d manage to randomly type William Neighkespeare’s Hooflet just by chance. By the same principal, she’d simply managed to dodge all the raindrops except for the ones that hit her in the eyes. It was bound to happen eventually.

Applejack collapsed onto her bed and took several deep breaths, trying and failing to calm herself down. She rubbed the rain from her eyes and looked around the dark room. The very first thing she saw was the red and white striped box on her night stand, still unopened.

Applejack gritted her teeth as she looked at it. She poured all of her anger and rage into that tiny box. She whispered curses at it, told it how stupid and cowardly it was, and how Rarity wouldn’t be caught dead wearing red and white stripes this year, what was the box possibly thinking?

Applejack loomed over it before taking it in her hooves and ripping off the wrapping paper. She tore off the lid and looked inside, intent on taking the bow and smashing it into as many pieces as physically possible.

The bow had melted. All that remained was a gooey soup of frosting stuck to the bottom of the box.

...Perfect. Applejack thought, throwing the box against the wall of her room as hard as she could and collapsing backwards onto her bed.

She definitely didn’t cry, but that insufferable, roof piercing rain didn’t let up until she fell asleep.