The morning air was crisp and fresh, and as Rarity trotted down the dirt path towards Sweet Apple Acres, she even found herself shivering as a passing breeze nipped at her coat. The sun was still low in the sky for it wasn’t even seven o’clock, and while Rarity wouldn’t usually have been up quite this early, she knew that Applejack would only just be starting her morning chores—so, naturally, it was the most opportune time for a chat. At least she wasn’t Rainbow Dash. The only way she could imagine the pegasus being up this early would be during cider season, dashing through those Sweet Apple skies as fast as she could to reach the line, but that of course would be a few months on.

As she trotted along, glancing at the rolling fields to one side and the looming trees to the other, Rarity considered that perhaps she should go on walks like this more often. It was invigourating, getting herself up and moving so early in the day, and she already felt much more awake than she usually did in the mornings. Of course, it wasn’t always that easy to get out of bed. Rarity was sure that she wouldn’t even be up if she wasn’t so darned curious; Pinkie hadn’t given her much to go on, so Rarity had been up late pondering over what the party pony could have meant. Hopefully Applejack would be willing to talk.

A chorus of chirping birds greeted her as the rows and rows of apple trees came into sight. With each step, Rarity could smell more of the earthiness of her friend’s farm… as well as the crisp scent of apples. Small branches bent and cracked underhoof as Rarity stepped between the first few trees, signalling that she was, in fact, at Sweet Apple Acres; the worn wooden sign above merely served to confirm this. Only a few moments later the unicorn had made it nearly all the way down the path, coming up on the red wooden barn.

At first, Rarity looked beyond, at the farmhouse in the distance—but upon seeing no lights on, nor any other signs of life, she turned her gaze back to the barn. And, as a matter of fact, that’s when she noticed the subtle clip-clop of hooves on the dirt. Not a moment later, the barn door swung open with a slight rattle, and out from the shadowed darkness emerged the soft orange hues of an earth pony, dragging a wagon right behind.

For a moment, Applejack squinted, looking out beneath the brim of her hat towards the east. Then, as her eyes adjusted to the light of the sun, she blinked and her lips curved. “Rarity!” she exclaimed, grinning. “Good mornin’!” She trotted forward, bringing up the empty cart right behind her.

“And a good morning to you too, Applejack,” Rarity replied, a trace of a smile on her lips as well. “How are you?”

“I’m just fine, myself. You know me—work to do, up with the sun to do it. Though,” Applejack said, raising an eyebrow, “I’m a might bit curious as to what brings you out here, especially so early in the morning. I didn’t realise you got outta bed before noon on weekends.”

Rarity just rolled her eyes. “I’m not Rainbow Dash, darling—I’m perfectly capable of rising early when circumstances require it.”

“Oh?” Applejack gave Rarity an odd look. “What kinda business brings ya here, then? Didn’t realise we had anything fashion-like growing in the orchard, unless we got some fancy gems beneath the ground or something.”

Rarity laughed. “No, not fashion, no gems. Personal business. Though”—Rarity glanced at the empty wagon harnessed to Applejack—“I can come back later if you’re too busy right now.”

Applejack raised an eyebrow. “No, no, now you’ve got me curious. Mind if I work while we talk, though? These apples won’t harvest themselves, and I can’t waste these hours while it’s still cool.”

“Oh, of course!” Rarity replied. “I should think the exercise would be good for me, after all.”

Applejack pulled the cart alongside the cluster of trees, and pulled out an empty basket. Rarity watched as she trotted over to one of the trees and gave it a casual kick. Apples gave way to gravity, falling cleanly into the basket.

“So, lemme get this straight,” Applejack said, once she had filled a few of the baskets. “You wanna talk with me about... that? Really?”

“Of course! Why not?” Rarity looked confused.

Applejack looked cautiously from side to side. “Aw, shucks. You know I don’t know hardly anything about that. I think you might be talking to the wrong mare.” She paused, bucking another tree. “Have you tried Pinkie?”

Rarity waved a hoof. “Oh, yes, I’ve already talked with her. And basically everypony else, at that. I’m looking for… a variety of opinions.”

Applejack rolled her eyes. “Well, I still ain’t convinced that I can give ya what you’re lookin’ for… but go ahead. Shoot.” She started trotting over to another tree.

Rarity smiled. “So, ah… what has your love life been like?”

Applejack stopped in her tracks, and made a show of turning her head to look at Rarity and roll her eyes again. “Rarity, you know I don’t got time for that. Mac ’n’ me have our hooves full with the farm, and with gettin’ Apple Bloom through school. Not to mention takin’ care of Granny.”

“Now, Applejack…” Rarity started. “While that may be true, you can’t pretend to have never thought about romance or sex at all.” She paused. “Unless, of course, you happen to be asexual or something of the like.”

“A-what-now?” Applejack asked, tilting her head. “Whazzat?”

“Asexual,” Rarity repeated. “Not interested in sex—or, in some cases, romantic relationships.”

Applejack paused for a moment, and then nodded. “Yeah, I could maybe be one a’ those. Sure.”

Rarity raised an eyebrow. “But are you?”

Her lips pursed, Applejack remained still as her eyes darted from left to right. “Uhhh… maybe?” She shrugged. “You never know.”

Rarity just smirked. “You know you’re not good at lying, darling.”

“So what if I’m not?” Applejack asked. Her trademark Stetson was tipped over her eyes, masking them from Rarity’s view. “Ain’t this a li’l private?”

Rarity leaned back against the trunk of one of the trees Applejack had already bucked, and she sighed. “You’re right, and I’m terribly sorry if I’m making you uncomfortable. I can just leave you be, if that’s what you’d prefer.” The unicorn stepped away, and started trotting in the direction of the path back towards Ponyville. A moment passed.

“Now wait just a minute here,” Applejack’s voice came from behind, and Rarity turned to look back at the mare. Her hat was now up, and Rarity could see a fierceness in her eyes. “I’m… I’m gonna tell ya what’s what, m’kay?”

“Er… ‘m’kay’,” Rarity replied, curious. She stepped back towards Applejack. “What do you mean?”

“I’m…” Applejack paused for a moment, seemingly trying to find the words. “I’m gonna tell ya ’bout me and love. But… this is mighty private, and I can’t be havin’ ya talking about this to other ponies. Even that darn Pinkie Pie, who I’m pretty sure is the pony who sent ya here.”

“Me, a gossip?” Rarity gasped, lifting a hoof to her chest in mock outrage. “Why, I never!”

Applejack’s expression darkened. “Rarity…”

The unicorn sighed, and lowered her hoof. “Yes, yes, I know. I promise that whatever you tell me, not a word leaves this, er, orchard.”

“Thank ya kindly,” Applejack said, nodding. She set a basket into the cart before lifting another empty one onto her back. “Now… where to start…?”

“Perhaps at the beginning?” Rarity suggested wryly.

Applejack snorted. “Ha ha, very funny.” Her legs thwacked into another thick tree trunk, and there was yet another plopping of apples down into the basket she had set down. “Yeah, sure, as good a place to start as any. It all started back when I was just a filly, not long after I came back from livin’ in Manehattan with my Aunt and Uncle Orange. Right after I got my cutie mark.”

“After we all did, yes?”

Rarity could see Applejack nodding even through the trees. “Yeah, that’s right. And soon after I got back, I started goin’ to school here in Ponyville again. You probably remember that.”

Rarity nodded. “Yes, I remember being overjoyed to see you’d come back.”

Applejack trotted back over to the cart again. “Aw, shucks. Well, I wasn’t the only one. There was a couple other fillies who started school about the same time I did, since they moved to town at about the same time.”

“Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy,” Rarity murmured.

“Right. An’ I bet you remember how close I got with those two.”

“Yes, quite. I was… a tad jealous, come to think of it.”

“Heh. Well, you were more focused on makin’ dresses at that point to keep up with our shenanigans. Why, if you were jealous, I’m a bit surprised you didn’t make more of an effort to be friends sooner. We woulda been happy to have your company.”

Rarity hummed. “True… but the past is the past. I’m just glad we were able to become friends eventually, and Twilight’s arrival brought us even closer together.”

“Right, right.” Applejack wheeled the cart to another grove of trees, and turned again to her companion. Regardless… me and Pinkie and Fluttershy got awful close, the three of us. Almost as close as Apple Bloom has gotten with Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle, though I’m not sure we could compete—those three are thick as thieves. And, well…” She trailed off, looking down to the ground, and her expression was hard to read. Finally, she looked up, and with ruddy cheeks said softly, “With one of them I kinda started to want more.” She looked away, stepping back.

Rarity immediately had a thousand questions burning through her mind, but she held her tongue and simply nodded. Though Applejack was often outspoken and one of the most rough-and-tumble members of their group… Rarity could tell how difficult this conversation was for the mare, and she didn’t want to bear down any further on her, especially not when she was doing her such a favour by speaking on the subject in the first place.

But once a few uncomfortable moments had passed and Applejack returned to bucking trees, it became clear she wasn’t going to offer up any further details of her own volition. So, cautiously, Rarity pressed on. “Was it… Pinkie Pie?” she asked, thinking of the conversation she’d had the night before. Almost instantly, Applejack stopped and snorted.

“You really think—? Ah, shucks, Pinkie’s a great mare, and one of my closest friends to boot, but I never felt anything like that about her.”

“So then it was—” Rarity blanched. “Oh, goodness…”

Applejack nodded, and Rarity could see her ears droop beneath her hat. “’Fraid so.”

“Does… does she know?”

Applejack sighed. “At one time I planned to tell her, not long after Pinkie squeezed it outta me, back when we was in school and all. But I was scared—I always been scared—and I kept putting it off. Next thing I knew…” She shifted uncomfortably, looking away. “Well, you and Shy are close, I know you know all about her and… my brother.” She said these last words with an odd, flat tone.

“Oh, Applejack…” Rarity started, stepping over to her friend. She put a hoof to her shoulder. “I… I’m not sure what to say. I never realised—”

“And I never meant for anyone to realise,” Applejack cut in, a hint of bitterness in her voice. “That’s why I keep it to myself—I don’t need yer sympathy. It ain’t the biggest thorn in my hoof.”

“But it’s not fair, for you to have to deal with that,” Rarity protested. “Especially when your love runs so deep…”

“Rarity,” Applejack droned. “Please, I know yer a romantic, but... this ain’t something you can fix. I know she and my brother are happy with each other.” She sighed. “’Sides, I know Shy don’t fancy the mare-folk. I wouldn’ta had a chance even if Mac hadn’t come along. Really, I’m just glad he makes her happy and I can be so close a friend to her... even though sometimes I still do wish I could have more.”

Rarity rubbed along Applejack’s back with her hoof, nodding slowly. “I’m not sure if this is the right thing to say now, but… friendship is the greatest thing a pony can have, is it not? Is there really, as you say, ‘more’?”

“Heh.” Applejack looked up at her friend, a toothy grin on her face. “You know, you’re right about that, Rares. And I feel like I try and appreciate that most of the time… but I really can’t help thinkin’ about what it could be like, too. Even if it isn’t exactly more, it’s certainly somethin’ different and wonderful. At least that’s what I think it could be, since I’ve never had that.”

“Hmm, yes, I think I know what you mean,” Rarity murmured, though her gaze was trained elsewhere, at the sky. Suddenly, she shook back to attention. “But why her?”

Applejack looked confused. “What drew me to Fluttershy in the first place, you mean?”

“No, um...” Rarity paused. “I guess I’m wondering why… if you know that you have no chance with her, why don’t you just… move on?”

Applejack sighed. “And that’s the million bit question, ain’t it? Really, I don’t know. I’ve been trying to for years—and sometimes I think there are other gals I could start seeing myself with, but there’s always something that holds me back. And… I guess since I spend so much time with Shy, I keep comin’ back to her. I know it’s hopeless, but I just can’t help but feel like there’s somethin’ special about her.” She bit her lip. “Not that I would ever do anything about it, of course… Celestia knows how uncomfortable that would make the poor mare, and for no good reason ’cept for my own peace of mind. I guess… I guess it just has to be enough for me to dream.”

Rarity took a step back, looking the farm mare over. And in the pony in front of her, she could see somepony with great strength… and yet great pain, hiding behind her eyes.

“Hey, Rarity?”

“Yes?”

“If you don’t mind answering…” Applejack started. “Why are you askin’ me about this anyway? Me and the rest of the girls, I mean, assuming those are the other ponies you’ve been talkin’ to.”

“Oh, um, yes, it has been them,” Rarity confirmed. “I… well, I’ve been having a lot of feelings over the past few months. Feelings which to some extent I’ve had before, but in a very new, very exciting way—but it’s all still so unfamiliar.”

“Romantic feelings?” Applejack asked.

“Yes, yes.” Rarity nodded. “It’s complicated, to say the least, but suffice to say there’s somepony I have feelings for, and I haven’t yet come to a conclusion on exactly what they are or what I should do about them.”

Applejack leaned back and snickered. “That’s so unlike you, Rares.”

The unicorn raised an eyebrow. “What exactly do you mean?”

“Well, you’re a darn romantic if I’ve ever seen one. Remember Prince Blueblood? Trenderhoof? Coco Pommel?”

“Coco and I have always just been friends, darling,” Rarity interrupted.

The farm pony rolled her eyes. “Yeah, sure, whatever you say. But that’s besides the point. You’re always just so vocal ’bout what and who ya want that I guess it surprises me that you’re fretting so much over whoever this is. Just go out there and ask the darn pony on a date! You can figure out what comes next later, and if it don’t work out then it don’t work out, plain and simple.”

“Oh, you’re right, you’re absolutely right,” Rarity moaned. “I just don’t have much experience with this sort of thing.”

Applejack blinked. “What, with dating? Huh…”

Rarity’s cheeks flushed, and she glanced away. “I-I mean, it’s not like I never have before,” she stammered. “It’s just—”

Applejack put a hoof on her shoulder. “Heh, don’t worry about it, I ain’t judgin’. Remember who you’re talking to here.” She paused, pursing her lips for a moment before continuing: “Well, I can’t quite speak from personal experience, as you know—but I think what I said is still true. If you want somepony, and want ’em real bad, then you gotta just talk to ’em and tell ’em how you feel.” Rarity didn’t respond for a few moments, so Applejack started rubbing her shoulder with her hoof.

Finally, Rarity looked back to her friend. “But what do I do if she doesn’t like me?” she said, almost in a whimper.

Applejack looked past Rarity, to the apple trees both filled with fruit and those laid bare by her bucking. She looked past their leaves and into the fluffy white clouds that were just starting to wispily perturb the sky. And oh, that sky, where her eyes lingered, drinking in the soft blues of the infinite. And then she looked back to those azure eyes in front of her, screwed up in concern, watching her expectantly.

Applejack sighed. “I don’t know, sugarcube. I really don’t know. I guess you just do what I do. You live.”

And then Rarity wrapped her forelegs around her, and they stood in silence for several minutes.

“I have to go,” Rarity eventually murmured, breaking the embrace. “But thank you. Thank you so much. And I am so, so sorry.”

Applejack couldn’t help but let out a dry, husky laugh. “Don’t worry about me. I told ya, it doesn’t hold me back. I go on.”

“If you insist.” Rarity turned away, glancing towards the sign over the entrance to the farm and trotting away.

“Oh, and one more thing,” Applejack called as Rarity was halfway to the path.

“Yes?” The fashionista glanced over her shoulder.

“Good luck asking Rainbow out!”

Rarity’s jaw dropped. And then, fuming, she stomped off to the sound of Applejack’s boisterous guffaws behind her, not even deigning to give the dumb, irritating, uncouth farm pony a second glance.