Howdy! This here's Applejack. Slow down, partner, I know ya'll probly think we're tossing you a crooked horseshoe having me write this one, so just bear with me; it's necessary so you know the details of what's going on. Now, I'm sorry if my grammar ain't the best, and I know I got a funny accent. But if ya'll been waiting to hear the inner dialog of the farm mare who's crazy for the human, here's your chance. I reckon I don't got to tell you much about myself, so I'll just get right to it for ya'll. Just remember to read in my voice this time!

Well shoot, come think of it, I ain't never been a great scene setter. I guess I was feeling more then a few things on my way to the Manehattan Moon thingy. Hehe, I'll be honest, there were times I felt like a pig in a henhouse when I was walking up to that big castle on the edge of town for the hoedown with all the fancy ponies and hitched couples around. If ya'll want reference, it was just like the Canterlot Castle. It sat on the edge of the city on a big hill, and boy, it was a beauty. There was classy ponies and dresses in front of us, behind us, sideways, you name it. I walked all the way from my family's apartment with Aunt Orange. We was side by side, admiring the beautiful show that was going on behind the castle. Why, there was bright lights, and pretty stars, and amazing fireworks. It was quite the romantic setting, and I was a little sad to be myself.

But as soon as I thought of meeting back up with that kind, cute little two-legger, I was giggling like a schoolfilly. I'm usually mighty uncomfortable in these girly dresses and sort, but knowing it was for my sugarcube made it fine and dandy. I  was getting so excited thinking of dancing with him I couldn't stand it. Aww shucks, ah' hope he ain't too embarrassed when he sees what ah' got in store for him. Ah' cant wait to spin him around and around. Come to think of embarrassed, ah' wonder how that sweetheart is holding up with mah' uncle? Please, please don't be nervous, sugarcube! I couldn't bear to think of him in some awkward spot he don't want to be in. But I must admit, he sure is adorable when he's nervous; that cute thing turns as red as a rose every single time I kiss him!  

Wasn't long on our walk up to the castle before I let out a sigh; I missed him already. I just wanted to gallop in there and give him a big ol' hug with all the loving care I could muster. I was still the country girl I always been walking up there and being around all the city folk; but my heart was nothing short of the most loving sentiment I ever felt when he looked at me with those gentle blue eyes. I felt so special picturing his bright, friendly smile that my heart was dancing a jig as I glanced up at those stars. Ah' ain't never met no one like you, sugarcube. Yer makin' me cry just thinkin' bout you! Aside from having the heart of a little foal, he was just so nice and so gentle that I wanted to just fall back in the hay and cuddle that whipper snapper in my arms the whole night. I pulled out the picture of me and him and held it as tight as a lasso against my heart. I was right peaceful when I thought of what came next. Tomorrow, we'll be back at the farm where we belong, watching the sunset over the whole orchard together. You can rest can rest yer weary little head on me, and ah'll be yer country princess who loves you more then anything else in the world. I ain't never been surer about anything in my entire life; I loved that biped with all of my heart and more.

(Still Applejack! Just checkin in on ya!) We (me and my Aunt that is) was walking right up to the big castle gate and waiting in line to get in when all of my emotions and feelings packed their things took a trip south. I felt my heart cry out as though my sugarcube was lassoed in some terrible pickle. That can't be the truth! Not mah' sugarcube! Now I don't understand much about magic and that sort, but I did learn a lot about the magic of two creatures joined in love from my friend Cadence. When her husband was weak and in need of her care, she, uh, somehow- oh shoot, I don't know how to say this - somehow she let all the magic in her heart make it's way into his, like they were two in one. As soon as he felt her love, they straightened up and bucked the queen and her crowd to kingdom come. See now, I felt a similar connection to my sugarcube ever since we got married, and right then, I felt as though he was in a terrible state of sadness and despair, which was making me a nervous, miserable wreak myself. What's that? I'm just a simple ol' earth pony and can't do any kind of magic whatsoever? Well, I sure as sugar can't do spells and what have you, but that don't mean my heart don't have a little magic of it's own!  

By this time, we was past the gate and walking right through the magnificent front hallway that leads out into the garden. There was fancy chandeliers and pretty pony paintings and sculptures and what have you, but none of it mattered. I wasn't sure where this feeling came from, but it was there, and it was downright horrible. Aunt Orange was pointing to dresses and ponies she knew and chatting up a storm, but I was suddenly so nervous I was shaking. I didn't know what to think! Slow down, Applejack, what if he's right out here in the garden with mah' uncle? I took a deep breath, but then I moaned in fear. But what if he's back in mane part o' the city and needs me right now? Oh no, what if something terrible happened to him? It be all mah' fault!

"Where's Uncle Orange? Where's mah' husband?" I said with haste and urgency as we entered the huge, pretty castle garden. It's just like the Canterlot Garden; there was grass, and flowers, and bushes, even a fancy schmancy orchestra. Hitched couples, stallions, and mares were all around me. But my uncle and my husband was no where in sight.

"Um, I don't know, they should be here right in here somewhere. What's wrong dear?"

"Ah've just got this awful feelin' that something terrible happened to 'em! Oh no, ah' should've never brought him here. Oh mah' goodness Aunt Orange, if somethin' happens to him ah'll never be able to live with mah'self for letting him down."

My AJ was always so gentle and kind, but when I was in trouble, he stopped at nothing to see me taken care of. Make matters worse, I was getting mighty uncomfortable with some of the looks I was getting. Aunt Orange put her arm around me to comfort me, but it was no use.

"Oh honey, I'm sure they're just running a little late! My husband knows this town like the back of his hoof, he'll get him here! I promise."

I sat down on the ground and hung my head. That was when I heard the worst possible voice for any broken-hearted mare and the fakest excited gasp my ears ever heard, with the cruelest nice tone to it.

"Applejack! Please tell me you remember me. Oh wait, sorry, everyone remembers me! I'm the great and powerful Trixie!" she said, throwing her hoof out at me like I was being silly. She was wearing a glittering white dress that was froufrou and fancy to the core, probly cost a fortune to anyone but her. Of all the words I would use to describe that strutting showmare, modest and kind are not any of them. "Why so gloom? Where's your date? I would think that a mare like you would have a loyal husband right beside her. Is he getting you drinks or something?" She was making me feel so much worse then I already was. Any other moment I would've given her a piece of my mind and my back leg right then and there, but I was too sad and too disappointed with myself to do anything about it. I just lowered my head sadly.

"Ah' got nothin' to say to you. Just leave me alone, please."

"Um, oh, ok. It looked like you already were alone, and I was just trying to cheer you up, but ok! I'm sure there's plenty of stallions here who would be glad for me to introduce them to you, if you improve your barn manners a little bit. Just say the magic word," she said, strutting off with a sly little smile. I swear, she ain't connected to the harmony. My mind was spinning in every which way. I hoped it was just a false protective sense on my part, or something like that. Maybe ah'm just bein' overprotective. Just as she walked away from us, I heard my Aunt Orange say the best words I had heard all night.

"There he is!" I turned around happier than a junebug on a tomato plant, but that lasted as long as one shake of a sheep's tail.

"Sugarcube!-?"

My Uncle Orange was walking up to us from the garden entrance. He was wearing a fancy suit and tie himself, and he had a big smile on face. My husband was not with him, and just like that, I was back to being sadder than a weeping willow in an ice storm. I was more then sad, I was scared, and I needed my sugarcube. My Uncle started talking to me in his low, hoity-toity accent like nothing was wrong at all.

"Hello darling, so nice to see you! Sweetheart, you look downright radiant," he said. I ran right up to him and put my hoof on him like the utterly frightened and desperate mare I was.

"Where's mah' husband????" He shrugged it off like it was nothing.

"Oh my dear, he'll be here. He had a few drinks at the bar, befriended a couple of colts his age, and well, you know how guys are! They're heading to the ball too, so I thought I'd just let him come with them."

His words were some of the most devastating I've ever heard. I looked at him in disbelief and big time sadness and despair I ain't never felt. The cute little human whom I loved more then anything was in trouble. I knew it! I could feel his pain in my heart, and I was more broken hearted right then and there than I ever been in my whole life. My aunt slapped my uncle on the cheek and stormed off. I knew what I had to do.

"Ah'm leavin'. Ah'm goin' out there and finding mah' husband," I said, but just as I went to trot away, my uncle pulled me back.

"Darling, your husband is doing just fine, I assure you. He'll be here very shortly. Besides, the guards aren't letting anyone out until the ball is over, for safety reasons. By order of the mayor."

I looked at him as though he had taken away the only thing that would ever make me happy again. For all I knew, maybe he had. I didn't know what to think no more. This was more then I could bite off. I felt like the worst wife who ever walked. There was no way my uncle could've done something to him, he's my family! But was he lying to me? Sure didn't sound like my husband. Where are you, my beloved bridegroom? Are you safe on yer way here? Why does mah' heart tell me yer in trouble? Ah'll ah' want is you here with me right now, ah' love you so much!

"Uncle.... are you tellin' me the honest truth? That doesn't sound like mah' husband at all."

"Yes, dear. I mean, really. Are you that surprised? After all, it is in his nature to be a bit of a loose cannon."

I couldn't believe my own ears. My sugarcube a loose cannon? He was messin' with the bull, and now it was time for him to get the horns. I ain't never been a real angry mare, but I was madder then a wet hen to hear that. I reckon I was making a scene in front of everypony around.

"You don't know mah' husband at all! He's the kindest, sweetest creature ah' ever met, and he loves me so much it's embarrassing! " He backed off all innocent like.

"Darling, I'm not saying that at all! I just think that maybe you would've... well, maybe you should've... I don't know how to put this. Maybe it's in your best interests... to... consider... other options."

I ain't never been more sad in my entire life. My voice was choking on betrayal and grief. There was nothing left in me. My eyes were swimming in my own tears.

"You think... you think ah' should've married a stallion?"

I knew right then and there what he thought. I saw the pity in his eyes. He didn't want to offend me, but it was as clear as a glass of water what he thought about my bridegroom.

"Darling... all I want is what's best for you. I promised your mother when she- well, you know- that I would see to it that you and your sister had the best life two sisters could ever have. You're just such a sweetheart, darling... I just... I just want you to be with the one who's right for you."

I looked at him like the desperate, heartbroken, lovesick mare I was. I just took deep breath after deep breath. Especially at the mention of my mother, who would've wanted me to be with the best husband I could ever judge to be with. She would've wanted her eldest daughter to be a happy mare. I ain't never been happier then I was when I was with my sugarcube, the cute little human who was so adorable in every little thing he did. Ah' thought... ah' thought he'd be happy fer me and mah' decision to marry the one ah' love. The one who loves me. Ah' thought marrying a human would be alright with them if they knew how much he cared about me. I was just an inconsolable country mare stuck at a place I sure as hay didn't belong. I needed my hubby, but he couldn't come to me because he needed me.

I collapsed right back onto the grass and laid my head in my arms. I wanted nothing more then my sugarcube in my loving arms, because I loved him so much. My uncle leaned down and put his hoof on my shoulder. He thought I was sad because he thought I realized he was right, and that I should've married a stallion. My sugarcube and I had been through so much together. All the happy, peaceful days at Sweet Apple Acres, where we laughed and played till the sun went down and beyond. We told each other secrets about our families and our upbringing, we went on our adventures together. But none of that mattered to him, because he was no pony. I laid there in the grass without nothing to say for a long moment of time, with just my uncle on my back. I thought a long time about my husband, and I came to one conclusion.

"Hey, Uncle, ah'm gonna tell you a little story," I sat up and looked him right in the eye. I was gonna give him the full scoop; every last bit of feeling and truth that came from my honest heart. I was suddenly even sadder as I examined my life up to that point. "Ever since ah' was born, even before mah' parents died... ah' been workin' the farm all my life. Ah' ain't never questioned it, Uncle. Not once. Ah' loved goin' out there and workin' the hard life if it meant ah' could help mah' family." My uncle shot me a little beam as I took a deep breath. "Ah'll ah've ever wanted was to be the most dependable friend and family member ah' could be. And between Big Mac, Granny Smith, Apple Bloom, as well as mah' best friends like Twilight and the other elements, ah' think ah've done just that, cause they certainly seem to be real fond o' what ah' done fer them."

"Of course they are, dear." I took another deep breath and swallowed my own grief.

"But the honest truth... and you know it... is that no else admires the farmer like the others. No one wants to be the farmer who works all day. Ah' ain't a fancy dress-maker, or a world class flier, or a freaky magic talent. Ah'm just an apple farmer, and that ain't never gonna change."

My uncle took a deep sigh; he was getting real sad listening to this. He knew I was right. Now let's get one thing straight, I ain't one to make ponies feel sorry for me. I don't even feel very sorry for myself, I still had a great life, and I knew it. But I couldn't stop what was coming out of my mouth, because that's what resided in my heart.

"Now Uncle, ah've gotten a lot of different looks from stallions in mah' days. Some of them see me as a loyal friend, some of them see me as just an apple farmer, and many of them look at me and see me fer one thing; you know what ah'm talkin' about, so don't make me say it. You know that ain't me." I thought long and hard about my husband when he first came to Ponyville. He was such a cutie; he was real nervous, but he was so nice. He just wanted to make friends, just like me. We didn't think we'd ever find the right one. I looked away from Uncle Orange and stared right at those pretty stars. For the first time in a long time, I felt the smallest bit of happiness coming back. My voice was probly real high and girly right then. "When he came to Sweet Apple Acres, he started looking at me in a way ah' ain't never been looked at. He looked at me with... respect... and admiration that ah' never felt from anyone outside mah' circle of friends. Ah' ain't never wanted anything for mah'self, Uncle... but when he looked at me with those soft blue eyes of his, there was so much... tenderness, and depth of feeling... ah' just... "

My little moment of joy was gone in a jiffy, and just like that, I was back to crying my eyes out. I looked up and thought of my sugarcube with the rest of the family back home. "You should see him with Apple Bloom, the way he plays with her and reads her stories and takes care of her. He's like the father she never had.... come to think of it, he would be an amazing fa-"

I was having the deepest feelings of love I ever had for him. I'm telling you the honest truth; my whole life, I thought of that only once, and that was before I met him. I figured I would only ever do something like that if I found someone real special, and boy howdy, I knew who that was right then. He was my sweetheart. He was a cutie on the inside and the outside. At that moment, I looked at those stars and came into the deepest realization I ever come into, and my eyes were tearing up with sadness and happiness.

"If ah' ever see him again, ah' hope one day ah' can work up the courage to ask him if he would be the most wonderful father of my..." I stuttered and smiled just a little, but then out of the corner of my eye, I saw Trixie watching me and enjoying every minute of my sorrow. I buried my face in my arms once more and cried my uncle a river. He was even crying a little bit too, and I think at that moment he finally realized who was best for me. But it didn't matter because I failed the one who was best for me. He was out there in a terrible state, and it was outta my selfishness that he was here in the first place. I buried my face in the grass and just kept crying like the little filly inside.