Work Text:
Applejack slipped outside furtively, not that her uncle and aunt would have cared about her unannounced absence. But they might have minded the little packet of cigarettes she had purloined from the cupboard. Her own had run out before she noticed. Yesterday, she had smoked quite a few and forgotten to buy more. If luck is by her side, she can return a new pack to the place of the previous one before anyone notices.
The morning air struck her squarely. She started walking, intending for the cold wind to lose her along the way. Her eyes traveled to the plants around her that had relinquished their leaves and life because of the winter. It was lamentable, for now Applejack did not know where to fix her gaze - upon the smoke curling from distant factories, the brisk motion of the streets so early in the day?
She walked with her head lowered, listening intently and letting her peripheral vision guide her so as not to collide with anyone in haste. She was quite skilled at this by now, but back then she had to mutter a lot of apologies to strangers. Wether it was her fault or not.
Anxiety from the previous day continued to cling to her chest, she drew a deep breath and a black cloud of smoke entered her lungs. She was always anxious the day before her birthday, knowing that the next day letters would pile up on top of her desk.
Her shoulders slumped, her lungs burned as the exhalation came and went. She returned the lighter to its place and continued on, cigarette in hand, lacking the patience to reach her destination before smoking it. Usually, she had patience for many things, but now she felt like an untamed heifer bolting and leading her herd toward an unknown destination in fright. She ran simply to run, or well, walked.
The scenery passed her by a blur and soon, she reached her destination. A wooden bench in a relatively large park in the heart of the city. Applejack sat down, even as the cold wood made her hiss softly. Her legs stretched for a moment, leaving more space in-between them than necessary, then snapped together the instant she noticed.
She brought the cigarette to her lips again, watching her hand tremble from the cold. Before leaving the house, she had donned her delicate, elegant cardigan, intended more for appearance than protection from the chill. Her aunt had gifted it to her for a previous birthday, after she remarked on how frigid the recent winters had been. Beneath it, she wore a large green dress, said to complement her eyes, along with tights and simple, low black shoes that clicked against the hard ground.
Her hair was gathered in its usual fashion, though she wished she had let it loose, perhaps to lend some warmth around her ears. Finally, she draped a scarf around her neck - the sole truly warm fabric in her wardrobe. Her trembling hand found refuge inside her pocket, a discontent sigh escaped her lips.
She sat alone, waiting. She waited for long enough that her cigarette eventually finished, and a trace of irritation crept in. The other girl was always late. Expecting anything different for today had been foolish of her.
She was about to draw another cigarette when a voice called her name.
“Yoo, Applejack!”
She turned her head to see the approaching figure, eyes landing on the messy, unkempt hair. A simple sporty windbreaker buttoned to the top, and finally, the simple trousers she wore.
Something about how careless the other girl got with her outwards appearance made Applejack relax every time. She felt a warmth, both familiar and unbidden, fill her chest, compelling her to close the cigarette box and tuck it into her pocket for later.
Rainbow drew near, her hands hidden behind her back. Despite being on the brink of grumpiness just a moment ago, she allowed herself a smile.
“Good morning.”
“Morning. Have you been waiting long?”
Applejack glanced at her golden watch and let out a contemplative hum.
“Yes.” She replied, monotone.
“Aw, I thought I set a record today.” Rainbow collapsed onto the bench and sprawled, seeking a comfortable position. Her legs extended, back arched, resting on her hands atop her knees, and she finally turned her gaze back to Applejack.
How very unladylike.
Applejack ignored the thought. It felt more like a quiet whisper in her ear than something coming out of her own inner consciousness. Then again, who was she now?
She stole a glimpse at the bag the other girl had tried to hide behind her and she heard a cough. Straightening her back, she turned her attention back to Rainbow.
She ignored the judgemental gaze of the girl whose hair jutted in five different directions. Yet, while disregarding the look, she failed to notice when her friend had gotten ready to leap toward her until it was too late. Arms wrapped around her back and a loud voice shouted near her ear. “Happy birthday!”
Applejack froze, astonished. She had expected it, but it came so abruptly she was caught unprepared. Her hands rose uncertainly, unsure if she should return the embrace or not. The people of Manehattan weren't the most affectionate bunch, so the action was quite forgotten within her. She settled to using her words in the end.
“Thank you.”
She felt the hug tighten before fully releasing her. Now Rainbow's hands, no longer wrapped around her, reached backward for something. That something appeared before her, as if willing to be received into her grasp.
“Here’s your present!”
Applejack accepted the small red bag with some curiosity. “Should I open it now?”
“Yes, sure. Open it.”
Given permission, she carefully opened the bag, sealed with a bit of tape and a decorative bow. Her hand explored the bag, fingers curling around something. Raising it to catch the dawn’s light, the sunbeams refracted against the glass and Applejack’s eyes widened.
“Ponyville?”
“Yea!” Rainbow added, eyes following hers expectantly. “You told me you grew up there, on a farm full of apple trees. That was the first time I’d heard you speak so much.”
Applejack examined the details within the snow globe. The town hall at the center, a snowman nearby waving as tiny snowflakes fell upon them and a sign that read, “Welcome to Ponyville.” All of that surrounded by small, old looking houses.
“The Wonderbolts were doing a show near Ponyville, and I saw that while passing by. I knew it would be the perfect birthday gift,” Rainbow said, proud. “I always have a good feeling about these things, you know.”
Applejack shook the globe, more snow fell down.
“You still admire the Wonderbolts? Even after all the times they rejected your letters?” she asked.
Rainbow shifted slightly, the remark clearly hurting her ego. “They simply haven’t recognized my worth yet.” she said, fingers fiddling with the windbreaker zipper. “Everyone makes mistakes, right?”
...Yes. That's right. Her gaze remained stuck on the snow globe. Had it really been enclosed by such a huge bowl of glass, she wouldn't have found it so easy to make the mistake of fleeing from there. From the place she could confidently call home when she was young.
She hugged Rainbow. Again. Taking both of them by suprise.
“Thank you.” There was a measured wetness in her eyes. Tears would have emerged had she not spent so long suppressing her emotions. Something she learned to do not much later after her installation here, in this city whose name still didn't quite sound right in her tongue.
“N-no problem.” Rainbow stammered for the first time since Applejack's known her. As they released the embrace, a silence lingered between them for a long moment.
“I didn’t know this cheap gift would please you so much,” Rainbow said, a contemplative expression on her face. “Haha.”
Applejack chose to admire the rising sun, almost fully ascended, instead of admiring the way its light struck Rainbow perfectly. She required no effort to seem dazzling in her foolishly unique way. It made Applejack feel a bit bitter.
“Applejack.”
Rainbo was not looking at her, her fingers played together and her eyes moved awkwardly around.
“…A friend, Rarity, needs help inaugurating her shop in ponyville. She’ll be selling dresses and such, maybe you’ll find something you like, and she might even give you a discount if you help. She’s quite generous." She gave some emphasis in the last sentence. "What do you say?”
Dresses held little to no allure for Applejack. Not compared to the bag she had just received, a street sign deterring her from crossing the road on lonely days, or a certain color among many in her friend's hair.
“Sure, if I'll be free then why not.”
But she might as well muster up the courage to visit her true home, so she won't have to open letters again.
“Okay! I’ll let her know.” Rainbow said, smiling wide.