On Top of the World (Closed: Rarity)

[SteelEagle]

 

 

It had been a lifetime and a half since Applejack had an honest to goodness picnic with somepony else other than family, pony pet playdates canceled because of illness notwithstanding. Everypony's lives seemed so busy and demanding lately, not that she could blame them all. Rainbow Dash was a Wonderbolt, Twilight a Princess, Rarity's business was booming...well, maybe Pinkie was the same and Fluttershy didn't seem to have anything new on her plate, but they both seemed the group picnic type and that would be why Applejack believed they hadn't suggested it. Applejack enjoyed the picnics she had with her siblings every other Saturday out on the northern hills of the orchards, don't get her wrong, but she ate with them every day. There was something special about days with friends that would be lost if she didn't get her picnic fix sated every once in a while. That went for double when it reminded her of the old times, which today sure as heck did.

She was going to Northern Highway Hill, the traditional meeting place for ex-lovers of the earth pony and unicorn varieties. She was going to meet Rarity there for a picnic, something she had been saying since she had been a teenage filly. At first defiantly, then wistfully, and then with resignation- now with excitement, giddiness pepping her step. It was something they had done when they were a couple and had been one of the hallmarks of their relationship. That and arguing and exploration and a lot of good memories coupled with some bad. After it had ended she had been sour on it all- thankfully Twilight arrived soon afterward and helped save their friendship. Now she looked on those memories as some of the most fun she had ever had. Applejack hadn't hesitated when Rarity suggested they come together for a picnic. It had been a simple matter of checking her schedule- and it was clear in the first time since forever!

Applejack packed her normal assortment of down home country fresh vegetables and salads and made her way to the Northern Highway, moving faster than she expected. She was excited! The view from the hill was sublime. Back in the day you could sit on top of it and see the whole town. Sure, some of it was covered by the forest but point was you could see it. Now the town had grown so much that you couldn't see more than three quarters of it and even then that was being mighty generous. It had only been a few years but the town had grown so much. It was a nice metaphor for Applejack and her friends too, which made her trip to the top of the hill all the more symbolic. Full circle had a lot of meanings! Applejack? Well, Applejack wasn't one for a lot of metaphors. She WAS for a lot of eating this delicious picnic she had set up, arriving ahead of Rarity. Well, nopony'd care if she just took a little nibble, right?