The Jewel of Reinsburg - Chapter 1 Excerpt
“It's not just about making things pretty you know,” Rarity stated firmly. Her voice delicately echoed across the empty and peaceful apple orchard, the sound of birds singing a gentle backdrop to the peaceful scene. She sat out on the old red and white bench outside the Apple family farmhouse, her hooves tucked beneath her body and an empty glass of lemonade resting atop a weary-looking sidetable beside the bench. The sun was dipping, sending pink, orange and yellow hues across the sky as a vibrant finale to a beautiful summer's day. “I want to share what I love with everypony. I want to create things that make them happy, make them feel beautiful and special. Something that makes them feel like the crowning jewel, the star of the show.”
Applejack sat beside her on the old bench, the painted wood a familiar sensation beneath her hooves. She watched as Rarity stared across the orchard into the horizon and noticed that the corners of her eyes glistened slightly.
“I just wish everypony could understand how hard it is. If I'm not trying to find time to see my friends, or giving Sweetie-Belle a few hours of my day, I'm working. Running the boutique, doing stock checks, designing commissions, chasing orders, and not to mention all the sewing! It's exhausting.”
Rarity wiped a hoof across her eyes to dry them and giggled nervously. “Oh, I bet you think it's silly that making dresses could be hard work. It must seem like a breeze compared to a hard day on the farm.”
Applejack placed a hoof on Rarity's shoulder supportively.
“No Ah don't think it's silly sugarcube.” She said seriously. “Running a business is hard work, no matter what business it is. But when it's something you're passionate about, it's all worthwhile in the end.”
Rarity looked at her in surprise, her eyes wide.
“That's something we both have in common ain't it? We both know the meaning of hard work, whether it's bucking apples or making dresses." Rarity nodded in agreement and they both looked back out across the horizon, watching the amber sun dip lower into the horizon.
“Ah'm just so sorry Ah never saw it before. Ah judged you wrongly and that weren't fair of me. You might be a little too fussy sometimes, but you put your all into what you do and still try to do right by your friends and your family. Ah really respect that Rarity. Ah just want you to know that.” Applejack added after a long pause.
She looked back at Rarity and smiled. They had been visiting each other at least once a week for the last year or so and she had wanted to apologise to Rarity for a long time. Seeing the unicorn upset and stressed about her work had been the final push she needed to say what she wanted.
Rarity's dazzling smile could have given Pinkie Pie's a run for it's money.
“Oh, Applejack. You'll start me crying again if you carry on,” she replied, fighting back a few little sobs. “I've just had such a stressful time working lately that I... Well, what you said, it was just what I needed to hear.”
Rarity leaned across the old bench and wrapped her forehooves around Applejack's neck in a hug. Applejack returned the gesture tightly and the smell of lavender and soap washed over her as Rarity's mane engulfed her muzzle. She could feel Rarity's soft coat beneath her hooves and her heart beating in time with her own as they embraced. They held the hug for a moment longer, then just as Applejack let go she felt a pair of soft, full, lips press against her cheek and the delicate, soft touch of a kiss. Applejack's heart raced, she felt goosebumps tingle down her back and her hooves tremble.
“Thank you.” Rarity whispered into Applejack's ear.
I recently did a big re-write to two scenes in my RariJack Fanfic The Jewel of Reinsburg. The above is a whole new scene I added in as a sort of flashback to help explain where the romantic feelings both characters have for each other comes from.
Before, it was very "told" and not "shown". So I'm hoping this little memory flashback helps establish the background for these two becoming closer as friends, and then helping to justify why that friendship develops further.
ANYWAY, I thought I'd post it up here for folks enjoyment. You can read the rest of chapter 1 and the entire story (though chapters 2-8 still need re-working) here: The Jewel of Reinsburg.
