“Just try a bit. It’s darn good.” Applejack slid her bowl of soup across the cafe table to Twilight. They were sitting outside a cafe in a little town, amidst old stone buildings with brightly painted wooden shutters and doors.

“We’re supposed to be having dinner at six o’clock,” Twilight grumbled. “We’re supposed to be checking into our hotel right now.”

Applejack pulled the soup back and sighed. “I’m sorry, sugarcube. I coulda sworn the conductor said Hoof City.”

“Me too,” Twilight agreed. “But this ruins all of my plans.”

“I can register for the rodeo tomorrow if we catch the mornin’ train. And we can have dinner at the restaurant tomorrow night.”

“We’ll miss the starbat migration tonight. Fluttershy said it’s amazing.”

“Maybe next time?” Applejack shrugged.

Twilight nodded. “I know. It’s just frustrating.”

“It is. But you still gotta eat.”

“Okay.” Twilight reluctantly stood up and went into the cafe.

Applejack watched ponies around the town square. There were a lot of them, and even though it was suppertime the shops and market stalls were open and busy. She smiled as Twilight returned with a bowl of soup.

“I never heard of Hoof Creek. It’s a nice lil’ place.”

“It is.” Twilight nodded. “And you’re right, this soup is terrific. The only thing that would make it better is if I was supposed to be eating dinner right now.”

“You could wait until six.” Applejack smirked.

Twilight raised an eyebrow. “Wait to eat this? Are you crazy?”

“Soup good enough for Twilight to break her schedule? These folks got a dangerous weapon on their hooves.” Applejack chuckled.

Twilight snorted a laugh. “I’d stick my tongue out, but I’d have to stop eating.”

Applejack grinned. “Wait’ll I get the recipe and lay waste to Ponyville by cookin’ it every night.”

“As if I can’t just get Apple Bloom to look at your planner and see what time you’ll be cooking.” Twilight smirked.

“My sis wouldn’t sneak like that.” Applejack raised an eyebrow. “Or maybe it ain’t such a coincidence when you happen by when I need help haulin’ apples?”

Twilight kept her face straight. “The Equestrian Constitution says that I can’t be forced to incriminate myself.”

“Do ya think I wouldn’t ask for help?”

Twilight smiled. “That, and I just like helping you.”

Applejack smiled back. “I can’t say I mind either of those.”

“Where are all those ponies going?”

Applejack looked up to see that the crowd in the marketplace had nearly disappeared, and the last of them all seemed to be hurrying in the same direction.

The stallion from the cafe was nearby, cleaning up for the evening. He looked over and answered, “To see the starbats.”

Twilight blinked, and her mouth fell open. “But… that’s in Hoof City!”

“Oh, they fly that way. But they come outta the cave on the edge of town. Should start flying in about five minutes.”

Twilight and Applejack looked at each other in shock. Then Applejack lept to her hooves with a grin.

“Come on!” She motioned, waiting for Twilight before they both took off at a gallop.

They came to a meadow at the edge of town, where dozens of ponies were spread out across the field. They barely had time to stop and catch their breath when a wave of darkness rolled across the rising moon. Millions of bats flew over the meadow, blacking out the night sky. But the glowing yellow spots on their wings replaced it all with twinkling, moving points of light, as if the stars were dancing.

Applejack and Twilight leaned against each other, staring at the display.

“The legend goes that Princess Luna fell in love with a pegasus and turned his wings into starbat wings. Then when she was banished, the stars faded, and that’s where batponies came from,” Twilight whispered. “Starbats were a symbol of love in Equestria for a long time.”

Applejack nodded, still watching. “I reckon this’d be awful romantic with a special somepony.”

Twilight took a deep breath. “Applejack? What time is it?”

Applejack turned to answer, “‘Bout quarter of—”

She was cut off by a kiss. They locked together under the shimmering sky, both hearts beating like the fluttering wings above them. When they finally parted, Applejack’s eyes were wide, while Twilight just wore a proud smile.

“Twilight…” Applejack whispered. Then she cleared her throat as she snuggled against her. “So, was that on your schedule?”

Twilight smirked and draped a wing over Applejack. “I’m not telling.”