Rarity sighed crawled out from under the duvet. How long has she been here? She looked around the room, at the empty ice-cream boxes and tissue paper strewn around. It was absolutely dreadful. Even her deep, deep despair did not excuse such thing. She levitated all the trash from the floor, crumpled it into a neat, little ball and went downstairs to deposit it in the bin.

As she entered the kitchen she was pretty sure she caught the scent of earth and wind. She took a deep breath and tried to steady herself. She was just imagining things, there was no way that the scent of that pony could linger around for so long.

Rarity threw the trash away in the surprisingly-clean-kitchen - she was surprised that Sweetie Belle had managed to keep it so neat. It seemed that the time spent with Scootaloo and Apple...Bloom had a good effect on her sister after all.

But even a casual glance around stirred up another round of memories. So many evening of cooking with...with Applejack, cakes and apple pies blurred together, overlapping. They spend so much time together there. Rarity trying to teach Applejack more refined cooking while the country mare was always adamant to prepare something that “stuck to ya ribs”. Rarity caught herself smiling.

She went up to the door and opened it a little. There were four envelopes laying on the doorstep - notes from her friends, without a doubt. Of course, Applejack didn’t leave one. Rarity wondered if she will be able to call her a friend ever again. She levitated the letters to the dinner table. She will read them later, they will surely cheer her up.

Now she had something else to do - getting outside. Citizens of Ponyville were surely distraught at her absence. She hesitated for a moment. She forgot to put her makeup on.

She still stepped out. The ponies will surely forgive her, her world had ended a few days ago.



As Rarity walked around town the memories kept coming back.

She looked at the trees and could only remember the branches they were arguing about before the fateful storm. It seemed eons ago now.

“Quills and Sofas”. Another memory. Herself explaining why this particular sofa would look exceptionally good with the current barn decor.

Sugarcube Corner. Applejack flustered, her cheeks red, her voice raised, pointing at the bill. They had been arguing and over again over such trivial things before it all ended.

Train Station. Applejack in her arms, so happy about yet another ribbon she has won on the rodeo.

Town Hall. Herself screaming, her friends trying their best to avert their gazes.

Twilight’s Castle, Coffee Shop, grocery, that blue house, the fountain...

Happy memories. Painful memories. Bittersweet memories. Applejack’s face in all of them.

Rarity was not surprised at all where she felt her hooves touching the fresh grass. She was sure they will lead her here. The hill was overlooking numerous apple trees in full bloom and the farm. The air was sweet and warm, just like that day. That’s where it all began, with the first “I love you”.

She could have just avoided the answer, avoided the memories of her and whole Ponyville being forever.

But she could never do that, even if she had known back then. It was well worth it. Even if that meant if she had to live her remaining days with the shade of lost love haunting her every step.