The sun was slowly descending behind distant clouds. It had been a long day for Applejack, who had participated in the anual Equestrian Rodeo competition held in the seaside city of Horseshoe Bay.
 
By her side was Rainbow Dash, who came along to cheer her friend to victory. They had been training together for the event, and it paid off; Applejack had won more blue ribbons than ever before.
 
The train to Ponyville would not come until the next morning, and it was not yet time for bed, so the two ponies decided to spend the evening seeing the sights around the bay.
 
After walking awhile, they found a leaning tree atop the edge of the coastal cliffs. Applejack sat down, resting against it, and closed her eyes for a moment.
 
For a moment only, as she soon felt a fluffy, colorful weight on her stomach.
 
“Rainbow, what are ya doin’?”
 
The weight stirred slightly to reveal the ruby eyes of a pony. Undoubtedly the most beautiful eyes Applejack had ever met; those who belonged to her closest friend.
 
“I didn’t bring my pillow.”
 
Applejack rolled her eyes at the lazy answer.
 
“Well, make yerself comfortable, why don’t’cha?” she suggested sarcastically.
 
To that, the pegasus smirked. “I was just about to.”
 
She then rubbed her cheek against Applejack’s stomach before closing her eyes again. Before long, she fell asleep, a faint smile on her lips.
 
Applejack gazed down at the younger mare, unable to keep a wide grin off her face. She whispered softly to the snoozing pony, “Ain’t’chu the cutest lil’ thing?”
 
Rainbow Dash’s ear twitched and she frowned slightly, mumbling, “M’not cute…”
 
Applejack chuckled at that, then began to run a hoof through her friend’s mane. As a reply, the pegasus began to smile like a young filly.
 
The rodeo pony would not admit it to herself just yet, but that little smile was worth much more to her than everything she had won during the week.
 
“Whatever ya say, Dash…”