AN: Thanks for reading
The Seventh Element: The Element of Hope
Chapter 5
Danger Dance Party
Lavender and Fluttershy parted ways at her door and Lavender walked into her room to get dressed as well.
"Lavender, Lavender. Look what Rarity gave me," Silla said as her caregiver entered. She held the dark blue dress and matching head band up for Lavender to see.
"Oh Silla, it's beautiful did you thank her?"
"Yep! Lots and lots. She made Spike a jacket too. It's green."
"That's nice what do you say we get ready?"
"Yeah!" Lavender used her magic to help Silla dress before dressing herself. Lavender was fixing the headband on Silla's head when there was a knock on her door.
"Lavender? It's Rarity. Ready for your beauty treatment?"
"As I'll ever be." The lavender pony replied as she finished with Silla.
"Oh don't you look adorable Silla." Silla beamed at Rarity.
"Thank you Miss. Rarity." Silla said happily.
"Oh think nothing of it. Your dress and Spikey-Wikey's jacket were the easiest ones to make."
"Still thank you Rarity. It means a lot," Lavender said as Rarity smiled at her understanding where the other unicorn was coming from.
"Yes well, it's quite alright I'm happy to help. Now speaking of helping I need to do your hair." Rarity used her magic and in no time at all Lavender's mane was curled and styled with jeweled clips throughout. Lavender's make-up was a light silver glitter eyeshadow and a light blush. "There you're ready."
"Wow Lavender you look amazing," Silla told her excitedly. Lavender looked into the mirror and couldn't recognize the pony staring back at her.
"Thank you so much Rarity."
"Of course darling." With that the three left the room and headed to the common room for the party. Upon entering Lavender couldn't believe her eyes. The pinks and purples of the room were covered in a variety of streamers, balloons, and confetti. And ponies from all over the palace were there. She had never seen so many when not at a formal event.
"Wha… This is amazing," Lavender said as the three walked further into the room.
"So what do you think," Pinkie pie said as she appeared suddenly before the unicorn.
"I… It's… It's more than I could have hoped for. Thank you so much Pinkie Pie."
"Yay! Come on!"
"Shouldn't we wait for the others?" Pinkie Pie seemed to deflate a little before bouncing.
"Oh Right!" The three ponies and baby dragon didn't have to wait long for a few seconds later Applejack and Rainbow Dash entered.
"Well I'll be. Ya sure outdid yourself with the decoratin'," Applejack said as the two newcomers looked about. Lavender felt her chest tighten as she saw Applejack and stared at the country pony shamelessly. She turned her head quickly away, cheeks flaming red in embarrassment. Although her actions had not gone completely unnoticed, Rarity saw the way she looked at Applejack and a plan began forming in her mind.
"Yeah Pinkie you did great," Rainbow Dash said as Twilight, Fluttershy, and Spike entered.
"Wow. Wonderful job on the decorations Pinkie," Twilight told her energetic friend.
"Yay! Everypony's here! Let's party!" Pinkie Pie shouted as she turned the music up. The party quickly got into full swing and Lavender just as quickly began to feel un-nerved with all the ponies surrounding her. She moved away from the mass of ponies and found a secluded spot by a wall and sat down. As she sat she watched couples dance. Fluttershy and Twilight passed followed by Silla and Spike. Meanwhile Rarity was beginning to put her plan into action and found AJ by the food stand.
"Oh AJ there you are darling," Rarity said as she walked over.
"Uh… Howdy Rarity. What can I do for ya?"
"Well, have you seen Lavender lately? I can't find her, oh, I'd hate for her first party to not go well." Rarity hid a smile at the concern and worry on Applejack's face.
"I'll go find her. And thanks for the heads up." Applejack left the food stand and went in search of the unicorn. As Lavender contemplated leaving the party her view was blocked by mint green legs. Lavender looked up and saw the face of a pegasus stallion in a guard's uniform.
"Now what's a pretty pony like yourself doing over her all by herself?" The guard pony asked her as he started to block her completely against the dancing ponies causing the unicorn to begin to panic. Lavender in her panic couldn't get her voice to work and instead began looking for ways around him without being rude to the man. But she did not want his company for she had an idea of who he was. "I'm Captain Mint. I've seen you around the palace. You're the Princess's pupil right?" Lavender continued looking for a way out and in her search made eye contact with Rainbow Dash who was hovering a few feet behind them. Rainbow Dash made a motion that Lavender didn't understand and continued to look for a way around the large stallion before her. "What's wrong cat got your tongue?" General Mint raised his hoof to touch Lavender and before he could make contact she moved out of reach which backed her right against the wall. His name came to her then. General Mint was known for bedding any mare he could get his hoofs on. "That's okay I like my girls quiet."
"Please leave me alone," Lavender said as she suddenly found her voice.
"Excuse me?"
"I said leave me alone. I do not wish for your company. Thank you."
"What?!" General Mint lost his calm demeanor and grabbed lavender yanking her to her feet so that she was face to face with him. "No one. And I mean no one says no to me bookworm!"
"I believe the lady just did," A very angry Applejack said as she quickly approached. "And if ya know what's good for ya you'll vamoose." Lavender looked relieved at the sight of the element of honesty.
"Pfft you and what army? Your one girl."
"No she isn't," Rainbow Dash said as she landed next to Applejack. General Mint began to look a little worried and turned back to Lavender to see her horn glowing brightly ready to shoot.
"Leave. Now. And you can be assured the Princess will hear of this," Lavender told the stallion as he ran out of the room.
"Hey… Are you okay? I tried to signal to you that AJ was coming but I don't think you understood," Rainbow Dash said with her hoof behind her head.
"Yeah I'm okay now. And yeah I couldn't figure it out sorry and thank you for helping me out," Lavender told her.
"Heh. No big deal… Well, I better go find Rarity I left her alone when I saw the guard guy stalking over to you." With that Rainbow Dash flew off.
"Are you sure you're okay sugar cube," Applejack asked once Rainbow Dash was gone concern all over her face.
"I think so. I never knew parties could be so frightening."
"Well, you are safe now. And I won't let any varmint near ya. I promise ya that."
"Thank you Applejack." Lavender smiled gratefully at the pony and Applejack blushed slightly.
"Shucks it was nothing. Good job with your magic by the way."
"Thanks but I was unable to use it at first do to my panicked state."
"That's alright. Now I'm certain you haven't tried any of the treats Pinkie and I made. Would you like to accompany me?" Lavender smiled brightly at her.
"Of course AJ." The two made their way over to the food stand where Pinkie Pie was manning the food.
"Hi guys! What will it be? We have apple fritters, apple pie, caramel apples, chocolate ice cream, strawberry ice cream, chocolate cake, brownies, candy, and strawberry cupcake surprise," Pinkie Pie said excitedly before she leaned toward Lavender and shifted her eyes about making sure no one was listening. "The surprise is I lost a teaspoon in the batter. Somepony is going to be a very lucky pony." Lavender looked wide eyed at all the treats.
"We'll take an apple fritter, a slice of chocolate cake, and strawberry ice cream," Applejack told her party friend.
"Okie dokie loki," Pinkie quickly got to work and a few minutes later the ponies were carrying plates and bowls. The two found an empty table and sat down. Lavender immediately tried her apple fritter.
"Wow! This is amazing! Did you make this yourself AJ?"
"Yep along with the caramel apples, apple tarts, and apple pies."
"You and Pinkie Pie did a great job. Thank you."
"Aw shucks sugar cube. It was no problem." Applejack blushed and hid it under her hat.
"Is there really a teaspoon in one of the cupcakes?"
"Knowing Pinkie probably." Lavender giggled and watched the dancers as she ate her delicious treats. She saw Fluttershy pass in the arms of Twilight. Lavender looked across the room and spotted Rainbow Dash and Rarity whom were dancing wonderfully together.
"Do you dance Applejack?" Applejack looked away from the unicorn across from her nervously.
"Not if I can help it… Do you?"
"I've never been awarded the opportunity…"
"I'm sorry. Would you like to?"
"W-what?!"
"Would you like to dance?" Applejack stood from her spot and move to stand next to the unicorn.
"I don't know how…"
"I can show you." Applejack was standing next to Lavender and Lavender couldn't stop the blush at the country pony's closeness.
"Okay." Applejack held out her left hoof to the unicorn who took it and they walked to the dance floor.
"Now just keep your eyes on me and follow my lead." Lavender nodded and as the song started Applejack moved into position and Lavender followed suit. It was a rocky start but soon Lavender was dancing with Applejack. As the night wore on Lavender began to truly enjoy herself more. Especially when she was with Applejack.
"Hey can I cut in," Rainbow Dash asked as some castle ponies started leaving.
"Of course Rainbow," Lavender said as she slowly almost regretfully left Applejack's side. Rainbow Dash swept Lavender into her arms and the two danced off leaving Applejack and Rarity whom had come up with Rainbow Dash alone on the edge of the dancefloor. Applejack watched as Rainbow twirled Lavender about. When Lavender smiled at Rainbow Dash Applejack felt angry and irritated inside that Lavender was smiling at somepony else. Unknown to Applejack Rarity was watching her intently and saw the emotions play across the pony's face.
"They look like they are having fun," Rarity said as Lavender's laugh reached their ears. "I wonder if many have made her laugh like that?"
"Who cares?" Rarity turned to her friend.
"I'd say you do darling. Well, by the look on your face in any case."
"What look?"
"You are jealous of Rainbow Dash dancing with Lavender. I wouldn't blame you she is a pretty girl."
"She's beautiful." Applejack smiled at how Lavender looked tonight. Yet how she looked couldn't compare to how the unicorn looked when she took her to her room.
"What are you going to do about it?"
"What do you mean?"
"Your feelings for Lavender of course."
"I don't have feelings for her. For Celestia's sake Rarity we just met." Applejack avoided Rarity's gaze.
"Come now Applejack you are the element of honesty you can't lie to save your life unless Discord is involved of course. You should try living up to your element."
"I don't know alright!"
"Well, then I suggest you figure it out."
"I know Rarity, I know. So when are you going to tell Rainbow?"
"I'm positive I don't know what you mean darling."
"Come now Rarity, you said yourself I am the element of honesty. I know when I'm being lied to."
"Okay yes. I have feelings for Rainbow Dash. Since Twilight made me wings actually."
"So when are you going to tell her?"
"I don't know. The moment's never been right."
"Well, maybe you should take your own advice." Rarity looked contemplative.
"Perhaps your right." The two watched their crushes dancing before Rainbow Dash brought Lavender over to where they stood. Lavender was smiling brightly and Applejack felt her heart begin to race.
"I don't think I've ever had so much fun before," Lavender said once they got to the two.
"Good. Everypony needs to let loose once in a while," Rainbow Dash said before she turned to the other unicorn in the group. "What do you say we check out the gardens? Maybe they will give you some new ideas for your outfits." Rarity smiled softly at the blue pegasus before her.
"I'd love to. See you two later. And AJ remember what I said." With that Rarity and Rainbow Dash left Applejack and Lavender once again on their own.
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