Chapter Text
DISCLAIMERS!!!
⋆ Parker is not based on a pony featured in any generation, remake, or form of My Little Pony. He is an original character.
⋆ Some characters (especially AJ at the beginning of the story) are mischaracterized. While it isn't intentional with the others and I try my best to avoid it, AJ is intentionally mischaracterized. This will change (and be explained) as you keep reading.
⋆ Everyone is human, this is a human universe! However, I try to keep things as accurate to the show as possible (such as Rarity keeping her name and purple hair.)
Beyond the Parlor
I - Lavender and Lilies
When AJ walked into the wedding parlor, all she could focus on was the strong, sweet scent of lavender. She wasn't any stranger to strong smells, living with an orchard for a backyard, but this felt different to her. She almost wanted to cover her nose.
The walls were a light lilac, adorned with designs of purple and white lilies. The flowers wrapped around the walls of the shop, creating an intricate pattern. The parlor was full to the brim with wedding dresses and veils—mostly in white, but a few with more unique colors.
Lucky for AJ, she didn’t need anything too fancy. All she needed was a simple dress for her simple, perfect day. She'd been planning her wedding with Parker for months now, and the day was finally approaching.
“Hello, may I help you?” A rich voice said from behind the counter. It was a pale woman with curled, purple hair down to her waist. She wore clothes from various different clothes brands, all fancy in some way or another. The pieces may have looked weird by themselves, but she somehow managed to combine them in a stylish way. AJ could tell she was in good hands.
“Hey, I'm looking for a wedding dress. And veil, I think. I'm not 100% sure, my fiance is running late.” AJ said, fidgeting with her hands like a toddler. In this moment, she felt like one.
“Yes, yes. Of course, darling! We can get you started right away. Do you know your size?” The woman exclaimed while stepping out from behind the counter with a measuring tape. Clearly, she didn't trust AJ to know her size. Which was fair, considering she showed up to a fancy parlor in muddy jeans and a flannel. (As a bonus, AJ also saw no issue with that.)
“I'm a medium, I think.” AJ muttered ashamedly. While it didn’t seem like the woman would judge her, she felt odd saying her size in front of someone that was clearly an extra small.
“Oh no, darling. You have to be a large, at least.” The woman said. The words were rude, but she didn't say it in a judging way. In fact, she was actually eyeing AJ's biceps as she said it. “Do you work out? You seem pretty strong.”
The woman lifted AJ's arms and started to measure her waist.
“Not exactly. I, uh, my family owns the apple orchard. Lots of heavy work, I guess. Did I catch your name?”
“Rarity, darling. Stand still, okay?” Rarity said, measuring the size of AJ's bust. She blushed a little, but she would never admit that.
After measuring the height of AJ (and various other places on her body, like her bottom), Rarity stepped behind the counter and typed the measurements into her computer. She waited a few seconds before a small paper, about the size of her palm, printed. It detailed the number of dresses that would fit AJ immediately and the number that would fit with some minor tailoring.
“Do you know what type of dress you're looking for, dear?” Rarity asked, already shuffling through the racks of various dresses.
“Uhm, I’m not sure. My fiance was supposed to help me with that.”
Rarity’s eyes widened and she turned to look at AJ.
“Not a problem, dear,” she said with mild reluctance, “let’s try a few things on while we wait for him to get here.”
She grabbed a dress from the rack. It was covered with intricate designs and had a long lace finish. Most of all, though, the neckline was enough to reveal about half of AJ’s chest.
“That’s, uh, quite a revealing dress you got there.” AJ said, her southern accent getting even more noticeable due to her nerves.
“Too much for you, darling?” Rarity asked, preparing to put the dress back on the rack. Her eyes subconsciously started scanning for other options.
“No. I really like it, actually. I’m just not sure my fiance will, is all.”
“Why don’t we try it on? I’m sure it’ll look lovely on you.” Rarity handed the dress to AJ and lightly pushed her into one of the changing rooms. “Tell me if you need help with the zipper!”
Truthfully, AJ was thrilled to try the dress on. She loved everything about it, even the neckline. So, she slipped out of her red flannel and dirty jeans and stepped into the dress. With some slight wiggling and struggles, she was able to get it on. The only issue was the zipper, which she definitely couldn’t zip up herself.
“Hey, Rarity? Could I get some help?” AJ called from inside the changing room, cracking the door open slightly for her to enter.
“One second!” Rarity answered. Quite possibly one second later, she stepped into the room and shut the door. “My oh my, you look stunning! We could just tweak there, add a train here… Oh, and a veil! Your day is going to be so perfect!”
“Right, and… my zipper?” AJ asked awkwardly, blushing from the compliments.
“Of course, right.” Rarity said. She zipped AJ up, but not without staring at her back muscles first. Not to mention her tattoo, which had Rarity hotter than she'd like to admit. “How do you feel about the dress?”
“It’s… gorgeous. You made this?” AJ asked, staring at herself in awe. The dress accentuated the best parts of her, hugging her waist and lifting her bust.
“Yup! I make everything here myself. Hence the price of some of my pieces. Not to brag, but this one is one of my favorites. The price isn’t too hefty, though.” Rarity responded proudly. Not in a gloating way, but you could tell she genuinely loved what she made in the best way possible.
“This is, wow… I love it.” AJ said. She was absolutely dazzled by the dress.
“It looks amazing on you. It suits you very well. Is it alright if I touch you?”
‘I would love it if you touched me.’ AJ thought, inappropriately.
“Yeah, that’d be fine, sugar.”
Rarity pulled out her notepad and started marking down some observations, most likely for tailors work. She felt the fabric on AJ’s waist, making a note to tighten it appropriately, given it was slightly too big. When she was done, she gave the notepad to AJ.
“Now, if you want to get this dress, the cost of those adjustments alone will be about 30 dollars. Adding a train is an extra 50. We can look at other dresses, obviously, but the expected cost of this one comes to about 250-300 dollars. Of course, I can always lower the price if you need. Is that in your price range, or should we look for something cheaper?” Rarity asked.
“No, no. That’s fine. I really like the dres-”
AJ was cut off by a quick slam of the parlor doors. Heavy and uneven footsteps rang throughout the shop.
“Apple? Apple, where are you?” A deep voice asked with slurred words.
“That’s, uhm… That’s my fiance.” AJ said, stepping out of the changing room and back into the main shop.
She and Rarity were greeted with the familiar, drunk face of Parker. His dark brown hair was messy and uncombed, not to mention he obviously hadn’t shaved. He reeked of liquor and cigarettes, like he did half the time.
“What are you wearing?” Parker laughed, looking at AJ. “That dress makes you look HUGE.”
AJ looked down, avoiding eye contact.
“You’re late.”
“I was busy.”
“Doing what?”
“Things in the orchard.”
“Spiking your apple cider doesn’t count.”
“Yes it does, I made it.”
“Months ago.”
“Whatever, Apple. Go find another dress. That one makes you look… ugly.” Parker criticizes.
AJ stepped back into the changing room with Rarity.
“Can you unzip me?”
“Well, he’s quite the charmer…” Rarity said, grabbing onto the zipper and pulling it down. She tried (and failed) to distract herself from AJ’s back this time.
“He’s usually better than this.”
“I wish I could believe you, darling. First impressions are important, and that one… wasn’t great.”
AJ slipped out of the dress and back into her usual clothes. Rarity practically had to tear her eyes off of her body. She couldn’t stop herself from peaking at AJ’s abs, though.
They walked out of the dressing room. Parker made himself comfy, laying on the plush white couch Rarity had next to the changing rooms. He made sure to leave no room for anyone else on the couch, like a true hog.
“Took you long enough.” Parker whined. He pointed at another dress from the comfort of his seat. “Try that one on, Apple. It’s less… revealing. People don’t need to see that much of you.”
“Okay.” AJ said as she grabbed the dress. “Rarity, could you help me in there?”
“I’ve got it.” Parker groaned, stumbling up from the comfort of his seat. “I don’t want anyone else to see you without clothes.”
“It’s not a big deal, Park’. I don’t care who sees me without clothes.”
“I do, c’mon.”
Parker opened the door and practically shoved AJ in there. She changed into the dress which was extremely loose, not to mention it covered all of her. Nothing accentuated, nothing revealed. She was completely… hidden.
“Perfect! Looks great.” He slurred, holding her waist.
“Yeah, it’s… good.” AJ replied.
“And it’s only 50 dollars, compared to that piece of junk before. Change and I’ll meet you out there, okay? I’ll go pay.”
AJ took the dress off and, again, slipped back into her normal clothes. She stepped out of the changing room and back into the main parlor, where she saw Parker fiddling through his pockets at the front desk. Rarity looked less than pleased.
“Hey, Apple? I forgot my wallet.” Parker garbled. “I can’t pay.”
AJ sighed. “It’s fine. I’ll cover it, I guess.”
She grabbed her wallet and pulled out a 50 and a 20, handing the bills to Rarity.
“I’m gonna wait in the car, okay?” Parker said, already stumbling out of the building.
“Sorry about him. He’s just… nervous with the wedding and all.” AJ said.
“It’s no problem. Do you like the dress?” Rarity asked, scanning the tag.
“I mean, I guess. It’s a dress.”
That broke Rarity’s heart a little.
“Call me if there’s any issues with the dress, okay? Here’s the number.” Rarity said, slipping a small, folded piece of paper over to AJ. “You go by Apple? I never caught your name.”
“AJ. My full name is Applejack. I hate the nickname Apple, he just uses it anyway.”
“Got it.”
“Have a good rest of your day.” Rarity called as AJ walked out.
She tipped her hat in response and stepped out of the door.
Word count: 1,882
Date written: March 3rd, 2026
Date published: March 3rd, 2026
Date revised: ?