Chapter Text
Rarity sealed the final letter of goodbye to her colleagues, despite knowing none of them wanted to hear from her after what had happened in Manhattan, only a few months ago.
There was always a lingering feeling she had that she didn't have a good grip on the life she built for herself in the city. It was just sand that she was able to hold in her hands until a big breeze came and sent it into the air.
Nothing would ever be the same. And Rarity was sure that she never wanted it to be.
Her face was mercilessly plastered on the news. They called her rude, aggressive and arrogant. Her reputation had crumbled after she blew up under stress in front of everyone at a big Hollywood party.
Her "true side" was brought out by her so-called innocent employees. Their needy, spoiled and ungrateful attitudes finally became too much for the star designer. It wasn't a surprise that she finally let herself crack.
The whole thing spiraled out of her control when the ordeal caused her ex-fiancé to leave her and spill Rarity's secrets on the front page of a nationwide magazine, furthering her banishment from fame.
Almost every personal thought that she trusted to him was being read by every eye in the country, and her privacy was no longer a luxury that she'd been able to uphold.
Love had been turned into a lesson of trust.
Her publicist tried and failed to resurrect her career, but there wasn't much she could do. The media knew how they felt about her now; and they weren't going to change that anytime soon.
Now, she was on her way to Pennyville, her hometown. The one way train rattled down the tracks at speeds faster than light, rushing her from the scene of the crime. That's just what it was. Minus the knives. Add the pitchforks.
Her parents still lived in some exotic villa that she had bought for them on a lake somewhere sunny, but Rarity refused to move in with them, in hopes that they wouldn't be affiliated with her name.
Rarity knew she was innocent. Her employees only got what they had coming for them; but no one else knew that, and she was too afraid to try to convince them.
Her new home was being built on the edge of town, overlooking an Apple Orchard over the hill. She didn't plan to do any more designing. At least, under her own name.
She still loved to do it, and she wasn't going to let making a bad name for herself ruin it.
Rarity made arrangements with the nearby Apple Orchard, Sweet Apple Acres, to stay in their guest house while her home continued construction, which should only take a week or two until finished.
Her mother and father were good friends with some of the Apple Family, as they were called due to their profession. She was convinced they had actually changed their last name from Smith to Apple.
They were the main money makers of the town and made up a good percent of their economy. They were like the royalty of the town, giving that most people would wave and smile when they'd see a member pass by.
It scared Rarity, wondering what rumors may fly if she chooses to stay with them- but she no longer cared. She simply wanted peace.
The train whistled once more as it pulled into the station, shaking Rarity from her daze. She hadn't stopped staring out of the window, her chin rested on her purple nails, daydreaming about what might come next for her.
The spring air was warm and fresh, a slight breeze flowing through her purple hair and bending her floppy hat as she walked off the train.
She'd newly dyed it in hopes that she'd be harder to recognize. Not that anyone in the small town would, but she wasn't taking any chances.
Miss Smith had told Rarity she'd send one of her grandchildren to pick her up at the train station at 2:00, but since she arrived early, she figured she'd pick up a bouquet of flowers for the family, and maybe even some chocolates. Just something nice for them to show how much she apprenticed their kindness.
Under a clear blue sky, she walked into a nearby General Store, which like most things in Pennyville, was within walking distance from the Train Station.
She waved to the clerk as soon as the bell above the door announced her entrance and made a quick beeline to the back of the store.
Rarity browsed for a while, and came across some chocolates, instantly reaching for the pretty box, pulling it up towards her face to admire it when a hand tapped her shoulder.
"Excuse me, ma'am, is that the last box of chocolate?" The blonde woman asked.
"It appears so, but I," Rarity started, whipping around to meet her eyes.
"Well, that's fine and all, except I've been away on a business trip, and these are my little sister's favorite chocolates," the blonde interrupted. "I you don't mind, I'd like those."
"I'm dreadfully sorry, perhaps you can find another box somewhere around town?" Rarity suggested, looking up at the muscular, tall, tan woman.
"I done been everywhere in this town looking for these specific chocolates. They got plenty of others for you to pick, but you're gonna get all greedy."
Rarity held her pointy, angled nose high. "Now, I was going to offer them to you, and pay for them as well, but If you're going to be so rude then I will keep these."
"That's just not fair."
"Finders keepers," she finalized, waltzing away with her trophy.
She proceeded to shop, picking up a bouquet of daisies, four bottles of coca-cola and a nice card before stepping into the line behind a few people, luckily. She still had to meet her chauffeur at the train station soon.
Only, just as she was about to step in line, the same woman suddenly appeared in front of her, cutting Rarity from her spot.
"Excuse me, Darling," Rarity said calmly, doing her best to keep her composure, but this woman was testing her patience.
"Yes ma'am?" The woman asked, turning around towards her with as smirk.
"You seem to have cut the line...You see, I was here first," She explained softly, looking up at the blonde woman, whose face was shaded by a straw cowboy hat.
"Well I'm sorry sugarcube, I didn't see you there... but I'm already checking out and it might be too much trouble to take everything off," she said, crossing her muscular arms. "You keep the chocolates, I'll keep the spot in line."
"Maybe I can do something to make it up for you. I'll pay for your groceries," Rarity offered, blowing a piece of purple hair from her face.
The blonde became flushed. "Now that's just not necessary! I was just saying that maybe I should have the chocolates, but I ain't gonna take 'em. We're both not completely innocent. You take the chocolates, I'll cut you in line."
The mention of innocence made Rarity stiffin, remembering what her ex-fiancé had told her in their last fight.
Just as the tall blonde was strutting out, her face red and lips pouted, she reached in her pocket and pulled out a crisp 100 dollar bill. The tall and tan woman's wrist was pulled towards Rarity in a snatch, and the bill was placed in her calloused hands.
"Take it and find a nice present for your sister. Perhaps a necklace or a hat. Anything as long as I never see you again," she asserted.
The blonde just tipped her hat and stuffed the money in her pocket. "Thank you kindly." Her tone indicated that she was not thanking her kindly.
Rarity just gave a huff as she placed her items on the counter, regaining her composure before she turned to give the cashier a smile.
"How are you today?" She asked as he studied the box for the price for the chocolates.
"I'm doing just fine. If you don't mind me asking, did you just put a 100$ in that lady's hand?" He asked, looking up at her through his glasses.
"I did. I felt a little bad for taking the chocolates, but I know when to stand my ground, and I know when to let it crumble," she replied, looking around the shop.
"That's good, that's good. Not many people tell her no. And not many people hand her money, since she already has plenty," he said, handing her a brown paper bag with all of her purchases.
"Oh she has enough money? I would've never guessed by that hat," Rarity sighed with a slight laugh.
"Yep, Apple Jack never takes it off," he laughed, jamming the keys on his cash register, a sharp ding ringing as the tray flung open, kinging the change inside.
Rarity froze in her tracks, looking up from her purse with a cold stare. "Apple Jack...?"
"Yep. Her family is the largest Apple producer in the state."
She hadn't even spent an hour in Pennyville and already screwed things up with one of the people that she vowed to not screw things up with. It would be just her luck.