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At first, they're hyperfocused on keeping their eyes open. Concentrating is easy when it comes to competition. Rainbow Dash realised this the first time they partook in a staring contest, in which a wasp buzzed around them whilst their friends made bets beside them. Neither of them flinched.
Now, however, they're without the wasp and their friends. Faintly, Rainbow thinks something like this would be classed as intimate by clueless passerbys.
Focus.
Breathing out, Rainbow widens her eyes. Ghosting blinking is the trick. She'd asked Fluttershy for tips beforehand, knowing that she'd have to be stupid to not request advice from the renowned "stare master". She wonders if Applejack uses this trick.
Opposite her, Applejack lowers her chin slightly. She'd removed her hat so that her eyes weren't shadowed from the warm glow of the tavern around them. Fair and square. That's how Applejack declared she'd win beforehand.
Rainbow Dash won't admit she finds that admirable.
She draws in a long breath, determined on keeping her breathing as even as possible. Not just to keep herself concentrated, but so that her exhales don't sting Applejack's eyes. Fair and square, Rainbow had agreed for once, shaking her freckled hand.
Subconsciously, Rainbow flicks her gaze from Applejack's pupils to her irises. Gilded by the lanterns surrounding them, Applejack's emerald eyes capture aureate and white flakes and-is that a hint of amber? Rainbow almost forgets to ghost blink. Seconds ago, she hadn't needed to. It's like distracting herself with Applejack's eyes is enough to keep her own open.
Applejack's blonde eyelashes flutter but she doesn't blink. Rainbow glances up at them before bringing her focus back to her dark pupils. Huh. Unconsciously, she tilts her head. Applejack's pupils are wider than usual.
Rainbow breathes out slowly. She can see her own reflection in Applejack's eyes. Normally, she'd burst out laughing at the sight, or even at the thought of staring at one of her friends long enough to notice, but this is different. This is a competition. She can't lose. She hates losing. Especially against Applejack.
Another ghost blink.
Rainbow's eyes are starting to sting. This is irrelevant when she sees how Applejack's eyes are starting to water. She's tempted to say a taunt, but Applejack has stayed stubbornly silent for this long and Rainbow Dash will always leap at the opportunity of another competition with her. Even if she's the only one who knows she's participating.
Something gleams in Applejack's eyes. Her eyelids flutter again and she tilts her chin lower. Something she does when she focuses, Rainbow realises. That doesn't matter. Not when Rainbow knows she's going to win this.
Applejack sucks in a breath as her eyes water. Meanwhile, Rainbow watches the countless hues of green shimmer beneath the moisture. Another ghost blink. From Applejack this time. Rainbow can tell from the way her eyelids twitch. However, Applejack almost blinks.
Rainbow Dash lets a grin slip through.
Victory is so close.
A blink.
'You win, Dash.'
Applejack finally closes her eyes, tossing her head back to blink rapidly. Meanwhile, Rainbow blinks once, rubbing at her own eyes.
'Heck yeah!' she exclaims triumphantly, throwing a fist into the air.
Chuckling at her response, Applejack plops her hat back on. 'I've gotta admit I'm impressed. How'd you do it?'
Rainbow considers telling her about Fluttershy's advice, but dismisses it since she's pretty certain that Applejack was using that technique herself. Instead, she settles for what she knows Applejack would prefer: the truth.
'You've got pretty eyes.'
Blankly, Applejack stares at her again. 'You won...because you think my eyes are pretty?'
Rainbow rolls her shoulders back, meeting Applejack's widened gaze with ease. 'Trust me, it would be harder to look away.'
Applejack glances away, eyes flitting over the tavern's mellow interior. Then she laughs.
'Funny,' Applejack follows with a smile. 'That's the reason why I blinked.'