“You know, I’m surprised you wanted me of all people to help you decorate.” Rarity said as she waddled down the hallway of Applejack’s home, careful not to brush her large body against anything potentially breakable. “You always say I’m too frou-frou for this sort of thing, so I figured Pinkie Pie would’ve been a better fit.”

“Well, we’re havin’ relatives over, so I just wanna make sure everything looks nice,” Applejack explained. “Plus, you’re a lot more… Uh, what’s the word? Artsy? Anyway, I ain’t lookin’ for anythin’ too fancy, but I also didn’t want everythin’ to be too pink either. So, I thought you could help me out.”

“Fair enough. I promise I won’t do anything too fancy.” Rarity jokingly rolled her eyes as she followed her friend into the kitchen.

The moment she walked in, however, Rarity was instantly overcome by the sweet-cinnamony smell of freshly-made apple treats. Immediately, her eyes widened as she caught the glorious sight of over a dozen glazed apple fritters cooling off on the counter. She stared hungrily as her mouth began to water, eager to satisfy her sudden sweet tooth.

“Want some?” Applejack asked, snapping Rarity out of her daze. But before she could even answer back, AJ went ahead took one anyway.

“Oh, well. Don’t mind if I do,” Rarity smiled greedily as Applejack handed her a treat.

She began lumbering herself over to the nearest chair when Applejack suddenly called out. “Hold your horses, big girl!” Before Rarity got the chance to lower her massive rump down, the cowgirl quickly pulled up a second chair right next the other. “There you go. No offense, Rare, but I ain’t takin’ any risks with you around.”

“Right. Thanks,” Rarity nodded awkwardly as she slowly sat down. Feeling her hefty thighs pour over the sides of the chairs, she waited a few seconds for the creaking and groaning of the wood to subside. Now being over 600 pounds and counting, she wanted to make sure the chairs were sturdy enough to hold her before she could actually make herself comfortable. It’s become sort of a new normal routine for her.

She looked up to find Applejack just across the room, tending to a couple of large pots on the stove. Though she was happy her friend didn’t notice her struggle, it would’ve been nice if Applejack had looked with some concern.

Finally settled in, Rarity took a huge bite out of her delicious fritter. She closed her eyes as she quietly moaned to herself, chewing away in crumbly delight. “Oh, and you can take as much as you want,” Applejack chimed in, hardly turning towards her guest. “We got plenty more where that came from.”

Falling back down from her trance-like bliss, she quickly swallowed to reply. “Oh, thank you.” Suddenly feeling a little playful, she began to cram the rest of her fritter into her chubby cheeks, chewing far louder than she normally would as she wanted to get Applejack’s attention. “May I have another?”

Now looking back, Applejack cracked a smiled as she saw Rarity, mouth stuffed to the brim trying to hold back her own laughter. “Sure thing,” she chuckled as she brought over another fritter. “I’m also makin’ some cider and hot chocolate if you want some. They’re almost ready.” She said as she pointed towards the large pots behind her.

“Oh, then I’ll take some chocolate, please,” Rarity nodded, still trying her best to choke down the pastry. “I think I’m going to need something to drink.”

After a few minutes of waiting around, chatting back and forth, and sharing a few more fritters with Rarity, the hot drinks were ready to serve.

“Here you go,” Applejack said as she brought out a mug of hot chocolate for Rarity. “I even threw in a few marshmallows for you,” she winked as she turned back to the stove.

“How fitting since I’m about as soft as a marshmallow myself.” Rarity smiled as she watched Applejack pour out a cup of hot cider for herself. Feeling quite enamored by the warm kindness of moment, Rarity waited for her friend to join in before holding up her mug. “Cheers.”

“Ha ha, cheers!”

TINK!

The two girls drank, talking quite a bit at first until things began to quiet down. They then continued to drink in silence, listening to the sounds of the cold wind blowing from outside or an occasional car passing by… appreciating each other’s company…

Suddenly…

“Wait, didn’t you want to me to start decorating?”

“Oh, shoot! I completely forgot!”