The bell over the front door jingled as the earth pony entered the store. Rarity was finishing up a transaction with a customer so the buttercream yellow filly stood patiently in a corner of the boutique until the customer left. Once the front door had closed the mare came trotting over.
 
“Applebloom! How are you today? What can I do for you?”
 
“I just picked up my photo from the photographer, and seeing how ya helped so much I figured ya want ta see it!”
 
“Oh yes, yes! Please bring it over here!” The unicorn’s horn glowed and various notes, catalogues, and measuring tape were swept off a coffee table onto a nearby shelf.
 
After a few seconds AB had the parcel unwrapped. Rarity whistled softly.
 
“Oh my! Full Exposure did a marvelous job dear!” The mare levitated her glasses up and perched them on her muzzle. Then she carefully leaned forward and examined the framed tintype of the filly.
 
“She did a wonderful job on the photograph, and that’s quite a nice frame there as well. I rather like intertwined ivy-leaf pattern in the wood. Closed corners as well. Very nice!”
 
The filly smiled and nodded her head but sighed. “Yeah, it’s nice but it did cost me. I’m a gonna have just enough ta cover shipping it ta Stone Mane.”
 
Rarity smiled. “Tell you what Applebloom. I’ll help you get this ready to ship. I have a small wooden crate that you can use and I’ve got some fresh straw and cotton batting you can wrap and pack the frame up for shipping.”
 
The filly smiled. “Thanks Rarity! That a be really helpful!”
 
“Also after you left yesterday I was inspired and made something for you that I thought you might want to send along to your colt. I’m not an expert at making these, but I’ve made a couple for Sweetie and repaired several of hers over the years.”
 
The mare’s horn flared and she levitated into a view a small doll. Applebloom immediately recognized it as being her. She stared at for several seconds. “Um Rarity I’m pretty sure that Stone Mane doesn’t play with dolls.”
 
The mare’s violet-blue mane bobbed as she nodded her head. “True, but I’m certain me he’ll make an exception in this case. Trust me on this one.”
 
Setting: About a week later.
 
Stone Mane trotted up the front steps and entered his aunt’s and uncle’s brownstone in Baltimare. It was muggy afternoon day that heralded the rapidly approaching summer heat. The house was empty so after retrieving a bottle of cold ginger beer from the icebox the colt headed upstairs to his room.
 
He’d planned on reading the magazine he’d recently purchased in his room but that plan was shelved upon seeing the small wooden crate sitting on the bedroom floor. Setting bottle on the floor he sat down and examined it. His face lit up when he read the return address on the crate. Springing to his hooves he galloped out of the room and soon returned with a small pry bar. With this he quickly had lid pried off the crate.
 
After a couple of seconds of digging through the straw his hooves found a parcel wrapped in a soft cotton material and tied with raffia twine. Tucked under the twine was white envelope with Applebloom’s lumpy mouth writing on it. The colt snapped open the sheepsfoot blade on his multi-blade pocket knife and carefully cut the twine and then opened the envelope. Inside he found a single sheet of folded paper. Flattening it out on the wooden floor with a front hoof he started reading. In his mind he could hear the filly’s voice.
 
 
Greetings Stone Mane! I got yer letter and after reading it I thought I’d send ya something ya could remember yer trip ta Ponyville and me. In town we’ve got ourselves a photographer. Her name is Full Exposure and I had her take a picture fer ya. That’s a what’s wrapped up with this letter. Also one our neighbors Rarity made little something extra fer ya. I do hope ya like it!
 
 
I hope Princess Luna starts with our lessons and meetings again soon. I miss seeing ya so much! Until then take care.
 
 
Applebloom
 
 
The colt set the letter aside and carefully began unwrapping the flat parcel. Finally the framed tintype photo of the filly was visible. Colt just stared at the image of Applebloom. Up to this point he’d never thought of a filly as being beautiful or pretty, but Applebloom was just that.
 
However something else suddenly caught the colt’s attention. It had been hidden by the framed picture. The nutmeg brown colt quickly got to his hooves and trotted over to the open bedroom window. He peered out and scanned the nearby windows and rooftops. Seeing nothing out of the ordinary he closed the curtains and tied them together. With this accomplished he stepped out into the hallway and listened for several seconds to confirm that his aunt and uncle hadn’t returned home yet. Satisfied he closed his bedroom door.
 
He then sat down next to the crate and gingerly he lifted the doll out. He immediately recognized it as being Applebloom even in its stylized form. Holding it in both of his front hooves he just stared at it for several seconds. Finally he noticed the small paper tag tugged under bright red bow tied around the doll’s neck. It only had 3 words written on it but they set his heart a flutter.
 
I miss you.
 
The colt pulled the doll to his chest and closed his eyes. After several seconds he softly spoke.
 
“I miss you to.”
 
To be continued.