Rarity was early.

This in itself was quite a feat, given all of the makeup, haircare, wardrobe switching (three in the last hour), and other assorted preparations she'd gone through. But she was determined to set a good example for her friend, so that she would have some idea of what to do for a potential romantic partner.

She was also excited. Nopony besides herself had ever really shown any interest in romance before, and now Applejack had gotten herself into one. This was the perfect time to introduce one of the girls - and maybe, by extension, all of them - the joys and woes of courtship.

Assuming they got out the front door, that is.

Applejack's arrival surprised Rarity, but she turned slowly, very romantically, her best dreamy look prepared.

"Why, of course, App-"

Jeans. Jeans. Applejack was wearing jeans. Rarity's mouth dropped open at the audacity of it.

"Nope. No! This is absolutely unconscionable of you, Applejack! I see my work is cut out for me. Come with me, we'll get you properly prepared."

She took AJ by the arm and forcibly walked her back to the inn, in the direction of their rooms.

"You are not going to a fancy restaurant in those rags, even if it's just on a practice date!" She lets go of AJ briefly to look through AJ's wardrobe. "No, no, no... do you have anything wearable?"

Of course she doesn't, and Rarity's not really surprised. "Come on, we'll try you out in one of mine." And she's dragging AJ to her wardrobe. Even having only been here a couple of months, Rarity has a nice assortment of modestly fancy outfits. "Now, I'll let you have first choice of anything in here, Applejack, as long as it's appropriate. What will it be?"

Rarity's already rummaging through her wardrobe, briefly holding up dress after dress on AJ before rejecting them and tossing them aside. Eventually she settles on an uncomplicated red dress, which she offers to the bemused Applejack.

"There! It doesn't even have any frills, and it will go so well with your mane. It's perfect! Go into the bathroom and try it on."

So much for trying to teach Applejack human dressing customs. Oh, well. And then the dress doesn't even fit! "Oh, if you just- here- " Rarity pulls and pushes at the dress, but AJ's just not the same shape as Rarity. She huffs, and is tempted to just say "well, let's go anyway" - but she takes pity on her friend. Fashion is supposed to make you feel better, not worse.

"Just a moment, Applejack, we can fix this." She pulls out her pins, scissors, and sewing needle, putting two between her teeth and snipping at the dress - one of her favorites! - in order to expand the size in the right areas. With some spare fabric she does a quick pin-job to fill the holes, and pins down anywhere she's larger than Applejack. Just hope none of those pins come back to poke you later, AJ. Or now.

The clock is ticking down.

"Yes I do, Applejack. You are not going to a fancy dinner in jeans, and you are most certainly not going in something that makes you uncomfortable. That would be against the very point of dating! Take note of that: your object is to have fun. And also, to be fabulous." Rarity glances up at the clock with sharp objects in her mouth. "Just a few more..."

Fifteen minutes after they'd agreed to meet and go to the restaurant, Rarity finishes. It's a bit slapdash, but looks fine from a distance, and it's a little less tight. "Now, I need you to do something very important for me, are you ready? Twirl. ... Now, how does that feel?"

Rarity looks at Applejack. "Hmm. A smile, maybe. But that could come later. The dress itself is certainly more serviceable than you last choice."

She inspects Applejack's face, possibly leaning in a little too close to examine her eyelashes and lack of lipstick. "No makeup, but I suppose a rustic look is good for you, dear. It fits. This will do! Now, are you ready?" She offers an arm for AJ to take.

Rarity politely doesn't mention AJ's nervousness, which she's able to perceive occasionally because - well, she's known AJ a while, she has some idea of when she's putting up a facade. But the best course of action now seems to be to put her at ease.

"Well, it's not much, but it's one of the fancier restaurants this side of Goldenrod. You'll like it!" This is as much a reassurance as it is a threat.

They walk through Cianto, Rarity holding her head high with elegant poise. And yes, they're walking past other people, too. At the end of the block is the restaurant they're going for: "Mushrooms, Pies, and Earthly Delights".

Cadance chose the restaurant well, and Rarity's happy to see AJ perk up a little at the restaurant name. "Now, Applejack, you asked for dating advice, and most special someponies or somehumans like a little romance on a date. Why, even Fluttershy will splurge for a fancy dinner with me every so often."

As soon as the words are out of her mouth she doubts the wisdom of mentioning the other pony's name. To cover her mistake she hastily asks the waiter for their reservation (table for two, name of Cadance), who leads them to their table.

Fantastic, a way that Rarity can help! It's as if she's trained her whole life for this moment. ... Well, not really, but she's super prepared for Applejack's question. "Well, the ideal thing is to get a couple of courses minimum. You want to spend a substantial amount of time at the table, so you don't want to get just one course and be done with it, but you don't want to be a glutton either, otherwise you could make yourself and your date quite uncomfortable. The ideal number is two to three, a main course, possibly preceded by an appetizer, possibly proceeded by a dessert.

"Now, as for just what you should eat, there are a few guidelines. No pasts, because one makes the most revolting slurping sounds while eating it, that can't be helped. Nothing that would splatter, so tomatoes are not encouraged. A nice bruschetta is a good option.

"You want to choose a main course that says something about you. You and your date are here to learn about each other, after all. Root vegetables tell him or her that you're grounded, leafy that you're more airy and open to new experiences, flowers that you're very open, unless of course you eat them petals-last in which case they mean exactly the opposite. Mushrooms can show your exotic side or your practical side, it all really depends on the type.

"And whatever you do, do not get something that will cause you to be flatulent for the next few hours. It would be most revolting and undignified for you and your date."

"Oh, and you mustn't take too long, dear, or else you display indecisiveness, which is just the first step towards clinginess."

She glances over her own menu and sees AJ's face, hastily adding: "But those are just guidelines, really. I'm sure whoever you go out with will be more focused on you than your food. Most importantly is that you get something you'll enjoy eating. And experiment a little! Nopony goes out to eat every day."

The waiter arrives and seems poised to take their orders. "I'll have the arugula salad with a mushroom pie, and a water."

"Ah..."

Okay. Applejack needs more time. No problem. If there's anything Rarity's good at (besides fashion), it's stalling the waiter.

"Monsieur, have I mentioned just how dashing that vest looks on you? ... Yes, indeed. Oh, it's traditional? You must tell me about the history of this place..."

Listening intently to the waiter's expositions, she draws idly on her own menu, and then surreptitiously slides it under the table to Applejack. A few possibilities have been circled.

They're served water moments later, and Rarity smiles and lifts her glass to AJ. "Good start, Applejack. That was a very reasonable choice. Here's to a successful evening!"