| | Oh God Cloud Wrote a Fanfic | |
| |
This | Yes | | 50% | [ 2 ] | What | | 50% | [ 2 ] | No | | 0% | [ 0 ] | Oh god! | | 0% | [ 0 ] |
| Total Votes : 4 | | Poll closed |
| Author | Message |
---|
Cloudchaser Pony
Posts : 130 Join date : 2012-02-11 Location : The Magical Land of New Jersey
| Subject: Oh God Cloud Wrote a Fanfic Tue Apr 23, 2013 4:20 am | |
| So, as some people (Rivest) know, I posted a random derpwriting in why u no post moar after like, 6 straight hours of cloud-drunkenly listening to Tenacious D. And suddenly, now I want to write more of it. So, I've worked on it for the equivalent of like, an hour or seven, and this is what I gots so far. THIS IS WRITTEN BY ME. READ AT OWN RISK TO SOUL. Here some tags: [Shipping] [Me] (In case you couldn't guess, yes, one of the ships is AppleDash. The other is Vinyl/Octavia. Because yes. Also, Vinyl's eyes are red because shut up.) That's all I can think of. The rest is up to inerepatations. Also, there are some risque parts and hints at sex, but nothing 'on screen' I guess. So, I guess that's a kinda tag thing that isn't. So... TENACIOUS DASH Rainbow Dash stood before a crowd of screaming ponies. Looking down, she saw not a Wonderbolts uniform, but an electric guitar. Looking across from her, she saw something that made everything fall into place. A smile came to her face as she realized that it didn’t matter what she did, but who she did it with…
Rainbow Dash shot up in bed, looking around apprehensively… hopefully… fearfully… She held a hoof to her head, trying to organize the rush of questions suddenly surfacing. It was a losing fight, as she signified by slamming her face into her headboard with a resounding pomf. Oh, right, clouds, Rainbow mused. It did result in disrupting her thoughts, at least. She sighed as she regarded the sky outside her window and found it tinted orange. She trotted over to her window to better inspect the anomaly and found that it was sunrise. I never wake up this early.
Rainbow returned to her bed and flopped down on it, but try as she might, sleep would not come. Resigned to an early morning, she gave her pillow a half-hearted punch as she made her way to her bathroom. Stupid dream… The sun beat down on Sweet Apple Acres, the heat torturous reminder of how even Princess Celestia herself could be a bitch at times. Or at least, that was the gist of the thoughts harbored by a certain orange farmpony toiling away on an unusually blistering autumn morning. “Fer Celestia’s sake, Ah’m burnin’ up faster n’ a pig over a bonfire.” Applejack muttered. Before she had time to consider everything wrong with such a statement, she was unceremoniously bowled over by some unknown force. Though, if she had to guess, she was entirely sure who- “AJ!” Came the scratchy voice of the pegasus responsible. “Hey, AJ, you’re cool right?” As Applejack shifted to a sitting position, she recalled the last conversation she’d had with Rainbow Dash that had started along these lines. With a frown, she sighed and grumbled, “What’d ya break this time, Dash?” “What? No, I didn’t do anything, I swear! This is something completely different!” Rainbow said in a rush. Applejack was not convinced, and hardened her glare. “Dash…” “Anyway, you’re cool, right? Of course I’m right, I’m always right. So, I just had the coolest idea and you’re the only pony I trust not to screw it up!” Applejack tilted her head. “If this is another one a’ yer distractions-“ “Come on, AJ, would you just drop it already? I Pinkie promise I didn’t break anything. Unless we’re talking about records, cuz I break those all the time. So, how would you like to start a band with me?” The question was met with a long silence as Applejack considered this latest potentially disastrous idea the pegasus had come up with. But those previous ones had usually been some kind of stunt that left Rainbow in the hospital with a broken bone of some sort. This… this was new. She knew Rainbow was rather fond of music in her own right, but this had come entirely out of left field. It still held its risks, but Applejack couldn’t think of any that might lead to physical injury this time, though you could never put anything past the brash Dash. “AJ?” Applejack sighed in defeat. No matter how stupid the idea, she could never say no to Rainbow. “Alright, Ah’ll do it. But ya gotta promise me ya won’t run the whole thing.” “What, me? No, I already got all this figured out. I figured you wouldn’t want to do something awesome, so I’ll let you do what you want with the vocals and I’ll do my thing with the guitars and stuff. “And just where are ya gonna get a guitar?” “Way ahead of you!” Rainbow opened a case strapped to her side that had been hidden behind her wings and pulled out a state-of-the-art electric guitar. Applejack looked the guitar up and down, prodding it a few times to make sure it wasn’t made of paper or some such. But despite her scrutiny, it appeared to be just that, a state-of-the-art electric guitar. “Where exactly did you get-“ “Pinkie.” “…Okay, where exactly did Pinkie-“ “AJ, she gathered enough instruments for a one-mare band during a parasprite invasion. What makes this so different?” “Ah suppose so…” Applejack trailed off. “But even Pinkie can’t make things outta nothin, so she musta gotten it somewheres…” Meanwhile, in Ponyville. Vinyl Scratch yawned and stretched her limbs, still sore after a night of shenanigans. She regarded the mare sleeping beside her who assisted in said shenanigans with a smile on her face. Not one to wait, Vinyl nuzzled her bedmate incessantly until she began to stir. “Bwuh… Vinyl-“ “Morning, Tavi!” Vinyl cut her marefriend off. Octavia had come to expect such antics from the DJ she had become so attached to, rubbing her eyes and accepting her fate of an early rise. She was still exhausted from the previous night and could have admittedly used a couple more hours. “Good morning, Vinyl.” “Have fun last night?” Vinyl asked, entirely too energetic for having just woken up. “Yes, I-“ Octavia cut herself off as she noticed something amiss. “Tavi? Why are you looking at me like that? Is there something on my face?” “Yes,” Octavia answered simply. Vinyl furrowed her brow, certain Octavia was teasing her. Or at least she was before the movement made her aware of something papery stuck to her forehead. She ripped off the offending object and was about to discard it when she saw that it was in fact a sticky note. “Hey, Scratchie! I hope you don’t mind, but I borrowed your guitar for a bit. I promise I’ll get it back to you soon! Hugs! -Pinkie” Vinyl tossed the note away unceremoniously and rushed over to where she kept her prized Coltson guitar, only to find it conspicuously missing. “Vinyl?” Octavia’s voice followed the perturbed mare. “Dammit, Pinkie!” Rainbow shrugged. “Who knows? Anyway, the thing is I have it and now we can get started!” Applejack frowned. “In case ya hadn’t noticed, Ah’m still workin, Dash. We can do this later.” Rainbow sagged, crossing her forelegs and adopting a pout. “You’re no fun,” she groused, flying away slowly. Applejack sighed, catching the pegasus’ tail before she flew out of reach. Rainbow responded with an exclamation of pain at the tug, followed by a hopeful glance behind her. “So?” Applejack sighed again. “Ah guess Ah can come back ta this tomorrow.” “Yes! This is gonna be so awesome! Come on, let’s get to the barn, it’s way too hot out here.” For the first time this morning, Applejack had to agree with Rainbow. She shook her head, wondering not for the first time why she put up with the pegasus. Rainbow giddily led Applejack to the barn, imagining the look on her face when she laid down a sick riff. “Alright, let’s do this!” Rainbow shouted once she had gotten set up, having somehow deposited amps in the barn without Applejack noticing. Before she could question this development, her ears were assaulted by an awkward, screeching riff. Once her ears had stopped ringing, Applejack accosted her would-be bandmate. “What in tarnation was that?” Rainbow responded with a nervous smile. “I have no idea how to play the guitar.” Applejack brought her hoof to her face, unable to dignify any other response. This was going to be a long day. But even with that thought, she couldn’t help the smile that came to her muzzle. “Well, unless ya learn right quick, this ain’t gonna work,” Applejack stated. “No, wait, I got this!” Rainbow carefully plucked the strings one at a time, working from the bottom up. The result was akin to a foal attempting a glissando on a piano, minus the falling flat on her face. “Ha, see? Easy peasy!” “Yeah,” Applejack joked, “that’s a beat Ah can sing to. Ah’m sure everypony in Equestria would pay to see that.” “Geez, you don’t have to rub it in,” Rainbow mumbled. “Just gimme a sec, I’ll figure it out.” “Unless ya mean that literally, Ah got a better idea.” With that, Applejack took Rainbow’s guitar, put it back in its case, turned around and walked out of the barn. Rainbow was quick to follow. “What? Hey, get back here! You can’t just give up!” Applejack smirked, but kept walking. “I know you’ve got stuff to do, but this won’t take long. I promise!” Applejack made no effort to shoo the pegasus away, merely continuing on her path toward town. Rainbow huffed and followed along for a distance. If Applejack was anything, she was stubborn, and Rainbow knew that better than anypony. She began to wonder where exactly Applejack was going without actually paying attention to her surroundings. Maybe she’s going to Twilight to ask for help. But what does that egghead know about music? I guess Fluttershy knows a little about leading a choir of birds, but that’s not really the same. Oh, maybe she’s going to Rarity to get us some cool band gear! Wait, does Rarity actually make that stuff? Ugh, she’d probably just put us in dresses. That’d really fit the scene. She could also be going to Pinkie to… Rainbow looked again at the guitar case on Applejack’s back. Oh crap, she’s probably going to give the guitar back to Pinkie! “Come on, AJ, I can do this! Just give me some more time!” Rainbow protested. Applejack smirked. “No can do, sugarcube. Everypony has her limits.” “But… but… this was gonna be so awesome,” Rainbow deflated, falling to the ground with a soft thud. Applejack’s smirk became a genuine smile. “Ah never said Ah was givin’ up.” At that remark, Rainbow noticed for the first time where they were heading. Sugarcube Corner was on the other side of town. She also noticed whose house they stood before. “What are we doing at Scratch’s place?” “Ah figure she knows so much about these kinda fancy instruments that she’d be able ta give ya some lessons.” Applejack shifted the guitar case on her back for emphasis. She confidently knocked on the door and packed up a pace. Inside, they could hear a muffled commotion in response, though neither could make out any words. As the door opened, they could hear the voice of Vinyl cry out, “Tavi, no!” Before the pair of bemused visitors stood not the expected resident, but the world-renowned cellist, Octavia Philharmonica. While not alien to them, Octavia’s presence at such an hour… “No way,” Rainbow squeaked. “Way to go, Scratch!” A very red Vinyl Scratch appeared at the door, shoving her marefriend out of the way. She lacked her trademark glasses, which added a bit more red to her face by way of her eyes. In all, not a very familiar expression adorned the cocky DJ’s face. “Of all the ponies…” Vinyl mumbled. She shook her head. “Well, at least you won’t hold it over my head as much as Lyra would, Dash.” Vinyl finally took notice of the other pony at her door, and the object on her back. “My Coltson!” Vinyl wrested her guitar off the farmer’s back and cradled it. From off to the side, they could hear Octavia snicker as Vinyl cooed softly to her instrument. “So it was yours. I thought it looked familiar,” Dash chortled. “Why did you have it? I thought Pinkie took it.” “How did y-“ “She left a note on my forehead,” Vinyl her off. Dash suppressed another giggle. “I bet that was quite a surprise for Octavia.” Looking back and forth at Rainbow’s mirth and Vinyl’s embarrassment, Applejack spoke up. “I feel like I’m missing something here.” “Good, I don’t need more ponies to-“ “Don’t you know? Scratch and Octavia finally started going out a few months ago, and now Scratch got her to roll in the hay!” “-know,” Vinyl finished sheepishly, her blush darkening. Applejack gained a similar redness to her cheeks as she finally understood the situation. “Oh,” was Applejack’s simple reply. Vinyl looked over their heads to make sure nopony else was watching before ushering the pair of them inside. “So, what else are you doing here?” “Well, AJ and I…” Vinyl and Rainbow were soon lost in a conversation of epic proportions, judging by their wild gesticulations and raucous laughter, but Applejack could only see Rainbow’s half as she found she could look at nothing else. Seeing Rainbow enjoying herself so much always gave Applejack a surge of some emotion she had yet to identify. “It’s hard to understand those two sometimes,” Octavia mused, finally breaking Applejack’s fixation on Rainbow as she noticed Octavia had been standing beside her for some time. “Whaddya mean by that?” Applejack asked, flicking her gaze briefly to Octavia before resettling on the conversation before her. “Have you told her yet?” Octavia answered with her own question. “Told her what?” Octavia smiled sadly. “So you still haven’t even figured it out yet? Such a shame.” Applejack pondered what Octavia was going on about while she fell back into observing Dash’s face and movements. Rainbow’s gaze broke off from Vinyl’s as she offered Applejack a quick smile and wave before returning to her exchange of tales. Applejack felt heat rise to her face at the sentiment, but quickly shook the feeling off. Octavia giggled beside her, shaking her head slowly. After Rainbow and Vinyl ran out of things to talk about, the four of them went to have breakfast at Sugarcube Corner. Rainbow was quick to relay the goings-on in Vinyl’s bedroom to Pinkie, much to Vinyl’s chagrin. Pinkie thankfully merely offered a wink in lieu of a flood of teasing remarks. They found themselves a booth while Pinkie fetched them breakfast, Vinyl and Octavia on one side and Rainbow and Applejack on the other. Vinyl gave Octavia a subtle squeeze and raised an eyebrow at Rainbow in question. Rainbow merely blushed and shook her head in response. “Mind if I join you guys?” Pinkie asked after she had returned with food, pulling up a chair. They all naturally acquiesced, and soon more tales were being told from all parties. Applejack caught a few glances of Rainbow through the conversation, though managed to avoid the gazes she was unwittingly receiving in return. What was it that Octavia was goin’ on about? Does she know somethin’ Ah don’t? Applejack pondered, flicking her gaze between Octavia and Rainbow. She said something about me tellin’ somethin’ ta Rainbow; somethin’ that I don’t even know yet. But she does? Applejack shook her head. No, Ah’m a simple pony, and Ah don’t keep secrets. ‘Specially from mahself. “So, AJ,” Rainbow started, “you said we weren’t quite through yet, right?” “Ah’m willing to keep at it as long as you are, sugarcube.” “Still thinking we can get Vinyl in on this?” “Ah’m sure she won’t wind.” “Woah woah woah woah,” Vinyl cut in suddenly. “I never remember agreeing to any of this.” “Aw, c’mon, Scratch. Who else am I gonna learn guitar from?” Rainbow raised an eyebrow teasingly. “Wait, what?” Vinyl repeated the exchange in her head. “Oh, right, yeah, sure.” Vinyl offered in response, fighting to keep down her rising blush. Maybe later, Vinyl reminded herself, glancing in Octavia’s direction. Octavia raised a brow at her, a smirk and a playful shove given when she took in Vinyl’s blush. “Maybe later,” Octavia repeated Vinyl’s thought in a whisper to Vinyl’s perked ear. I have the greatest marefriend ever, Vinyl thought with a giggle. “So, you wanna learn to play guitar, huh?” “Yeah, I had this awesome idea for me and AJ to start a band!” Rainbow gushed. “Because, you know, I’m awesome, she’s awesome, and music’s awesome; so that’s like, three awesomes!” “I never knew you could count that high,” Vinyl teased. “You’re one to talk, dear,” Octavia cut in before Rainbow could protest. “Though, I must agree with Vinyl. None of Ponyville is unfamiliar with your ‘awesome ideas’ by this point, but this seems… odd.” “Ah said the same thing,” Applejack mused. “If Ah didn’t know any better, Ah’d say she’s goin’ soft.” “Hey! This is plenty dangerous! What if I electrocute myself with some wires, or something?” Vinyl raised an eyebrow. “Then you’ll get a little tingly feeling in your hoof.” “Who asked you?” Rainbow accused. “I thought you were asking her for guitar lessons!” “Shut up, Pinkie!” Rainbow and Vinyl chorused. In spite of their demands, Pinkie rebelliously erupted into a fit of gigglesnorts, which soon grew infectious. Octavia was left to shake her head at the typical breakfast antics, though unable to keep from chuckling, herself. “Alright, you got a deal,” Vinyl said, “but no touching my Coltson. That thing’s too damn special to me, okay?” Pinkie laughed nervously, rubbing the back of her head with a hoof, mostly to hide the redness that had appeared from nowhere at the roundabout accusations. “Yes! This is gonna be so awesome, AJ!” Rainbow threw a hoof around a bemused Applejack. “We’re gonna be famous for sure! The Wonderbolts will have to notice me!” “What does music have to do with flying?” Vinyl asked. “Plenty of stuff. Like awesomeness. And me!” “Wow, they’re sure to be begging you to join them, then. Ow! Tavi!” “Behave, Vinyl,” Octavia admonished, lowering her hoof. Rainbow and Applejack laughed at Vinyl’s expense. Pinkie seemed to have vanished at some point, along with their empty plates and the chair she had pulled up. Vinyl rubbed her cheek, muttering something under her breath, undoubtedly plotting her revenge. “So, when do I start?” “I have some free time tomorrow around noon.” Vinyl leaned back in her seat with a cocky smirk. Octavia shook her head, wondering what she was in for this time. “Sounds good.” Rainbow looked to Applejack. “You free today?” “Ah can be if ya let me get some work done tomorrow.” “Awesome!” Applejack narrowed her eyes at Rainbow’s outburst. “I mean, yeah, no problem.” Rainbow smiled hopefully. Applejack met it with a playful shove before climbing out of the booth. “We’ll see y’all gals later. Ah think Rainbow has somethin’ planned fer me.” “Later!” Vinyl called, lazing around until Octavia pulled her out of the confectionery shop. “Hey!” “I have something planned for you, too, dear,” Octavia said in a dangerous whisper that Vinyl met with fearful eyes. “Be gentle,” Vinyl squeaked. Edit: Oh god I posted this at 4:20. Brilliant.
Last edited by Cloudchaser on Mon Apr 29, 2013 10:49 am; edited 1 time in total |
| | | Lyra Media Mane
Posts : 542 Join date : 2011-10-13 Location : Cleveland, Ohio
| Subject: Re: Oh God Cloud Wrote a Fanfic Tue Apr 23, 2013 7:54 am | |
| Just reading the title, I knew I was in for something special. Where you lack quality in all around description and transition, you excel in characterization and conversation, and it was enough to make me really want to keep reading. I look forward to the next chapter. |
| | | Cloudchaser Pony
Posts : 130 Join date : 2012-02-11 Location : The Magical Land of New Jersey
| Subject: Re: Oh God Cloud Wrote a Fanfic Tue Apr 23, 2013 9:58 am | |
| - Lyra wrote:
- Just reading the title, I knew I was in for something special. Where you lack quality in all around description and transition, you excel in characterization and conversation, and it was enough to make me really want to keep reading. I look forward to the next chapter.
Yeah, it's kinda rough right now, but I intend to add more to smooth out transitions and such. Besides, it's not like I'm much of a writer anyway, lol. Just doing this for shits n giggles. |
| | | Derpy Mane
Posts : 1195 Join date : 2011-10-10 Location : England, Russia or Czech
| Subject: Re: Oh God Cloud Wrote a Fanfic Tue Apr 23, 2013 12:49 pm | |
| Soooooo, where is the NSFW version? |
| | | Cloudchaser Pony
Posts : 130 Join date : 2012-02-11 Location : The Magical Land of New Jersey
| Subject: Re: Oh God Cloud Wrote a Fanfic Tue Apr 23, 2013 5:47 pm | |
| - Derpy wrote:
- Soooooo, where is the NSFW version?
Um, nowhere? Unless I get some inspiration to write some clop, but like... Idk |
| | | Pinkie Pie Event Mane
Posts : 742 Join date : 2011-06-25 Location : Indianapolis, IN
| Subject: Re: Oh God Cloud Wrote a Fanfic Tue Apr 23, 2013 6:11 pm | |
| Oh boy, Cloud wrote a fanfic, this oughta be....... Wait, what the hell? It's surprisingly good! It needs some very minor editing for spelling and grammar, and it has a bit of a pacing issue, but overall I'm unexpectedly impressed. As someone who usually finds shipping obnoxious, the fact that I'd be willing to read more of this says something. |
| | | Cloudchaser Pony
Posts : 130 Join date : 2012-02-11 Location : The Magical Land of New Jersey
| Subject: Re: Oh God Cloud Wrote a Fanfic Mon Apr 29, 2013 10:44 am | |
| OH MAH GOD ITS A DATE UP. SEE, IT'S THERE IN THE SKY. WHY IT FLYING. DATES DON'T HAVE WINGS. THEY'RE FRUIT. BLAAAAGH TENACIOUS DASH TIME MUDDAFUKKAS. CHAPTER (I guess) 2 “I’ll be right back, gotta get something real quick,” Rainbow said after she and Applejack had walked about three feet, rocketing off into the sky without giving Applejack a chance to protest. Applejack sighed and sat down. “Okay, Ah’ll wait.” Applejack was at least thankful she wouldn’t have to wait long, because if Rainbow was one thing, she was fast. And mild-mannered, cocky, brash, awesome, cute, loyal, softer than she let on, infuriating at times, highly competitive, a very sore loser… Okay, it was a trick question. She was a lot of things, including being presently sneaking up on Applejack after quickly retrieving the bag of bits she went to fetch. She was waiting for just the right… “Rainbow, what are ya doin’ on the roof there?” “Remembering how hard it is to get the jump on you,” Rainbow pouted, flying down next to Applejack. “Stupid earth pony hearing. Anyway, let’s go! I figure we can head over to the music store and stock up on awesome band stuff. And a guitar, since Scratch won’t let me use hers.” “You sure you brought enough bits?” Applejack asked, regarding the rather large bag Rainbow had slung across her side. “Yeah, I brought plenty. I was planning on using it on food and stuff, but I figured I could always just head on over to the acres and nab a few free apples, right?” Applejack shook her head in bemusement. “Ah worry ‘bout ya sometimes, sugarcube.” “Well quit your worrying and let’s go already!” Rainbow pranced around, eager to be off. Applejack chuckled and let Rainbow lead her to the local music shop. Being as it was in the same direction as Octavia’s house, Rainbow caught a glimpse of an intimidating-looking Octavia marching a terrified Vinyl back to her house for apparent punishment. “Heh, looks like Octavia’s ready for round two already,” Rainbow snickered. “What makes ya say that?” Applejack asked obliviously. Rainbow turned Applejack’s head to look at the small parade. While Applejack had different thoughts on the matter, she couldn’t help but laugh at the sight. “Making up for lost time, I guess,” Rainbow said with a waggle of her brow. Applejack smirked. “Yer terrible, Dash.” “I know, isn’t it great?” Rainbow reached out a wing to give Applejack a little nudge for emphasis. Applejack just shook her head, at a loss for words. Thankfully, none needed to be said as Rainbow caught sight of their destination and rocketed ahead, immediately disappearing through the door. Applejack approached and entered at a saner pace, to find Rainbow already darting around the back room, inspecting various electric guitars. Suddenly, she heard Rainbow gasp dramatically. “This is the one!” Rainbow proclaimed, practically salivating at the sight of a Coltson painted blue with yellow lightning bolts. While it wasn’t necessarily a Wonderbolts pattern, it was close enough for Rainbow. Applejack walked up to inspect the guitar, and the first thing she noticed was the price tag. “Rainbow, this thing costs over a thousand bits. How’re ya gonna afford this?” “I can live on apples for a month,” Rainbow shrugged Applejack raised a brow. “Y’all know Ah can only afford ta give ya so many fer free.” “Then I’ll pay it off, whatever. I need this guitar!” Rainbow pleaded. “Wait, yer offerin’ labor now?” “Yes, I’ll have your babies or whatever, so please let me get this!” Applejack blinked. “Not that kinda labor, Dash.” “Well what do you want from me, then?” Rainbow was frantic. Applejack pondered the possibilities for a few moments before deciding against anything particularly degrading. “Well, ya could spend that month helpin’ out ‘round the farm, for starters.” “You want me to work two jobs?” “You want that guitar?” “Fine!” Rainbow relented. “I’ll do it, just…” Rainbow grabbed the guitar and case from the display and ran over to the counter. She counted out the bits and secured the guitar in the case before slinging it over her back and running out of the store cheering. Applejack shook her head for the eleventeenth time that day and followed Rainbow outside. No sooner than she had done so was she rammed into and hugged violently by a Rainbow colored blur that promptly began a mantra of thank yous. “Okay, okay, Rainbow. Yer welcome,” Applejack chuckled, patting Rainbow on the back in an attempt to calm her down. “Now, don’t we have more ta buy?” Rainbow breathed in to speak, then took in her deflated sack of bits. “I’m gonna need to get more money.” Applejack laughed at Rainbow’s antics, settling herself down to wait for the pegasus to make another trip home. She thought of the day’s developments and found that she was actually excited about all of it. Rainbow had all sorts of musical shenanigans planned out for them, and in between she’d have her best friend helping out on the farm for a month. They could get so much done around there. She’d finally be able to have an excess of free time, and even when she was working, she could still be hanging out with Rainbow! Things were really looking up for the apple farmer. Rainbow returned with another bag of bits to find Applejack looking up at the sky away from her. Applejack seemed to have not noticed her approach for once. With a devious grin, Rainbow tensed up and pounced, knocking a very surprised Applejack off her hooves and into a tumble for a few feet, the end of which saw Rainbow pinning Applejack down triumphantly. “Ha! Can’t let your guard down around me, AJ!” Rainbow boasted. Applejack suddenly burst out laughing, much to Rainbow’s confusion. Usually this sort of approach was met with resistance in the form of a wrestling match that left only one standing. Rainbow felt herself starting to laugh as well, marveling at the novelty of the moment. As their laughter died down, Rainbow regarded Applejack and found that she looked happier than when she’d left her. Happier than she’d seen her in a while, actually. Seeing Applejack smiling just made Rainbow want to smile. Rainbow began to giggle again. “Cut that out, AJ.” “Cut what out, sugarcube?” “Being cute,” Rainbow giggled. “It’s making me act funny.” Applejack opened her mouth to respond, only to close it again. Did she just say I’m…? “Pardon?” “Huh?” Rainbow snapped out of her mirth upon seeing Applejack’s look of bewildered embarrassment. She repeated the exchange in her head, trying to figure out what had prompted the response. Her face began to heat up as she recalled her previous choice of words. “Uh… N-never mind that.” Despite Rainbow’s commands, Applejack could not dislodge the thought. It just seemed to stick out as something… different. Something she’d never seen from Rainbow before. She knew that Rainbow did have a gentler side, but… This was… “Um, so… Weren’t we gonna do some uh, shopping?” “Y-yeah, right,” Applejack muttered, “shoppin’.” The rest of said shopping was completed mostly in awkward silence with few words exchanged. Many items Rainbow intended to purchase were left untouched; instead they mostly bought some new farming equipment for Rainbow’s stint on the Acres. This was met with yet more awkwardness as they had to ask for each other’s input. “Does this look alright?” Applejack asked, pulling down a bit for Rainbow to inspect. “Well, it’s colorful,” Rainbow commented. “Thought it would go well with yer mane. Since, y’know, it’ll be in yer teeth.” “I have to put this in my mouth?” Rainbow asked incredulously, inspecting the bit closer. “Wait, this thing’s called a bit? And it costs more than a bit? Isn’t that a rip-off?” “No, Dash this is… It’s a different kinda bit,” Applejack explained. “I know that, but you’d think you’d buy a bit for a bit. You know, fair trade and all that.” “And Ah’m sure that’d be a great sales pitch, but that’s what it costs. Do you like it or not?” Applejack shifted uncomfortably. “Yeah, it’s fine, just overpriced.” Applejack rolled her eyes and continued on, registering all their items while Rainbow paid the tab. Once they were outside again, Applejack let out a deep breath. “Now all we need ta get ya is a hat. Applebloom’s too young and Mac’s too stubborn, but that don’t mean you gotta go hatless.” “Oh! I know the perfect hat!” With that, Rainbow shot off into the sky, towards her house. Again. Applejack sighed. At least it would give her time to sort out her thoughts. Or so she thought. “Back!” Rainbow declared, coming to a stop before Applejack. On her head was a familiar-looking pith helmet. “See? Now I can be Daring, and you can be Blondie! Except we’ll be bucking apples instead of looking for treasure, but that’s cool too.” Applejack inspected Rainbow. Even without the jacket, Applejack could clearly see the resemblance between Rainbow and her fictional hero, and she was already told repeatedly by Rainbow that she looked like Daring Do’s rival/love interest. Applejack resolved to humor Rainbow’s future shenanigans. Applejack smirked. “Well, that’s taken care of, Ah guess. Now, while we’re out here, how’s about we grab some lunch?” Rainbow perked up at the mention of food. “Sounds good to me!” Applejack chuckled, marveling again how much power food had over the pegasus. Thinking about it more, she wondered if she could get Rainbow to room on the farm for the month. Rainbow always loved Apple family meals when she could have them, and it’d give Applejack more control over Rainbow’s schedule, not to mention a little extra time together. Their guest room was largely unused, and Applejack decided that this was as good a use as any. Rainbow quickened her pace as they neared their destination, but didn’t quite run off this time. CafĂŠ du Mane was moderately populated, so she found no reason to rush overly much. Applejack made no move to keep up as Rainbow claimed a table and sat eagerly. Just as Applejack sat down at the table, a waiter came by to take their orders. Hay fries for Rainbow and an apple salad for Applejack. As the waiter departed, silence fell over the pair. Applejack looked for a way to strike up a conversation without seeming to awkward or forward. Getting Rainbow to commit a month’s service to the farm was a feat itself. Surely she wouldn’t want to be tied down to the farm, right? “So, about this whole farm thing… When do I start?” Rainbow asked unexpectedly. Applejack blinked. “Uh, tomorrow, Ah guess. We could getcha started in the mornin’ ‘fore ya gotta get ta Vinyl’s.” Applejack shifted nervously. “But um, it’d be a might easier if ya could get used ta the schedule…” “As long as it doesn’t get in the way of my weather duties I’m sure it’ll be fine,” Rainbow said nonchalantly. “That’s the thing, though. We get started right about the crack o’ dawn, an’ Ah’m not sure how Ah can hold ya to that when ya live up in the clouds,” Applejack tried to hint. “I’ll be there, don’t worry about it. Never leave my friends hangin’, right?” Applejack looked away. “If’n yer really gonna help out, Ah’m gonna need more’n yer word, sugarcube.” Rainbow frowned. “Then what do you want from me?” “Well, Ah um… Fer this ta work Ah’d need ya to, well, stay at the farm, so’s you can get used ta the uh… schedule. “Applejack finished unconvincingly, blushing sheepishly. She sighed, mentally preparing herself for Rainbow’s protests, which she knew she’d be incapable of dealing with. “Oh. Yeah, I guess I could do that,” Rainbow said without a hint of fuss in her tone. “I get free meals with this, right?” Applejack blinked again. “Uh, yeah. ‘S long as ya do the work…. Yer really okay with this?” “Yeah, why not, I mean it’s only a month, right? Might be kinda fun, and we could hang out some more.” Rainbow tilted her head. “Why?” “Oh, uh… no reason, no reason whatsoever, heh,” Applejack smiled hopefully. Rainbow eyed her strangely but didn’t comment further as their food was brought out. “Finally, I’m starving!” Rainbow exclaimed, digging into her meal before the waiter had even set Applejack’s down, earning a raised eyebrow from the waiter and a chuckle from Applejack. Applejack shook her head once the waiter had departed a second time. What’s goin’ on today? Octavia says somethin’ funny, then Rainbow starts actin’ weird, an’ now Ah’m actin’ all funny too. An’ what was it that Rainbow said? Cute? Does she really think that? “AJ? You gonna eat or what?” “Huh?” Applejack shook her head again. “Yeah, you’re doing that a lot today, huh?” Rainbow observed between bites. I am, too, Rainbow’s subconscious reminded her. “More than usual,” she mumbled. “What?” “Nothing, just… Never mind,” Rainbow returned to her meal. Applejack eyed Rainbow for a moment before her stomach reminded her of her hunger. She hesitantly began to eat, a troubled look on her face. The day kept getting weirder and weirder. “Ah know it’s just a month, but Ah’m expectin’ yer best, y’hear?” Applejack walked with Rainbow over to the farm to get Rainbow situated. Applejack felt a bit better after eating and found it easier to concentrate on the task at hand. Rainbow scoffed. “It’s just farm work. How hard could it be?” “Famous last words, sugarcube,” Applejack admonished. “Yeah, yeah.” Rainbow took a look around, examining the vast expanses of apple trees she’d be working with for the next month. Weather duties, guitar lessons, and farm work. This is gonna be one crazy month. “You know, we have all this figured out between us, but we haven’t even run it past your family yet. What if they don’t want me around?” “Yer not getting’ outta this one, Dash; we really could use the help this season,” Applejack warned. “This year’s crop’s lookin’ ta be one a’ the biggest we’ve had since Ah started buckin’.” “And that’s supposed to reassure me how?” “It’s not,” Applejack said simply, opening the door to the farmhouse as they stepped up onto the porch. Rainbow couldn’t help but feel a sense of dread despite the usually welcoming air of the quaint abode. This time, she really didn’t know just what she was getting into. She could only wonder at how the month would unfold. But with that dread came some excitement. This was something totally new, just like her band idea. Also just like her band idea, she’d be doing it with her best friend. That thought brought a smile to her face as she entered the house. “So, do I get a room or something? Or do I have to sleep on the couch?” Rainbow asked as Applejack followed her inside. “And where is everypony?” Applejack smiled. “We got a guest room we don’t normally use, so that can be yours fer the month. Big Mac’s out in the fields, Applebloom’s still at school, and Granny Smith… Ah don’t know where she is. She’s usually asleep on her rocker this time a’ day.” “So… do I have to wait for them to come back, or…?” “Nah, you’ll be fine. C’mon, Ah’ll show ya to the guest room.” Applejack started up the stairs, leaving Rainbow to follow along sheepishly. The room itself, being a guest room, was sparsely furnished, affording Rainbow plenty of room for her stuff. The bed, while not as plush as the clouds she was used to, was comfortable in its own right. Applejack left Rainbow to get settled, sitting down on her own bed and trying to gather her thoughts. This proved fruitless, as she heard a loud thump from the guest room, followed by Rainbow’s voice. “Stupid clouds!” Rainbow had attempted to set down something made of said clouds only to have it fall through the wood floor, causing her to lose her balance and crash down onto said floor. She stomped downstairs to retrieve the fallen item and compact it to a wood-friendly density. The second time, it cooperated, coming to rest on the floor instead of falling through it. She gave it a kick for good measure, causing the cloud to slip slightly through the floor. This time she caught it, though, and avoided having to make a second trip downstairs. She refrained from kicking it a second time. Rainbow continued to set up without further outbursts, finally giving Applejack some time to think. For about a minute before Applebloom burst loudly through the front door with another two boisterous fillies in tow. Applejack sighed. She had forgotten that the acres were hosting this week’s Cutie Mark Crusaders sleepover. That explained why Granny Smith was in her room catching up on sleep, because with those three fillies around, the night was sure to be restless. Sweet Celestia, does it ever end?WILL THINGS EVER STOP BEING AWKWARD? WILL APPLEJACK EVER CATCH A BREAK? FIND OUT NEXT TIME ON HEY THIS IS A FANFIC CALLED TENACIOUS DASH.Note: For those who don't know (read "everyone but Rivest"), Blondie is a character from another Appledash fanfic called "What Would Daring Do?" And I just had to put it here because... shit, even Tchernobog, the Appledash overlord himself, had a reference to that fic in his latest fic. Which also happened to be in the form of a mention of Blondie. Srsly, that was a good read. Also, hey, I got an update out in less than a week. Cools. And I added a little bit to the first chapter to smooth out a clunky transition after Rainbow's attempt at guitar riff. |
| | | Cloudchaser Pony
Posts : 130 Join date : 2012-02-11 Location : The Magical Land of New Jersey
| Subject: Re: Oh God Cloud Wrote a Fanfic Tue May 07, 2013 8:52 am | |
| Here we gooooooo! I'm thinking of making Tuesday my update day. It just seems to happen that way anyway. But anyway. everyway. ALL THE WAYS. TO THE MOON. IS COLD. PACK SCARF. BECAUSE IS TENACIOUS DASH! VARIABLE INTEGER 3 “Alright, gals, what are we gonna try first?” Applebloom asked. “How about cooking? I’m hungry,” Sweetie Belle suggested. “Haven’t we already tried that before?” Scootaloo shot back. “We tried bakin’, but that’s different.” “Yeah! Totally different!” Sweetie Belle pressed, her stomach growling its agreement. “Yer not thinkin’ a’ doin’ anythin’ destructive down there, are ya?” Applejack asked from the staircase as she descended. “Sis? Why aren’t you out in the fields?” “’Cus Ah gotta help Rainbow get settled,” Applejack explained. “Wha-“ “Rainbow Dash? She’s here?” Scootaloo cut off Applebloom, darting forward to come nose to nose with Applejack. Applejack blinked. “Uh, yeah; she should be up-“ Scootaloo was off the second she was given a direction, up the stairs before Applejack could finish. “In the guest room,” Applejack completed a little sheepishly. “Why’s Rainbow Dash stayin’ in the guest room?” Applebloom inquired. “She decide not to fly off after dinner this time?” “It’s a might more complicated n’ that, AB. The short of it is Rainbow’s gonna be around fer the next month,” Applejack said distractedly as she searched for something or other in the closet. “Doin’ what?” “Helpin’ out, an’ hopefully not complainin’ too much,” Applejack said after pulling out a hat rack for Rainbow. “Where’d Sweetie Belle get off to?” “Prolly went ta look fer Scoot, so Ah guess that’s where Ah’m goin, too,” Applebloom said, turning to walk up the stairs, muttering. “Ah swear, ya’d think that filly was tryin’a get a rainbow chasin’ cutie mark.” Applejack chuckled, following her sister up to their impromptu gathering site. Upon entering said site, the atmosphere was decidedly chaotic. Scootaloo was alternating between darting around to look at Rainbow’s stuff and sitting beside Rainbow with a big grin on her face. Sweetie Belle was attempting to help out in setting up and promptly knocking everything over. And Rainbow sat in the middle of her bed with a panicked look on her face as she curled up into a fetal position. At the sound of the door opening again, Rainbow cast a fearful eye at the intruders and immediately brightened. “Applejack! You’ve gotta help me!” Rainbow pleaded, rushing over to grab Applejack’s hooves. Applejack found herself flung into the fray with a prayer, successfully disrupting both Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle’s antics by knocking them over in her flight before coming to rest on the guest bed. That was less painful than Ah expected, Applejack mused as she sat up to examine the damage done to the room. Apart from a few pieces of wayward furniture, however, the room seemed remarkably intact. Applebloom quickly moved to right the offending structures and march her fellow crusaders out of the guest room, apologizing for their behavior. In her wake, she left a bewildered pair of mares both wondering when Applebloom had begun taking responsibility. “Every day gonna be this exciting?” Rainbow asked at length. Applejack looked up at Rainbow with a critical eye. “Ah sure hope not.” Rainbow chuckled nervously, rubbing a hoof against the back of her head. “Sorry, I guess I kinda panicked.” “So yer first thought was to throw me at them,” Applejack stated flatly. “Uh… Earth ponies make good weapons?” Rainbow offered. “Besides, it worked, didn’t it?” Applejack shook her head in disapproval, though she couldn’t stop the traitorous smile coming to her lips. “Stop makin’ it so hard to be mad at ya.” “Uh, no thanks, I like my wings where they are.” Applejack chuckled, moving to give Rainbow a playful shove which was answered with what Rainbow deemed to be appropriate response; tackling Applejack onto the bed and instigating a wrestling match. Applejack managed to pin Rainbow Dash, declaring, “Ha! Ah’ve got you right where Ah want ya!” “You’ll never take me alive!” Rainbow said, using her wings to tickle Applejack. “Ya dirty little cheater!” Applejack giggled as she lost her grip and found herself pinned in turn. “Only for you, AJ,” Rainbow said, flashing a grin. “Well two can play at that game! C’mere you!” Outside the room, the Cutie Mark Crusaders sat uneasily at the door, privy to Rainbow’s squeaks of terror between giggles, accompanied by the same from Applejack. The door remained closed, and none of the fillies could muster the courage to open it. “You think they’re alright?” Scootaloo asked. “Ah think so. Whaddya think they’re doin’?” “Well, whatever it is sounds fun!” Sweetie Belle piped up, confidently sitting up to enter the room. “Sweetie Belle, no!” Applebloom and Scootaloo chorused, but the door swung open to reveal Applejack pinning Rainbow’s wings to the headboard with her forelegs, nose inches from Rainbow’s. Both wore an expression similar to that of a deer caught in the headlights. Without moving her head, Applejack looked to see who had intruded on their compromising position. She didn’t know whether to be relieved or panicked when she saw the curious gazes of Applebloom and her friends on them. Okay, at least it’s not Big Mac or Granny Smith. Ah can explain this one away, Applejack thought, before the rough squeak that Rainbow’s voice had become broke her contemplation. “It’s not what it looks like!” Rainbow blurted out, face flushed. Applejack nearly facehoofed as Rainbow succeeded in planting the thought in her sister’s young mind. Applebloom’s brain worked infuriatingly quickly as she spoke. “But Ah thought that stuff was just fer a filly and a colt.” “No way, Rainbow Dash told me about this stuff!” Scootaloo began to explain, to the combined horror of the two mares. Rainbow very much regretted this conversation. “She called it fillyfooling, and she said it’s perfectly normal and awesome, and that it had to be awesome because she does it herself!” Applejack froze, looking down at the pegasus she had pinned to the bed. Rainbow offered a nervous smile, chuckling weakly. “Girls,” Applejack said calmly, “Ah’d like to speak with Rainbow Dash alone.” Applebloom’s eyes widened at Applejack’s tone, quickly ushering her friends all the way downstairs, leaving the two mares alone. Once the door had closed, Applejack lifted herself off of Rainbow Dash and sat with an odd look on her face Rainbow could not decipher. “Why didn’t ya tell me?” Applejack asked. Rainbow tucked her hooves in modestly and hung her head. “You hate me now, don’t you?” Applejack studied Rainbow for a second before responding. “Ah’m a little hurt ya would keep somethin’ like that a secret… but Ah don’t hate ya, Dash.” “What?” was all Rainbow could muster in response for a long while. Applejack gave Rainbow time to process the situation, using the time to sort out her own thoughts. Rainbow spoke up after a few minutes, “I thought you farmponies didn’t like that kind of stuff.” “Where’d ya get a silly idea like that?” Applejack asked. “Well, you’re all about work and family. And, well, two mares can’t exactly… you know.” “Rainbow,” Applejack said, turning the pegasus’ head to face her, “Ah’ve never been one to judge a pony if Ah can see she has a good heart. And Ah’m not usually wrong about that sorta stuff. Ah know you’ve got a good heart, Rainbow, and there’s no way Ah’d let somethin’ like this change how Ah look at ya, or anythin’ between us. Ah’m still yer friend, and Ah always will be, and that’s the honest truth, sugarcube.” “Really?” Rainbow asked tentatively. “Mhmm. And while Ah can’t say mah barn door swings that way,” Applejack blushed, “Ah can’t say Ah have a problem with it.” Rainbow smiled, looking at Applejack with a certain degree of reverence. “You’re too damn good to me, Applejack.” “Only as good as ya deserve, Rainbow.” Applejack smiled back. Rainbow donned a blush and drew circles in the quilt with a hoof. “You know, you’re the first pony I’ve told… sorta.” “Quite a way to come out,” Applejack chuckled in response, before becoming more serious. “There isn’t anythin’ else yer not tellin’ me, is there?” “What? No, of course not, AJ.” Rainbow averted her gaze briefly. “And the only reason I didn’t tell you this was because I thought you’d think less of me.” “Well we can’t have that, now. Then ya wouldn’ be the coolest mare in Ponyville,” Applejack said. Rainbow blushed more heavily. “You really think that?” “Always,” Applejack assured. “Though Ah am curious where all this humility’s comin’ from.” Rainbow smiled. “Only for you, AJ.” Applejack chuckled and pulled Rainbow into a brief hug before slipping off of the bed. “Now, we ain’t quite done settin’ you up yet, are we?” “I guess not.” Rainbow got up off the bed after a few more seconds, reaching into her box of stuff to sort through what was left. Most were just small knickknacks that she put on her dresser, but there was one more treasure that she had yet to unpack. Applejack watched in awe as Rainbow pulled out a framed photograph and set it on her nightstand. It was of the two of them after their second Running of the Leaves, where they had inevitably tied for first. The two of them were surrounded by falling leaves; Rainbow had a hoof over Applejack’s withers as they stood proudly with their matching first place medals. “It’s the only award that I’ve won with somepony I really care about,” Rainbow said, pulling the medal itself out of her box to hold reverently in her hooves. Deeply touched by the unexpected sentiment from the normally rowdy pegasus, Applejack had to excuse herself while she retrieved her own medal from the occasion from where it rested below a matching photograph on the wall over her bed. Rainbow smiled as Applejack returned with it around her neck, donning her own in response. “Ya haven’t even been here a whole day an’ yer already goin’ soft on me,” Applejack joked. “What am Ah gonna do with a sap of a pegasus like you?” Rainbow thought of a few things that she decided to keep to herself, answering instead with, “Hey, I’m still the fastest pegasus alive, and don’t you forget it.” “Never plan to, sugarcube,” Applejack said, coming to sit next to Rainbow as she sorted the last few items she had brought. Unknown to them, Granny Smith had risen during the commotion and saw Applejack’s transit between her room and the guest room. She had followed behind to witness the scene of closeness between the two friends, a smile on her face. Before she could be noticed, she slipped downstairs to get dinner started. Ah think she’s finally startin’ ta get it. “Soup’s on, y’all! Come n’ get it!” Granny Smith called from the kitchen. The Cutie Mark Crusaders were the first to the table, followed closely by Applejack and Rainbow Dash. Big Macintosh came in moments later, mildly surprised to see the flighty pegasus at the table. “Howdy, Miss Rainbow Dash,” Big Mac said as he sat down. “Y’all joinin’ us fer supper?” “She’s doin’ a bit more n’ that, Mac,” Applejack responded. “Rainbow’s gonna be stayin’ over ta help ‘round the farm fer the next month.” “Really?” Big Mac asked skeptically. “Well, Celestia knows we need the help this year.” “Yeah, I guess I picked a bad time to be in debt,” Rainbow joked, earning a good-natured eye roll from Applejack. “Any particular reason yer wearin’ yer medals from the Runnin’ o’ the Leaves?” Big Mac inquired. Applejack shared a glance with Rainbow. “There is, but Ah’d like ta keep that between us.” “Oh, that reminds me! You guys won’t believe me, but Applejack and Rainbow Dash are totally-“ Applebloom barely managed to stick a hoof in Scootaloo’s mouth before she could drop the ball. Big Mac raised a brow. “Totally what?” “Totally awesome?” Rainbow suggested. That seemed to be enough for Big Mac as he didn’t comment further, though Applejack fretted that her brother had gotten the wrong idea. Rainbow merely offered a shrug in response to Applejack’s worried gaze. Food came to the table as a welcome distraction, and the meal went over without any further outbursts from the crusaders. Or at least not any about the scene they had stumbled upon in the guest room. “You’re lucky, Applebloom. You get to have Rainbow Dash staying at your house for a whole month!” Scootaloo said with a mixture of adoration and jealousy. “Ah’m not gonna have to raise the fence ‘round the farm, am Ah?” Applebloom asked in between bites as though it was a regular occurrence. “You know that’ll only work for so long, Applebloom,” Scootaloo grumbled. “Rainbow Dash promised she’d help me learn how to fly!” “I did?” Rainbow asked. “Yeah, after that camping trip, remember?” Scootaloo prodded. Rainbow furrowed her brow. “I guess. I’ve kinda got a lot to do right now, though, Scoot. I don’t know if I’m gonna be able to find the time between weather duties, farm work and guitar lessons.” “Guitar lessons?” Scootaloo asked. “It’s a long story,” Rainbow said. “No it’s not,” Applejack asserted. “Ya came up to me with the idea to start a band, then remembered ya couldn’ play the guitar, so now yer takin’ lessons from Vinyl.” “You’re making a band?” Sweetie Belle asked. “Yep! And it’s gonna be the most awesome, metal band ever!” Rainbow gushed. Applejack quirked a brow. “Ah thought y’all said Ah could do what Ah wanted with the vocals.” “Okay, well, like… country metal or something like that then. But it’s still metal!” Rainbow whipped her hair back dramatically and played the air guitar for emphasis. “If you say so, sugarcube,” Applejack said. “It’s gonna be awesome and you know it!” Rainbow pointed an accusing hoof at Applejack. Applejack chuckled. “Ah never said it wasn’t.” “Well, then, stop messing with my head!” Rainbow ordered. “No promises, sugarcube.” Applejack and Rainbow Dash were cleaning up after dinner at Applejack’s insistence. The work was done mostly in silence, but near the end Applejack spoke up. “Ya think yer gonna be alright teachin’ Scoot how ta fly?” “I think so,” Rainbow said. “She’s made a lot of progress on her own, so it shouldn’t take too long. And I can’t count on Vinyl having time for lessons every day, so that should give me some time then.” “Speakin’ a’ yer schedule, how’re we gonna do this?” Applejack asked as she finished washing the last plate. “Well, it usually doesn’t matter too much when I get my weather stuff done so long as it gets done, so I have a bit of flexibility there. Probably hold off on that ‘till we’re done with most of the farm stuff.” “Sure you’ll have enough left in ya? Farm work can get pretty exhausting,” Applejack advised. “Yeah, cloud busting’s no problem and that’s the most demanding thing I’d have to do. We’ll just have to work around noon for my guitar lessons. I guess I could teach Scoot around that time just to keep it consistent.” “That’d be fer the best,” Applejack agreed. She looked out the window to regard the position of the sun. “We still got a couple hours ‘fore we gotta hit the hay. Anythin’ ya wanna do?” “Aside from sleep? Not much I can think of. Tomorrow’s gonna be pretty busy, so we should probably rest up, right?” “Ah hear ya,” Applejack breathed. “Well, g’night then. Ah’ll be ‘round ta wake ya ‘bout six.” “Alright,” Rainbow said as they walked upstairs. Coming to the door to her room, Rainbow noticed something different. On the door rested a plate with her name on it. It matched the ones hanging from the rooms of the Apple Family, all of which were crafted by Applebloom. Rainbow smiled at the sentiment. “You think Scoot put her up to this?” “Ah don’t think she’d a’ needed ta. Applebloom looks up to ya, too, Rainbow,” Applejack said. “And Ah always did think of ya like family, Dash. It’s just a bit more official for a month.” “Thanks, AJ. That means a lot, especially from you.” Applejack smiled, pulling Rainbow into a hug. “Welcome to the family, Rainbow.” Rainbow Dash released her at length, whispering, “Good night, Applejack.” “G’night, Rainbow,” Applejack returned, walking to her room across the hall. Rainbow entered hers to fall heavily onto the mattress and just look up at the ceiling for a time. Applejack did the same a room away. The day had been busy and filled with many emotions, and the next promised more. Neither mare knew what lay ahead of them, but both were excited to find out. They each tucked themselves under their covers and fell asleep. It's... so... FLUFFY! There will be much action next chapter, don't worry I GETTIN THAR. |
| | | Lyra Media Mane
Posts : 542 Join date : 2011-10-13 Location : Cleveland, Ohio
| Subject: Re: Oh God Cloud Wrote a Fanfic Tue May 07, 2013 4:49 pm | |
| Okay, so while the second chapter kind of went downhill in terms of outright entertainment compared to the first, this one jacked it back up again, and I couldn't take my eyes off of the screen until I read the final "thar". Your writing seems to be improving slightly with each iteration, and while there are still some minor issues I can't help but see, it is great to see you improving. I am glad, and somewhat impressed, to see that you have managed to carry a cohesive and well paced narration across three chapters so far. Keep it up! Have you thought of putting this on FiM Fiction? Also, I don't think fillyfooling means what you think it means, but if that was intentional, and with Scoots saying it....then..... |
| | | Cloudchaser Pony
Posts : 130 Join date : 2012-02-11 Location : The Magical Land of New Jersey
| Subject: Re: Oh God Cloud Wrote a Fanfic Tue May 07, 2013 7:29 pm | |
| - Lyra wrote:
- Also, I don't think fillyfooling means what you think it means,
Fillyfooling = lesbian ponies Foalfiddling = pedo Get it rite, nub. |
| | | Cloudchaser Pony
Posts : 130 Join date : 2012-02-11 Location : The Magical Land of New Jersey
| Subject: Re: Oh God Cloud Wrote a Fanfic Thu May 09, 2013 12:03 pm | |
| I WRITED AGAIN IM SORRY. Also a bit shorter this time, but eh. This is what I gots. FOUR SCORE AND SEVEN SECONDS AGO “Up n’ at em, Rainbow!” Applejack’s sudden proclamation prompted a thrashing of limbs from the startled pegasus. “Bwuh? Applejack?” Rainbow fumbled around as her vision cleared, setting her eyes on the clock on her nightstand. “It’s five thirty! You said you’d wake me up at six!” “Ah said Ah’d wake ya up around six,” Applejack asserted. “Granny’s started on breakfast, should be ready soon. Don’ bother washin’ up; ya’ll jes’ get dirty again when we start workin’. Harvest season’s not quite here yet, but that doesn’t mean there’s not a heap o’ stuff to do ‘round here.” “Why do I feel like I’m being forced into slavery?” Rainbow complained. Applejack smirked. “’S called labor, sugarcube, get used ta it.” “Yes, master,” Rainbow said with a roll of her eyes. Applejack chuckled and left Rainbow to get her bearings and find her way downstairs. Rainbow sighed and walked over to the washroom to splash some water on her face to hopefully wake up faster. Alright, Rainbow, you’ve got six hours to prove you can handle this. Gotta make Applejack want me around, not be a liability. She really needs me this year. Haven’t let her down before, and I don’t wanna start now. Rainbow’s thoughts were interrupted by her stomach announcing its emptiness. But that can wait till after breakfast.Rainbow left the washroom feeling slightly more alert, and much hungrier. A trip downstairs revealed Big Mac browsing a newspaper, Granny Smith working on breakfast, and Applejack… suspiciously absent. Before she could open her mouth to question this development, a force knocked into her from her side, sending her tumbling across the floor to end up staring up into the face of a deviously grinning Applejack. Rainbow tried to wiggle out of Applejack’s grasp, but she was pinned. After a few moments more, Applejack let the pegasus up. “That was payback fer yesterday,” Applejack explained. “Can’t let yer guard down ‘round me, either.” “I’ll keep that in mind,” Rainbow said, a bit disgruntled but still smiling. “Now come on, breakfast’s almost done,” Applejack led Rainbow into the kitchen proudly, grinning in response to Big Mac’s raised eyebrow. “Soup’s on, y’all,” Granny Smith said, producing a stack of apple cinnamon pancakes. “Eat up ya silly fillies.” She rustled Applejack’s hair and offered a smile to Rainbow Dash, who returned it a little sheepishly. “Crusaders ‘re still asleep,” Mac answered before the question could formulate. “Tired ‘emselves out somethin’ fierce, seems.” Returning her attention to the table, Rainbow Dash regarded the feast before her. Perhaps ‘stack’ was understating it; it was a tower. Apple cinnamon pancakes were a rare delicacy for Rainbow, where it was standard fare for the Apples. As such, they all watched in amusement as Rainbow helped herself to an oversized portion and promptly began to devour them. The remainder of un-plundered cakes were distributed evenly to the rest assembled, who ate at a more normal pace, except for Applejack, who ate with a good deal more gusto in response to her friend’s unspoken and entirely unintentional challenge. Applejack slowly caught up to the unsuspecting pegasus’ progress, but despite Applejack’s smaller portion, Rainbow’s lead proved to be too much to overcome, as Rainbow finished while Applejack still had about a quarter of her meal left. Rainbow drank the last of her apple juice before sitting back in her chair to wait for Applejack to finish, only finding that Applejack was already done. “Oh,” Rainbow observed. “Ready ta get started?” Applejack asked. “Yeah, of course,” Rainbow answered half-heartedly, disappointed that she didn’t get a bit more time to laze around. It turned out her subconscious plan had backfired on her, though, and she had to start work earlier than hoped. Applejack smirked. “Ah’m gonna need a bit more enthusiasm ‘n that, Rainbow.” “Maybe later,” Rainbow replied, getting up to stretch out her limbs before following Applejack out back. “Alright, first things first, we still gotta lotta barrels ta take outta storage. They’re a might heavy, so don’ hurt yerself.” Applejack led Rainbow down to the storage cellar. “Yeah, yeah, watch out for splinters, right? They’re barrels, AJ, they’re as harmless as… well, something else made out of wood. Like a table. I never heard of anypony getting hurt from a table.” “You’d be surprised, sugarcube,” Applejack chuckled. “Now, we gotta get these over ta the barn. ‘S not a long walk, hardest part’s gettin’ em up the stairs.” “But isn’t the barn literally just up the stairs?” “Exactly, piece a’ cake! Now get to it.” With that, Applejack departed up the stairs. “You’re not even gonna help me?” Rainbow called out. “They’re barrels, Rainbow, they’re harmless,” Applejack retorted. Rainbow adopted a frown. “Stupid words.” With a sigh, she heaved a barrel up onto her back. Applejack was right, even empty they were rather heavy, and made the trek up the stairs a bit laborious. Especially considering that the barrel kept slipping off her back. “Oh come on! Stupid barrel!” Frustrated, Rainbow seized the barrel in her forehooves and attempted to fly out with it, only to bump her head on the low ceiling and lose her grip on the barrel. “Why would you even do this?!” Rainbow tried a different approach, setting the barrel on its side to attempt to roll it up the stairs. It was working great, until she got to the first step, which the barrel would refuse to roll over. With a snarl, Rainbow worked her hooves under the barrel and lifted it up that first step. “Ha! Nothing to it!” At her words, gravity worked to spite her, as the barrel rolled back down the single step cleared, of which there were twenty. “Dammit!” Rainbow bent down to repeat her earlier triumph, making sure not to stop after the first step. It was long, taxing, and filled with curses as she on numerous occasions missed the next step and had the barrel punish her by rolling back two, but she made it to the top. She made sure to push it well away from the staircase before gingerly hoisting it up onto her back. Without gravity pulling it off of her, she was able to keep the barrel in place as she hobbled over to the barn door to drop the barrel heavily and collapse. “Here’s your stupid barrel!” Rainbow shouted. Applejack looked back from her task of counting the assembled barrels. She cocked a brow upon seeing Rainbow completely spent from getting a single barrel up the stairs. “Took ya long enough. You got that bent outta shape from just one? We’re still missin’ ‘bout fifty more and we gotta get ‘em all up ‘fore noon.” “What the hell, AJ? I bust my flank for this thing and you tell me it’s not good enough? I don’t know what the hell you’re taking, but this is impossible!” Applejack looked at Rainbow critically and found something missing. “Where’d ya put the rope?” Rainbow broke out of her rage at the seemingly random question. “Rope?” “The one on the wall ta the right of the stairs; yer supposed ta use it ta secure the barrel,” Applejack said slowly. Rainbow’s eye began to twitch. “Why didn’t you tell me that before I did all that shit?!” “Ah figured ya knew! Ya’ve helped us out plenty ‘round here before!” “Yeah, but I’ve never done this!” Rainbow shot back. “It’s always just been bucking apples! I don’t think I’ve even been in your cellar before! That’s kinda why I was expecting some help!” Applejack sighed. “Ah’m sorry, sugarcube. Ah’m used ta workin’ with the family, n’ they know the farm backwards n’ upside-down. An’ yer around so much, Ah guess Ah plum forgot y’all didn’t.” Applejack looked to her hooves. Rainbow just sat there, torn between wanting to yell at her friend some more and wanting to comfort her. “Heh, ain’t even been an hour an’ Ah’ve already screwed somethin’ up,” Applejack mused absently. “Ah figured you mighta, but look at you, gettin’ a barrel all the way up here without even usin’ the rope. Never even known Mac ta do that much. Ah don’ know whether ta be sorry er impressed.” Rainbow knew this was really getting to her; Applejack wasn’t one to ramble unless she was really upset. She walked over to offer Applejack a one-hoofed hug. “Hey, it’s alright. Honest mistake, right? I’m sorry for blowing up at you; I should have come to you before wearing myself to pieces anyway.” Applejack cracked a small smile. “Ah shouldn’a expected that of ya. Yer stubborn as an Apple yerself. Tell ya what, Ah’ll give y’all a breather n’ get the rest of the barrels up mahself. Celestia knows ya’ve proven yerself way more n’ capable.” Rainbow knew better than to decline the help outright, so she did the next best thing. “AJ, I can’t let you do that all by yourself, I’m supposed to be the one helping you. Just… give me a minute to catch my breath and I’ll help you out.” Applejack smiled a bit wider. “Thanks, sugarcube. Ah owe ya one.” “I thought the whole point of this was that I owed you,” Rainbow chuckled. “Heh, guess that makes us even, then?” Applejack supposed. Loyalty made Rainbow shake her head. “Not even close; I promised you a month of help and damn if I’m not gonna give you the best help you’ve ever gotten.” Applejack’s smile became sheepish. “Thanks fer stickin’ with me. Means a lot from you.” “It’s gonna take a lot more than that to drive me away, AJ,” Rainbow said with a squeeze. “Now, we’ve still got some barrels to take care of, right?” “Right, barrels.” With the rope Applejack had pointed out, the going was a whole lot easier. Rainbow could practically prance up the stairs without shaking the barrels from her back. Working together, they cut though the barrels in a fraction of the time it would have taken otherwise, finishing hours ahead of schedule. In fact… “It’s only seven thirty? You said we had to be done by noon!” Rainbow marveled. Applejack just shrugged. “What can Ah say? Ah guess yer jes that big a help.” Rainbow grinned at the praise, walking with a bit more of a spring to her step as they moved on to the next task. “So what’s next? Herding stampeding cows? Expanding the acres? Building a new barn?” “Simmer down there, sally,” Applejack laughed. “’S just maintenance; the barn needs a bit a’ TLC.” Rainbow eyed the barn in question. “Looks fine to me.” “You kiddin’? The paint’s startin’ ta peel, nails ‘re comin’ loose, the hay loft’s a mess…” “Isn’t the hay loft supposed to be a mess anyway?” Rainbow questioned. “Not like this it ain’t,” Applejack said, indicating the area above them. “The wood’s gotta be replaced er we’re gonna have hay an’ dead wood everywhere.” “Sounds like a lot of work,” Rainbow observed. “Were you gonna do this all by yourself?” Applejack shook her head. “Applebloom usually does a lot of this stuff, but Ah figured since we’re ahead of schedule anyway we might as well give her some extra help.” “And she’s cool with that?” “’Course; she always is. She’s way too young ta do it all by herself, n’ Ah’m sure she wouldn’t mind a bit more help this year. Definitely in worse shape ‘n it was last year. But Applebloom should have it fixed up in a jiffy. She’s got a gift, Ah tell ya.” “Maybe you should try telling her that; might be nice to not have her running around looking for her cutie mark in all the wrong places. I tried telling Scoot to work on her scooter skills, but she just got all defensive. And now she’s all hooked up on flying, I’m worried she’ll forget about it.” Applejack smiled. “We just gotta give ‘em time. They’re bound ta get it eventually.” “Yeah, hopefully before they get outta school, at least. Can’t imagine getting to that age without a cutie mark. Just think; she gets her first heat thinking it’s some kind of pre-cutie mark sickness.” “Ah would not wanna be the one ta explain that one.” Applejack shivered. “Even if she does have ‘er cutie mark ‘fore then.” “Well, I kinda did explain the whole orientation thing to them already, in some weird way. So at least you won’t have to cover that.” “You don’t think any of ‘em go fer that, do ya?” Rainbow shrugged. “I dunno, Scoot might be thinking about it. She does take after me a lot.” Applejack paused. “Ya don’ think she’ll lie ta herself, do ya?” “Nah, she’s a smart kid. I don’t think I have that much influence over her. And if it does come to that, I’m sure I’d be able to spot it pretty quick. But hey, maybe she turns out to be a legit fillyfooler and she wouldn’t have known about the option if I didn’t tell her?” Applejack frowned. “That reminds me a’ somethin’ Ah wanted ta ask ya. Why did ya think Ah wouldn’ be okay with you bein’ that way? Ah didn’ have anythin’ wrong with Octavia and Vinyl.” “Well, yeah, but you don’t see them often so it wouldn’t be up in your face. It’s a bit different when it’s a kinda friend than a best friend.” Rainbow pointed out. “Ah guess so. Ya also said Ah was the first ya told, but Scootaloo didn’t seem ya buy that.” “I said kinda the first. The thing with Scoot, well… I kinda got my hoof forced.” Applejack cocked her head. “By what?” Rainbow sighed. “There were some… rumors going around town. Stupid rumors, totally not true. And Scoot caught wind of them, so she came to me, of course.” “Rumors ‘bout you?” Applejack prodded, unsure if she wanted an answer. “Yeah, about me…” Rainbow blushed, “and… well, about you, too.” “Me?” “Yeah, it seems ponies were getting the wrong idea about us and, well…” Rainbow searched for the right words. “It escalated pretty quickly.” Applejack blushed violently. “T-they thought…” “Yeah, stupid, right?” Rainbow grinned, though her eyes showed uncertainty. “It’s… totally not like that.” A very awkward silence stretched between the two, neither knowing what to say, or even think. Things were really starting to pile up on them, and they were getting harder to ignore. Rainbow liked mares; she knew that, but Applejack? Applejack, on the other hoof wasn’t even sure which way her barn door swung; she’d never really given much thought to romance. That was always more Rarity’s territory. And what was more… “Rainbow?” Applejack tentatively broke the silence. “Y-yeah?” “We’re outta paint.” Applejack declared. Rainbow blinked. “So, we gotta go shopping again?” “Unless y’all can make paint with that pretty mane a’ yours,” Applejack said without really thinking. Rainbow blushed, but didn’t make to point out Applejack’s advance. Celestia, why can’t this just be easy?Applejack and Rainbow made their way over to the market in silence, neither daring to make eye contact. In fact, they would have been quite content to have some time to think without any distractions. But, as life was prone to do, it had other ideas. And this time, it was purple. “Oh, hey you two, what’s up?” The voice of Twilight startled the two in question. Twilight got her first look at the equal parts dejected, embarrassed, and surprised expressions on her friends’ faces. “Is… everything alright?” “Everything’s fine,” Rainbow squeaked. “Yep, jes dandy,” Applejack added in a small voice. “Why are you whispering? Is it some kind of secret?” Twilight pondered. “No, no, just… tired,” Rainbow offered. “Long day,” Applejack agreed. Twilight glanced upwards to take in the position of the sun. “It’s not even noon yet.” “Lucky us,” Rainbow joked weakly. Applejack remained silent. Twilight frowned. “Are you sure there’s nothing bothering you? I don’t think I’ve ever seen either of you like this.” Rainbow shrugged. “See something new every day, right?” “Would be borin’ otherwise.” Twilight could tell she wasn’t going to be getting any straight answers, but she knew something was up. She decided to ask around, try to find any hints. It was like a mystery! She was getting excited just thinking about it as she ran off without another word. No words were left spoken by the two mares in search of paint, either, as they collected their plunder in silence. Twilight, meanwhile, found herself crashing into the biggest information monger in Ponyville. “Oh, hi Twilight!” Pinkie chirped. “Pinkie! I need your help with a mystery!” Twilight commanded. “Ooh! Is this like that time on the Friendship Express?” “Yes, but there’s no cake this time,” Twilight said, much to Pinkie’s disappointment. “Oh, okay…” “We need somewhere safe to talk,” Twilight went on. “Somewhere nopony goes.” “The library?” Pinkie offered. Twilight’s eye twitched. “Gee, thanks.” “Don’t mention it!” Pinkie said, bouncing away in the direction of Twilight’s home. Upon arrival, Twilight shut the door with a little more force than necessary. “Okay, Pinkie, I need to know. Something’s up with Applejack and Rainbow Dash and-“ “Oh! Haven’t you heard? Rumor has it that AJ and Dashie are dating!” Pinkie cheered. Twilight’s mouth opened, only to close again. She blinked, twice. “I… What?” “Yep!” “Wh-where did they get an idea like that?” Twilight stammered. “You know ponies. Or maybe you don’t. You are still kinda new to this whole ponies thing. But they’re not like books, no siree. They’re much more fun and exciting!” “I came here for answers, Pinkie, not a life lecture!” Twilight shouted. “I thought you came here because Princess Celestia wanted you to make friends!” Twilight grunted, shoving Pinkie out the door unceremoniously. “I swear,” Twilight muttered, “three years later and the ponies in this town are still crazy.” Contrary to Rainbow's opinion on them, words are not stupid. They are a source of never-ending entertainment. Until you die. |
| | | Cloudchaser Pony
Posts : 130 Join date : 2012-02-11 Location : The Magical Land of New Jersey
| Subject: Re: Oh God Cloud Wrote a Fanfic Fri May 17, 2013 5:39 pm | |
| Bit more beef to this one. Also a bit of stuff to add, but I can't really find the inspiration to write it just yet, and I figured this was enough to warrant a post. So... Fuck I Don't Even Remember What Number This Is Rainbow crashed down onto a hay bale, sighing heavily. “Can today be over yet?” Applejack chuckled weakly. “Ah reckon not, sugarcube. Even if we leave the barn ta Applebloom we still got fields ta tend to. An’ don’ forget ‘bout yer guitar lessons er yer weather jobs.” Rainbow covered her face in her hooves. “Maybe I did take on a bit too much,” she mumbled. Applejack saw through the ruse immediately. “You know that’s not what’s gettin’ to ya. Ah know ‘cus it’s gettin’ ta me, too. Ah’m sure it’ll blow over soon, sugarcube. This is new ta both a’ us.” Rainbow wasn’t too sure; if she was honest she’d say it’s been there a while, and that it wasn’t about to leave either of them alone. But she was loyal; honesty was Applejack’s thing, though it seemed it was getting hard to come by. All Rainbow could hope was that it would work itself out and leave them with their sanity at the end. “Rainbow?” Applejack’s voice snapped her out of her thoughts. “Huh?” “Thought Ah lost you fer a minute there,” Applejack joked nervously before pausing uncertainly. “Well, Ah was thinkin’… Ah know it’s only been a day an’ all, but…” Rainbow felt her own nerves strangle her, face reddening in semi-comprehension. “Maybe we could take a bit of a break – just ‘til lunch!” Applejack blurted out. Rainbow’s blood quickly diverted itself from her face as her mouth hung open slightly in confusion of this new development. Even if her brief half-understood suspicions held no merit, this was still something new from Applejack. She was never one to shirk her duties, even in light of emotional confusion. Given this was a new kind of emotional confusion, but that didn’t make this new any less new. No, this… this was super-new. “My gosh,” Rainbow said under her breath before clearing her throat. “Uh, yeah, that sounds like… cool.” …You know what else sounds like cool? Fillyfool... Wait, I mean just fool. Get it together, Rainbow! She slapped herself across the face, forgetting that Applejack could see her. “Are… you okay, sugarcube?” Applejack asked, her concern outweighing her own inner turmoil. “Yeah, I’m… I’m great.” Rainbow said, suddenly reminded of her earlier fatigue. All she wanted to do was roll around in this hay and fall asleep. Wait, not like that! Applejack regarded Rainbow strangely for a few moments before asking, “Not like what?” Rainbow paused. She had said that out loud? Urgh, stupid. Stop it. “I…” Rainbow sat up, shaking hay loose from her coat. “I need a nap.” Applejack smiled, “Good thing we got a bed for ya, then; must be more comfy than sleepin’ in the trees.” “Hey, your trees are like, awesome, alright?” Rainbow said, barely registering that she had offered a sorta-compliment. Her balance failed her and almost had her toppling back into the hay, but Applejack showed her great reflexes even when unusually exhausted and caught her pegasus friend and managed not to fall onto the hay herself. “Maybe… maybe we should get ta bed,” Applejack said breathily. “But the hay, it’s so… rollable,” Rainbow mumbled. Applejack walked her friend back to the farmhouse, showing great fortitude despite her own desires to sleep where she stood. But even Applejack had her limits. Leading Rainbow up the stairs to her temporary room, Applejack began to wobble, but she soldiered on, coming all the way to Rainbow’s door. She reached out a hoof to weakly push at it, nearly toppling herself in the process. Righting herself, she resolved to head-butt the door open, the action leaving her with precious little energy. So little, that she barely had enough left to help Rainbow up onto her bed. In a massive tangle of weakly flailing limbs, she found herself lying next to Rainbow on her bed. “Nice of you to stop by,” Rainbow mumbled, subconsciously throwing a hoof around Applejack’s shoulders. Applejack groaned in response, accepting the barely-registered touch gratefully. “Mind if I sleep here?” “Knock yourself ou-“ Neither mare stayed awake long enough to hear whether or not the last letter made it out of Rainbow’s mouth, not that either would have remembered anyway. Shortly after passing out, Applejack’s hoof found its way around Rainbow’s shoulders, mirroring Rainbow’s own in a sort of sleep-hug. Rainbow smiled through her sleep at the touch, mouthing some sentiment or other. So blissful and pseudo-ignorant were the dreams each mare had that they failed to register each other in their frequent appearances, merely regarding them as cute orange pony and cuddly blue pegasus, though those roles were interchangeable. A number of other adjectives would have come to mind had they been more conscious, though they were very much reflected in their dreams. Such was the scene Big Macintosh stumbled across; the door to Rainbow’s room carelessly left wide open, with two familiar mares locked in an epic cuddle asleep on the bed. Mac blinked once before smiling. If there was one thing being a big brother taught him, it was that when catching his little sister in an awkward situation, there were two options. One would be to walk away like a good brother and not mention it. The other would be to hold it over her head for eternity and beyond. Needless to say, he chose the more interesting option in light of this particularly embarrassing development. Fer science, as Miss Twilight would say. Big Mac re-entered the kitchen with that same smile still present on his face. Granny Smith didn’t need to ask to know that the mares he was sent to fetch were occupied. “Think she gets it, yet?” “Maybe,” Big Mac chuckled, “but Ah doubt it.” Rainbow slowly woke up, a smile stretching wide across her face. She cracked her eyes open to regard the orange face she held so close. “Mm, morning, AJ.” Applejack stirred awake, herself, returning Rainbow’s smile. “Mornin’, Rainbow.” Applejack giggled sleepily. This moment was perfect; her muzzle was practically brushing against her bed-mate’s. All she had to do was instigate. She looked into Rainbow’s eyes and- Both mares cried out in unison, flinging themselves away from the awkward cuddle, looking anywhere but at each other. “I didn’t do it, I swear!” Rainbow panicked. “Well Ah sure as hay didn’t!” Applejack’s eyes were the size of dinner plates. “Well one of us had to have!” Rainbow accused. “Well it wasn’t me! Ah would never even think a…” Applejack raised her head slowly to find Rainbow staring back at her. Slowly, through the thoughts racing in each mare’s recently-awoken minds, a pair of smiles won out on their faces, accompanied by heavy blushes. “It was a nice cuddle,” Rainbow said in a small voice. Applejack wanted to agree, but something seemed out of place. It wasn’t the fact that they were best friends with no romantic history, or the fact that they were both mares, or even the implications of what might have happened before said cuddle. No, the thing that stuck out in Applejack’s mind- “You… you like to cuddle, Rainbow?” Applejack questioned, fearful, curious and touched all at once. Rainbow’s eyes widened again, running her comment by herself again. “N-no! I mean, uh- I meant that it was a nice… huddle!” Applejack looked at Rainbow with hurt, accusation and disbelief. Rainbow sighed, seeing no other options than to come clean. “Okay, yeah, I guess. I mean, it’s not like I have before, or anything. But that… with you,” Rainbow blushed, “it was nice.” Applejack donned a blush of her own, meeting Rainbow’s uncertain eyes with a warmth she didn’t fully understand. Rainbow smiled at Applejack’s apparent contentment, feeling a little bold. “I don’t suppose… you’d want to do it again sometime?” Applejack’s blush darkened as she mumbled out, “Ah’d like that.” As the two looked at each other, their blushes began to fade, but the warmth in their cheeks did not. Neither did the sense of contentment they got from sharing a moment such as this with the pony that mattered most to them. What did happen, however, was an interruption by their stomachs. With the new motive in mind, an air of awkwardness descended upon the room. Neither mare wanted the moment to end, yet at the same time felt afraid of acknowledging it. At length, Rainbow spoke. “I’m kinda hungry,” she said simply. Applejack spared a glance at the clock. “We did miss lunch,” she agreed. “’S also past noon; maybe we should head out inta town fer lunch an’ hope we didn’ miss yer lesson, too.” Despite the innocent request, Rainbow couldn’t shake the sense that she was being asked out. What surprised her, though, was that she didn’t see any problem with the concept, but merely what Applejack would think of it. But if Applejack was the one who asked her… “It’s a date,” Rainbow said, immediately regretting her poor choice of words. “I mean-“ Applejack chuckled. “It’s alright, sugarcube; Ah don’ mind.” Rainbow looked at Applejack with a sense of awe, which was plainly visible on her face. So visible, that Applejack devolved into stammers herself, trying to explain it away. “It’s alright, Applejack,” Rainbow said, smiling, “I don’t mind.” Applejack and Rainbow Dash walked into Ponyville in a companionable silence. Their blushes were still evident, though were paid less mind. Rainbow noted that Applejack was walking closer to her than usual, though refrained from commenting lest Applejack distance herself. The implications were apparently not lost on the ponies of Ponyville; specifically those who knew the two personally. Rainbow caught a few giggles and gestures sent their way, some less decent than others. There was one in particular that Rainbow prayed to Celestia that Applejack missed. If she had caught it, Applejack’s demeanor gave no indication. “Rainbow,” Applejack started in a hushed tone, catching the pegasus’ attention, “back at the farm, ya said that ya never… Does that mean…?” “That I’ve never been with anypony before?” Rainbow whispered back. Applejack nodded nervously. “Nope. You?” “Really? Never? But yer so…” Applejack blinked. “Ah mean… No, Ah haven’t.” Applejack finished with a blush. Rainbow offered Applejack a small smile before indicating the space before them. They had arrived at their lunchery of choice, CafĂŠ du Mane. Had Twilight been there, she would have insisted to Rainbow that, for the eleventeeth time, that was not a word. But she wasn’t, so Rainbow was left to bask in her word alone. Or rather, with a pony that wouldn’t judge her based on her vocabulary, not to mention being a good deal more attractive to Rainbow. But then, Applejack was- “The cutest thing ever!” Rainbow whipped her head around, but the pink mare to whom the voice belonged to was nowhere to be found. Applejack looked similarly baffled by the random outburst, though recovered far more quickly to lead Rainbow to a table. Down an alley on a side road, Pinkie Pie was bouncing off to Carousel Boutique to relay her discovery, feeling in an unusually gossipy mood, failing to realize she was making two of her best friends’ lives that much more complicated. Okay, since when can Pinkie read my thoughts? That’s just creepy. And more than a little bit of a problem. Rainbow glanced around again, hoping to catch a glimpse of the now-dreaded pink mare. “You alright, sugarcube? Yer lookin’ jumpier than a bean.” “Jumpier than a what?” Rainbow raised an eyebrow. “A bean. You know, like those ones down in Mexicolt.” “I wonder about you sometimes, AJ,” Rainbow said, picking up her largely-unneeded menu as more of a distraction than anything. Both mares had the menu memorized by now, along with the other four in their group, so often did they come here for lunch. It almost left Rainbow craving for something different, more romexotic. Also not a word, Rainbow, reminded a voice in the back of her head. Shut up, egghead, Rainbow shot back. Applejack swore she heard snickers around her, and not from Rainbow, but every time she looked around, everypony was conspicuously aloof. Applejack sighed. This is what I’d have to deal with, huh? Well, at least they’re not getting’ at our throats about it. If ya ask me, what Ah do with Rainbow is ‘tween me n’ her. Another con to add to her list, she supposed. The concept was far from being considered, though she had to admit it made her feel funny. She could only wonder what Rainbow was thinking of it, having one less hurdle to deal with. “We’re not usually this quiet over lunch, you know,” Rainbow pointed out idly, nibbling on the meal that Applejack could barely remember being delivered. Her own sat untouched, so at Rainbow’s questioning glance she began to eat. It didn’t do much to ease her stress or fatigue, but it was at least enough to curb her hunger. “Sorry, sugarcube,” Applejack said between bites, “Ah guess Ah just got a lot ta think on.” “Yeah. Past couple days haven’t exactly been uneventful,” Rainbow said, running a hoof through her mane. “And this one isn’t even over yet.” Rainbow paused. “But hey, I’ve got my guitar lessons soon, so that should give you some time to think, right? Not much need for a head start, if you ask me.” “You kiddin’? If Ah asked you Ah’d be shocked ta hear ya wouldn’t take a head start.” “Well, in racing, yeah. But thinking’s different, you know? Like, it doesn’t matter when or how fast you do it, or even if you do it at all! I can do plenty of awesome things without thinking! Who needs thoughts when you can take actions, right?” Applejack frowned in puzzlement. “But if ya don’ think about them actions first, an’ ya end up hurtin’ somepony close ta ya…” Applejack felt a hoof on her wither. “Hey, I’d never do anything to hurt you, Applejack. You know that. I’m loyal to a fault, remember? Besides, you mean way too much to me.” Applejack sighed. “Ah know that, Rainbow. It’s me Ah’m worried about.” A second hoof joined the first. “AJ, you’re being too hard on yourself again. I know it seems like a lot right now, but I know you can figure it out. And I’ll be there with you one way or the other.” Rainbow cracked a smirk. “You got me for a whole month, remember?” That earned a grin from Applejack as she weakly pushed at Rainbow’s hold before abruptly hugging her closer. Elements be damned, if there was one thing Rainbow never failed to get from Applejack it was a smile. They knew each other better than most; sporting a closer bond than most couples, even. And they always had each other’s backs, no matter what life threw at them; even a failed relationship that ended with broken hearts. Not to say that would ever happen, though. Rainbow could never do something so cruel as to break her best friend’s heart, and knew the sentiment was mutual. Just how much else was mutual she had yet to find out. “And maybe a bit more if you can put up with me,” Rainbow said through their embrace. “You know me, Dash. Ah can take anythin’ ya throw at me. Even yerself… especially yerself.” Applejack pulled away to wink at Rainbow. She made to resume the hug, but stopped short at the uneasy feeling of a hundred unwelcome eyes on their scene. She whipped her head around, catching the eyes of a few ponies who could not react quickly enough to avert their gazes. Among those were ponies both knew, like Lyra, Bon Bon, even the dentist, Colgate. Were their private lives really so easily intruded upon? Taking another look around, she amended herself. Ain’t really private in a public diner. Rainbow offered a shrug when Applejack’s gaze returned to her. She looked to the clock tower shortly afterward, noting that it was a bit past noon. “I should probably be over at Vinyl’s soon,” Rainbow said to break the silence. Applejack smiled. “C’mon then, Ah’ll walk ya over.” “Don’t want that head start on thinking after all?” “Guess not. Ya musta convinced me.” “How’d I do that?” Applejack chuckled. “By bein’ you.” “Hey, Scratch, I’m ready for my lessons!” Rainbow called after bursting through the door. Vinyl blinked from her seat on the couch. “I said I was free, not raidable.” “Yeah, whatever, same thing,” Rainbow agreed absently, unstrapping her guitar case from her back. “You’ll never guess what kind of sweet guitar I’ve got.” “The Coltson from the shop that looks like a Wonderbolts guitar?” Vinyl answered easily. Rainbow blinked. “Lucky guess,” she pouted, showing off her new guitar in a more subdued manner than intended. “That thing cost quite a lot, I’ve checked. How’d you get the money for it?” “I subjected myself to a month of labor on Sweet Apple Acres,” Rainbow explained smoothly. Vinyl quirked a brow. “Anything to spend more time with Applejack, eh?” “Shut up,” Rainbow mumbled. “You know you like her, Dash. Why not go for it?” “Because it’s complicated, alright? I don’t have to explain myself to you,” Rainbow said harshly. “Now are we gonna do this or not?” Vinyl frowned at Rainbow’s words, but started the lesson regardless. “Alright, show me a hoof-slide,” Vinyl ordered. Rainbow complied with a sound akin to hooves on a chalkboard. “That was terrible,” Vinyl scoffed. “Try again.” The second attempt was, if anything, worse. “Okay, stop; stop, please for the love of Celestia stop.” Vinyl narrowed her eyes at a sheepish Rainbow. “You’re a piece of work, Rainbow. You know that?” “So are you gonna help me or ridicule me all day?” Rainbow challenged. “When we’re through today, you’ll learn that there’s not much of a difference between the two,” Vinyl threatened. Rainbow braced herself for a long afternoon. Applejack made her way back to the farm alone, grateful for the respite if nothing else. While Rainbow was great company, she didn’t really leave much time for thought, which was her greatest need right now. So great, in fact, that Big Macintosh deemed it necessary to accost her in her trek through the orchards. “Hey, AJ. Have a nice nap?” Big Mac asked with a brow quirked deviously. What he received in return was the greatest death glare Applejack had ever mustered. Big Mac winced visibly; he only ever got that look when he really needed to back off, which usually meant something was really bothering her. And to consider this as the most distraught he had seen her in years really said a lot. In fact, he hadn’t seen her so torn up since… Big Macintosh dislodged the thought with a vigorous shake of his head. No, that was silly; Applejack would never change because of something as simple as romance. Not to mention she would have changed a lot more had it not been for the very pegasus now plaguing her thoughts. If Rainbow hadn’t come along when she did, Big Mac wasn’t sure Applejack would have ever been the same filly again. Life has its ways o’ offsettin’ the bad with the good. Big Mac philosophized. An’ this can be one heck of a good if ya let it, AJ. Ah can see how happy she makes ya. Why can’t you? Applejack crashed heavily on her bed, looking for answers in the smooth painted wood of her ceiling. She sighed, knowing the venture was fruitless as she rolled over to regard the two pictures she kept on her nightstand. One of which was that picture of her and Rainbow with their Running of the Leaves medals. The other brought her sadness at times, hope at others, and longing always. It was a picture of her family taken back when her parents were still alive. Applebloom wasn’t more than a month old, Big Mac wasn’t more than twelve, and she was at the start of her adventurous phase. What better way to push you out the door than something like that, right? Applejack felt tears come to her eyes as she thought back on those days. If it weren’t for Rainbow, she might never have left Manehattan. And as if that weren’t enough, she herself came into her life just as she started to relapse back into depression in her painfully empty surroundings. It was like Rainbow somehow knew there was something missing in her life after all that the family had been through. What she got was the best friend she’s ever had. An’ is that really worth riskin’? Applejack asked herself. Element of Loyalty or not, Applejack knew that a failed relationship would leave their friendship a mere shadow of what it was now. And she wasn’t even sure if a relationship was what she wanted. What do I want? The answer was no clearer than it had ever been. That list of pros and cons her subconscious had mustered was little help. What would she really get from a relationship with Rainbow that she didn’t have already? It admittedly wasn’t much, but the thought of it never ceased to drive her crazy. Ah could never find a better friend, but at the same time Ah might never get another shot like this with anypony who means so much ta me. Applejack sighed. She means more ta me n’ anything. She looked again at the picture of her parents. Whaddya think Ah should do, Ma n’ Pa? This is too much for me ta deal with alone. But you’re never alone, her subconscious reminded her. Rainbow will be right there with you. An’ Ah can always count on the family, Applejack agreed. But can they really help with this? She had no reason to believe so other than her own pessimism. But what if they don’ understand? What if they hate me fer it? Ah ain’t ever heard of fillyfoolin’ in the Apple Family. Ah still don’ even know if Ah am one! Applejack’s sobs were interrupted by a gentle knock on the door. She knew who it was before the door opened to reveal the concerned face of her older brother. “You alright, AJ? Ah heard ya cryin’ all the way outside.” “Ah’m not cryin’!” Applejack stubbornly shouted, rubbing her eyes. “Ah just…” Big Mac walked over to offer Applejack his support. Applejack barely hesitated to bawl her eyes out into the crook of his neck as Big Mac stroked her mane and offered quiet reassurance. After a few minutes, Applejack started to calm down. “Feel any better?” “A little bit,” Applejack sniffed. “What do Ah do, Mac?” “’Bout Rainbow?” Applejack just nodded, too upset to question how he knew. “Ya don’ have ta do anythin’ just yet,” Big Mac saged. “She’s gonna be ‘round fer a whole month, isn’t she? That gives ya plenty o’ time ta figure it out.” “Ah don’t know if Ah can face her without an answer.” Big Mac raised an eyebrow. “Did she ask you already?” Applejack shook her head. “Then what’s there ta worry ‘bout?” “What if she says no? What if Ah change mah mind? How’re y’all gonna react?” Big Mac hugged her closer. “Ah know Ah speak fer the family when Ah say we’ll support ya no matter what, AJ. And yer a smart mare; Ah think ya know what ya want.” Big Mac paused. “Is there any reason ta think she wouldn’t say yes?” “Only reasons ta think she would,” Applejack muttered. “That’s the hard part.” “Well what kinda reasons are those?” Applejack hesitated. “Well, Ah don’ know if its mah place ta say…” “Ah won’ tell a soul,” Big Mac promised. Applejack sighed. “She’s a fillyfooler, Mac. She already done n’ told me that much.” Big Mac raised an eyebrow. “Can’t say that’s too surprisin’, ta be honest. How’d she get around ta bringin’ it up?” “She didn’t,” Applejack explained, driving Mac’s brow higher, “Ah’m not even sure she wanted ta. Scootaloo’s the one who outed ‘er. ‘Parently got forced inta that one, too.” “How?” Big Mac prodded. Applejack frowned, blood making its way to her cheeks. “It’s just… stupid rumors.” “Bout you n’ her?” Applejack nodded sheepishly. “Tha’s what got me thinkin’ about it.” Applejack sighed. “She also told me Ah was the first one she really opened up to ‘bout her uh, orientation.” “Really now? That’s a good sign, AJ.” “Huh?” “That she’s comfortable talkin’ bout that with ya,” Big Mac clarified. “Well, it weren’t exactly… comfortable, ta be honest,” Applejack said, a blush coming to her cheeks. Big Mac grinned. “Kinda felt like she was talkin’ bout you, huh?” Applejack nodded weakly. “Well Ah think that’s plenty ta go on, AJ,” Big Mac chuckled. “An’ if ya ask me, Ah think ya should go fer it. Y’all could make a mighty fine couple.” “Even though she’s a mare?” Applejack asked in a small voice. Big Mac looked behind him unexpectedly. “AJ, Ah’m gonna tell ya somethin’ Ah ain’t never said before-“ Applejack didn’t need him to finish. “You, Mac? You’re a… a coltcuddler?” “Well, not strictly,” Big Mac clarified, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly. “Ah figure mah barn door swings both ways.” “An’ ya don’ think that’s…?” “Not at all, AJ,” Big Mac said. “’S normal as any other kinda relationship.” Applejack chuckled. “Alright, now ya got me curious, so Ah gotta ask; top er bottom?” Big Mac’s face practically exploded in well-camouflaged blush. “Ah-Ah don’ think that’s appropriate ta-“ “Never woulda guessed, Mac,” Applejack said with a knowing wink. Big Mac gulped nervously; he needed to get back on top of this conversation. “So, have you two thought of a name yet?” Vinyl asked as they were finishing up the lesson for the day. “Not really, no,” Rainbow answered. “Well, you could just do what me and Tavi did.” “Maybe, but our names don’t flow together as well as yours do. I mean, Octavinyl is just… perfect.” “I dunno, I think Appledash sounds pretty good,” Vinyl offered. Rainbow blushed at the name. “And we’re not even…” Vinyl raised a brow and smirked, but didn’t comment. “Well, you’ve gotta have a name. Nopony ever heard of the super awesome nameless band. Unless that was your name, but that’s not what I meant.” “Yeah, I’ll think about it. And hey, maybe we’ll find ourselves collabing one day, huh?” “As it stands now, you’d have trouble collaborating with a pointed stick,” Vinyl stated plainly. “Yeah, whatever; I’m gonna be awesome and you know it,” Rainbow bragged despite her minimal progress. “Whatever you say, Dash,” Vinyl remarked, showing Rainbow out the door once she had gotten her Coltson packed away. It was getting close to dinner time, as evidenced by the sun. Rainbow estimated she had about an hour to deal with her weather shenanigans, which left her plenty of time to be early for dinner. The day was an easy one, anyway; the only work requiring her attention being a stray patch of fog in Carrot Top’s fields and a few clouds buzzing Town Square. Rainbow Dash completed her tasks swiftly, trotting back to the acres with a good forty-five minutes to spare. Awesome Apple Family dinner, here I come.If all went well, she and Applejack would be taking over Equestria with their awesomeness by the end of the month. The Wonderbolts couldn’t ignore that, right? Now if I could just talk to Applejack without all the awkwardness. Sighing, Rainbow made her way through the orchard to the farmhouse at the center. Along the way, Big Mac, who was putting some equipment away, caught her eye and gave her a wink. Confused by the random gesture, Rainbow paused for a second before continuing onward. Mac’s not gonna get all weird on me, too, is he? Rainbow just wanted a nice, quiet dinner without any drama or awkward moments. Mere days ago, she would have scoffed at the prospect of an Apple Family dinner without jovial conversation and laughter, but now it was the best she could hope for. She really wanted to believe Applejack when she said this would all blow over soon, but something told her this was far too complicated to go away quietly. I just wish I could know what’s bugging her. Then we could work this all out and go back to how it used to be, Rainbow lamented. Is it really so hard to ask the Element of Honesty to be honest? Rainbow entered the farmhouse with slumped shoulders, feeling no better than she had this morning. If anything, it was worse now. Looking up upon reaching the dinner table, she found Applejack sitting there looking blankly out the window. Normally in this situation, Rainbow’s first instinct would be to get the jump on her, but now she just wanted to comfort her and make everything better. But I can’t. I’ve never been good with words. That’s Twilight’s thing. Rainbow mused, perking up shortly afterward. Hey, that’s an idea! Twilight’s smart; she should be able to figure it out! She’s been in super-egghead mode ever since she got those wings. Applejack finally noticed Rainbow when she sat down triumphantly at the table. “Yer lookin’ better, sugarcube.” Rainbow diverted her gaze to the table. “Not really. I did get an idea, though!” “Ain’t that what got us inta this mess in the first place?” Applejack challenged. “What? No, I…” Rainbow looked up at Applejack sadly. “You don’t trust me anymore, do you?” “What? No, sugarcube, Ah didn’ mean it like that. Ah just…” Applejack trailed off. “Don’t want it to get any worse?” Rainbow suggested. Applejack nodded, remaining silent. Rainbow sighed. “Me too. But if anyone can help us through this, it’s Twilight. She knows everything.” “Ya sure it’s worth riskin’ all the tests she might put us through?” “If it would help.” Rainbow raised her eyes to the window. “You see how she’s getting more responsible with her royal duties, though. And I’m not even sure she has time for all that anymore.” “But she’s gotten a heap more powerful since becomin’ an Alicorn an’ all,” Applejack stated. “And she’s been spendin’ more n’ more time in Canterlot. “ “Exactly! She doesn’t have the time for us anymore! She-“ Rainbow’s eyes widened. “She’s leaving us behind.” Applejack rounded the table to rest a hoof on Rainbow’s shoulder. “Don’ say that, sugarcube. Princess er not, she’s still our friend. What Ah meant was, she’s been gettin’ advice from the Princesses. Like you said, she’s a smart pony. She’ll figure out a way ta still have time fer us.” “Then why don’t you wanna go to her for help?” Rainbow prodded. “Because Ah… She’s already got so many responsibilities, Rainbow. Ah don’ wanna trouble her with somethin’ silly like-“ “Applejack,” Rainbow cut in, “we’re on the verge of cuddling and you’re telling me this is silly.” “Ah, what…” Applejack noticed for the first time just how close she had gotten to Rainbow and quickly sat up and backed away. “Ah’m sorry, Ah-“ “Don’t worry about it,” Rainbow said with a smile. “I… actually kinda liked it…” She blushed. “But you can’t tell me that something isn’t happening between us. Don’t you want to figure it out so we can go back to the way things used to be?” “Ah don’t know, Rainbow,” Applejack said, taking a seat across the table from the pegasus. “Ah’m not even sure Ah want it ta stop.” Rainbow blinked, face growing redder. “Then don’t you wanna uh… figure it out so we can…” Applejack donned a furious blush. “Ah didn’ mean it like that! Ah meant that… Ah…” Applejack sighed. “Ah just don’t know anymore, Dash.” Rainbow felt the need to return the comfort Applejack had given her, but couldn’t work up the courage to make a conscious advance. So she just smiled sheepishly and said, “That’s why we need Twilight, AJ. She knows everything.” “Ah… Okay.” Applejack relented. “Tomorrow, after we finish our chores, we can go see Twilight.” Rainbow’s smile became a little less sheepish. “Thanks, AJ. Twilight can help, trust me.” “Ah really hope yer right, Dash,” Applejack said. “Am I ever wrong?” Rainbow asked, hoping to lighten the mood. Applejack rewarded her efforts with a small chuckle and a shake of her head. “We should probably wash up before dinner.” “You mean you haven’t yet?” Rainbow asked. “Uh, no, Ah was gonna wait for you,” Applejack explained. Rainbow looked at Applejack strangely. “So we could… shower together?” “What? Ah- no! Ah don’…” Applejack looked to the clock over the oven that Granny Smith worked before. With all their shenanigans, they had wasted a good half hour. And if they were late to dinner, Granny Smith would… Applejack gulped, thinking quickly. They only had enough time for one shower. So she could let Rainbow shower and take Granny Smith’s berating, or they could… Rainbow took in Applejack’s fearfully embarrassed expression with a sigh of resignation. “We have to shower together, don’t we?” Applejack offered a weak nod in response, cursing her subconscious for its questionable goals. It wasn’t like they hadn’t showered together as foals, but they were mares now, so there was a little more to worry about. Applejack prayed to Celestia for a peaceful shower. This is not what Ah need right now. Wings, please, please behave, Rainbow pleaded in her own mind, unable to stop a feeling of impending doom. Of all the things about being a pegasus… Walking into the washroom sporting matching blushes, Rainbow and Applejack quietly prepared the shower. Before long, the water heated up, and steam began to fill the air, causing sweat to bead on their coats. They made sure to not look at each other, lest indecent thoughts surface. Rainbow took extra caution on that regard, willing her wings to stay down and thinking unsexy thoughts. Each mare washed themselves in tense silence, spaced out to the greatest extent the shower could offer. Things were progressing without too much awkwardness, and both were beginning to look optimistically on their chances of escaping the washroom with their sanity. At least until Applejack encountered a multi-faceted problem. “Uh… Rainbow,” Applejack began sheepishly, “could you get mah back?” Rainbow turned around, and despite her best efforts, she felt her wings slowly expand. Dammit, wings! Rainbow put on a weak smile in an attempt to ward away any awkwardness, but it was of no use. Applejack stared at the pegasus before her, trying to think of something, anything to say. If she was having such a hard time keeping calm herself, she could only imagine what Rainbow was thinking right now. All she knew was that Rainbow was looking at her with a mildly creepy smile and her wings in a compromising angle that betrayed her arousal. “Ah… Ah know y’all have yer wings ta get yer back,” Applejack said after finding her voice, “but Ah’m… Ah…” Applejack didn’t even need to begin for Rainbow to complete the thought in her head. Unicorns had their magic to help them in the shower, while pegasi had their wings. Both were unassuming, perfectly innocent options. Earth ponies, however… Their prehensile helper in tasks was their tail, and in their current space… Rainbow swore she could feel her cheeks melting. Applejack fared no better, backed into the corner with her hooves straining feebly to reach her back, her blush looking more like sunburn at this point. Both mares desperately needed reprieve from this explosion of compromising emotions, though their only recourse promised none. After realizing that putting it off only made it worse, Applejack sighed and detached herself from the wall, presenting her back to Rainbow for her to gingerly begin to wash. Applejack bit her lip as Rainbow’s delicate touch seemed amplified a thousand fold. She didn’t know how long she could last before- “I’m done!” Rainbow proclaimed, launching herself out of the shower and wrapping herself in a cocoon of towels, no hair or feather left uncovered. Applejack let out the breath she had been holding, walking over to the faucet to turn off the water. A single towel was left unclaimed by the ball that concealed Rainbow. She began to dry herself off, but paused. “Ah’m sorry, Rainbow. This was mah fault. If Ah had just…” Rainbow’s still-red face poked out between two towels. “It’s… Let’s just forget this happened. I don’t think I can live much longer at this rate.” “Not if ya strangle yerself,” Applejack pointed out. “Or suffocate.” Rainbow sighed, disentangling herself from the towels. She was miraculously dried, but her wings still stuck out to her sides. The two mares shared a mutually apologetic glance before Rainbow grabbed a hairbrush. Applejack began to dry herself off again, before she caught sight of what Rainbow was doing. “Are you… brushing yer mane?” “No!” Rainbow responded all too quickly. “I was… Okay, yes, fine. How do you think I get it to look the way it does every day?” “Ya wake up?” Applejack guessed. “Well, yeah, but if I don’t brush it properly before that I wake up and my mane looks like… well, Pinkie’s.” Applejack inspected Rainbow, imagining it. She couldn’t hold back the laugh that came in response to the ridiculous image. Rainbow laughed, too, grateful as she felt a lot of the embarrassment drain away. After the humor died down, Applejack finally dried herself off. Rainbow hoofed her the hairbrush with a teasing wink. Applejack sheepishly began to brush her own mane for much the same reasons Rainbow had just supplied. Exiting the washroom of horror, Applejack and Rainbow managed to barely make it to the table in time for dinner. They made sure to sit at opposite sides of the table as they began to eat with perhaps a little too much gusto. Applebloom looked on in puzzlement while Granny Smith and Big Macintosh shared a knowing glance. “Nice shower?” Applejack nearly choked on her food, coughing and spluttering. “Dammit, Mac!” Big Mac burst out laughing at his sister’s reaction. Oh yes, it had been a very nice shower. Rainbow collapsed onto her bed with a groan. The day had been… strange to say the least. All she wanted to do was fall asleep and forget it ever happened, but her whirling thoughts wouldn’t let her. Rainbow let out a heavy sigh, rolling onto her other side, looking for an impossible degree of comfort to override her restless mind. After several minutes of floundering around, she gave up, rolling off her bed and going to her window. She looked out over the vast expanse of green-topped apple trees. The first apples were beginning to ripen, adding a splash of red to the scene. Above, Luna’s moon was a beacon amongst a gleaming sky of stars. If she tried, Rainbow was confident she could put a question to each. But the most important question was posed to the moon itself: “What’s been going on these past two days?” “Ah’m still tryin’a figure that out mahself.” Applejack’s voice came from behind Rainbow. Rainbow turned to regard the mare she couldn’t get her mind off of. “I have a few ideas, but I don’t know how many I’m comfortable with.” Applejack walked to sit beside Rainbow. “Any ya are comfortable with?” “Maybe,” Rainbow said, averting her gaze. “Maybe just one.” Applejack smiled. “Which one’s that?” Rainbow sighed. “I wish I could say. I really do.” “Ya thinkin’ there might be somethin’ to all this?” Applejack prodded. Rainbow glanced at Applejack briefly. “I think that’s a given at this point.” Applejack wouldn’t let the subject drop easily. “If there is somethin’ big goin’ on… would that be okay?” “I don’t know. I’m not sure I can even speak for myself.” “Ah’m not sure, either,” Applejack said, feeling bold. “But if ya had to go with yer gut?” Rainbow shifted uncomfortably. “This is too important for that, Applejack,” she murmured. “Ya sure? Ya said yerself yer not even sure what this is,” Applejack pointed out. “I said I have ideas. And even the best of those isn’t enough to risk messing this up,” Rainbow said. “I know you want this to all fall neatly into place. I do, too. But if it’s going to do that, we’re both gonna need time to figure things out. And maybe a little outside help. That’s why we’re going to see Twilight tomorrow.” Applejack sighed. “Okay, Rainbow.” “I know it hurts to keep in, but it’ll hurt us both a lot more to let it out at the wrong time,” Rainbow continued. “And that kind of hurt won’t go away.” “Ah know, it’s just…” “We’ll get through this.” Rainbow placed a hoof on Applejack’s shoulder, “I promise.” Applejack took a deep breath and nodded. “Try ta get some sleep, okay?” Rainbow cracked a small smile. “I will if you do.” Applejack returned the smile. “Apple’s honor.” She got up to depart, casting one last glance to Rainbow before closing the door. Rainbow sighed, feeling far more tired than before. She stumbled over to her bed and tucked herself in. She looked to her nightstand, where that special picture sat proudly. With a smile, Rainbow finally managed to fall asleep. *Note, romexotic is not intended to be a word. Also not about rome, obv. It's Rainbow about to think romantic, then throwing exotic on top of it in an effort to ''correct'' herself. Thus, a new word was born. Sorta. ROMEXOTIC. Also fluff. Also, it's five, I think. Also, not even done with the second day and it's looking to be longer than the first. Will this keep up? Nopony knows! EDIT: Didn't know where else to tack this extra stuff on, so have a expanded chapter that's like 6k words in total or something. 8k first day, 10k second. Will the third be 12k? Mebbe. |
| | | Cloudchaser Pony
Posts : 130 Join date : 2012-02-11 Location : The Magical Land of New Jersey
| Subject: Re: Oh God Cloud Wrote a Fanfic Wed May 22, 2013 4:10 pm | |
| I made an account and posted a tidied-up day one on FimFiction. I hate you all. <3 http://www.fimfiction.net/story/105490/tenacious-dashAlso I borked the heart thing. Edit: Derp, I now have submitted it. Maybe I should have done that before. Edit Edit: They're watching me Edit 3: Oh god, I.... *dead* Tcherno called my fic "FUN AS HELL". I just.... *dead* |
| | | Cloudchaser Pony
Posts : 130 Join date : 2012-02-11 Location : The Magical Land of New Jersey
| Subject: Re: Oh God Cloud Wrote a Fanfic Sun May 26, 2013 8:12 pm | |
| |
| | | Cloudchaser Pony
Posts : 130 Join date : 2012-02-11 Location : The Magical Land of New Jersey
| Subject: Re: Oh God Cloud Wrote a Fanfic Tue Jun 04, 2013 2:22 pm | |
| You know, I've kinda got half a day written. Mebbe I should post it. Mebbe. OH GOD IT'S SIX “Come on, Blondie! We’re on a mission!” Rainbow shouted, pouncing on the sleeping form of Applejack and violently awakening her. “There’s treasure out there in that orchard! They say it hides in the trees, and only the most powerful buck can claim it.” Applejack’s vision focused at last on the strangely eager pegasus. She wore her pith helmet and a cocky grin. Applejack could only wonder where this determination had come from. She turned her head to read her clock. It was 5:30. Applejack was impressed. “Ya seem a might more chipper ‘n last night.” “Yeah, I mean, why not?” Rainbow explained. “Like, we have all this time alone to think with my job and guitar lessons, so why should we let it bother us while we’re together? I don’t know about you, but I’d much rather enjoy hanging out than pussyhoof around.” “Ah guess so,” Applejack said with a smile. “We still goin’ ta see Twilight, though?” Rainbow grinned. “Who better to ask about the secret treasures of the apple trees than Ponyville’s biggest egghead?” Applejack chuckled. “Maybe the pony with the treasure in her name.” “Applebloom?” Rainbow teased. Applejack shoved Rainbow off of her and got to her feet, retrieving her own hat. “Alright, Daring, if’n we’re gonna do this, we’re gonna do it my way, ya hear?” “Heh, you know that’s what I love about ya, Blondie.” Rainbow began to walk out of Applejack’s room before pausing as something occurred to her. “Uh, I don’t think that came out right.” “Quit yer worryin’, sugarcube. Ah know what ya meant,” Applejack said, unable to keep a smile off her face. Rainbow returned the smile a bit sheepishly before shaking the thought away. “We should eat up before we head out,” Rainbow advised. “It’s a long journey from here to that orchard.” “Ah’m sure ya can handle it,” Applejack chuckled. “With the awesome food they make around here? I’m sure I’ll manage.” Applejack followed Rainbow with a new bounce to her step. She was right; they could worry about this at Twilight’s. For now, they could simply enjoy their time together. “Mornin’ AJ, Rainbow. Yer lookin’ happier today,” Big Mac said from his usual spot on the table behind a newspaper. “Any leads on the treasure, Mac?” Rainbow asked, sidling up beside him. Big Mac eyed Rainbow strangely until Applejack caught his eye from behind her. She offered a shrug and a smile. Mac let out a chuckle, resigned to play along. “Ah hear they’re poppin’ up right quick. If’n ya don’ claim em soon, some a’ yer competitors might grab ‘em.” “What? No way I’m gonna let that happen!” Rainbow turned to Applejack. “Let’s get this breakfast eaten fast; there’s no time to lose!” “Whatever ya say, Daring,” Applejack giggled. Over breakfast, Rainbow collected reconnaissance data from the other members of the family. Applebloom provided the most interesting lead. “Ah hear that when the time’s right, there’s some special treasure that pops up outta nowhere. And then zap! Before anypony can claim it, it disappears!” Rainbow’s eyes widened dramatically. “Blondie, we gotta get our hooves on that stuff!” Applejack nodded. “Ah reckon with that kinda treasure, ya could start up a whole town.” “Well what are we waiting for, then? Let’s go get that loot!” Rainbow burst out of the farmhouse with a determined air about her, Applejack following along happily, pausing to grab her saddle baskets. “There! Do you see it?” Rainbow indicated a tree with fully-ripened apples. “And it’s all ours!” At that assertion, a pink blur passed by the tree in question and the apples… “Where’d they go?” Rainbow shot into the air, scanning her surroundings. That’s when she spotted her arch nemesis making away with her apples. She narrowed her eyes. “Candymane.” Rainbow was off in pursuit, closing in rapidly. She couldn’t let her get away! Not this time. Pinkie was bouncing along blissfully unaware of the impending danger headed her way. She had done it; taken treasure right from under Daring’s nose like she always wanted. And now she wasn’t even- Rainbow bowled Pinkie over, snatching the apples before the pink mare could even hit the ground, and she was off. “Hehe, this is fun!” Pinkie bounced along to the next tree. “I got her, Blondie! But I don’t think she’s gonna give up that easy. We’ve gotta teach her another lesson about messing with us!” Applejack deposited their plunder in her saddle baskets, nodding in agreement. “Not even Candymane can stand up against both of us.” Rainbow managed to intercept Pinkie before she could loot another tree, opening a window for Applejack to harvest the fruit. Pinkie watched in horror as all her hard work amounted to nothing after all. “This isn’t over, Daring!” Pinkie declared, bouncing away in the direction of Ponyville. “Yeah, we showed her!” Rainbow cheered. “Did y’all set that up?” Applejack asked. “Huh? No, I just kinda rolled with it. To be honest, I didn’t even know Pinkie read any Daring Do books.” Rainbow contemplated. “Ah don’ suppose ya know how she found out, do ya?” Rainbow looked at Applejack. “It’s Pinkie; I never know how she does anything.” Applejack chuckled. “Ah hear ya.” “We’ve still got a lot of treasure to claim, Blondie,” Rainbow stated. “Let’s get to work!” The work day proceeded in much the same way, minus the appearance of Pinkie. “Look over there!” “Ah’m on it, Daring!” With Rainbow’s shenanigans to add to the experience, Applejack found herself enjoying herself more than she could ever remember while bucking. Rainbow’s sharp eye was also useful in spotting ripe trees from a distance, and her flying abilities let her scout ahead. “There’s one! A hundred hooves east!” While Applejack knew every inch of the orchard by heart, having an airborne apple spotter definitely cut down the time. Before long, Applejack had to make a trip to the barn to empty her baskets. Normally on the first day of harvest, she wouldn’t find more than a dozen or so suitable trees, but Rainbow had already led her to at least twice that number, and the day wasn’t even over yet. “I think that’s the last of them!” Rainbow called from above, flying down to join Applejack in the barn. The two had managed six bucket loads of apples, far surpassing any first day of Applebuck Season Applejack had ever been a part of. “Ya sure do work, Rainbow,” Applejack praised. “With yer help, we might even have Applebuck Season done before the month’s through!” “You know what else? I could probably get the higher ups to let me be assigned to be the full-time weatherpony for Sweet Apple Acres! How’s that for a full package?” Applejack grinned. “Whatever weather we want on-demand? We just might have ta keep you ‘round, sugarcube.” “Yeah, this could be awesome! I should stop by the weather station while we’re out. I’m sure they’ll let Equestria’s greatest weatherpony take a special assignment,” Rainbow gushed. Applejack shook her head in bewilderment. She never could have hoped she’d get this level of commitment from the labor-phobic pegasus. This could mean great things for the farm if she could convince Rainbow to stay on board after the month was over. “Ah don’t suppose ya’d consider makin’ this here arrangement a bit longer?” Applejack ventured. Rainbow smiled. “Applejack, if working on the farm can be this much fun, I might have to consider making this permanent.” Applejack’s breath caught at that. She started to breathe heavily. The implications were just too much; for Rainbow to want to make her stay here long-term… “Applejack?” Unable to take it anymore, Applejack collapsed to the ground. “Applejack!” Rainbow knelt down at her side. “Take it easy! You didn’t overwork yourself, did you?” Applejack sat up, unable to look Rainbow in the eye. “Ah’m sorry, Rainbow. Ah promised Ah wouldn’t think about it, but…” Rainbow’s face softened and gained a light blush. “AJ…” “Ah know, save it for Twilight’s… It’s just so hard ta ignore, Dash.” Rainbow placed a hoof on Applejack’s shoulder. “Applejack, relax. I’m not going to do anything that would make you uncomfortable.” “Ah know ya won’t, Rainbow. It’s just-” “Hey,” Rainbow interrupted, “I promised we’d get through this, didn’t I?” Applejack opened her mouth to say something, but thought better of it and nodded. “Now, we still have a couple hours before lunch,” Rainbow reminded. “Do you want to go see Twilight now or later?” “Ah think Ah’d like a bit more time ta calm mahself down,” Applejack said. Rainbow smiled. “Of course.” She opened her arms in an offer of a hug, which Applejack accepted. “Thanks again for all this, Rainbow. Ya really didn’t have ta.” Rainbow squeezed her tighter. “What are best buds for, right?” Applejack smiled, nuzzling into Rainbow’s neck contentedly. Rainbow closed her eyes and sighed. Everything seemed to be looking up. Next on their list of things to accomplish today was… “Honestly, Ah thought buckin’ would take us all day. Ah… don’ really know what else ta do.” Applejack grinned sheepishly. “Has Applebloom gotten started on the barn yet?” Applejack snorted. “Yeah, and she’s refusin’ help. So unless ya wanna deal with a stubborn filly…” “Eh, maybe not. Anything else need doing around here?” Applejack thought. “Well, Mac’s out workin’ in the fields, but there’s not much ta do there right now. Ground’s tilled, seeds’re sown…” “So… nothing, then?” “Not ‘round the farm, at least,” Applejack confirmed. Rainbow sat down in the shade of a nearby tree and thought. What now? We’ve got about… Rainbow double-checked the position of the sun, two hours before lunch. And then we’re going to Twilight’s. Actually, we could just cut out the middle mare and have lunch with Twilight. But that doesn’t help me now. Scratch is busy today, so guitar lessons are a no go. Rainbow looked up as Applejack sat next to her. I can’t help but feel I’m forgetting something… And for some reason she started to remember upon seeing her friend. I’m not forgetting something about Applejack, am I? Rainbow tapped her temple. It’s not her birthday, is it? No, that’s not for another couple months. Rainbow observed that Applejack’s fur had a certain sheen to it despite their earlier activities. It looked… fluffy… and orange… and… “Scootaloo!” Applejack jumped at Rainbow’s sudden outburst. “Pardon?” “Scootaloo; I totally forgot about her flight lessons. I have something to do after all!” Rainbow looked proud of herself. “Just can’t sit still ta enjoy a nice day, can ya?” Applejack shook her head. To be honest, she was a little disappointed Rainbow had found a reason to not relax with her. She hoped it didn’t show. “Nope!” Rainbow, on the other hoof, was thankful for the distraction. Sitting around with Applejack all day, while a strangely appealing option, would probably be way too awkward if past experiences were any judge. But Applejack had an idea. “Ah don’t suppose ya’d mind if Ah tagged along, would ya?” Rainbow looked at Applejack suspiciously. “Why?” Applejack shrugged. “Ah don’t got much else ta do, and Ah don’t get ta see ya bond with Scootaloo as much as Ah’d like.” Rainbow was given pause. She didn’t know how to take that comment, or whether it was creepy, flattering, or just… weird. What? Why would she… Is there something I’m missing? “Ya’ve been mellowin’ out a bit since ya took ‘er in. Ah figure Ah could learn a couple things from her.” That… Rainbow sat down again. I don’t… Rainbow blinked as a possibility hit her. Is she coming on to me? Applejack, of course, had no idea Rainbow was trying to dissect her whim. So when a questioning prod elicited a sudden movement from the brooding pegasus, both mares jumped back in surprise. “I…” Rainbow stopped herself. “You know what? Let’s just go find Scootaloo.” Applejack nodded slowly, following Rainbow silently. Does this qualify as awkward? Rainbow wondered. I don’t even know what this is. I just… Scootaloo. Let’s go with that. The filly to blame had many haunts Rainbow was familiar with, the closest of which being the Crusaders’ clubhouse, though it was unlikely given that the other Crusaders were occupied. She could be hanging out with Sweetie Belle if Applebloom’s off on her own. It suddenly occurred to Rainbow that she had no idea where Scootaloo’s house was. I should probably ask her some time. Rainbow approached the clubhouse, intending to just poke her head in the window and be on her way when she spotted the lone figure of Scootaloo lounging around. Cocking her head, Rainbow entered to question the filly’s presence. “Scoot? What are you doing here all alone?” “Huh?” Scootaloo stirred, rubbing her eyes after an apparent nap. “Oh, hi Rainbow Dash. Sweetie Belle’s grounded for… something about fillyfooling and too many questions. And Applebloom’s not really approachable right now.” Applejack raised a brow. “Sounds like a good day to stay home.” Scootaloo shifted slightly, offering no comment. “Well, how would you like to have your first flight lesson, then?” Rainbow offered. Scootaloo was nose to nose with Rainbow instantly. “Really?” “Not such a bad day after all, huh?” Rainbow happily led her minion outside. Scootaloo followed, giggling all the way. Applejack watched on with a smile. It never ceased to amaze her how Rainbow could always get Scootaloo worked up so easily. It really spoke to just how much Scootaloo looked up to her. With a chuckle of her own, she followed the two pegasi out to their designated training area in the west fields. She really is somethin’ else.Applejack watched in contentment as Rainbow started the lesson. “Alright, Scoot. I know you’ve probably worked yourself up over this, so show me some of that enthusiasm and show me what you’ve got!” Rainbow commanded. “Okay!” Scootaloo’s wings started to buzz excitedly, though she didn’t manage to lift more than a hoof off the ground before running out of energy. She collapsed, panting. “That’s as far as I’ve ever gotten,” she said between gasps. Rainbow studied her critically. “Okay, excitement’s good and all, but maybe you should try toning it down just a bit. You’re just trying to get off the ground here, no need to go all out. We’re pegasi, not hummingbirds.” Huffing, Scootaloo got to her hooves and listened intently. “Let’s just start off with the motions. I can see you’ve got the wing part down, but it’s more than just that. Right now your wings aren’t strong enough to provide all the lift you need to get into the air. So this time, try jumping into your first flap and see how long you can stay off the ground.” Catching her breath, Scootaloo nodded obediently and jumped up as high as she could, timing a wing flap at its peak. Heeding Rainbow’s words, Scootaloo tried to slow down her wing beats, but when she felt herself wobble in the air, she fell back on old habits, falling to the ground shortly after with aching wings. Rainbow offered a hoof, which Scootaloo used to right herself into a sitting position. “That was a bit better. But don’t be afraid of falling. You’re not gonna be going very high yet, and I’ll be there to catch you when you will. Alright?” Scootaloo nodded. “Thanks, Rainbow.” “Give it another shot when you’re up to it. Don’t worry if you can’t stay up very long. I’m just trying to see where you’re at.” Scootaloo nodded again, shifting her wings into a more comfortable position and waiting for the soreness to subside. She replayed Rainbow’s words in her head, committing them to memory. These were some of the most important things she’d ever been told, and she wasn’t about to forget them. Flying was too important; if she wanted to be anything like Rainbow, she at least needed to be able to fly. With a deep breath, Scootaloo stood again, coiling her body for another jump. Come on. You can do this. She sprang up into the air, matching her earlier jump in height, but she mistimed her first flap, losing a few inches. Trying not to panic, Scootaloo steadied herself with another measured flap of her wings. Looking down, she noticed that she was still about two hooves off the ground, though that distance was slowly shrinking. Despite her best efforts to develop a steady rhythm of wing beats, Scootaloo found herself on the ground once again, with energy to spare for once. “That was great, Scoot! Nice job keeping calm there. You managed about five seconds of hovering!” Rainbow gushed; making it seem like a much bigger deal than Scootaloo thought was warranted. “Five seconds? But you can fly around for like, five hours, at least!” Scootaloo grumbled. Scootaloo was snapped out of her state by a comforting touch on her shoulder. “Scoot, I don’t know if you quite understand this, but that was a legit five seconds of real hovering. That was the first time I’ve ever seen anything close to hovering from you. This is a huge step, even if you don’t realize it now. Trust me.” Scootaloo regarded Rainbow with big eyes, not entirely believing, but relishing the praise she was getting from her idol. “In fact, I think you might be ready for the next step,” Rainbow went on. “You up for it?” Scootaloo jumped up eagerly. “Of course, Rainbow Dash!” “Good.” Rainbow turned to lead her protĂŠgĂŠ up a nearby hill. “Now, this might be a little scary at first, but remember I’m gonna be right here to catch you.” Scootaloo’s eyes widened a bit in fear. “What do you want me to do?” Rainbow reached the top of the hill, pausing for a moment before spinning around with a flourish. “Scoot, it’s time to try your first glide.” Scootaloo gasped. “You mean like what you tried to get Applebloom to do before we met?” Rainbow frowned, thinking. “Kinda, except without the silly glider.” Scootaloo gulped. “Are you sure about this?” Rainbow was quick to her side. “Scoot, I’d never let you do anything I didn’t think you were ready for. But you don’t have to if you’re not up to it.” At that, Scootaloo took a deep breath. “Okay, I’ll do it.” “You sure?” Scootaloo nodded. “Alright, then get up there. You’re gonna need to take a running start, and then jump off as high as you can, like before, and just hold your wings steady. Give it a few flaps if you feel comfortable, but don’t worry about it too much. I’ll be right below you.” Scootaloo nodded, taking another steadying breath. Okay, you can do this. Rainbow believes in you. Don’t let her down now. Pushing away her fears and shutting her eyes, Scootaloo took a leap of faith. She flared her wings out as she felt gravity start to pull her down, calming slightly as her descent slowed. She dared to open her eyes, looking out across the treeless fields that stretched before her. Below, Rainbow Dash was ready to react at any second to a sudden decline. Scootaloo felt a smile come to her face as she felt the air breeze past her. She gave a flap of her wings, cheering silently as she rose ever so slightly. Making sure not to get ahead of herself, she focused on enjoying the remainder of her glide, keeping her wings steady. Before long, she felt a pair of strong hooves catch her as she came to a stop. Looking up, she saw the joy and pride in Rainbow’s eyes. “That was awesome, Scoot,” Rainbow praised. “You’re really learning quick.” Scootaloo merely nuzzled into Rainbow’s embrace in response. Nearby, Applejack’s heart melted at the tender moment. Ya’d think they really are sisters, she mused. “Thanks, Rainbow. For all of this,” Scootaloo said at length. Rainbow smirked. “Hey, it’s far from over, Scoot. But with me teaching you, we’ll be sure to have you flying by the end of the month.” Scootaloo nuzzled closer, marveling again at just how lucky she was to have such an amazing… sister. She smiled at the thought. Yeah, that sounds about right. Rainbow pulled away from the embrace after a few more moments. “It’s about time we head out for lunch,” she said, more to Scootaloo than to Applejack. “Wanna come along?” “Of course!” Scootaloo chirped happily. “Great! Now we just need Twilight.” “Ya sure ya want Scootaloo ta be around fer our chat with Twilight?” Applejack asked. Rainbow frowned. “Maybe not, but that doesn’t mean she can’t have lunch with us.” Rainbow turned back to Scootaloo. “You wouldn’t mind giving us a few minutes to talk to Twilight after lunch, would you?” “No problem… But why do you need to talk to Twilight?” Rainbow averted her gaze briefly. “It’s complicated. You wouldn’t understand. And I’d like to keep it between me and Applejack for now.” Rainbow ruffled Scootaloo’s mane. “If everything goes well, you’ll be hearing about it soon enough.” Scootaloo nodded slowly, knowing better than to argue. She was already getting to eat lunch with her hero after her first ever flight lesson. That was enough for one day. “Now come on, I’m getting hungry.” Rainbow set Scootaloo down and motioned to Applejack. The three of them headed into town for lunch. “Whaddya think, AJ, you wanna ask Twilight to come with us to lunch? Kinda ease into it?” Rainbow asked, noticing Applejack’s apprehension. “Ah guess. Might be fer the best.” “You alright? You don’t have to do this if you don’t want to.” Applejack shook her head. “No, Ah’m fine. Ya said it yerself, Rainbow; we can’t figure this out alone.” Rainbow chuckled. “Well, we probably could, but it’ll be a lot less stressful this way.” “Ah hope so, Rainbow.” Scootaloo looked on in confusion. Something was definitely going on here. Is it about that… thing we walked into? What was that anyway? She knew what it looked like, but… I’ll have to call a Crusader meeting later. Golden Oaks Library slowly came into view, looking very much… “Applejack! Rainbow Dash! You have to help me!” A young purple dragon suddenly popped up before them, barely giving them enough time to not knock into him. “Spike, what?” Rainbow looked curiously at their accoster. Behind them, Golden Oaks Library seemed to be... “Twilight locked herself inside! I don’t know what’s going on! After she came back from the market yesterday she started acting all crazy. She made all these weird charts and graphs and spreadsheets. Then she asked me to get all sorts of books on psychology and relationships and stuff. And now she’s put the library in total lockdown and I can’t get in!” Spike’s tale was met with a long, contemplative silence. While not unheard of, Twilight didn’t get this crazy very often. “What’s got her all worked up now?” Applejack asked at length. “I don’t know!” Spike repeated. “All I know is she’s locked in there and I can’t get in.” “So… I take it she doesn’t want to come to lunch, then?” “You kidding, AJ? She’s not getting out of this one that easy.” Rainbow took to the air, grabbing a surprised Applejack by the waist and flying up to Twilight’s balcony. “She never remembers to lock her windows.” Applejack regarded Rainbow dubiously before looking back down to the normal entrance. Scootaloo and Spike seemed to have devolved into some sort of debate, marked with flailing limbs and comical expressions. Before Applejack could open her mouth, Rainbow was already halfway through the window. Applejack let out a sigh, following her friend inside. “Rainbow Dash!” Twilight’s sudden exclamation made the intruders jump. “You’re here! Is Applejack here, too?” Applejack walked forward to peer over the ledge that marked Twilight’s upper floor. “Uh, yeah?” “Great! Maybe you girls could clear up a few things for me!” Twilight ran upstairs to meet them, leaving her independent research behind. “First things first; are you two really dating?” “Woah woah woah woah,” Rainbow immediately responded. “Woah. Back the buck up.” “I take that as a no?” “No, we’re not dating!” Rainbow fervently replied. Applejack, meanwhile, was backing away slowly, flushed and stuttering. “Then why is Applejack-“ “Twilight, we can talk about this later, okay?” Rainbow cut her off, taking Twilight’s shoulder and leading her a good distance away before continuing in a hushed voice. “Look, me and Applejack have been going through Tartarus recently, and the last thing we need right now is somepony on our case. Or, maybe that’s the first thing, but not like that.” Rainbow shook her head. “Anyway, we were coming here to ask if you’d like to join us for lunch. And then we wanted to talk to you.” “What about?” Twilight asked, calming down a bit. Rainbow blushed. “I think you can guess.” Twilight beamed, making sure to keep her voice down. “Don’t worry, you can tell me all about your problems.” “Good, just… Don’t put them in some sort of research paper, alright?” Twilight’s face scrunched up as she nodded. It wasn’t the most convincing display Rainbow had seen, but she’d take it for now. “And no weird questions over lunch, alright? Scootaloo’s joining us,” Rainbow pressed. Twilight smiled, giggling lightly and offering a much more convincing nod. “I wouldn’t want an impressionable filly getting too many questions, either.” Rainbow frowned. “Actually, it’s more like damage control at this point.” Twilight laughed at that, marveling at her friends’ misfortune. If there was really so much going on, she’d have to make sure to pay extra attention to detail. Well, more than usual, anyway. Applejack rejoined the group noticeably less flustered, though still with some color on her cheeks. Rainbow offered Applejack a quick one-hoofed hug before Twilight unlocked the front door. “And then Sweetie Belle walked in and Applejack was-“ Rainbow rushed over to clamp a hoof over Scootaloo’s mouth just in time. Perhaps leaving a hyperactive filly with too much information unattended wasn’t the best idea. As she drew looks from everypony present, she could only hope Scootaloo hadn’t said much more. Sanity, don’t give up on me now. The group of five made their way over to one of Ponyville’s smaller eateries at insistence of Rainbow and Applejack. Paranoia made them want to avoid CafĂŠ du Mane and its crowds for a while. “So you managed to get Rainbow to commit a whole month to the farm?” Twilight asked in disbelief. “Ah was a bit skeptical at first, too. But she’s been a great help so far.” Applejack shot Rainbow a grin. “She was even thinking we could get her assigned ta be the Acres’ full-time weatherpony.” Twilight’s eyebrows shot up. “When did you suddenly get Rainbow wrapped around your hoof?” “Hey!” Rainbow cut in. “I’m not wrapped around her hoof! I’m just… committed!” Twilight giggled. “You sure that’s the word you’re looking for?” Rainbow covered her rising blush with a hoof. “Dammit, Twilight.” “Yeah, I think I can see it,” Spike said, rubbing his chin with a claw. “See what?” Twilight asked. “Them together,” Spike clarified. “I told you we’re not-!” Applejack and Rainbow chorused, before donning matching blushes and averting their gazes. “Definitely see it,” Spike concluded. “Dammit,” Rainbow muttered under her breath. “I saw it, too! All the Crusaders did!” Scootaloo piped up. “I told you it wasn’t what it looked like,” Rainbow insisted. Scootaloo looked at Rainbow disbelievingly. “But it looked like you were about to kiss. What else could it have been?” Rainbow sighed. “We were just getting rowdy. You know, having a bit of a wrestling match. And you just happened to catch us in a bad spot.” “It wasn’t all bad, sugarcube,” Applejack put in. “If they hadn’t come in when they did, Ah might not a’ found out a little bit about ya.” Rainbow frowned. “Yeah, and it wouldn’t be half as awkward as it is now.” “So you’re saying that you’re not dating?” Scootaloo inquired. “No, we’re not dating,” Rainbow sighed. “Not yet anyway,” Spike added. Rainbow shot Spike a death glare. Spike gulped, offering an apologetic smile. Rainbow grunted. “We’re not dating.” Scootaloo frowned. “I don’t buy it. You’re just saying that because I’m too young to understand, aren’t you?” Rainbow’s hoof met her face. “There’s no way to get you to believe me, is there?” Scootaloo and Spike shook their heads in unison. Rainbow sighed, looking at Applejack for help. Applejack, however, had her face buried in her meal, doing her best to distance herself from the uncomfortable conversation. “You know we can’t ignore this forever,” Rainbow prodded. Applejack grunted. “Don’ mean Ah gotta stop now.” Rainbow sighed again. “Sorry, guys. It’s kinda been getting to us.” “I noticed,” Twilight giggled. “And she’s right, Applejack. Ignoring it isn’t the best way to deal.” Applejack answered with a non-committal grunt, not taking her eyes off her food. “It’s not going anywhere, you know,” Twilight pointed out. “I really can’t see what’s so riveting about a salad.” “That’s the point.” “I don’t think we’re gonna be getting much out of her, Twilight,” Rainbow said. “And we’re gonna be talking about this soon, so maybe we should just leave her alone for now.” Twilight frowned, but nodded nonetheless. At Rainbow’s insistence, the rest of their meal was eaten in relative silence. Applejack seemed to appreciate the ceasefire as she relaxed visibly. Rainbow shot occasional glances Applejack’s way, mostly to make sure she didn’t wander off. Twilight merely observed the small exchange between the two, taking note of Applejack’s despondent attitude. Hopefully she’ll be a bit more open than this, Twilight mused before returning her full attention to her meal. Twilight, Applejack and Rainbow Dash walked through the door of Golden Oaks Library with varying levels of confidence. Twilight practically exuded it as she sat on a rug in the main room. Applejack and Rainbow followed in a far more subdued manner. “So,” Twilight began, “what can I help you girls with today?” Rainbow coughed. “Well, me and AJ have been going through some weird stuff lately and we were hoping you could give us some advice on how to deal with it.” Twilight cocked her head inquisitively. “This wouldn’t happen to be related to those rumors going around about the two of you?” Applejack averted her gaze quickly, leaving Rainbow to nod sheepishly. “Alright, then, we’ll do it like this; I’ll speak to each of you alone, then we’ll join back up for a closing statement.” Applejack looked at Rainbow Dash, who shrugged. “Works for me,” Rainbow said. “Okay then. Applejack, I’ll start with you. Follow me upstairs for a moment.” Applejack gulped, looking to Rainbow Dash. Rainbow smiled and waved a hoof in encouragement. Sighing, Applejack followed Twilight upstairs, uncertainty slowing her steps. Twilight entered her bedroom to pull up a chair next to her bed, offering the latter to Applejack. Applejack accepted the reprieve gratefully, laying herself out on her back and staring up at the ceiling. “So, Applejack, what are some of the problems you’re dealing with? Any that you’d like to talk about?” “Ah just don’t know, Twilight. What am Ah supposed to do? It seems everypony’s convinced that Rainbow and Ah are dating, and Ah’m not sure how I feel about it.” “How you feel about the fact that everypony came to that conclusion? Or how you feel about the concept and its implications?” Applejack sighed. “More o’ the second lately; Ah figure it’s gettin’ me nowheres tryina guess what other ponies‘re thinkin’ if Ah can’t even get mahself thinkin’ straight.” Twilight paused, thinking. “Is there anything in particular that stands out as a problem point?” “Ah talked ta Mac about it a bit. He helped a bit with dealin’ with, well, her bein’ a mare n’ all.” Applejack snorted. “But it’s not all simple as that, Twi. ‘Round the farm, there’s a way things gotta be. It don’ matter how Ah feel if we can’t keep the family line goin’, an’ Ah can do that with nopony but a stallion. Even if Ah don’ feel nothin’ fer any of ‘em. Ah can’t trust Mac n’ Applebloom ta do it for me, and Ah can’t say Ah’ve never thought about raisin’ a foal o’ mah own someday.” Applejack sighed wistfully. “Ah remember helpin’ raisin’ Applebloom, after, well, the accident. An’ it was somethin’ special ta be sure. But she’s mah sister, an’ Ah knew there was somethin’ missin’ in it all.” Applejack shook away a stray tear. “Ah just can’t let the Apple Family end with me, Twilight. An’ Ah need ta face it.” Twilight let out a long sigh, folding her hooves and setting her eyes firmly upon Applejack’s quivering form. “You’ve put a lot of thought into this, I see.” Applejack answered with a meek nod. Twilight sighed again. “Applejack… what if I told you… there was another way to bear foals?” Applejack blinked. “Ya mean like adoption?” Applejack shook her head. “It’s not as simple as that, Twilight. It’s more n’ just havin’ ponies carry on the farm. It’s about heritage, an’ blood.” “Are your traditions really so important to you, Applejack?” Twilight asked heavily. Applejack opened her mouth, shutting it soon afterwards and averting her gaze. “It’s one a’ the only things ya can count on, bein’ farm folk. We ain’t got your fancy magic, er pretty wings. All we got is the earth an’ what we make ourselves.” Twilight leaned back in her chair, studying the ceiling. Applejack held her tongue, fearing she had upset her friend in some way. Just as she was about to apologize, however, Twilight cut her off. “I didn’t want to do this, but it seems there’s not much other choice,” Twilight grunted. “You’re nothing if not stubborn, AJ.” Twilight took a steadying breath. “A long time ago, before the time of Nightmare Moon, Princess Luna was more than just Princess of the Night. She also held dominion over all that transpired in her night, and all their intricacies. So it came that consecutive generations produced a major imbalance of the sexes, and it seemed that population had reached an impasse. There simply weren’t enough stallions to ensure the normal quota for conception. “So Princess Luna had an idea. What if she could create another way to ensure her little ponies lived on in the face of such an anomaly? There were plenty of mares to carry the foals, and what few stallions there were couldn’t hope to mate with them all, nor would that ensure the diversity that makes us a people. If only there was a way for two mares to conceive a foal, without the need for a stallion.” Twilight smiled. Applejack stared ahead, focused on nothing and everything at once. There’s another way? “Twilight, are you sayin’-“ “Yes. Princess Luna, after years of scientific study, crafted a spell to suit the needs of the populace. It could combine the essences of the two mares and implant a foal in each.” Twilight paused. “Naturally, this wasn’t an optimal solution, as it added to the already significant imbalance of the sexes, as two mares cannot conceive a colt, but the stallions of Equestria endured. There was certainly no shortage of potential mates, and hardly a stallion left unpaired. And as chance would have it, following generations would see a resurgence of colts from the minority pairs, and the scales slowly began to level. “Some came to brand the era as a dark time, prime for scorn and unfair judgment, for as time passed, the need for such a spell was lessened, until it abruptly ceased in application.” Twilight smiled sadly. “Not long after, Nightmare Moon made her first appearance in Equestria. And as Princess Celestia was forced to banish her sister to the moon, the spell was lost for a thousand years, and all but the oldest history books forgot its existence.” Twilight quickly ducked out of the room, leaving behind a blank-faced Applejack. She returned shortly after with a tome she laid on the bed before the farmer. The book was encased in a pitch black cover, with shadowy purple patterns spread across the front. In golden letters, it read, “The Dark Ages.” Applejack reached a hoof out to touch the book gingerly for some fear of backlash. “Ah… Ah don’t understand.” “This is one of the few remaining documentations of the so-called Dark Ages.” Twilight explained, regarding the book fondly. “It was one that Princess Celestia had hidden away when ponies decided it would be best to erase all evidence of it ever happening.” Twilight chuckled. “Of course, she could have relayed the tale to me personally, but it’s always nice to have a reference at hoof. As the book says, it wasn’t such a dark time as ponies came to view it as. It was actually the greatest time of acceptance for what we now call fillyfoolers. Even now, we have not yet made strides to match the level we once had, but with Princess Luna’s return, we have made progress. She’s even managed to bring coltcuddling into acceptance where it never in recorded history was considered socially acceptable. Applejack made to reach out for the book again, but hesitated. Twilight giggled. “You can borrow it if you’d like. It might do you some good to consider your possibilities.” “Y-yeah…” Applejack still seemed dazed. “I can see it’s a lot to take in. So if you’d like to end here-“ “No, no, Ah just… thank you.” Twilight smiled. “You’re my friend, Applejack. I’m always here to help if you need me.” Applejack smiled, running a hoof across the book’s surface, pondering how she’d transport the sizable tome without prompting unwanted questions. She wished she’d thought to bring her saddlebags with her. “You can use mine,” Twilight offered. “Just make sure to return them once you’ve got the book in a good hiding spot.” “Thanks, Twi,” Applejack repeated. Twilight grinned. “Hey, what’d I just say?” “Sorry,” Applejack laughed nervously. “Now, is there anything else you’d like to talk about?” “Ah… Y’know, Ah never thought Ah’d ever be considerin’ Rainbow’s offer o’ that other kinda labor ta pay fer her guitar.” Twilight’s eyebrows shot up. “Whoa, slow down. I did not need that image.” Applejack burst out laughing at Twilight’s face. She had never seen her friend so flustered before, and she had to admit it was kind of adorable. “Remind me why I brought this up?” Twilight groaned, hiding her face in her hooves. Applejack made an effort to calm her giggle fits, slowly devolving into spaced out chuckles before becoming silent once more with a sigh. “Sorry, Twi. Ah just… yer face.” Applejack let out another chuckle. “Yeah, it’s fine.” Twilight giggled a bit. “Just… try to avoid giving me too much information in the future.” “Alright.” Applejack sat up. “Well, thanks fer the chat, Twi. Ya’ve given me a lot ta think on.” “No problem.” Twilight smiled. “Tell Rainbow to come in when she’s ready.” “Will do.” Applejack made her way out the door and down the stairs to a fidgety Rainbow. “You alright, sugarcube?” Rainbow jumped. “Oh, uh, yeah. I’m fine. Just… kinda nervous.” Applejack chuckled, a sound soothing to Rainbow’s ears. “Ah am, too, Rainbow. But ya said it yerself, we’re gonna get through this.” Rainbow gulped, shaking herself. “You’re right. We can do this.” “Twilight’s ready fer ya whenever,” Applejack relayed. “Okay.” Rainbow took a steadying breath before making her way up the stairs. Twilight’s eyes widened when Rainbow came through the door. “Wow, Rainbow, you look worse than Applejack did. Everything alright?” Rainbow scoffed. “Thanks for the vote of confidence.” She continued before Twilight could apologize. “I’ve just got a lot on my mind.” “Like what?” Twilight prodded. Rainbow sighed. “Well, this whole thing with Applejack for starters. I’m not really sure how far it can go, or if I even want it to go anywhere.” Twilight smirked, jotting down some witty comment or other. “I mean, I like her and everything. But I’m just… not how far it goes yet.” “Well, what’s stopping you from finding out?” Twilight asked. “You kidding? Everything! Applejack said herself she doesn’t even know if she’s into mares, she’s kinda got a whole farm to take care of, and I’ve got responsibilities, too.” “Well you have been helping Applejack with that farm work the past couple days, haven’t you?” “I… yeah, I guess so.” “And how has that been going?” Rainbow lowered her head bashfully. “It’s been… fun. A whole lot of fun. Applejack’s been telling me how good a help I am. And I might have put some thought into extending it past the month.” Twilight smiled. “What’s been the fun part? The work or spending time with Applejack?” Rainbow blushed. “Do you really have to ask?” Twilight giggled. “Just making sure. Anything else you might be thinking about it?” “Yeah, kinda. I was thinking that, well, the Acres is a good chunk of Ponyville on its own, and it takes some of the most work to maintain weather-wise. But if I could have some better access to inside information, I could, you know, probably do it all myself.” “Are you sure you’re up to that?” Twilight asked. “Well, yeah! It’d make balancing everything a whole lot easier. I’d never have to go far for my weather duties, so I’d always be around and-“ “Have more time to spend with Applejack,” Twilight finished. “Not everything’s about Applejack!” Rainbow shot back stubbornly. Twilight smirked and raised a brow. “Oh? Name one thing.” “Clouds!” Rainbow quickly responded. “Actually, from what you just told me, you’d be handling the clouds over Applejack’s farm…” “Rainbows then!” “Need I remind you of how Applejack got her cutie mark, or the resemblance between you and a Zap Apple?” “Luna dammit! Uh… crap.” Twilight grinned victoriously. “It doesn’t matter! Even if I can’t name anything, there’s bound to be something.” “But the fact that none of those things come to mind…” “I know, I’ve been thinking about her a lot recently, okay? It’s kinda hard not to when you can’t even say hello to her without it being awkward.” “It’s only as awkward as you make it,” Twilight pointed out. “What are you trying to tell me?” Rainbow demanded, face flushed from equal parts frustration and embarrassment. “I’m not trying to tell you anything. I’m trying to understand why you’re so averse to the idea of dating Applejack.” “I just gave you a list! What more do you want?” “For you to answer the one thing you haven’t given a solution to yet.” “I…“ Rainbow paused. “I did just solve like half my problems, didn’t I?” “Which leaves you with just one; Applejack’s uncertain orientation.” “Smaller words, please.” “Whether Applejack goes for mares or not,” Twilight giggled. “I assume that you do?” Rainbow averted her gaze. “Yeah.” “Any interest in stallions?” Rainbow shook her head slowly. “What does that have to do with anything we’re talking about?” “Just curious,” Twilight teased. “You’ve known Applejack longer than I have; have you ever seen her show romantic interest in anypony before?” “Never. She’s always too busy with work and family. Which is kinda why I’m not sure she’d be that way. Can’t really be family oriented with another mare.” Twilight smiled, but said nothing. Rainbow looked at her critically. “Is there something you know that I don’t?” “Perhaps.” Rainbow bowled Twilight over. “If there’s a way to do this, you have to tell me!” “You really think it would help your chances with Applejack?” Rainbow nodded fervently. “Well, then I’ll tell you as much as there is a way. I won’t get into specifics just yet,” Twilight said, carefully sidestepping the issue. “I should tell Applejack! She-“ Rainbow paused. “Wait, how do I bring that up without sounding really creepy?” “You let her bring it up instead,” Twilight answered easily. Rainbow rolled her eyes. “And how am I supposed to do that?” Twilight grinned. “You’ll figure it out.” “Tease,” Rainbow grouched. Twilight giggled. “Well I can see this is clearly getting you worked up. So I’m pretty sure I know how you feel.” “What about Applejack?” Twilight frowned. “I can’t answer that, Rainbow.” “Why not?” “Because I can only give you advice. What you do with this is your decision, and if I take out or add a variable, you might take too much time or rush into it. And that can only end badly.” “So you’re telling me I’m on my own?” Twilight shook her head. “You’re forgetting Applejack. She’ll be there with you the whole way.” “That’s not what I meant,” Rainbow groaned. “So, assuming that’s all your problems answered…” Rainbow fidgeted. “Actually, there is one more thing.” Twilight listened quietly. “I’m not really sure what it is, but it feels like something big that I’m missing. Like something’s gonna come along and change things between me and AJ.” “So something in the future?” Twilight asked. Rainbow nodded. “And I feel really stupid for not knowing what.” “Well, then answer me this; where do you see yourself five years from now?” “Captain of the Wonderbolts,” Rainbow answered without missing a beat. Twilight smiled sadly. “And where does that leave Applejack?” “She…” Rainbow’s ears splayed back. “Alone back at the Acres. You guys, too.” “That doesn’t mean you can’t come back and visit,” Twilight pointed out. “Yeah, on the holidays maybe. Do you know how much time you have to put in to be a Wonderbolt? How far you have to travel?” “Only what I’ve heard from my time in Canterlot.” Rainbow sighed. “I’d have a month off every year at best. I… I can’t do that to her.” Twilight closed her eyes. “Well, you’re going to have to figure it out. What’s more important to you, Applejack or the Wonderbolts?” “I don’t know.” Rainbow sighed. “I’ll have to think about it.” “You can do that,” Twilight said. “Just don’t take too long.” Rainbow nodded. “Right.” “Now come on. We’ll go get Applejack and wrap things up.” Rainbow followed Twilight back down the stairs, taking care to measure her wing beats lest her thoughts derail her. Applejack was waiting patiently in the main room, flipping idly through a book. Twilight prodded Applejack gently to get her attention. “As a closing statement, I’d like to say that this clearly means a lot to both of you. Don’t be afraid of things you can’t control, and don’t get down on yourselves. You can work this out and take it wherever you want.” Applejack and Rainbow Dash’s eyes met. The contact was quickly broken as their faces betrayed their thoughts. Slowly, though, their eyes met again, and they shared a smile. Everything was going to work out if they let it. They just had to figure out how to initiate. And they had plenty of time to do so. “Why are you wearing Twilight’s saddlebags?” Rainbow asked after shooting periodic looks at Applejack over a minute’s span. “She gave me somethin’, an Ah wanted it ta be a secret,” Applejack answered. Rainbow frowned. “Even from me?” Applejack chuckled. “’Specially from you.” Rainbow’s frown deepened, though she couldn’t sustain it for long as the nondescript happiness she had been feeling bubbled to the surface again. Rainbow laughed, taking to the air and attempting to wrest Twilight’s saddlebags from Applejack’s back while cartwheeling over her. Applejack responded by whipping her tail around and whapping Rainbow in the face, disrupting her vision and causing her to crash ineffectually to the ground. Applejack was quick to jump at Rainbow in an attempt to pin her down, but Rainbow was quicker to dart out of the way. “Get back here, ya thievin’ varmint!” Applejack called out playfully. “No!” Rainbow shot back, punctuating the single syllable with giggles. Rainbow made for another run to steal Applejack’s secret treasure; evading Applejack’s tail, but unable to grasp the tightly-drawn straps. Rainbow decided it was time for a change of tactics. If she couldn’t get the saddlebags, she’d just have to get the treasure directly. Rainbow made adjustments to her flying before diving in again. But in her excitement, she failed to notice that they had made it back to the orchards, and impacted a branch, throwing her wobbling off-course. She tried desperately to correct her path, but she crashed headlong into Applejack, throwing them both off balance and tumbling forward a good few yards before coming to rest in a tangle of limbs. Through her aching everything, Rainbow was vaguely aware of something soft against her lips. It tasted vaguely of apples, though it was far more delicate. Curious, she shifted her position, opening her eyes to get a better view of- Rainbow shot up from where she lay entangled in the limbs of her best friend. No, I did not just…“What the hay was that?!” Applejack shouted in an abnormally high-pitched voice. Rainbow’s eyes widened in fear, offering a squeak in apology as she rocketed off to her cloud home in search of sanctuary. Applejack panted heavily, raising a hoof to gingerly touch her lips. She could still taste, still feel, Rainbow’s unexpected contact. She developed a heavy blush as she considered whether or not she enjoyed it. Looking up, she saw that she had chased Rainbow away in her shock, eliminating any possibility for reconciliation. Applejack sighed. Smooth, AJ. She got to her feet, gathered Twilight’s saddlebags and the book contained within, and continued on her path home alone. Just as it was getting’ good, too.Rainbow locked her front door with quivering hooves, shaking all over as she ran to her room to throw herself on her bed and create a den of sheets. Stupid, stupid, stupid. Rainbow berated herself. How could you kiss Applejack? She shook her head as her mind began to rattle off reasons that were becoming painfully obvious. I blew it, she thought sadly. She’ll never look at me the same now. How could I not have noticed the damn trees?Rainbow proceeded to bash her head unsatisfyingly against her plush cloud pillow. Frustrated, Rainbow couldn’t help but wish for a more solid bedroom to beat herself in. Her whole house was made of clouds, and what few solid items she had were much too soft to work. What the buck is wrong with me? Rainbow ranted internally. Am I in love with her house now, too? Am I-Rainbow paused, processing her question again. She cried out in frustration, burying her head under her pillow and falling into a fitful sleep. Applejack entered her house tiredly, feeling some immense depression in light of her most recent encounter and subsequent rejection of Rainbow Dash. “Hey, sis, everythin’ alright?” Applebloom’s voice carried from the living room. “Jes’ dandy,” Applejack responded, barely able to project her voice five feet. Before she could make it to the stairs, Applejack was met with her little sister blocking her path. “AJ, Ah know somethin’s been goin’ on. An’ now yer comin’ home all mopey an’ that just ain’t like you.” Applejack averted her gaze. “It’s complicated, AB. And yer-“ “Too young ta understand, right?” Applebloom cut her off irritably. “Ah’m growin’ up, AJ. Ah know Ah don’t have mah cutie mark yet, but that don’ mean Ah’m not worried about ya.” Applejack sighed, hanging her head. “Tell ya what. Let me just put this in mah room an’ we’ll talk, alright?” Applebloom eyed her sister suspiciously, stepping aside and following closely. Applejack, however, managed to slip inside her room and lock her door before Applebloom could enter. Applebloom banged on the door. “Dammit, sis! Open the door!” “Words ain’t gonna make this okay!” Applejack shot back, slipping off Twilight’s saddlebags and collapsing onto her bed, feeling her eyes start to tear up. At her words, Applejack was relieved to hear the banging cease, and small hoofsteps move down the stairs. Applejack tucked herself under her covers and tried to fall asleep, but was interrupted by more powerful knocks on her door. “AJ, Applebloom says her shuttin’ yerself away again,” Big Macintosh’s voice came through her door. “Leave me alone,” Applejack said with barely enough force to be heard. Applejack heard Big Mac sigh from the other side of the door. “Ya can’t keep doin’ this ta yerself, AJ. We can talk about this.” “Ah already done talked enough today. Just leave me alone, Ah just wanna go to sleep and ferget today ever happened.” Big Mac turned to Applebloom with a frown. He placed a hoof on her shoulder. “We’ll get her outta this, AB. She just needs some time right now.” Applebloom sighed. “Ah hate bein’ left outta things all the time.” Big Mac smiled. “Ah’ll make sure she talks to ya ‘bout this. She’ll talk ta all’a us.” “Ah really hope yer right, Mac.” Big Mac, Granny Smith and Applebloom sat around the dinner table, eyeing the two conspicuously unoccupied seats. “Ya think AJ’ll be alright, Mac?” Applebloom piped up. Big Mac shifted. “Ah think that’ll depend on Rainbow Dash.” “Rainbow Dash? Is she the one makin’ AJ act all funny?” Applebloom frowned. “She ain’t pullin’ one o’ her pranks again, is she?” “Were it only that simple, child,” Granny Smith mused. “Then what is goin’ on?” Applebloom demanded. “Ain’t our place ta say, Applebloom,” Big Mac answered sadly. “AJ’s gotta handle this herself.” “So we can’t help her?” Big Mac sighed. “No, not this time, AB.” Applejack lay on her back, staring up at the ceiling, unable to sleep. How am I supposed to talk ta her now? Applejack was wondering how it all fell apart. Everything seemed to be going great; she almost had everything figured out. But that one kiss… She did like it, she had decided. And going on a date with Rainbow seemed to get more appealing each time she thought about it. But she chased Rainbow away at the first sign of affection, however accidental it may have been. She had hurt Rainbow. And now she was supposed to be able to walk up to her and ask her out and have everything be okay? Applejack sighed. She’d have to sit down and talk to her, and definitely apologize for overreacting. She could only hope Rainbow would hear her out. Why did Ah have ta be so stupid? Ah coulda just been honest with mahself an’ kept on kissin’ her. Applejack groaned. And now Ah understand, it might already be too late.Applejack buried her face in her pillow, lamenting her potentially missed opportunity with the mare she cared about like family. If she was going to fix this, she had to pour her heart out, and leave nothing unsaid. That shouldn’t be so hard, being the Element of Honesty, right? Applejack fell asleep at last with a glimmer of hope. Rainbow Dash stood before a crowd of screaming ponies. Looking down, she saw not a Wonderbolts uniform, but an electric guitar. Looking across from her, she saw herself, looking at her with disappointment. When she reached out to touch the phantom, everything faded to black, and she was alone. Somewhere in the blackness, she saw a vague green blur leaking some kind of liquid before- Rainbow woke up from her sleep with a start. She rubbed her temples gingerly, painfully aware of a throbbing in her skull. It’s that dream again. But it was different this time. What is it supposed to mean?Looking out the window, Rainbow determined it was around midnight. She felt an emptiness in her stomach, but couldn’t bring herself to consider eating anything. With a sigh, Rainbow rose to open her closet, where a mannequine stood bearing her uniform from the Wonderbolts Academy. Twilight’s words echoed in Rainbow’s mind. Who’s more important to you, Applejack or the Wonderbolts? Rainbow felt a tear come to her eye, which she was quick to wipe away. She posed herself another question. Which is the more reachable goal now?Another tear came to Rainbow’s eyes, and another. They came faster than she could wipe them away. She barely managed to make it back to her bed before she devolved into a fit of sobbing. Sleep seemed so close, but it wouldn’t come. She felt like her mind was punishing her. None of this would have happened if you had been more careful.“Shut up. Just shut up!” Rainbow shouted. After a few more minutes of self-deprecation, sleep finally saved her sanity at the last possible second. Suddenly, things weren’t turning out so great. Also, have what I posted on fimfiction as a blog post: http://www.fimfiction.net/blog/172107/backccidental-wall-of-textEdit: The Dark Ages. Yes. I don't even know anymore.
Last edited by Cloudchaser on Mon Jun 10, 2013 1:57 am; edited 1 time in total |
| | | Cloudchaser Pony
Posts : 130 Join date : 2012-02-11 Location : The Magical Land of New Jersey
| Subject: Re: Oh God Cloud Wrote a Fanfic Mon Jun 10, 2013 1:54 am | |
| Rest of the day is up. Have a third of the next day, too. Because shipping. Edit: Also, #9 on EQD's Drawfriend. Squee! The AppleDash! SEVEN AND SHIPPING START WITH THE SAME LETTER (so do same and start. and so.)Rainbow Dash woke the next morning feeling miserable. A brief reflection reminded her of why. Sheâd upset her friend, over-stepped her boundaries, and made a foal of herself. On top of that, she was hungry, and unable to bring herself to brave Applejackâs home just yet. She sighed heavily, getting up to scrounge around for what food still remained at her house. Her efforts were rewarded by a bowl of cereal, which was just as well, as she doubted she could stomach much else. Rainbow looked around her empty home as she nibbled on her cereal. Normally at this time she would be feeding Tank and, more recently, sitting down at the Apple family table for a hearty breakfast. But both lay amongst a vast orchard of apple trees on the outskirts of Ponyville. One, she remembered, she had pledged a monthâs service to. Rainbow groaned as she considered her options. She couldnât hope to assist Applejack today, and she couldnât just sit today out. Maybe Big Mac needed some help. Swallowing her last bite of cereal, Rainbow resolved to do whatever she could to help out at the orchard that didnât involve direct contact with Applejack. Why did this have to happen?
Applejack was awoken by an object colliding with her stomach. Rainbow Dash? But upon sitting up, she determined that the yelp of surprise and small body rolling off of her did not belong to the pegasus. âSorry, Winona.â Applejack reached out to give her canine companion a chin scratch. Winona barked excitedly in response, wagging her tail and darting out of her room. Whatâs gotten her all worked up today? Applejack thought back on recent events, soon wishing she hadnât. Oh, right.Significantly less cheerful than when she had woken up, Applejack made her way downstairs to an empty-feeling kitchen table where breakfast sat, extravagant as ever. âYa feelinâ alright, sis?â Big Mac asked once Applejack had taken her seat. âAhâll manage,â Applejack mumbled in response, taking only a single pancake from the stack. Forgoing syrup, Applejack immediately began her incredibly slow consumption of the normally-tasty treat. Before she could make more than a visible mark on the pancake, she felt her throat clench as her stomach refused further nourishment. Applejack released her meal with a sigh, rising from her seat and heading outside without a word. Big Mac shared glances with Applebloom and Granny Smith before excusing himself from the table to follow his remarkably depressed sister. Ah gotta know whatâs makinâ her this way.Mac found Applejack sitting at the base of a tree, trying to work up the strength to give it a proper buck. âAJ, this is gettinâ silly. Why donât ya tell me whatâs wrong?â âDonâ wanna,â Applejack replied curtly, walking off to find another suitable tree. Big Mac followed. âSometimes ya gotta do things ya donâ wanna do.â Applejack snorted. âDonâ care.â âCâmon, AJ, yer startinâ ta worry me here. This ainât like you. Whatever it is, Ah promise Ah wonâ judge; Appleâs honor.â Applejack turned to face her brother, exasperated. âYer not gonna leave me alone, are ya?â Big Mac shook his head stubbornly, a wry smile gracing his lips. Applejack sighed heavily, plopping down into a sitting position. âAlright, if ya gotta know, things got outta hoof with Rainbow anâ me.â Big Mac urged her on with a hoof, unsatisfied. Applejack scowled. âShe kissed me.â Big Macâs eyes widened. âYer kiddinâ? Thatâs great!â âNo itâs not great! It was awkward, anâ weird, anââŚâ Applejack sighed, losing her will to argue. âAnâ Ah liked it.â Big Mac advanced on Applejack, offering a hoof in support, placed soothingly across her shoulders. âSo whyâs that got ya down? Sounds like things are goinâ great.â âThey were,â Applejack insisted, âbut Ah messed it up.â Big Mac squeezed Applejack tighter when her voice faltered. âAh⌠Ah yelled at her, anâ chased her away. Ahâm not even sure it was on purpose. It was just soâŚâ âUnexpected?â Big Mac suggested. âYeah.â Applejack leaned against Macâs side. âAnâ now she probably donâ want anything ta do with me.â âSounds ta me like yer makinâ this bigger ân it is, AJ. Ya said ya werenât sure she kissed ya on purpose?â âProbably not,â Applejack admitted. âThen sheâs probably just as shaken up âbout it as you.â Big Mac focused on some distant spot in the sky. Applejack tried to follow his gaze, but whatever he had seen was no longer in sight. âAh wonâ make ya do anythinâ ya donâ wanna. But ya really should talk to her.â âAhâll try,â Applejack promised. With nothing left to say, Big Mac gave Applejack a hug, which she returned gratefully. He offered his sister a reassuring smile before heading back inside to finish his meal. Applejack merely sat where she was, collecting her thoughts for another attempt to buck the tree before her. After a few more minutes offered no more conviction, Applejack righted herself, taking a deep breath. She spun in place to deliver a buck to the tree only to scuff it with a single hoof before collapsing in a heap. While such a failure usually frustrated her and emboldened her to try again, she found it now only made her feel worse. âWhat chance do Ah got with Rainbow if Ah canât even buck a tree right?â
Rainbow Dash circled high above Sweet Apple Acres, searching for a big red stallion amongst trees that had developed a frustrating number of red fruit. âHow am I gonna do this if I canât even find him?â Rainbow didnât dare fly any lower for risk of being spotted, but she was getting impatient. Just as she was about ready to fly off, she caught sight of a red shape emerging from the tree-line, headed for the fields. Rainbow didnât need more of a lead than that to rush down to investigate. Big Macintosh turned as Rainbow landed behind him. âThought Ah saw ya up there.â âHey, Mac. I was wondering if you needed any help today, sinceâŚâ Rainbow struggled to come up with a convincing lie. Big Macintosh smiled sadly. âAh heard what happened with you anâ AJ. Sheâs pretty broken up âbout it herself.â Rainbow sighed. âI just donât know how it all went so wrong.â âIt might not be as bad as ya think,â Big Mac pointed out. âAre you kidding? I kissed her, totally by accident, and she yelled at me! I donât know how youâre supposed to send a clearer message.â âWay Ah heard it she was just surprised.â âI would be, too, if Applejack suddenly decided to kiss me. But I wouldnât have yelled at her for that.â âApplejack handles things different than you do,â Big Mac insisted. âYeah, and she only ever yells when I screw something up.â âAh ainât debatinâ that. But yer missinâ the point here.â Rainbow rolled her eyes. âOh, so thereâs a point to being yelled at by your best friend.â âAre yâall gonna listen or not?â Big Mac demanded. âAre we gonna do anything else but lecture me all day?â âAh ainât tryinâa lecture ya!â âAnd Iâm not listening.â Rainbow shot back before Mac could continue. âSo if you donât need my help, and I donât need this, then Iâm out.â With that, she was gone, and Big Mac sagged. If he could barely get his sister to listen, why did he think he could convince her flighty friend? He could only hope that theyâd work this out on their own. Rainbow touched down at Ponyvilleâs weather headquarters in a huff. A quick glance at the bulletin board told her her assignment, and for once she was glad it wasnât Sweet Apple Acres. Ignoring the curious glances from her co-workers, she set off towards Ponyvilleâs park, thankfully one of the more quiet areas the town offered. Upon her arrival, Rainbow was baffled to see that the park was almost completely overcast. It seemed that she was the one to pick up the slack today. With a cocky grin, Rainbow set about clearing the skies, grateful for the outlet for her frustrations. Fueled by a need for distraction, she pushed herself harder, losing herself completely in her conquest. While not as entertaining as her previous days on the farm, it was certainly satisfying. So caught up was she in her destruction of all things white, it didnât strike her as odd when she spotted a cloud near the ground. With a battle cry, she hurtled after the stray cloud, preparing to give it a firm kick in the- âAh!â the cloud cried out in pain. âWhat in Equestria- Rainbow Dash! Would you care to explain why you are assaulting me?â That wasnât right. Clouds couldnât talk. And they certainly didnât know her name, or speak in such a high-class accent. In fact, Rainbow could only think of two ponies who fit both of those specifications. And only one of them was white. âRainbow Dash, I donât have time for your games. Now are you going to apologize or not?â âIâŚâ Rainbow shook her head. âSorry, Rarity.â She took off without another word, leaving behind a very confused, and slightly bruised, fashionista. âWell, that was certainly⌠different,â Rarity said, rubbing the sensitive part of her flank where she had been kicked. âI wonder if Twilight would know whatâs gotten into her.â Rarity changed her course to the Golden Oaks Library. Breakfast could wait.
âCâmon you damned apples. Fall already!â Applejack was trying everything in her power, but no matter what she did, she still couldnât get a single apple for her efforts. Applejack collapsed after another failed attempt to connect a buck to a trunk. Panting, she wondered, not for the first time, why she had been so stupid. Her stomach gurgled as if to taunt her, as every attempt to fill it ended in pain. Why canât Ah do nothinâ right?As Applejack scanned the trees for another suitable tree to attempt to harvest, something yellow caught her eye. Curious, she got up on shaky legs to investigate. The figure was in the direction of the farmhouse, sparking some vague worry in Applejack that made her quicken her pace. Applejack burst out into the clearing to find Fluttershy waiting patiently by the barn. Intrigued, Applejack approached her. âFluttershy?â Fluttershy turned to face her. âOh, hello Applejack.â âWhat are you doinâ here?â âWell, Big Macintosh told me that one of your animals had come down with a fever, so Iâm here to take him over to my cottage to treat him.â Fluttershy inspected Applejack closer. âYou donât look so good either. Is something wrong?â Applejack sighed. âItâs a long story. Ah wouldnât want ta trouble ya.â âOh, itâs no trouble at all. If you want to talk about it, you can come with me back to my cottage. Iâll just have to get him settled first.â âAh think Ah will,â Applejack said, falling onto her haunches. Fluttershy smiled. âOh, good. Iâll make tea, and we can have a nice chat.â âAh hope so,â Applejack muttered.
Rarity composed herself before knocking on Twilightâs door. It was answered promptly by Spike. âOh, hi, Rarity.â Spike greeted her nervously. âItâs not time to go hunting for gems again already is it?â Rarity smiled. âNot yet, Spike. Iâm simply here to talk to Twilight about a⌠troubling encounter with Rainbow Dash.â âSheâs not hitting on you, too, is she?â Spike demanded. Rarity blinked. âWhat? Heavens, no. Not unless you mean physically.â Rarity paused. âWhy? Is she getting into relationship troubles, now? With whom?â Spike stepped back to let her inside. âTwilight knows more than I do. Sheâs up on the balcony.â Rarity halted to place a gentle kiss on Spikeâs forehead. âThank you, Spike.â âAny time,â Spike said, wobbling in place before inevitably crashing to the floor. Rarity shook her head and giggled, continuing on to where Twilight was said to be. She was indeed found where Spike had told her to look, gazing up into the sky absently. âGood morning, Twilight,â Rarity began, gaining Twilightâs attention. âApologies if Iâm interrupting anything. But I just had an odd run-in with Rainbow Dash at the park, and Spike told me that sheâd been having problems you would know about.â âWhy, what did she do?â Twilight asked, hoping her first suspicion was invalid. âWell, I was merely walking along to my favorite breakfast location, when Rainbow Dash flew down and⌠well, kicked my flank,â Rarity turned to show Twilight the bruise, just below her cutie mark. âI⌠I donât understand. Why would Rainbow just suddenly decide to kick you?â Rarity turned her gaze to the sky. âI thought about it, and it seemed that she was on one of her weather jobs early. Clearing clouds, I believe.â Twilight frowned. âSo⌠she thought you were a cloud?â âItâs the only possibility I dare consider, though she must be terribly disconcerted to make such an error.â âWell, I talked to her yesterday.â Twilight thought. âI didnât think Iâd given her that much to think about.â âWhat about? Spike seemed to think it was something to do with a relationship.â Twilight sighed. âWell, if heâs already said that much, I guess it canât hurt to tell you sheâs been having an awkward time with Applejack.â Rarity gasped. âSo the rumors are true, then?â âNot quite, though they may be soon.â Twilight frowned. âYou said she was out at the park?â Rarity nodded. âSheâs supposed to be helping Applejack at the farm. Something must have happened. Do you have any idea where she might have gone?â âNot in the slightest. Did she mention anything else sheâd gotten herself involved with?â Twilight shook her head. âShe wouldnât talk about anything except Applejack.â âThen if something bad happened between themâŚâ Rarity paused. âI just hope she doesnât do anything stupid.â Twilight hung her head. âIf our only lead on Rainbow Dash is Applejack, do you think it would be a good idea to look for her instead?â Rarity inquired. âPossibly. Sheâd probably still be at the acres somewhere.â Twilight flinched. âBut are we sure we should be meddling in their relationship? It might just be something small that was blown out of proportion, and weâd only be making it worse. Neither of them have any prior experience, and you know how stubborn they can be.â Rarity sighed. âPerhaps youâre right, Twilight. But if something happensâŚâ Twilight stepped forward. âThen weâll be there to support them.â Twilight offered Rarity a hug, which was accepted. âThey might be stubborn, but theyâre also very close. Iâm sure they can work out whatever it is thatâs happened. I know itâs hard to stand by and do nothing, but we have to give them their space.â Rarity sighed again. âWhy do you always have to be right, Twilight?â Twilight smiled. âBecause in this town, somepony has to be.â
Fluttershy brought tea to her guest as soon as she had her patient settled. It smelled of apples, and Applejack was able to drink a few invigorating gulps. âNow, tell me whatâs wrong,â Fluttershy commanded. Applejack smiled weakly. âYes, maâam.â She took a deep breath. âItâs about Rainbow. Me nâ her have been goinâ through a time together. Itâs been all kinds oâ awkward, fun, nâ more ân a little confusinâ. Rainbow went anâ got it in her head ta start a band together, anâ thatâs been a bit of a hoot. She done bought some fancy expensive guitar. Damn well left her broke. So we agreed she would spend a month workinâ the farm in exchange fer food.â âAnd howâs that been going?â Fluttershy prodded. Applejack smiled. âItâs been a great time. Sheâs a real big help âround the acres, anâ she helps make it fun in her own way. She even got the idea ta ask ta be assigned as the orchardâs sole weatherpony. Never exactly got around to it. âSheâd come up with the idea ta go see Twilight fer advice after a⌠an incident in the shower.â Applejack blushed. âShe was a great help. Let me in on some long lost spell that let mares have foals together. Gave me a book on it anâ all. Everythinâ was goinâ great. But then Ah did somethinâ stupid. âWe were headinâ home from talkinâ ta Twilight. She was gettinâ all rowdy tryinâa figure out what Twilight gave me. And then somethinâ happened anâ she crashed inta me. âFore Ah knew what was goinâ on, our lips were touchinâ anâ she was leaninâ in all sexy like.â âOh my,â Fluttershy murmured. âAh didnâ know what ta do, so Ah panicked. Chased her right away like a damn fool.â Applejack sighed. âStupidest judgment call Ah ever done made.â âYou didnât say anything hurtful, did you?â Fluttershy fretted. Applejack thought. âNo, ah just asked her what she was doinâ all frantic-like.â Fluttershy sighed. âOh, good.â âPardon?â âApplejack, you didnât do anything wrong. You were just confused and needed more time to think.â Fluttershy took a deep breath. âThis is easy to fix. All you need to do is talk to her, apologize for overreacting, and tell her how you really feel.â Applejack frowned. âIs it really that easy?â Fluttershy nodded. âIt seems like more than it is because you care about her so much. But youâre forgetting how much she cares about you. Sheâs not going to give up on you so easily. Thatâs not the Rainbow Dash I grew up with. Just give her time and sheâll come to you, probably to tell you it was her fault. But donât let her take the blame. She can be just as hard on herself as you.â âDonâ Ah know it,â Applejack sighed. âYa sure âbout this now? Ah donâ wanna make this worse ân it is.â âPositive,â Fluttershy insisted. âNow you should get on back to the farm. Rainbow Dash could show up any minute.â âThanks fer the help, Fluttershy. Ah really appreciate it.â Applejack smiled. Fluttershy wrapped her in a hug. âDonât mention it. Get out there and win her back.â âYes maâam.â
Rainbow Dash was wandering around the city, looking for nothing in particular when she found herself in front of Vinyl Scratchâs residence. Thatâs right. I have guitar lessons today. Rainbow groaned, letting herself in. âIâm here for my lessons, Scratch!â Just inside the room, Octavia and Vinyl froze mid-make out session on the living room couch. They quickly moved to compose themselves for their sudden guest. âOh, uh, hey Rainbow. Youâre here early.â Rainbow looked for a clock dubiously. It read⌠âItâs only 10?â âYeah. Long day?â Vinyl asked. âYou could say that.â Rainbow sighed. Vinyl shifted on the couch. âWhereâs your guitar?â Rainbow opened her mouth before closing it again, feeling along her back. She sighed again. âItâs back at Applejackâs.â âIs everything alright?â Octavia asked. âIâŚâ Rainbow stopped herself short. âNo, I canât do this. Go back to what you were doing. Iâm sorry for disturbing you.â Before Rainbow could more than turn around, Vinyl had locked the door with her magic. âThe hell is wrong with you, mare? Youâre never polite.â Octavia glared at her marefriend. âThatâs Vinylâs way of expressing concern. We can both tell somethingâs bothering you.â Rainbow sighed, turning back around and seating herself on a chair. âI screwed up with Applejack. She hates me now.â Vinyl cocked an eyebrow. âWhatâd you do, kill her sister?â âVinyl!â Octavia scolded. âIâm sure itâs nothing so bad, Rainbow.â âBut I kissed her!â Rainbow blurted. âSo? I kiss Tavi all the time, and weâre still going strong.â âBut she doesnât yell at you!â Vinyl laughed. âAre you kidding? She yells at me every day.â âOnly because I love you, Vinyl,â Octavia assured. âSo, letâs get this straight. You kissed her, so she yelled at you, and now you think your life is over?â Vinyl summarized. Rainbowâs face became contemplative. That⌠didnât sound quite right stated so plainly. Vinyl laughed again. âYou really are new at this, arenât you?â Rainbow averted her gaze, face reddening in embarrassment. âTell ya what; all you need to do is go talk to her. Sheâll understand, Iâm sure.â Vinyl smirked. Rainbow nodded, feeling very sheepish and more than a little stupid. âIâŚâ âDonât mention it,â Vinyl cut her off. âJust let me know when youâve got your awesome new marefriend.â Rainbow smiled. âSure thing. Thanks, Scratch.â She stood up and saw herself out. âBe sure to use protection!â Vinyl rolled her eyes. âNow, where were we?â âKissing, I believe,â Octavia said before re-instigating. âAwesome.â Alright. I just have to get to Sweet Apple Acres and apologize to Applejack. I can do this. Rainbow Dash strode confidently out Vinylâs front door, closing it behind her. She took to the sky, angling for Applejackâs farm, and rocketed off. The wind in her face offered her comforting familiarity. If all went well, sheâd be- âHey, Rainbow Dash! Whatâs up?â A pink mare burst out of a nearby cloud. âNot now, Pinkie. Iâm on a mission.â âOoh, what kind of mission?â Pinkie put a hoof to her chin. âIs it some kind of super-secret spy mission from Princess Celestia?â âNo, itâs a mission toâŚâ Rainbow shook her head. âNo, itâs not that. And itâs not something you would guess, so donât.â âNot something I would guess, huh?â Pinkie thought harder. âDoes it have to do with flying pigs?â âNo.â âEvil bananas?â âNo!â âApplejack?â âNo-â Rainbow stopped. âAha! I knew it! Youâre going to go ask Applejack on a date, arenât you?â âNo, and Iâd like to do it on my own if you wouldnât mind.â Rainbow narrowed her eyes at Pinkie. âOh, I get it.â Pinkie winked. âGood luck getting Applejack to not go on a date with you!â âPinkie!â Rainbow tried to explain, but she was already gone. âI swear itâs always at the worst times.â With no other recourse, she continued on to Sweet Apple Acres, slightly more flustered than before.
Applejack sat out on the porch of the farmhouse, waiting patiently for Rainbow to make her appearance. It only took a few minutes before she saw that rainbow trail she knew so well dart into her view. She stepped down from the porch to make herself seen and called out. âHey, Rainbow!â Above, Rainbow Dash froze. Oh Luna Iâm not ready! She made to dart off again, but was stopped by another call from Applejack. âRainbow, wait! Ah need ta talk to ya. Itâs important.â Sighing, Rainbow accepted her fate, coming to land in front of Applejack. âAlright, just let it out. Donât hold back.â Rainbow stood rigid, eyes firmly closed as she braced herself for a tongue-lashing. Applejack couldnât help but chuckle at the sight. And the more she looked at her, the harder it was to resist doing something potentially stupid. In a streak of boldness, Applejack made sure not to hold back as she planted a kiss firmly upon Rainbowâs unsuspecting lips. Rainbowâs eyes bugged out at the touch. âI⌠Applejack?â Rainbow managed. Applejack giggled. âThat makes us even, right?â Rainbowâs face fell. âOh, yeah. I guess.â Applejack panicked when she realized her misstep. Her subconscious told her it had worked before, so she reached her head down to kiss Rainbow again. âNow you owe me!â Applejack squeaked. A smile grew on Rainbowâs face as she started up in snorts. She soon devolved into full-blown laughter as she gripped Applejack in a vice. âCanât breathe,â Applejack wheezed, causing Rainbow to release her entirely. Before Applejack could miss the contact, Rainbowâs lips were on hers. Applejack giddily kissed her back, cherishing the moment that made the last few days worth it. Rainbow pulled away from the kiss with a gasp. âAJ, I thought-â âAh thought Ah messed up, too,â Applejack cut in. âAh wanted to apologize fer yellinâ at ya. It was stupid oâ me.â Rainbow giggled. âYeah, that wouldnât have even happened if I had noticed that tree branch.â âWas that what happened?â Rainbow nodded. âI was so caught up I didnât even notice we made it into the orchard.â âWell, Ah didnât even know âtill just now.â âWait a minute.â Rainbow frowned. âYou⌠You just kissed me, right?â Applejack blushed, nodding. âSo, that meansâŚ?â Applejack took a steadying breath, blush deepening. âAh like you, Rainbow. And Ahâd be honored if yaâd go out with me sometime.â âYes!â Rainbow answered instantly. âOh, this is so awesome! So I guess you donât really care about the whole family thing after all?â Applejack chuckled. âLetâs not get ahead oâ ourselves, now. But yeah, Ah guess you could say Ah donâ have much to worry about anymore.â âDid Twilight tell you about that âother wayâ, too?â Applejack smirked. âShe did more ân that, sugarcube. That thing Ah was carryinâ in Twilightâs saddlebags? Itâs a book all about the spell that makes it work.â Rainbowâs eyes lit up. âHow does it work, then? Is it, like, kinky?â Applejack pulled her head back. âAh donâ know, Ah havenât even read it yet!â âWell whatâs stopping you?â Rainbow prodded. Applejack frowned. âAh⌠kinda spent alla the time since ya kissed me thinkinâ Ahâd messed everythinâ up. It never really crossed mah mind.â âRight. Sorry,â Rainbow apologized, nuzzling Applejackâs cheek. âItâs alright, sugarcube. We got it all worked out now, donât we?â Rainbow put a hoof to her chin. âWell, we still have to figure out whoâs top and whoâs bottom.â âRainbow!â Applejack pushed Rainbow off of her, blushing and giggling. âI know, I know, thereâs time for that later, geez,â Rainbow placated. Despite her best efforts, she couldnât restrain her wings as they flared open. âLook at what you do to me, AJ.â Applejack grinned deviously, crawling up to whisper sensually in Rainbowâs ear, âOnly fer you, Rainbow.â âDammit, AJ,â Rainbow giggled. âNow Iâll never get my wings folded.â âGood, âcuz in case yâall fergot, we still got apples ta buck!â Applejack declared. âActually, Iâve got an Apple to buck, youâve got a Rainbow,â Rainbow snickered. Applejack blushed heavily. âDammit, Rainbow!â She tackled Rainbow in retaliation, pinning her to the ground. âEager, are we?â Rainbow countered. Applejack frowned. âAhâm gonna kill you one day.â âYou know you love it.â Rainbow gave Applejack a placating peck on the nose. Applejack, suddenly feeling weak, collapsed on top of Rainbow. âYou alright?â A growling stomach answered Rainbowâs question. âLate breakfast?â Applejack offered. âYes please.â Rainbow felt her own stomach growl in agreement. Applejack stood up shakily, having to lean on Rainbow for support once she had stood as well. âSorry, Ah never had dinner last night.â âMe neither,â Rainbow chuckled. âBut I did have a bowl of cereal earlier.â Applejack chuckled along. âThaâs not ânough.â She wobbled. âEnough to keep you walking straight,â Rainbow chided. âShut up,â Applejack muttered. Rainbow merely giggled in response. Rainbow managed to heave the door open while ensuring Applejack didnât fall, though the effort left her shaky. Together, the two mares hobbled into the kitchen, leaning against each other for support. As luck would have it, freshly-made pancakes awaited them. âGood ta see ya back,â Granny Smith greeted them. Rainbow grinned sheepishly. âUmâŚâ The knowing glint in Granny Smithâs eye was hard to ignore. Both mares sat and busied themselves in their meals to hide their embarrassment. Across the table, they could hear Granny Smith chuckling good-naturedly. Well, that could have gone worse, Rainbow decided. She and Applejack tore through their pancakes with ravenous abandon, each bite lending them strength. Both were thankful that Granny Smith had set aside extra-large portions for them. Soon, their meal was devoured, and their limbs could support them again. Their throats were wet, and their stomachs were full. They were ready to start this awesome new day. They shared a glance, grinning before rushing out the door with simple good-byes and thank yous to Granny Smith. âDonâ get too carried away now, yâhear?â Granny Smith called after them. Rainbow paused mid-stride, falling down the steps of the short porch and landing in a confused heap. âYou alright there, sugarcube?â Applejack asked, fighting giggles. Rainbow stood up sheepishly. âYeah, great.â âYâknow Applebloomâs gonna wanna know âbout us,â Applejack sighed. Rainbow raised an eyebrow. âI thought she already convinced herself.â âMaybe, but Ahâd feel better if we talked to her.â Applejack averted her gaze guiltily. âSheâs feelinâ a little unimportant right now.â Rainbow frowned. âAJ, you told me youâd stop doing this.â âWell Ah am now,â Applejack assured. âAnâ Ah promise ta ask yer permission âfore Ah get down on mahself again.â Rainbow laughed, shaking her head. âYou know Iâm never gonna give you that.â âMaybe thatâs why Ah need ya in mah life.â Applejack smiled. âStill thinkinâ âbout that whole weather thing?â Rainbow smiled, too. âYou kidding? At this rate Iâll have to move my house over yours.â âWhat, and have a place Ah canât get to ya soâs you can start usinâ hit nâ run tactics?â Applejack challenged. âMaybe.â Rainbow grinned deviously. Applejack sighed. âWhat am Ah gonna do with ya?â âBuck some apples?â Rainbow suggested. âWeâre already doinâ that.â Rainbow grinned. âThen how about a kiss?â Applejack laughed, unable to resist giving Rainbow a peck on the nose. âYer impossible.â âWell, if anypony can do the impossible, itâs you,â Rainbow waggled her brow. Applejack snorted in mirth. âThat was terrible.â âWell then which is it?â Applejack swatted at Rainbow playfully. âBoth.â Rainbow caught Applejackâs hoof, giving it a quick kiss. âAwesome.â âWe gonna start buckinâ or not?â âNot even gonna set the mood first?â Applejack snorted. âAh meant the apples.â âSo did I,â Rainbow snickered. Applejackâs hoof met her face, unable to grace Rainbowâs antics with a response. She decided that sheâd have to start choosing her words more carefully around her new marefriend. Applejack paused, considering the word. Did it really describe what she now had with Rainbow? Or was it too early to use the term? She figured sheâd ask Twilight when she- âOh, ponyfeathers, Ah fergot ta give Twilight her saddlebags back,â Applejack blurted. Rainbow rolled her eyes, chuckling. âWeâll stop by when we head out for lunch.â She paused. âDoes that count as a date now?â âAh guess it would.â Applejack shrugged. âDonâ mean we gotta make a big deal of it.â A thought occurred to Rainbow. âOh Celestia, imagine the gossip if the town finds out we really are dating now. And I have lessons with Scratch today.â âWant me ta come with?â Applejack offered. Rainbow shrugged. âShe did say to let her know when I got my awesome new marefriend.â âWhen was that?â Applejack asked, unable to contain her blush at the new title. âEarlier today. Like, half an hour ago actually.â âWas Octavia there?â Applejack asked. âYeah, but something seemed off.â Rainbow thought Applejack cocked her head. âOff how?â âShe was really going at it with Scratch. I think she was using her super sexy earth pony seduction powers.â âAh thought she just had super earth pony cello powers.â âThatâs what she wants us to think!â Rainbow insisted, starting up another one of her tangents. âMaybe sheâs actually some super badass superhero with crazy powers, and thatâs what she uses to play the cello like that!â Applejack paused. âNo, Ah think she just practices a lot.â âBut you donât know that!â âYa can ask her yerself if we see her.â Rainbow huffed. âI donât think you realize how serious this could be.â Applejack eyed Rainbow. âAh donât think you understand how ta be serious.â âSure I do!â Rainbow pecked Applejack on the cheek. âSee?â Applejack blushed. âYeah.â âYou know, we should probably get to applebucking.â âThatâs what Ah said âfore ya muddied the issue with yerâŚâ Applejack searched for the word, âshenanigans.â âBut you love my shenanigans,â Rainbow pointed out. âThatâs not the point! Now are we gonna do this or not?â Rainbow laughed. âSure, why not.â Applejack let out a heavy sigh, leading the tangential pegasus to the barn for saddle basket equipment. Somehow, the day was getting dragged out even more than before. Applejack hoped she still had her sanity at the end of the month. âJust be sure to be gentle if you use your super sexy earth pony seduction powers on me,â Rainbow quipped. Not likely, Applejack decided. |
| | | Cloudchaser Pony
Posts : 130 Join date : 2012-02-11 Location : The Magical Land of New Jersey
| Subject: Re: Oh God Cloud Wrote a Fanfic Tue Jun 18, 2013 6:44 pm | |
| So... a bit in the future, but this happened and I feel I need to put it here now. Writing this just made me really like Rarity for the first time. I think I'm keeping this headcanon.
“Big Macintosh?” Rarity’s voice startled the stallion in question, who was busying himself counting apples in the barn after failed attempts to sleep that night. “Rare? What-“ Rarity stepped forward, placing a hoof to Big Mac’s lips. “Please, Mac. I… I can’t lie anymore.” Big Mac’s eyes widened, tearing up as his mind came to a conclusion. “You… Ya don’ wanna see me anymore, do ya?” Rarity jumped in alarm. “What? No, Mac, it’s not that at all!” Big Mac regarded her dubiously. “It’s alright, Rare. Ah understand, ya don’ have ta-“ Rarity silenced Big Macintosh with a gentle kiss on the lips. He instantly softened at the touch, his fears calming. “Not that, Big Mac. Never that.” Rarity averted her gaze briefly. “Unless you don’t want to see me again.” “What? Why would Ah not wanna see ya?” Big Mac asked sadly. “Because I…” Rarity gulped. “I have something I need to confess.” Big Macintosh waited quietly, mind racing with possibilities. But it certainly never occurred to him that- “I’m not really a mare,” Rarity squeaked out. Big Mac paused; face draining of emotion, his mind drawing a blank. “Ah… Ah don’…” “I was born a colt,” Rarity continued, voice barely above a whisper. “But mother and father wanted a daughter. They did all they could to change me, to hide who I really am. On my first birthday they paid a professional for reconstructive magical surgery for my face. It was obviously a remarkable success. But there is one thing that magic cannot change, nor conceal but temporarily…” Big Macintosh opened his mouth, but found no words to speak. “They called me Rarity, for one I certainly was. They raised me as a proper filly, doing their utmost to ensure I could still be the daughter they had wanted.” Rarity sighed. “They asked a tutor to teach me a concealment spell for my… abnormality. It’s helped me out of many a tight situation, and allowed me a little more… leniency in my gait. Nopony was ever the wiser of my true disposition, even now. But my parents eventually grew dissatisfied of me. They wanted a real daughter, and got one in Sweetie Belle.” Rarity averted her gaze. “I grew jealous of her. She was everything mother and father wanted, while I was forced to the side. More than ever, I worked to make them believe I was a real mare. I slowly worked my way back into their favor by being as marely as I could. I used everything I had been taught, I truly became what they had made me. More than them, I convinced myself. Being a mare was something I had always embraced, but it became more than that, almost an obsession. But the more attention they paid to me, the less was left for Sweetie Belle. It broke my heart to see her neglected in any way. So I did the most generous thing I’ve ever done. I left, set off to make it on my own. “I bought Carousel Boutique at the age of fourteen and began to sell dresses to support myself. It came naturally, of course. I had made all my own dresses since I was five, custom made for myself. For while the concealment spell did make my abnormality invisible, it was still there, and showed through fabric.” Rarity laughed half-heartedly. “It’s funny when you come to think that it was all because my parents couldn’t find dresses that would allow me proper concealment. They got so frustrated one day that I thought to try my own hoof at dressmaking. And you can clearly see where that’s taken me. “I looked back on those days, of course, but I knew things were better without me. Sweetie Belle got all the attention she deserved, and I was off doing what I loved, free of judgment. Left to myself, I dreamt of what life could be like if I was successful. I was always taken by the fashion scene of Canterlot, and the sophistication was something to be craved. I eventually heard tell of Prince Blueblood, and his availability. But we all know how that turned out. That’s what made me think that perhaps I was looking for love in the wrong places. “It didn’t take long for me to develop feelings for you, though you were the brother of one of my long-time friends. It almost felt like I’d had them all along, but was always too afraid to act on them. I still was afraid. I still am, more than ever. I thought that, perhaps if I got close to you before I revealed my true self that you would accept me and give me a chance, but now I…” Rarity trailed off, tears forming in her eyes as she contemplated her failure. But Big Macintosh would have none of that. He gently kissed away Rarity’s tears before they could fall, feeling closer to her than ever before. He wrapped her in a tender embrace once her tears had been dried. Rarity leaned into the hug in a daze, scarcely believing her luck. “Y’know, ya coulda just told me from the start,” Big Mac rumbled. “Ah figure yer just the mare Ah’ve been lookin’ fer.” “What? How can you-“ “Mah barn door swings both ways,” Big Mac said through a heavy blush. “Ah tend ta prefer a mare’s figure and lack o’ judgment Ah’d get from bein’ with one, but… well, yer a stallion where it counts.” Rarity’s eyes widened, blushing profusely. “So you’re saying you… like the fact that I have a…” Big Mac nodded. “Ah know ya like bein’ the mare, but… maybe we could take it in turns?” Rarity nodded emphatically. “Whatever you want, Mac, I’ll be happy to oblige. But right now I… I don’t know if I can make it back home like this.” Big Mac’s eyes widened as he became aware of something stiff against his stomach. “I, uh…” Rarity giggled, blushing. “Sorry. I’m just so excited.” She yawned. “And also very sleepy.” Big Mac let out a chuckle that ended in a yawn. “Ah hear ya, Rare.” He gave her a peck on the nose. “There’s time fer that later. But fer now…” Rarity squeaked as Big Macintosh heaved her up onto his back. “Ya don’ mind if Ah still call ya mah marefriend, right?” “Wouldn’t have it any other way, Mac.” Rarity smiled, wrapping her hooves around Mac’s neck. Big Mac walked over to the front porch, sneaking in the door and moving quietly upstairs. They reached his room without incident, where Big Mac lowered Rarity onto his bed, shortly joining her. Rarity embraced him again when he lay down, nuzzling into his broad chest. “Ya know, we’re probably gonna have ta tell the family ‘fore they start askin’ why we ain’t havin’ no foals,” Big Mac said. Rarity giggled. “We haven’t even had sex yet!” Big Mac blushed. “Ah know, but with the way things are run on the farm…” “Your last hope for foals is Apple Bloom,” Rarity finished, smiling sadly. Big Mac chuckled. “Nah, t’aint that. Applejack done told me she’s got a way ta get foals with Rainbow. She got a book on it an’ everythin’.” Rarity giggled. “I wonder where they got it.” Big Mac grinned. “Beats me.” Rarity yawned. “Well I don’t know about you, but I am exhausted.” She kissed Mac on the nose. “Good night, Mac.” “Night, Rare.” Big Mac returned the gesture, cradling Rarity’s head as they drifted off to sleep.
|
| | | Cloudchaser Pony
Posts : 130 Join date : 2012-02-11 Location : The Magical Land of New Jersey
| Subject: Re: Oh God Cloud Wrote a Fanfic Thu Jun 20, 2013 3:00 am | |
| Plot points, plot points, what we gonna do? We got shenanigans in store. How could Cloudchaser think of more?Accidentally, of course.EIGHT IS GREAT, LIKE CHIHUAHUAS ON MOTORCYCLES (from previous stopping point)           “You know, AJ. Now that we’re gonna be dating, we can be even more like Daring and Blondie,” Rainbow commented as they were strapping on their saddle baskets. She reached over to grab her pith helmet from the wall for emphasis.           “You know that only leaves one thing, right?” Applejack asked, sliding over to whisper sensually into Rainbow’s ear. “An’ that’s our first roll in the hay.”           Rainbow’s wings shot out as her face reddened. “Okay, you win,” she murmured, eliciting a laugh from Applejack.           “Gotta try harder ‘n that, sugarcube,” Applejack taunted.             Rainbow grinned, brandishing her wings. “I know one way to get you flustered.”           Applejack’s eyes shrunk. “Ya wouldn’ dare.”           Rainbow leapt at Applejack, pinning her down and tickling her along her sides with her feathered appendages. Applejack fell into a helpless fit of laughter.           “Knock it off, Rainbow!” Applejack demanded between laughs.           “Okay.” Rainbow lowered her wings abruptly, catching Applejack’s open mouth in a kiss.           Applejack moaned happily into the kiss. This was something she could get used to. She shifted her hips slightly, gasping as Rainbow’s wings brushed against her flanks.           Rainbow shot up from the embrace as soon as she registered the touch. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean- It was an accident! N-not to say that I don’t…” Rainbow trailed off at Applejack’s puzzled expression.           “Sorry fer what, sugarcube?” Applejack asked with a small chuckle. “Not the kiss, Ah hope.”           “I…” Rainbow blushed. “Never mind. I’ll tell you later.”           Applejack propped herself up with a foreleg. “Tell me what?”           “I’m not comfortable with-“           “C’mon, Rainbow; Ah don’ bite.” Applejack smiled.           “AJ, please. I’d rather…” Rainbow sighed. “I’d rather tell you when I’m ready. Can we just… get to bucking and talk about this later?”           Applejack frowned, wondering what had caused the sudden change. “Alright. We’ve wasted enough time as it is… Er, well, Ah wouldn’t call it wasted…”           “Come on, Blondie. There’s more treasure out there.” Rainbow smiled.           Applejack smiled back. “Right there with ya, Daring.”           Out in the orchard, there were significantly more trees with ripened fruit, which meant less time scouting, and a whole lot more time harvesting. Applejack took care of most of the bucking, while Rainbow ferried the harvested apples to the barn.           “Got another shipment fer ya, Daring!” Applejack called out, dropping off one set of saddle baskets and donning another.           “I’m on it!” Rainbow swooped in to nab their plunder to stow it back at the base. There, Granny Smith waited to sort through the spoils and organize them properly. “Got some more for ya, boss.”           “Much obliged, Daring,” Granny Smith rattled, barely taking her eyes off her task.           Splitting the workload made things far more efficient, and eliminated the arduous hauling period that usually marked the end of the day. So Applejack didn’t need to conserve as much energy and could work longer without consequence. Granny Smith had an easier time of sorting the apples in a steady stream as opposed to all at once. And with Big Mac free to assist in the bucking, the harvest was moving along at a brisk pace.           “You know, maybe we should try this more often,” Rainbow suggested upon rendezvous with Applejack.           “Which, the system er the goofin’ around?” Applejack chuckled.           “I have to choose just one?”           Applejack shook her head, moving to another tree.           “Though it might be nice to just take it easy and go at our own pace together some time,” Rainbow admitted. “You know, on a less hectic day, just to get some more time to talk and stuff.”           Applejack grinned. “Do Ah gotta ask just what that stuff is?”           Rainbow laughed. “That wasn’t quite what I meant, but I’m sure we could squeeze that in, too.”           “Sounds good ta me,” Applejack said, giving Rainbow a kiss on the nose. “Ah can’t say enough how much Ah appreciate havin’ ya here, Rainbow.”           “Hey, keep this up and I might have to really think about moving in.”           “Ya weren’t already?” Applejack playfully accused.           “Well, more than usual.”           Applejack laughed, offering her filled saddle baskets. “We’d love ta have ya.” She blushed. “’Specially me.”           “You drive a hard bargain.” Rainbow took Applejack’s saddle baskets. “I’ll have to get back to ya.”           “Don’ keep me waitin’ too long, now,” Applejack cautioned.           Rainbow smiled. “Wouldn’t dream of it.” She took off with a wink, leaving Applejack to watch her fondly until she left sight.           “What a strange few days it’s been,” Applejack mused, smiling brightly.             “Alright, that’s the last of ‘em.” Rainbow reached the barn with a smile, having walked back with Applejack on the final trip.           “Ya do good work together, you two,” Granny Smith praised. “Might have ta keep ya ‘round, Rainbow Dash.”           Applejack chuckled. “We’re sure thinkin’ about it, Granny Smith.”           “Happy ta hear it.” Granny Smith looked away from her work to smile at the two mares. “Now run along, y’all; Ah’ll take it from here.”           Applejack stepped up, placing a hoof on Granny Smith’s shoulder. “Thanks fer bein’ so understandin’, Granny.”           “Aw, ain’t nothin’ but a thing, Applejack.” Granny Smith chuckled. “Ah saw this ‘un comin’ a long ways away.”           “Seems the whole town did, too,” Rainbow put in.           “Don’ let it get ta ya none. Jes’ make sure ta show ‘em jes’ how right they were.” Granny Smith winked.           “Will do, Granny Smith.” Applejack nodded.           “Now git along. Ah’ve got apples ta sort.”           Nodding, the two mares waved good-bye, stopping by the farmhouse to pick up Twilight’s saddlebags before setting off on the road toward Ponyville.           On their way to Twilight’s, they passed Octavia in the marketplace, gathering ingredients for a hearty lunch.           “Hey, you two. Get everything sorted out?”           Rainbow nodded bashfully. “Yeah. I’ll tell Scratch when I come over for guitar lessons. Applejack just has to return Twilight’s saddlebags before we head out for lunch.”           “You could join Vinyl and I. I’m making a casserole,” Octavia offered. “You could talk over lunch.”           Rainbow looked to Applejack, who nodded. “Sounds great. Thanks, Tavi.”           “It’s no trouble at all, Rainbow Dash. I look forward to talking with the two of you.” Octavia paused. “And congratulations on finding each other.”           The two grinned nervously, gaining blushes. “Thanks,” they chorused.           Octavia shook her head, remarking on how cute they were together before bidding them good day.           “Well, that takes care of lunch,” Rainbow said.           Applejack chuckled. “It’ll be nice ta talk to ‘em again. But first, we gotta drop this off at Twilight’s.”           “Yep. We can tell her about us, too.” Rainbow giggled. “I’m sure she’ll go on some long speech about how she helped us out.”           “Ah hope not. We might miss lunch!” Applejack quipped.           “If she keeps it short, yeah,” Rainbow joked.           Applejack laughed. “Come on, that lunch is soundin’ mighty fine ‘bout now.”           Rainbow followed as Applejack made her way to Twilight’s library, falling into step beside her and nuzzling her sneakily. Applejack smiled, reciprocating the gesture happily, not caring how many heads they might turn.           Among ponies to notice the exchange were another similarly inclined couple, Lyra and Bon Bon. “So, Rainbow’s finally got her mare,” Lyra observed. “Took her long enough.”           Bon Bon rolled her eyes. “Not everypony’s blessed with your disregard for society, dear.”           “The hay is that supposed to mean?” Lyra frowned. “If this is about that whole wedding fiasco again…”           “Did you hear something?” Rainbow asked suddenly.           Applejack stopped, looking around her. “Uh, no. Why?”                Rainbow shrugged. “Just thought I heard my name somewhere.”           Applejack hummed, falling back into step with Rainbow. “Ah’m sure it weren’t nothin’ important.”           “Hey, if it’s about me, it’s bound to be important,” Rainbow bragged.         Applejack smirked. “And here Ah thought Ah beat that outta ya.”           Rainbow grinned. “Nope! Not even your sexy powers can hold me back!”           “Oh yeah? What about mah other powers, then?” Applejack cocked a leg mid-stride.           “I thought that was part of your sexy powers.”           Applejack blushed. “Not that! Ah meant mah buckin’ powers.”           Rainbow smirked, “So did-“           Rainbow never got to finish her statement as she was given a whap on the rump by Applejack’s tail. “We ain’t discussin’ that in public.”           “Fine.” Rainbow was quiet for a few steps. “But that was pretty hot.”           “Ah’m still tryin’a figure out what ta do with ya,” Applejack mused.           “And I’m still full of awesome ideas. We can go on like this all day.”           Applejack snorted. “We better not. We’re here.” Applejack gestured to the door in front of them.           Rainbow needed no further invitation as she threw the door open. “Hey, Twilight!”           As it turned out, Twilight was already besieged by a hyperactive pink mare, bouncing around and apparently asking for something.           “-all about Rainbow and Apple-“ Pinkie cut herself off with a dramatic gasp, darting to greet them animatedly. “Ohmigosh, I heard all about it! Is it really true?”           Rainbow blinked. “What?”           “I saw you guys, you were in the marketplace, and you were talking to Octavia, and she was all ‘Hey, you two. Get everything sorted out?’ and you were like ‘Yeah.’ So I was thinking what you were talking about, and then Octavia congratulated you, so I knew something was going on, so I followed you guys, and Dashie got all up close to Applejack. And then I saw Lyra and Bon Bon in front of their sweet shop, and Lyra was like, ‘So, Rainbow’s finally got her mare’ and that’s when it all made sense! Ooh, I’m so happy for you guys! I guess the rumors were true after all, huh?”           Rainbow blinked again, trying to process Pinkie’s rambling. She thought she had been asked a question, but wasn’t quite sure.           Sometime in the interim, Twilight had walked up, and having understood Pinkie a little better, spoke in turn. “I have to admit, I didn’t think you guys were gonna pair up overnight. But I suppose there might have been some development I’m not aware of.”           “Oh, yeah! I saw Rainbow Dash earlier, and she said something happened with Applejack, and she was all sad. She told me she’d tell me what it is later, and now it’s later so what was it?” Pinkie batted her eyelashes.           “Uh… I…”           “Rainbow and Ah had a bit of a run-in last night.” Applejack explained. “We somehow ended up kissin’, an’ Ah overreacted. We talked about it earlier, an’ decided we’d give it a shot.”           “Uh… yeah.” Rainbow shook her head, giving up on deciphering Pinkie’s babbling. “Anyway, we just came here to give you back your saddlebags, Twilight. We have to go meet Scratch and Tavi for lunch, so…”           “Of course.” Twilight smiled. “Thanks for returning them. And congratulations, you two.”           Pinkie jumped. “Oh, and have lots and lots of fun!”           “Sure thing. We’ll see y’all later.” Applejack waved, leading Rainbow out the door.           “Okay. That happened.” Rainbow said once they were on their way to Vinyl’s house.           Applejack shrugged. “Good ta have Pinkie’s antics outta the way.”           Rainbow rolled her eyes. “For now, at least. She’s gonna be all over us later.”           “Ain’t all that bad, sugarcube,” Applejack consoled. “Not like she’s tryin’a get between us er nothin’.”           “I guess not. Just… let’s try to avoid her for a while. At least until she calms down.”           Applejack cocked a brow. “That’ll only take a hundred years.”           Rainbow frowned. “You’re right. We’re doomed.”           Applejack chuckled, nuzzling under Rainbow’s chin. Rainbow smiled at the touch, breaking out of her momentary despair.           Rainbow gave Applejack a peck on the cheek. “Thanks.”           “Any time, sugarcube.” Applejack gestured ahead to Vinyl’s house.           Rainbow came to a halt before Vinyl’s door. “Alright, let’s get this over with.” Rainbow strode into Vinyl’s house with an air of confidence. “Hey, Vinyl, guess who’s got a super awesome new marefriend!”           Applejack looked at Rainbow incredulously.           “What?”           “Rainbow, Ah said ta break the ice, not…”           “Well it’s broken now!”           “Ya coulda at least shut the door first!”           “Well which is it, AJ? Do you want me to go for it or not?”           “Ah told ya already, Ah-“           “Oh, look, Tavi. It’s the lovebirds again,” Vinyl called, waltzing in from the kitchen.           Rainbow pointed a hoof at Vinyl. “Hey, I came in here to you two making out. You got nothing.”           “Nah, I’ve got Tavi,” Vinyl made a downward motion with her hoof.           Rainbow snorted. “So if you’ve got Tavi, and you’re calling us lovebirds-“           “Oh, that’s easy. We’re lovedinosaurs now.”           “Love what now?” Applejack interjected.           “I think it means their love is destined to an explosive end far in the future,” Rainbow stated.           “No! It means we’ve been lovebird-ing for way longer than you!” Vinyl shot back.           Octavia entered the room with a bemused grin on her face. “What I think she’s trying to say is that, since birds are thought to have descended from dinosaurs, that we in some way influenced your relationship with our own.”           Vinyl stared blankly at Octavia. “Actually I was just going off the fact that dinosaurs were around since way before birds, but that sounds pretty good too.”           Octavia rolled her eyes. “Forgive Vinyl’s antics. She’s been rather… excited since you came by last, Rainbow Dash.”           “I was not!” Vinyl argued. “That totally had nothing to do with it at all!”           “What, so Scratch secretly has the hots for me?” Rainbow raised an eyebrow.           “No, I was just happy that you two were finally gonna do something about all those shenanigans!” Vinyl snapped. “Oh, Luna dammit.”           “Aha! So you admit it!” Rainbow grinned triumphantly.           Vinyl turned to Octavia. “Help me please.”           Octavia shook her head. “You got yourself into this Vinyl, and you’ll get yourself out.”           “Dammit, Tavi!” Vinyl groaned. “Fine, I’ve kinda been cheering for you two for a while now, and seeing you so messed up about Applejack made me think it was gonna happen finally. And now it did, so Tavi’s gonna hang it over my head for a million years.”           “One for every time you’ve overstepped your bounds,” Octavia clarified.           Rainbow snickered. “Wait, so you’re telling me you haven’t gotten Tavi to bed since that first day?”           Octavia giggled. “Three days can do a lot to a mare’s constitution.”           “I hate you, Tavi,” Vinyl grumped, “just so you know.”           Octavia placed a kiss on the tip of Vinyl’s horn. “I love you, too, dear.”           “Well, ain’t that jes’ the cutest thing ya ever did see,” Applejack mused.           “Nope! I had my eyes closed.” Rainbow asserted.           “Ah saw you watch the whole thing, ya liar,” Applejack chuckled.           “Oh? So you were enjoying the view? Of me watching the…” Rainbow paused. “Wait, does that count as second-hoof voyeurism?”           “Don’ it have ta be a bit more sexy ta count?”           Rainbow raised a brow. “I don’t know where you’ve been, but horn play definitely counts as sexy.”           Applejack snorted, flustered. “Well Ah ain’t a master o’ sexy stuff like you.”           “You kidding? I’m just as clueless as you!” Rainbow paused. “Okay, maybe not that much, but I still have no idea what I’m doing here.”           Applejack’s eyes grew sultry. “Aw, then who’s gonna teach me all Ah need ta know ‘bout pleasin’ a pegasus?”Rainbow grinned. “Don’t worry, AJ, I can teach you all about wings.”           Applejack chuckled. “Good, ‘cuz Ah might be needin’ it pretty soon with-“           “Okay, guys, can you just hurry up and buck already? We got lunch ready,” Vinyl cut across.           Both mares whipped their heads around with wide eyes and heavy blushes.           “Oh, yeah, right. Lunch.” Rainbow laughed nervously.           Applejack donned a sheepish grin. “Yeah, we’ll get right on that.”           “I don’t always call things adorable, but when I do, it’s that,” Octavia commented.           Vinyl face-hoofed. “Come on, Tavi. That joke is so played out.”           Octavia frowned. “What joke?”           “Never mind.” Vinyl rolled her eyes and led the way into the kitchen.           Applejack looked at Rainbow, who shrugged. “Hey, she’s the most interesting cellist I know.”           Applejack frowned. “What?”           Rainbow shook her head, following Vinyl and Octavia to the promised lunch.           “Alright, help yourselves. I made as much as I could,” Octavia revealed a massive, delicious-looking casserole that made you question why Octavia had a treble clef for a cutie mark. Well, more than usual anyway. It also begged another question entirely.           “If this is lunch, what do you do for dinner?” Rainbow marveled.           Octavia chuckled. “Most days, lunch is our dinner. Vinyl and I get so busy some nights; we don’t have time for a big supper. And before you say anything smart, I did not mean it like that. It’s actually becoming the norm for us, now.”           “So many gigs, so little time,” Vinyl commented between bites.           Octavia shot a glare at Vinyl. “Who said you could start eating?”           Vinyl swallowed her mouthful. “I thought you did.”           “I said help yourself, not dig in!”           “There’s a difference?”           Octavia huffed. “There is when we have guests, dear.”           “Yep! We get first dibs!” Rainbow snarked, reaching for a second helping.           Applejack grabbed Rainbow’s hoof. “No. We have ta mind our manners.”           Rainbow frowned. “When did you get manners?”           “In mah time in Manehattan,” Applejack answered smoothly.           “Wow, and it’s taken you so long to use them?” Rainbow teased.           “Don’ make me hit ya with this spoon.”           “You know what, forget this whole manners thing,” Octavia said. “We’re getting completely sidetracked here, let’s just eat.”           “We weren’t doing that already?” Vinyl quipped.           Octavia frowned. “You’re still not off the hook.”           “But you bait it with such awesome food!” Vinyl protested.            “Be that as it may, shut up and eat,” Octavia commanded.            Vinyl snorted. “Yes, Mom.”            Rainbow barely managed to keep from choking on her food. Applejack just shook her head and started eating as Octavia did the same. Applejack wondered how long she had before Rainbow’s lack of table manners got her in trouble, and how many times Vinyl’s had gotten Octavia in trouble.            Least we don’ go ta no fancy parties, Applejack mused.            “Oh, that reminds me!” Vinyl spoke up. “Me and Tavi have this big music awards thing coming up. You guys wanna come?”            Applejack frowned. She didn’t know which possibility worried her more; that Vinyl had mind-reading powers, or that she had just gone through the same thought process as the erratic DJ.            Rainbow swallowed her mouthful. “Hay yeah! When is it?”             “Some time at the end of the month. It’s up in Canterlot somewhere.” Vinyl gestured upwards. “Lyra and Bon are going. Colgate and Berry, too. Still have to ask Derp and C-Top.”            “So, you’re just inviting all your friends who also happen to be fillyfooling couples,” Rainbow observed.            “Hey, gotta show Canterlot what’s up somehow, right?” Vinyl shrugged.            “What about you, Applejack?” Octavia asked. “Will you be able to attend?”            “Sounds like a good time,” Applejack said. “An’ it’ll be a nice way ta celebrate yer month o’ service, Dash. Ah’ll have ta ask Granny Smith ‘bout the particulars.”            “Why bother? We already know she’s gonna say yes. With me helping out around the farm, we could take like a week off and still be good.”            “Great! The ceremonies take three days.” Octavia smiled.            Applejack frowned. “Now that might be trouble. But if we work real hard…”            “Yeah, yeah, motivation and all that stuff. We’ll be there.” Rainbow spat on her hoof and offered it to Vinyl, who reciprocated the gesture with a cocky smirk.            “Who knows, we might have you playing a chord or two by then,” Vinyl teased.            “Please, give me a month and they’ll be dying to have us play at the closing ceremonies.” Rainbow bragged. “Right, AJ?”            “Ah’m not sure a month is enough time ta-“            “Lessons!” Rainbow cut in. “How about those guitar lessons?”            “Shouldn’t we wait ‘till AJ and Tavi are done?” Vinyl asked consciously.            Rainbow snorted. “They’re big fillies, they can handle themselves.”            “Wish I could say the same for you two,” Octavia remarked, taking a sip of water.            “Not listening!” Vinyl called back in a singsong voice.            Octavia shook her head, watching as Rainbow Dash exited the room. “It’s good to see you two getting along so nicely.”            Applejack chuckled. “Wouldn’ be fun any other way.”            Octavia chucked as well. “Well, they do have their ways of keeping things interesting.”            “Yeah.” Applejack paused. “So have ya really not had a roll in the hay with Vinyl since that first time?”            Octavia blushed. “There have been a few encounters, but nothing on the scale of the first. I take it you haven’t yet with Rainbow Dash?”            Applejack adopted a similar blush. “N-no! Ah… Ah’m not ready ta… We just got this all settled. Ah mean, Ah think Ah wanna, but…”            “But you want to take it slow,” Octavia finished. “I understand. I did the same with Vinyl. It was well worth the wait. Have you ever…?”            “No, she’ll be mah first.” Applejack sighed wistfully. “Ah mean, when Ah’m… When we… Hers, too.”            Octavia giggled. “How cute. Vinyl was my first, though she apparently fooled around with Lyra in the past.”            “Ah can only imagine how that ended,” Applejack mused.            “It actually went surprisingly well. They’re still friends now, obviously.” Octavia leaned back in her seat. “Vinyl told me they came to the agreement that, while it was fun while it lasted, there just wasn’t anything to stick around for, as she put it.”            “What did she mean by that?”            Octavia smiled. “Basically that she enjoyed the sex and make-out sessions, but they just didn’t mesh properly to create that spark. They never got past ‘I like you,’ in other words. I’m thinking it could have ended differently were either of them more responsible. From what I heard, their relationship was taken much too fast.”            “Definitely tryin’a steer clear o’ that with Rainbow.” Applejack turned her head to watch Vinyl and Rainbow’s shenanigans in the living room.            Octavia followed Applejack’s gaze, smiling at what she saw. “I don’t think you’ll have to worry about that. Rainbow may be brash, but she’s also loyal.”           “Don’ Ah know it,” Applejack chuckled. “She’s stuck with me this long.”           “Don’t be down on yourself, Applejack,” Octavia chided. “There’s far more than loyalty that keeps her amorous."           Applejack shook her head. “Ah know. It just hasn’t really hit me yet that this all is real."           Octavia smiled. “Don’t hold your breath.”           “No promises,” Applejack quipped, swallowing her last bite of casserole with a satisfied sigh. She downed the last of her apple juice, looking back up to see that Octavia had also finished her meal.
           “Shall we go see what trouble our marefriends have managed to get into?” Octavia suggested, rising from her seat and stacking the dishes in the sink for later washing.           Applejack waited patiently for Octavia to reach her side. “If Ah see Rainbow caught up in a ball o’ guitar strings, Ah’m blamin’ Vinyl.”           Octavia laughed. “I would, too, Applejack. I would, too.”           As luck would have it, Rainbow Dash was not in fact being assaulted by guitar strings. Well, not physically at least. “How the hell am I supposed to do that with hooves?” Rainbow demanded, trying to replicate some chord that Vinyl had demonstrated.           Vinyl released the pick she had in her magical grasp, playing the same chord again with her hooves.           Rainbow scowled. “You don’t have to rub it in.”           “No, but I wanted to.” Vinyl played a short riff for bonus points.           Octavia was on Vinyl immediately, smacking her upside the head.           “Ow! What the hell was that for, Tavi?”           Octavia frowned. “You’re teaching her, Vinyl, not antagonizing her. I thought we moved you past this.”           “Well, sure seems she’s gone back on that now,” Applejack commented.           Vinyl looked offended. “You really expect me to work with Dash and not get in a few shots of my own?”           “T’aint really as hard as all that,” Applejack stated.           “Yeah, maybe for her marefriend,” Vinyl groused. “What am I supposed to do, just sit around and be her bitch?”           “Nope,” Applejack said plainly, advancing on Rainbow. “We ain’t havin’ none o’ that, neither.”           Vinyl groaned. “See what you did, Dash? Now they’re gonna start sitting in on all our lessons.”           “You’re just as much to blame as she is, Vinyl.” Octavia said, looking thoughtful. “Perhaps even more. And I appreciate the suggestion. We may just have to take you up on it.”           “Shucks, with Rainbow helpin’ out ‘round the farm, Ah don’ suppose Ah’ll have much trouble findin’ the time,” Applejack said a bit bashfully.           Rainbow smiled at her, saying nothing for fear of backlash.           Vinyl, on the other hoof, had no issue expressing her disdain. “Luna dammit, Tavi. If I wasn’t already hooked on you…”           Octavia laughed. “Then I’d find a way to make you mine.”           Vinyl pouted, saying nothing more as Octavia came over to console her. Vinyl immediately softened at her touch, reciprocating a hug without complaint.           “It’s amazing how much power Tavi has over Scratch,” Rainbow whispered to Applejack after shedding her guitar. “You starting to believe me now about those earth pony super powers?”           Applejack chuckled. “Maybe just a bit there.”           Rainbow licked her lips. “You should show me your super powers sometime.”           Applejack smirked. “Ah will when ya earned the right, sugarcube.”           “Can’t wait.” Rainbow nuzzled Applejack’s shoulder.           Applejack giggled at the touch, placing a kiss on Rainbow’s nose. “Now you play nice with Vinyl, y’hear?”           “Only for you,” Rainbow recited, placing a foreleg over Applejack’s shoulders.           Applejack nuzzled into Rainbow’s chest contentedly.           “Okay, are we gonna do this or not?” Vinyl demanded.           Rainbow rolled her eyes, reluctantly releasing Applejack from her grasp. “Yeah, yeah.” She retrieved her guitar and slung the strap back over her shoulder.           “So you asked me how to play this with hooves, right?”           Rainbow nodded curtly.           Vinyl demonstrated her motions. “Well, first you have to make sure your hoof is in front of the strings, not above them. You kinda have to bend your leg over the side and have your knee sticking out, and use your ankle to pluck the strings. It’s a little uncomfortable, but you’ll get used to it.”           Rainbow emulated Vinyl’s hoof position before awkwardly dragging her hoof along the strings. “Like that?”           “No, not like that you…” Vinyl stopped herself at a glare from Octavia. “You’re using too much of your hoof. You have to use just the tip of it, so your hoof isn’t actually touching the body of the guitar.”           Rainbow frowned, stretching her leg forward until she no longer had contact with the body of the guitar. It was an odd position, tiring to maintain for an extended period of time. She plucked a few strings with the tip of her hoof between many failed attempts where she missed entirely. She grunted in frustration. “This is stupid! Why can’t I just do it my way?”           Vinyl studied Rainbow’s form critically. “Because your way is way too clumsy; not every chord you play is going to have you playing multiple strings. And it’s damn near impossible not to screw up a note like that.”           “Well, you use your magic to play, right? Why can’t I use my wings?” Rainbow challenged.           Vinyl frowned. “Are you crazy? These are steel strings. You’d tear them up trying to play like that.”           “Actually, Rainbow may be on to something,” Octavia cut across. “If we could fit picks onto each of her primaries, it could offer her greater precision. It would also solve the predicament of strumming multiple strings that are separated by others at the same time.”           “See? Tavi’s got my back.” Rainbow smirked. “Maybe you should listen to me more often, Scratch.”           Vinyl huffed, crossing her forelegs.           “Ya don’ gotta be rude, Rainbow,” Applejack chided.           Rainbow’s shoulders slumped. “Sorry.”           “You shouldn’t be,” Octavia said. “I think this might do Vinyl some good to be bested by her student for once.”           Vinyl grumbled in response, flicking her eyes to Octavia briefly.           “But I’m afraid we don’t have the means for this method of yours at hoof. And Vinyl will need some time to cool off.” Octavia paused, thinking. “I’m sure you can find the appropriate equipment at the music shop. They have much everything else there, already.”           “Alright.” Rainbow packed away her guitar, hefting the case onto her back. “Well, it was nice talking to you anyway. Even if we didn’t really get anywhere with the lessons.”           “I’ll be sure to set up a time for another lesson after Vinyl stops ignoring me.” Octavia rolled her eyes. “Or if she doesn’t, then I’m sure something can be arranged.”           “Don’ go too hard on ‘er, now.” Applejack winked.           Octavia chuckled. “I’m not sure Vinyl has a limit, to be honest. Though I’m sure I’ll find it eventually.”           Rainbow smirked. “Abuse is only foul play when she doesn’t deserve it.”           “I’ll keep that in mind.”           “If Ah’m gonna be dragged along ta Rainbow’s lessons now, we should do this again,” Applejack suggested.            “It would be my pleasure,” Octavia replied. “It’s always fun to have you two around.”           “Sounds like a plan.” Rainbow led the way to the front door. “See ya later, Scratch!” She called back.           “Piss off!” Vinyl shot back.           “A real charmer, ta be sure,” Applejack joked. “Nice talkin’ ta the two of ya.”           Octavia nodded. “Be sure not to get ahead of yourselves.”           “We’ll try,” Applejack promised.           “Later,” Rainbow added.           Octavia waved, closing the door behind the two as they made their way back home.           “So what are we gonna do now?” Rainbow asked. “I’ve already got all my weather jobs taken care of, so we’ve got the rest of the day to ourselves.”           Applejack thought. “We could head on over ta the weather center an’ try gettin’ that special assignment worked out.”           “I think I’d like to go over that with Twilight first. She’s way better at negotiating than either of us.”           “Then we could go pay her another visit,” Applejack suggested.           Rainbow frowned. “And risk running into Pinkie again?”           “Ah’m sure she’s run off somewheres by now. Besides, we still gotta drop yer guitar off back home.” Applejack grinned hopefully.           Rainbow chuckled. “Why so eager to go see her again?”           “Well, we never did get a chance ta thank her.”           “I guess not.” Rainbow glanced sideways at Applejack. “But if we run into Pinkie again, I’m blaming you.”           Applejack chuckled, shaking her head for lack of a proper response.            Applejack and Rainbow came back to a quiet farmhouse. A quick look around showed it to be empty. Rainbow smiled, giving Applejack a quick peck on the nose before darting upstairs to stow her guitar. Applejack walked into the den to wait for Rainbow on the couch.           “Applejack!”           Applejack froze at her little sister’s accusatory tone. “Uh…”           “Sis, are y’all gonna tell me already what’s been goin’ on?” Apple Bloom frowned. “Ah know Ah saw Rainbow kiss ya out there.”           Applejack took a deep breath before gesturing to the couch. “Sit down, AB.”           Apple Bloom did so, joined shortly by Applejack. “Yer not really datin’ ‘er, are ya?”           Applejack nodded. “Ah am now, Apple Bloom. We done had a bit of a misunderstandin’ yesterday, but it all worked out jes’ fine.”           “So yer a… fillyfooler, AJ?”           “Ah guess ya could say that.” Applejack looked up as Rainbow entered the room.           Rainbow smiled gently, walking over to sit on the other side of Apple Bloom.           Apple Bloom looked at Rainbow with big eyes. “So it’s okay ta have feelings fer another filly?”           “Perfectly normal, kiddo,” Rainbow confirmed. “Actually, I know five couples like that right here in Ponyville.”           Applejack frowned. “Five? Ah only know four. There’s Vinyl an’ Octavia, Lyra an’ Bon Bon, Colgate an’ Berry Punch, an’ Derpy and Golden Harvest.”           “You’re forgetting us, silly,” Rainbow laughed, pecking Applejack on the cheek.           Apple Bloom smiled at the gesture. “An’ those are just the ones ya know, right?”           “Yep. There’s probably tons more we don’t know about.” Rainbow paused, grinning. “Why, you got your eye on some lucky filly?”           “No!” Apple Bloom answered almost instantaneously, red in the face.           Applejack smiled. “Well ain’t that cute. Mah little sister’s got her first crush.”           “It ain’t a crush, AJ! An’ it’s…” Apple Bloom averted her gaze. “It ain’t jes’ the one.”           Rainbow chuckled. “You know, when we were talking about this, I never really would have thought Apple Bloom would have been the one to really think about it.”           “Ya sure seemed convinced it’d be Scoot with all the questions,” Applejack observed.           Apple Bloom was on Applejack immediately. “Scoot’s got these feelings, too? What about Sweetie Belle?”           Rainbow’s smile grew exponentially. “That… is the cutest thing ever.”           Applejack laughed. “Never woulda thought ya kept track.”           “Don’t judge me!” Rainbow shot back.           “Wouldn’t dream of it, sugarcube,” Applejack said, smiling.           Rainbow relaxed, returning her attention to Apple Bloom. “So, you’ve got crushes on your fellow crusaders?”           “Ah’m not- Ah don’-“ Apple Bloom made herself small. “Is that bad?”           “Not at all, Apple Bloom,” Applejack answered. “But Ah don’ know if it’s safe ta assume either of ‘em feel the same way.”           “But what if they both do? Would Ah have ta choose?” Apple Bloom questioned.           Rainbow frowned. “Well, then it would get complicated. I suppose it is possible for you all to have mutual feelings for each other, but I haven’t heard of many successful three-way relationships.”           “So yer sayin’ Ah can’t be happy with both of ‘em?” Applebloom asked in a quivering voice.           Rainbow threw a hoof around Apple Bloom’s shoulders. “I never said that. I just don’t want you to get your hopes up and risk having them crushed later. You three have one of the strongest bonds I’ve ever seen at your age. I’m sure that if anypony could make it work, you could.”           “Ya really think so?”           Rainbow nodded. “But we don’t know how Scoot and Sweetie feel just yet. Try bringing it up next time you’re all together.”           “Well, Scoot did call a Crusader meeting tomorrow,” Apple Bloom relayed.           “Did she say what about?” Applejack asked.           Apple Bloom shook her head. “She just said it was important.”           Rainbow and Applejack shared a glance. “Sounds like as good a chance as you’ll get,” Rainbow said.           Applejack nodded. “Don’ get yer hopes up too high, but don’ be afraid ta ask.”           “Try to keep a level head, basically,” Rainbow clarified. “You might just get lucky.”           “Ah’ll try,” Apple Bloom said, jumping up to give each of them a hug in turn. “Thanks, y’all.”           “Any time, AB.” Rainbow grinned.           “We’re always here ta talk,” Applejack added.           “Now go get planning!” Rainbow exclaimed. “You’ve got two fillies to woo and one chance to do it. You think you’ve got what it takes?”           “Yes, ma’am!” Apple Bloom answered confidently, rushing up the stairs to her room.           Applejack sighed when she heard Apple Bloom’s door close. “Ya think she’ll be alright?”           Rainbow smiled. “She’s growing up, AJ Even if she doesn't have her cutie mark yet.”           Applejack nodded, rising from the couch. Rainbow followed her out the front door and out onto the path toward Ponyville. They passed Granny Smith coming back from grocery shopping, but still found no sign of Big Macintosh.           “I’m sure he’s just out in the fields somewhere,” Rainbow suggested.           “Ah hope so,” Applejack sighed. “Ah’m not sure Ah can take many more talks today.”           “Well this one was your idea, so come on,” Rainbow laughed, quickening her pace toward Ponyville.           Applejack chuckled, matching Rainbow’s pace. They cantered through Ponyville, drawing the attention of many a passerby. All that mattered to the two friends, though, was the mare they ran with. It was becoming easier and easier to ignore the ponies around them and not care for their judgment. For the only opinions they needed were their own, and maybe those of a few close friends. One of which they were on their way to see for the third time in two days.           “Twilight!” Rainbow burst through the library’s front door, followed closely by Applejack.           Twilight turned to regard the intruders. “If you two want to move in here-“           “No, we’re good.” Rainbow interrupted. “Anyway, Applejack wanted us to come over here so we could thank you for helping us out yesterday.”           “Well, you’re certainly welcome.”           “Y’all jes’ did so much fer mah confidence, Twi. And Ah haven’t even started on that book yet!”           Twilight shifted. “I’m flattered, really, but is all this really necessary?”           “O’ course it is! With Pinkie muddyin’ the issue we never got ta thank ya before,” Applejack pressed.           Twilight averted her gaze. “It was nothing, really. Anything to help a friend in need,”           “I think you’re making her uncomfortable, AJ,” Rainbow observed.           “Oh, Ah’m sorry, Twi. Ah didn’t mean ta-“           “It’s okay, Applejack. It’s all in the past now, so can we please just leave it at that?” Twilight asked in an odd tone of voice.           Applejack frowned. “Uh, Ah guess so-“           “Great! Now, if you wouldn’t mind, I have a lot of stuff to do before my trip to Canterlot tomorrow.”           “Oh, uh, sure. No problem, Twi. We’ll get outta yer way.” Applejack paused before leading Rainbow out of the library.           Rainbow blinked. “Okay then. Now what?”           Applejack thought. “Well, Ah’ve still gotta thank Fluttershy fer makin’ me stop actin’ like a damn fool this mornin’. An’ Ah’m not sure Rarity knows about us yet.”           “So more walking and talking,” Rainbow observed.           “Somethin’ wrong, sugarcube?” Applejack asked.           Rainbow sighed. “No, I’m just wondering when we’re gonna run out of boring stuff and get back to the excitement.”           “Well we ain’t exactly got a shortage of stuff ta do, at least,” Applejack said. “And Ah’d say the whole thing with Apple Bloom was plenty excitin’.”           Rainbow shrugged. “I guess, but when you spend the whole day doing one thing…”           Applejack frowned. “Well, what else do ya wanna do? We still got plenty of time ‘fore dinner.”           “I don’t know. I guess it’s just that we’ve spent more time going around town today than we’ve spent just you and me. And, well, this is our first day as a real… couple.”           Applejack smiled. “So ya wanna do somethin’ special?”           “It doesn’t have to be anything special, just… you know, spend some more time alone.”           “Well we can do that before an’ after dinner. It won’t take too long ta go talk ta Fluttershy at least. She ain’t exactly the most talkative pony,” Applejack chuckled.           “Yeah, I guess I kinda do owe it to her after all we’ve been through.” Rainbow sighed. “Alright, let’s get going. The faster we get this done the more time we get to spend alone, right?”           “That’s the idea.”           “Then come on!” Rainbow surprised Applejack by grabbing her by the waist and taking to the air.           “Rainbow, what the hay, put me down!”           “It’s faster this way,” Rainbow explained.           Applejack looked down at the ground falling away from them. “An’ a whole lot more dangerous! What if ya drop me?”           Rainbow laughed. “Why would I do something stupid like that? I’ve got you, don’t worry.”           Applejack gulped, staring straight ahead stoically. Within a couple of minutes, Applejack felt the ground beneath her hooves again.           “See? That wasn’t that bad, was it?”           Applejack tested the ground with a few scuffs. “Ah guess not. Warn me next time ya do somethin’ like that.”           “Sure thing,” Rainbow said absently, going to knock on Fluttershy’s door.           “And next time, Ah ride on top,” Applejack continued.           Rainbow froze, hoof inches from the door. A blush spread across her cheeks, showing plainly through her fur.           Applejack leaned in to whisper in Rainbow’s ear, “That’s payback fer yesterday.”           Rainbow shoved Applejack, smirking. “Dammit, Applejack.”           Applejack stuck her tongue out, raising a hoof to knock at the door when it suddenly opened.           “Hi, girls. I heard you from inside, so I came to see what was wrong,” Fluttershy explained.           “Nothing’s wrong, Fluttershy.” Rainbow rolled her eyes. “Applejack here is just insisting on going around thanking everypony in Ponyville for helping her bag the coolest mare in Equestria.”           “Ah’m awful grateful fer the talk, Fluttershy,” Applejack said. “Ya got mah head back on straight.”           Fluttershy smiled. “Well, I’m happy everything worked out for you two. But, uh, I’m a little busy taking care of your sick animal.”           “Oh, right, no problem. Ah just wanted ta say thanks.” Applejack smiled.           “You’re very welcome. Bye, girls,” Fluttershy waved before closing the door and returning to her task.           Applejack spun in place, facing the road again. |
| | | Cloudchaser Pony
Posts : 130 Join date : 2012-02-11 Location : The Magical Land of New Jersey
| Subject: Re: Oh God Cloud Wrote a Fanfic Thu Jun 20, 2013 3:35 am | |
|          “Soup’s on, everypony! Come an’ get it!”           Applejack and Rainbow Dash were first to the table, followed shortly by Apple Bloom. Big Macintosh was still nowhere to be found, which was certainly cause for concern.           “Where do you think he went?” Rainbow asked.           “Ah’m not sure. It ain’t like him ta miss dinner.” Applejack thought.           Rainbow frowned. “Well, he’s missing and so is Rarity, and it’s dinner time. You don’t think they’re going out, do you?”           “He never told any o’ us he’d been seein’ anypony. Definitely not one of our friends.”           Rainbow shrugged. “Maybe he’s worried you’d be upset. Or maybe it’s the first date and nothing’s really happened yet.”           “Or maybe we shouldn’t jump ta conclusions,” Granny Smith cut in.           “Yeah, Big Mac would never do nothin’ behind our backs!” Apple Bloom piped up.           “Just throwing it out there,” Rainbow apologized.           “Ah’m a little worried Rainbow might be onta somethin’, mahself,” Applejack said.           Rainbow made an idle gesture with a hoof. “I’m sure everything’s fine, AJ. Let’s just eat so we can get to that alone time you promised me.”           Applejack frowned, but complied nonetheless.           The air at the table was decidedly uncomfortable. Not much talk was had over dinner as they all felt the conspicuous absence of the oldest Apple sibling. He did not make an appearance over dinner, nor for a good while afterwards.           Applejack and Rainbow went into the den to cuddle on the couch, though Applejack seemed distant.           “You alright, Applejack?” Rainbow asked, nuzzling her cheek.           Applejack sighed. “Ah’m just worried somethin’s goin’ on with Mac. He seemed fine this mornin’.”           Rainbow wrapped her hooves around Applejack’s neck. “Rarity probably just asked him out, and now they’re off having fun.”           “We don’t even know if Rarity fits inta any o’ this,” Applejack pointed out.           “But it does make sense. I said it before dinner. They’re a mare and a stallion, they’re both missing at the same time, which happens to be the time most ponies eat dinner…”           “But Mac done told me he…” Applejack stopped herself.           Rainbow cocked a brow. “Told you what?”           Applejack sighed. “Can we talk about this upstairs?”           “Sure.” Rainbow released Applejack and stood up, following as Applejack made her way to her room.           Applejack sat on her bed, thinking. Rainbow sat next to her, comforting.           “So what’s going on with Mac now?” Rainbow asked.           Applejack averted her gaze briefly before making eye contact. “Couple days ago he told me he was, well… inta colts.”           Rainbow grinned. “No way. Top or bottom?”           Applejack couldn’t hold back a laugh. “Ah asked the same thing.”           “And?” Rainbow prodded.           “Ah didn’t get a straight answer, but he was all embarrassed about it, so Ah think Ah can guess.”           Rainbow giggled, picturing the big stallion in a submissive role. She soon burst out laughing, unable to stop herself. It was just too weird. “So… so you’re thinking… he can’t be involved with Rarity because she’s a… a mare?”           “Well, he said he ain’t strictly inta just colts, but Ah’m not sure how much interest he has in mares,” Applejack pondered. “He seemed pretty self-conscious about it all, though.”           “I wouldn’t blame him. Coltcuddling tends to get a lot of hate.” Rainbow paused. “So you’re saying it sounded like he was leaning more towards colts?”           Applejack nodded. “Ah don’ know the whole o’ it, but he sounded pretty serious.”           Rainbow threw a hoof around Applejack’s midsection. “So what, then? You worried he wouldn’t be happy with Rarity?”           “Ah don’ know. Just, ta think Mac might be goin’ out with one o’ our friends without even tellin’ us about it…”           “Hey, I’m sure it’s nothing like that.” Rainbow gave Applejack a squeeze. “He’s just as much of a romantic train wreck as us, right?”           Applejack chuckled. “Ah guess ya could say that.”           “Then what do you have to worry about? If he came clean to you that he likes colts, I’m pretty sure we can rule out the possibility he’s living a second life behind your back.”           Applejack smiled. “No, yer right. Ah’m jes’ worryin’ about nothin’ again.”           Rainbow kissed Applejack on the cheek. “Come on. Let’s just relax. It’s been a hell of a day, and we’ve finally got some time to ourselves.”           “Okay,” Applejack said, giving Rainbow a kiss on the nose.            Rainbow responded with a kiss on Applejack’s lips. Applejack blushed, returning the gesture with a small lick at the end. Rainbow narrowed her eyes, grinning deviously. Applejack smiled nervously.           “Ah’ve never really kissed anypony proper-like before,” Applejack mumbled.           Rainbow giggled. “Neither have I. But what better way to learn, right?”           Applejack nodded, blush deepening as she brought her lips to Rainbow’s. Rainbow licked the outside of Applejack’s lips, requesting entry. After a brief hesitation, she parted her lips, and Rainbow’s tongue invaded her mouth.           Applejack gasped as Rainbow bumped her tongue clumsily against hers. She made to reciprocate the gesture, meeting Rainbow’s advance in the neutral space between their locked lips. Applejack attempted to grasp Rainbow’s tongue in hers, succeeding only in drawing her tongue along the roof of Rainbow’s mouth in one particularly botched attempt. Rainbow moaned appreciatively at the unexpected touch, reciprocating it in turn.           Before either could do much more, the need for air made them separate, panting.           “That was… pretty awesome,” Rainbow gasped.           Applejack chuckled. “Ah’m sure we just… need a little more practice.”           “I… kinda wanna do that again,” Rainbow squeaked.           Applejack smiled. “What better way ta learn, right?”           “Awesome.”           Applejack and Rainbow Dash spent much of the evening practicing their kissing techniques. Their tongues were still quite unskilled, though that would come with time. Mostly by accident, they found numerous pleasurable motions, repeating them until they were committed to memory. They tried multiple times to entwine their tongues, though never quite got it down. Either they would both turn their tongues in the same direction – or sometimes opposite – or their tongues would slip and collide with the sides of their mouths.           But despite all their failures, both mares thoroughly enjoyed the experience, and knew it would only get better.           “If this is just kissing, I can’t imagine how good sex is,” Rainbow commented.           “We’ll be sure ta try that out some time,” Applejack said. “But not before we’re ready.”           Rainbow nodded. “Doesn’t stop me from looking forward to it.”           “Good, ‘cause Ah am, too.” Applejack disentangled herself from Rainbow’s limbs and sat up.           “Where are you going?” Rainbow whined.           Applejack smiled. “Ta take a shower, ya silly filly. Ah ain’t goin’ ta bed like this.” Applejack looked back over her shoulder as she opened the door. “Yer free ta join me, if ya like.”           Rainbow needed no further invitation, jumping out of bed and racing Applejack to the washroom.           “Thought ya might like that idea,” Applejack chuckled.           “I’m never turning down an opportunity for a shower scene.” Rainbow grinned.           Applejack smirked, releasing her hair and tail ties as Rainbow started the hot water.            “Have I ever told you how sexy you look with your mane down?” Rainbow asked.           Applejack blushed. “Ya like it?”           Rainbow nodded. “You should wear it like that more often.”           Applejack smiled, looking at the tiled floor. “Well, it kinda gets in the way durin’ farm work. But Ah guess if it’s just around the house…”           “Awesome,” Rainbow said, stepping into the now-hot shower.           Applejack joined her shortly, blushing harder as she remembered the last time she had shared a shower with Rainbow.           Rainbow grinned “Don’t worry, baby. I’ll take it nice and slow.”           “What a gentlemare,” Applejack joked, pressing her lips to Rainbow’s.           After a short exchange, the kiss was broken by a mutual need to wash. Rainbow made sure to utilize her wings in the process far more than was necessary, running her wet feathers along Applejack’s back. Applejack shivered at the touch, bringing her tail around to begin her own sensual wash of her marefriend’s back.           Rainbow giggled at the touch, brushing a strand of Applejack’s mane out of her face with a hoof. Feeling adventurous, Rainbow lightly nipped at one of Applejack’s ears. Taken by surprise, Applejack jumped at the touch, losing her footing and tripping Rainbow Dash, causing both to end up in a pile of limbs on the floor of the shower.           “What the hay was that?” Applejack laughed.           Rainbow chortled. “Sorry. I wasn’t expecting you to jump like that.”           “Let’s just get washed up so we can do this somewhere a little less… slippery,” Applejack suggested.           Rainbow smirked. “I don’t know, AJ. Those sheets can get pretty tricky.”           “Just shut up and take the shampoo,” Applejack giggled.           The rest of their shower was mostly devoid of further antics, though there were a few kisses shared when neither could resist. Something about having water cascading around you made it feel so different.           Rainbow escaped the shower first, followed closely by Applejack. Rainbow threw a towel at her pursuant to slow her progress before taking one for herself. Rainbow took first use of the mane brush as Applejack watched, still taken by the novelty of the concept. She was snapped out of her daze as the brush flew through the air and connected with her nose.           “Ow! Rainbow!”           “That’s what you get for staring,” Rainbow stated before receiving a smack across the face.           “That’s what you get fer future starin’,” Applejack chided, grinning as she felt Rainbow’s eyes on her.           “I’m not staring!” Rainbow protested. “I’m… observing!”           “So am Ah, sugarcube,” Applejack chuckled. “So am Ah.”           Rainbow continued to observe Applejack’s mane brushing until its completion, saying nothing more on the subject.           Applejack, unable to stay mad at the pegasus, kissed Rainbow on the nose before throwing their towels in the hamper. Rainbow snuck into Applejack’s room while she wasn’t looking, posing seductively on her bed. When Applejack opened the door, the blush that spread across her cheeks was almost too rich for Rainbow.           “Hey, sexy. Wanna have a good time?” Rainbow managed to say before breaking out into giggles.         Applejack swatted at Rainbow playfully before pulling back the covers. Applejack slipped into bed, making sure to leave room for Rainbow. “Not gonna make a mare sleep alone, are ya?”            “When she’s offering super sexy sleepy time cuddles? No way!” Rainbow joined Applejack under the covers, wrapping herself around her marefriend.            Applejack giggled, returning Rainbow’s embrace happily, giving her a kiss on the nose. “Good night, sugarcube.”         "Night, AJ."
See? Shenanigans. Off to day five, bishes! Also, formatting in this new box thing is a bitch. I had to split this into two parts because it was "too long." Like, wtf man. Also couldn't get all the spaces between paragraphs the same length because I don't even know. I backspaced and the cursor went like halfway through the next line above and it's unfixable. So there's way too many spaces for the first bit, then not enough for the rest. FUK U!
|
| | | Cloudchaser Pony
Posts : 130 Join date : 2012-02-11 Location : The Magical Land of New Jersey
| Subject: Re: Oh God Cloud Wrote a Fanfic Tue Jun 25, 2013 12:47 pm | |
| Day Five is off and running! Have to break up what I have into parts. Again. This is what happens when I have 10k words written before lunch even happens.
NINE AND STILL FINE (can't make the Rainbow faces anymore wtf)
         Â
Rainbow woke the next morning to some pleasant feeling on the tip of her nose. Curious, she opened her eyes and saw Applejack snuggled against her, resting peacefully. Oh yeah, this is a way better thing to wake up to. Smiling, Rainbow reached down to place a kiss on Applejackâs nose.
Applejackâs ear flicked. âMm, Rainbow,â she mumbled, still asleep.
          Rainbow frowned. That was supposed to work. She tried again, this time earning a small giggle from the sleeping mare.
          âThat tickles,â Applejack muttered.
          Growing impatient, Rainbow got an idea. Brandishing her wings, she began to tickle Applejackâs sides.
          Applejack immediately started up in a giggle fit, âOkay, okay, stop, Ahâm up!â
          âAha! I knew it! You were just using me for free kisses!â
          Applejack smirked. âCan ya really blame me?â
          Rainbow tapped her chin a few times. âNah, Iâd have done the same thing.â
          âWell, Ah guess Ah do owe ya one, now,â Applejack giggled, kissing Rainbow on the nose.
          âJust one? I gave you two!â Rainbow protested.
          Applejack grinned. âHow do ya think I woke ya up?â
          âSo thatâs what that was? You sneaky bastard.â
          âOnly the best fer you, Dash,â Applejack quipped, leading Rainbow downstairs.
          âMacintosh! Where in Tartarus have you been?â
          Rainbow and Applejack jumped at the sudden outburst. Applejackâs face showed great worry, which Rainbow observed fearfully. âI donât think Iâve ever heard Granny Smith that mad before.â
          âIt donâ happen often,â Applejack said. âAh shouldâa seen this one cominâ. Granny donâ usually like us missinâ dinner for nothinâ, but Mac ainât even told anyone he was goinâ out.â
          Rainbow gulped. âYou donât think sheâs gonna give him some cruel and unusual punishment, do you?â
          Applejack shuddered. âAh never know what Grannyâs gonna think up next.â
          Trepidation in every step, the two mares slowly made their way to the kitchen, where Big Macintosh was pleading his case.
          âAh can explain, Granny, Ah swear! It werenât nothinâ Ah had any control over!â
          âUnless yer ta tell me ya done got yerself kidnapped by Timberwolves, Ah ainât gonna listen!â Granny steamed.
          âGranny, please!â Applejack moved in. âAh know it ainât like any oâ us ta miss dinner, but ya gotta understand that things happen sometimes.â
          âMah hard work donâ take no breaks, child.â Granny replied tersely before turning back on her quarry. âAn ifân yer gonna take it fer granted like that, Ahâve half a mind ta take it from ya!â
          Big Mac took a deep breath. âYa say it yerself every day, Granny. The farmâs got lots oâ needs. And one oâ themâs findinâ a mate soâs we can carry on our legacy. Anâ ifân we canât count on Applejack and Rainbow ta give us any, that just leaves me and Apple Bloom, and sheâs just a filly!â
          âActually, you donât have to worry so much about that,â Rainbow cut in. âTwilightâs got a way for me and Applejack to have foals.â Rainbow blushed. âW-when the time comes, I mean.â
          Granny Smith broke out of her rage to ponder the new development. âAnâ how exactly does that work?â
          Applejack rubbed the back of her head nervously. âWell, we ainât really clear on the finer points, but she gave us a book about it. Itâs some kinda spell Princess Luna made âfore she turned inta Nightmare Moon.â
          Granny Smith frowned. âAh ainât havinâ no dark magic in this house while Ahâm still alive.â
          âIt ainât dark magic, Granny.â Applejack insisted. âThis was before all that. It was a happy time âfore ponies started brandinâ it evil!â
          Granny Smith thought for a few more moments before her face softened. âWell, be that all it may, child, Mac here still broke a sacred Apple Family tradition all willy-nilly.â
          âAnd it sounds like he had a good reason!â Rainbow prodded. âJust hear him out before you do anything drastic.â
          Face hardening slightly, Granny Smith nonetheless nodded. âYa hear that, Mac? Applejack anâ Rainbow done won ya a chance ta speak. Donâ you go wastinâ it.â
          âAh wonât, Granny. Ahâll tell yâall everythinâ that happened.â Big Mac sighed. âAh was headinâ inta Ponyville âround noontime ta get some lunch. Ah was on mah way back some time later fer dinner and Ah done bumped into miss Rarity-â
          âCalled it!â Rainbow interrupted.
          âNow ainât the time, Rainbow,â Applejack chided.
          âSorry,â Rainbow smiled apologetically. âGo on, Mac.â
          Big Mac shook his head before continuing his tale. âAh bumped inta her anâ we got ta talkinââŚ
          âOh! Iâm terribly sorry I- Big Macintosh!â Rarity gained a blush. âI-Iâm sorry, I⌠I just heard troubling news of your sister, and-â
          Big Mac chuckled. âAh reckon they got it all worked out now. Donâ you fret none.â
          âSo soon? I must say this is⌠unexpected. But good news indeed.â Rarity paused, scuffing her hoof on the ground in a show of uncharacteristic carelessness for her recent hooficure, something not lost on the silently observant apple farmer. âI⌠donât suppose that means theyâre⌠together now?â
          Big Mac nodded. âAh heard the whole thing. Might take âem a while ta get it off the ground, but Iâm sure theyâll get it eventually.â
          Rarity laughed weakly. âYes, I donât suppose theyâre the most romantically inclined ponies in this town.â
          âCominâ from the love master herself,â Big Mac commented.
          Rarity blushed harder. âI-I donât know if I would say thatâŚâ
          âAw, shucks, Ah didnât mean ta make ya all-â
          âOh, no, itâs quite alright,â Rarity assured. âEspecially from a charming stallion like yourself.â
          It was Big Macâs turn to blush, though the redness was hardly noticeable. âAh, uhâŚâ
          âI⌠said that out loud, didnât I?â Rarity asked.
          Big Mac merely nodded.
          Rarity laughed nervously. âIâm terribly sorry, I just-â
          âItâs alright, miss Rarity.â Big Mac smiled. âAh donât mind none.â
          âPlease, just Rarity is fine.â Rarity smiled, too. âI⌠donât suppose youâd want to get something to eat?â
          âAh think Ahâd like that.â
          âNow wait a durn seconâ there,â Granny Smith interrupted. âYa got asked ta dinner anâ didnâ even think ta tell us about it?â
          Big Mac frowned. âAh wasnât thinkinâ straight, Granny. Ah never been asked ta dinner before. And certainly not by such a pretty mare.â
          Granny Smithâs frown matched Big Macintoshâs. âContinue.â
          Rarity decided upon dinner at HortĂŠâs Cuisine, one of Ponyvilleâs fancier restaurants. One you definitely couldnât get into without a reservation.
          âAre ya sure âbout this, Rarity?â Big Mac asked uncertainly.
          âPositive,â Rarity responded. âThe owner is a client of mine. Iâve actually designed so much of the place he offered me free reign of the place in exchange for a hefty discount.â Rarity blushed. âBeing the hopeless romantic I am, it was hard to refuse.â
          Big Macintosh chuckled. âWell it sure is appreciated.â
          Rarity stopped before Carousel Boutique sheepishly. âI hope you wonât mind if I take a minute to prepare, do you? This was⌠hardly expected on my part.â
          Big Macintosh smiled. âTake as much time as ya like.â
          Rarity opened her door with a look of gratitude. âIâll just be a minute. Feel free to come inside.â
          Big Macintosh accepted the offer graciously, sitting down to wait on Rarityâs couch. It was certainly plush; almost what he imagined a cloud would feel like. Well, if you wrapped a cloud in high-quality silk, at least. He almost felt as if he was tainting it by sitting upon it. Unable to shake the feeling, Big Macintosh re-seated himself on the rug the couch rested upon, which was by no means uncomfortable.
          Within a few minutes, Rarity re-appeared from upstairs looking absolutely stunning, if Big Macintoshâs slack jaw was any judge. Rarity giggled, blushing at the red stallionâs unchecked admiration.
          Shaking himself, Big Mac worked his composure back up to an acceptable level. âSorry, Ah just-â
          âItâs quite alright, Mac,â Rarity interrupted. âItâs flattering, really, to see one so composed as you like that.â
          Big Mac blushed. âAh⌠we should probably uhâŚâ
          âI havenât forgotten.â Rarity smiled. âCome along now. We donât want to be out too late.â
          Big Mac nodded sheepishly, following along. He spoke up, however, when he noticed something out of the ordinary. âUh, ainât ya gonna lock yer door, Rarity?â
          Rarity frowned. âI would, but then Iâd be locked out of my own house until morning. Sweetie Belle and her little friends got the idea of getting some sort of locksmith cutie mark. Needless to say, my keys are now at a proper locksmith for repairs.â
          âBut what if somepony tries ta break in?â
          âIâm sure I can rely on my reputation to dissuade any further attempts of that,â Rarity said, thinking of the last time she had beaten a would-be thief with a coat rack.
          Big Mac was unconvinced. âYa sure thatâs gonna be enough?â
          Rarity rolled her eyes. âIf it bothers you that much, we can get Twilight to cast a ward over the boutique. But I am not spending the night out of the comfort of my own bed.â
          âSorry, Rarity. Ahâm just tryinâa look out fer ya.â
          âAnd I appreciate the thought.â Rarity smiled.
          âOkay, Applejack, why are ya makinâ that face?â Big Mac questioned.
          âNo reason!â Applejack said quickly.
          Big Mac frowned.
          âPlease, continue!â Rainbow pleaded with an unconvincing smile.
          Rife with suspicion, Big Mac nonetheless continued his tale.
          Twilight was disturbed for the eleventeeth time that day by a knock on her door. An irritated Twilight threw open the door unceremoniously. âWhat is it now?â
          Rarity regarded the raging librarian fearfully. âUh, perhaps this is a bad timeâŚâ
          âAh think we should go,â Big Mac agreed, fleeing the premises with Rarity beside him.
          âIf you have any further doubts about my reputation-â
          âNope!â
          Needing no further chatter, Big Macintosh and Rarity continued on their rapid journey to nowhere in particular. As Rarity began to calm down, she noticed they were in the right district of Ponyville by some odd coincidence. Actually, the restaurant was right around the corner from their current position.
Big Macintosh suddenly felt his movement cease, though his limbs still flailed. âWhat in the-â
          âWeâre here, Mac,â Rarity answered, gesturing to the restaurant their manic flight had miraculously taken them to.
          âOh.â Big Mac sheepishly stopped running as his hooves once again contacted the ground. He marveled briefly at the show of magical prowess by the seamstress before an advancing Rarity forced him to follow.
          âAh, good evening, Madame Rarity. I trust you are here to make use of our arrangement?â
          Rarity turned to the source of the voice, surprised to see HortĂŠ himself by the welcome booth. âOh, yes. Iâm uhâŚâ
          HortĂŠ grinned. âNo need to explain yourself. I can recognize a pair of lovers when I see them.â
          Big Macintosh and Rarity developed heavy blushes.
HortĂŠ laughed at the display. âCome, I have a very special booth set aside for you.â
Big Mac and Rarity followed HortĂŠ to a particularly extravagant booth; one Rarity had very clear memories of designing. Looking around at the excessive use of romantic imagery, she admitted she may have gone a little overboard, despite her intentions for it to be utilized in this very manner. She laughed nervously as Big Macintosh shot her a confused glance.
âI shall be right back with your menus. But first, what may I interest you in from our fine collection of wine?â
âI-Iâm not sure this is all really appropriate to-â
âBut of course it is! You designed it yourself, no?â HortĂŠ winked.
âIâŚâ Rarityâs head slumped to the table. âJust give us a bottle of champagne.â
HortĂŠ departed with a bow, leaving the flustered pair to themselves.
âWell, this is, uhâŚâ Big Mac looked for the right word, ânice.â
âMy apologies. I didnât know HortĂŠ had such⌠extravagant things in mind for our arrangement.â
Big Mac blushed. âWell, might as well enjoy it.â
Rarity smiled, nodding.
HortĂŠ returned shortly with the requested bottle of champagne and two wine glasses. He filled each appropriately before producing a pair of menus. âI shall be back to take your orders shortly.â
âSo, um⌠how are things at the farm?â Rarity asked.
âGood.â
âAny other interesting developments?â
Big Mac frowned. âWell, Rainbowâs started roominâ on the farm. She got roped inta a month oâ free labor over somethinâ er other.â
Rarity blinked. âTwilight told me sheâd been helping out, but a whole month? And sheâs staying on the farm?â
Big Mac shrugged. âApplejack must mean a lot ta her, Ah suppose.â
Rarity shook her head in bemusement, still trying to wrap her head around the fact that two of her closest friends were now romantically involved. It seemed like it came out of nowhere, but she supposed she wasnât privy to all the goings-on between the two. She might just have to prod them for gossip at some point.
âHow about you, Rarity? Anythinâ excitinâ ta talk about?â
âNot particularly, no.â Rarity frowned, contemplating her choice of food. âThings have been rather quiet save for a few bulk orders, though those arenât much to speak of.â
          âAh canât even understand what most oâ these are,â Big Mac commented, flipping to another page.
          Rarity laughed. âHere, let me help you with that.â Rarity moved to sit next to Big Macintosh, who was unsure of the advance, but allowed it all the same, knowing it was necessary.
          Together, they picked out a four course meal made almost entirely of apple-based food items. They were made using apples from Sweet Apple Acres, though Big Macintosh was sure the confections couldnât compare to Granny Smithâs culinary masterpieces.
          HortÊ returned thankfully after Rarity had retaken her previous seat. He smiled at their choice of food, though refrained from comment. Instead, he silently took down their orders before dutifully departing to the kitchen.
          âIt ainât a proper Apple Family dinner, but maybe ya could get some idea what-â
          Rarity frowned, prodding Big Macintoshâs frozen form. âAre you alright?â
          âYeah, fine,â Big Macintosh replied in a high-pitched, breathless voice. âJust wanna make sure Ah have fun âfore Ah die tonight.â
          âIâm afraid I donât understand what youâre talking about.â
          Big Mac shivered. âGranny Smithâs gonna kill me.â
          Rarityâs frown deepened. âWhy would she-â
          âYa never miss an Apple Family dinner without tellinâ anypony!â Big Mac blurted.
          âIâm sure itâs not as bad as all that,â Rarity soothed.
          Big Mac regarded Rarity with glazed eyes. âYaâve never met Granny Smith before, have ya?â
          âOf course Iâve met her. I come by the farm every-â
          âYa havenât talked to her!â
          âSheâs the reason I-â
          âYa havenât lived with her!â Big Mac insisted.
          âI suppose not, but I donât see what-â
          Big Macintosh curled himself into a ball under the table, hiding from the world.
          This is beyond bizarre. This is unseemly! Iâve got to do something to get him back together. Think, Rarity⌠Before long, an idea came to mind. One that had never been far from thought around Big Macintosh. One that made her face burn to think about, much less consider. But this was her chance, wasnât it?
          Pushing away her fears, Rarity joined Big Macintosh under the table. Big Mac looked at her with big eyes that begged for comforting. And that was exactly what Rarity had in mind. Pulling Big Macâs head from his unreachable position, Rarity touched her quivering lips to his, hoping with all her heart this kiss would not end badly.
          Big Macintosh gasped at the touch. Rarity? He felt himself lean into the kiss, his forelegs disentangling from his body to rest on Rarityâs shoulders. Tears coming to her eyes, Rarity threw her forelegs around Big Macâs neck and kissed him with the strength of all her broken dreams, and most importantly, the one that came true.
          âUh, I suppose this is a bad time to tell you that your appetizer has arrived.â
          HortĂŠâs voice froze the two entwined ponies under the table. They moved to quickly distance themselves and return to their previous seating arrangement with all-too-forced smiles.
          HortĂŠ shook his head. âAh, to be young and in love again.â With that, he departed, leaving behind their first course.
          âIâm sorry for-â
          Big Mac and Rarity cut themselves off as they realized they had spoken at the same time.
          âUh, AhâŚâ
          Rarity blushed. âI donât suppose you enjoyed that?â
          Big Mac, with his own unperceivable blush, nodded sheepishly.
          And I donât suppose heâs thinking of his impending doom anymore. Rarity, you are the most idiotic genius Equestria has ever known. She took a fritter from the plate before them and began to nibble on it.
          Big Macintosh took one of his own and devoured it in a single bite.
          Giggling, Rarity began to take larger bites, still sure to savor the taste.
          Big Macintosh chuckled, eating another fritter at a saner pace.
          The fritters could not withstand the might of the two hungry ponies for long, and were soon vanquished. Rarity wiped her mouth self-consciously with the pilfered white flag ponies called a napkin.
          âYouâve got a little more up and ta the right,â Big Mac said.
          Rarity searched for it with long, sweeping strokes, missing it narrowly each time. Big Mac took Rarityâs hoof and guided it over the crumbs stuck to her cheek.
          âThere ya go.â
          âYou know, that was your cue to be romantic and lick it off my cheek.â
          âOh, Ahâm sorry, AhâŚâ
          Rarity giggled. âItâs quite alright. Iâm only joking. Though I canât say Iâm averse to the idea.â
          âWell, then Ah might have ta-â
          âOkay we get it! Ya had a romantic dinner with Rarity. Can we move on already?â Applejack begged, thoroughly uncomfortable with the direction Big Macâs adventures were headed.
          âYeah, ease up on the sap a bit, would you?â Rainbow added.
          Big Mac rolled his eyes, skipping ahead a bit.
          âIâd like to thank you for a lovely time, Mac. I hope youâd like to do it again sometime,â Rarity asked hopefully, walking with her date back to Carousel Boutique.
          âAny time, Rarity.â Big Mac paused. âCan Ah call ya Rare? Rarityâs kinda long, no offense.â
          Rarity giggled. âWhy do you think Iâm not calling you Big Macintosh?â
          Big Macintosh chuckled. âAh think Ahâve got an idea now.â
          Rarity bit her lip. âWould it be too forward to call you my coltfriend now?â
          âAh reckon not, o marefriend oâ mine,â Big Mac said.
          Rarity blushed. âGreat.â
          They arrived at Carousel Boutique shortly, prompting farewells from both parties.
          âIâm afraid I have to retire for the night. Thank you again.â Rarity smiled.
          Big Mac smiled back. âPleasureâs all mine, Rare. Sleep well.â
          Rarity nodded, grasping her doorknob in her magic and⌠âIt⌠it wonât move. Iâm sure I remembered to leave it open!â
          âYa donât think someone came by after all?â Big Mac fretted.
          Rarity shook her head. âI do hope not. But it seems I have nowhere to goâŚâ
          âAhâd offer ta take ya back to the farm if Granny Smith werenât there waitinâ fer me,â Big Mac said. âAh wouldnât want ya ta get caught up in all that.â
          âIâm sure we could find somewhere on the farm she wouldnât find us,â Rarity prodded.
          âIt ainât her Ahâm worried about. Sheâs sure ta have Winona out on patrol.â
          âWell then weâll just have to get her a bone to keep her busy.â
          Big Mac frowned. âThat might work. If yer alright sleepinâ in the barnâŚ?â
          âIâm sure I could find something to make it more comfortable.â Rarity smiled.
          Big Mac smiled back. Plan in place, they went to purchase a bone just before the pet store closed. Rarity was glad she had thought to bring her purse. She had Big Mac carry the bone, not wanting to get any of it on her easily-washable purse.
          âSo Mac got all the fun stuff yesterday,â Rainbow observed dryly.
          Applejack chuckled. âNever woulda thought yaâd call a dinner date fun.â
          Rainbow blushed. âWell, itâs better than walking around all day having ten second conversations with everypony in Ponyville!â
          âYa know, we still ainât had our first proper date, Rainbow,â Applejack continued. âIf some fancy dinner sounds like somethinâ yaâd likeâŚâ
          âCan we not have this conversation in front of everypony?â Rainbow huffed.
          Applejack smiled. âThink about it, sugarcube.â
          Rainbow crossed her forelegs, grunting as a thought occurred to her. âWait, Rarity slept with you in the barn, so that means sheâs still in there now?â Rainbow suddenly looked ready to dash off in pursuit.
          Big Mac shook his head. âShe took off right after Ah woke up. She seemed mighty embarrassed by somethinâ. Ah didnât get ta ask what.â
          Rainbow deflated.
          Applejack looked to where Winona was happily chewing a bone. âBribery, Winona? Really?â
          Winona barked happily in response.
          Applejack shook her head. âAh still love ya.â
          âSo I guess this means weâll be seeing Rarity around here a bit more,â Rainbow said.
          âCould be,â Mac answered.
          Granny Smith sighed. âAh jesâ canât punish ya fer that. So Ahâll make an exception jesâ this once! Donât ya ferget ta let me know next time ya go off with yer new marefriend!â
          Big Mac smiled. âAh wonât. Thanks, Granny.â
          Applejack caught Rainbowâs eye, motioning to the living room. Curious, Rainbow followed, speaking once they were out of earshot. âI guess Mac will still be the only stallion in the family, eh?â
          âFer now, Ah guess,â Applejack chuckled. âFunny ta think weâre all pairinâ up now.â
          Rainbow cocked her head. âI donât know. Can you really call it pairing up when there are three fillies involved?â
          âYou know what Ah mean.â
          Rainbow nodded. âAre we gonna eat soon? Iâm hungry.â
          Applejackâs stomach growled in agreement. âAhâm sure Grannyâs got it covered.â
          âSoupâs on, everypony! Come anâ get it!â
          âSee?â Applejack led the way back into the kitchen, where Granny Smith had somehow managed to hide breakfast somewhere, or otherwise conjured it out of thin air.
          Rainbow shrugged. âIâm not questioning it.â
          Apple Bloom appeared at the top of the stairs, yawning and making her way down. âSorry, yâall. Ah was up all night planninâ fer our next Crusader meetinâ today.â
          âYou missed so much,â Rainbow laughed. âMac?â
          Big Mac sighed, almost wishing for some more direct form of punishment.
          âYou alright, AB?â Rainbow Dash regarded the sleepy filly after breakfast.
          âWhat? Ya, Ahâm alright. Jesâ a little tired,â Apple Bloom yawned.
          âHow much time ya got âfore ya gotta go ta that meetinâ oâ yers?â Applejack asked.
          Apple Bloom glanced at the grandfather clock in the living room. ââBout three hours, why?â
          Applejack smiled. âYa should probably rest up. Donâ wanna show up unprepared.â
          âBut what if Ah oversleep?â Apple Bloom protested.
          âToday ainât gonna be too busy. We got all the apples we need bucked fer now. We could come by anâ get ya up âfore ya gotta go.â
          âJust give us a time and weâll be there,â Rainbow added.
          Apple Bloom smiled. âThanks, yâall. Ah figure if ya could come by âround eight thirty, thatâd be best.â
          âNo problem, kiddo,â Rainbow said, ruffling Apple Bloomâs mane.
          Apple Bloom gave each of them a hug before heading back upstairs to catch up on sleep.
          Applejack shook her head. âYa really sure âbout this, Rainbow? Sheâs still just a filly.â
          âSo are Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle,â Rainbow pointed out. âIf they really want to try their hooves at romance, why stop them?â
          âBut none oâ this woulda happened if weâd been more careful,â Applejack insisted.
          Rainbow frowned. âCareful about what? Neither of us knew that was gonna happen.â
          âBut we coulda-â
          âAJ,â Rainbow interrupted. âYes, we planted the idea in their heads by accident. But Apple Bloom seems really excited about this. What do you want to do, take away her shot at happiness?â
          âNo, Ah guess not.â
          âOf course not! There are like, no consequences! If it doesnât work out, they can still be best friends. If they have questions, weâre here to answer them, and so is Rarity. And if it gets to the point that they start thinking about sex, itâs not like we have to teach them about pregnancy âcuz theyâre all fillies!â
          Applejack flinched. âAh ainât gonna sit here talkinâ âbout mah little sister gettinâ frisky! We havenât even done that!
          âSo you donât want Apple Bloom losing her virginity before you do,â Rainbow observed.
          âThatâs not what Ah meant! Ah canât even believe weâre havinâ this conversation! They ain't even got their cutie marks yet!â
          âIâm not saying itâs gonna happen, Iâm saying itâs possible!â Rainbow took a deep breath. âI know itâs unlikely, but itâs something we have to think about. You said it yourself, this is all our fault. The least we can do is be there for them, right?â
          Applejack sighed, backing down. âAhâm sorry, Rainbow. Ah justâŚâ
          Rainbow moved next to Applejack and draped a wing over her shoulders. âI know itâs weird, but what hasnât been weird these past few days? Worrying about itâs just gonna make it worse. Why not just let it happen?â
          Applejack looked to her hooves. ââCuz Ahâm afraid it ainât gonna work out.â
          Rainbow turned Applejackâs chin up. âHey, listen to me. Everythingâs gonna be alright. Itâs just a fillyhood crush, nothing serious.â Rainbow grinned. âAnd hey, if you wanna âget friskyâ with me so bad, Iâm sure it could be arranged.â
          Applejack chortled. âAhâm a might harder ta lay than that, sugarcube. We ainât even been on a real date yet. Speakinâ oâ which, mah offer still stands.â
          âSo youâre saying that all I have to do to get you to bed is go on one date with you?â Rainbow snickered.
          âCould be,â Applejack teased. âYa wonât know âtil ya find out.â
          âI just might have to take you up on that offer, then.â Rainbow flashed a cocky grin.
          âLookinâ forward to it, partner.â Applejack leaned in to kiss Rainbow Dash, lips inches away-
          âYâall do know yer still in the den, right?â
          Both mares jumped at Big Macintoshâs sudden remark, whirling on him with disgruntled glares.
          âJust sayinâ,â Big Mac laughed, walking off in search of his own (missing) marefriend.
          Applejack seethed for a moment before Rainbow spoke up. âDonât worry; weâve still got him dead to rights.â
          Applejack grinned upon recalling the dirt they had on Mac. âWeâll make sure he donâ ferget it.â
          Rainbow nodded. âSo, about that date. Todayâs gonna be pretty quick, right?â
          âAh suppose Ah could make some time,â Applejack jested.
          âDonât worry, Iâm sure Granny Smith will understand if we actually, you know, tell her about it,â Rainbow laughed.
          Applejack chuckled. âSo itâs dinner yer after, huh?â
          âMaybe,â Rainbow answered aloofly.
          âAh donât suppose yer expectinâ lunch, too, are ya?â
          Rainbow grinned. âIâm sure we could eat something out.â
          Applejack blinked, flicking an ear before bursting into laughter.
          âWhat?â
          âOh, nothinâ ya gotta worry âbout, sugarcube,â Applejack giggled.
          Rainbow rolled her eyes. âWhatever. Anyway, weâve still got like, three hours to kill before we have to wake up AB. Anything we really need to do around the farm?â
          Applejack shook her head. âItâs too bad Twilightâs goinâ up ta Canterlot today. Ya coulda asked her âbout gettinâ that weather assignment worked out.â
          âYeah, I was actually thinking about that. Do you think weâre relying a little too much on Twilight lately? I mean, sheâs a princess and all now, but that just makes her busier to even out all those freaky powers. I mean, it canât be that difficult to get reassigned when youâre one of the bearers of the Elements, right?â
          âAh donâ suppose it would be,â Applejack pondered. âYa said it yerself, though, and Ah ainât the pony ya gotta convince.â
          âYeah, just making sure Iâm not thinking stupid again.â Rainbow paused. âI can count on you to tell me when Iâm doing that now, right?â
          âUnless Ah find it too funny not ta,â Applejack promised.
          âWhy do I get the feeling thatâs gonna come up a lot?â
          Applejack stayed teasingly silent.
          âOkay, seriously. Iâm starting to get a little worried here.â
          Applejack smiled apologetically. âSorry.â
          âMe too,â Rainbow quipped.
          Applejack cocked a brow. âWhy?â
          âI lied,â Rainbow confessed.
          Applejack socked Rainbow in the ear, eliciting a cackle from the dastardly pegasus.
          âCome on, letâs head over to the weather center and see if we canât work something out.â
Last edited by Cloudchaser on Tue Jun 25, 2013 12:55 pm; edited 1 time in total |
| | | Cloudchaser Pony
Posts : 130 Join date : 2012-02-11 Location : The Magical Land of New Jersey
| Subject: Re: Oh God Cloud Wrote a Fanfic Tue Jun 25, 2013 12:54 pm | |
| Big Macintosh walked through Ponyville, making his way to where he assumed his marefriend would be; the locksmith. He opened the door to find the locksmith himself polishing a key with no white mare to be seen.
          âHo there, Big Macintosh. Something I can do for ya today?â
          âMorninâ, Hooflocker,â Big Macintosh greeted. âYa wouldnât happen ta have seen Rarity come by here earlier?â
          âNope, havenât seen her since yesterday. She hasnât gone missing, I hope?â
          Big Mac frowned. âDonâ reckon so. Ah jesâ figured sheâd have come by ta pick up her keys. Guess that means she ainât at her house, neither.â
          Hooflocker laughed. âTook some work, that one did. That little sister of hers really did a number on it.â
          âAh can imagine,â Big Macintosh chuckled. âWell, if ya see her, let me know.â
          Hooflocker nodded. âDonât let this one get away, Mac!â
          Big Macintosh sobered slightly. âDonât plan to.â He exited the shop with a sigh. Where else could she be? The spa was his next best guess, as he headed in that direction.
          âHi, Mac! Whatâcha looking for?â
          Big Mac grinned. âMorninâ, Miss Pinkie. Ainât so much a what as a who.â
          Pinkie frowned. âYouâre not still hung up on Cheerilee, are you?â
          âWhat? No, Ah done moved on,â Big Mac sighed. âAh actually had a date with Rarity last night and Ah-â
          âOoh! Tell me all about it!â Pinkie insisted.
          Mac shook his head bemusedly. âAinât really much ta tell. Rare got us dinner at HortĂŠâs, then she got locked out of her house, so Ah took her over ta spend the night at the farm.â
          Pinkie grinned deviously. âHow was it?â
          âThe date?â
          Pinkie giggled. âNo, silly. You knowâŚâ
          Big Macintosh paused, blushing as he realized what Pinkie was talking about. âWe ainât done nothinâ!â
          âOkie dokie lokie!â Pinkie said, immediately convinced despite Macâs obvious embarrassment. âSo, why are you looking for her now? Did she give you the slip in the middle of the night?â
          âIn the morninâ, actually,â Big Mac corrected. âShe seemed all flustered âbout somethinâ anâ took off âfore Ah could stop her.â
          Pinkie frowned, thinking. âYou donât think sheâs in heat, do you?â
          Big Macâs eyes widened. âAh sure hope not. Weâve only been on the one date!â
          âWell then you should go find her and ask her what happened!â Pinkie suggested.
          âThatâs what Ahâm already doin,â Big Mac said, cocking a brow.
          âWow, youâre fast! I donât think even I could have done that so quick!â
          Big Mac chuckled confusedly.
          âSo, you got any leads yet?â Pinkie asked, suddenly wearing some silly hat Big Macintosh could not place.
          Big Macintosh decided not to question the new headwear. âAlready done checked with the locksmith. He said he ainât seen her since yesterday. Mah sister anâ her friends apparently wrecked her keys. That was why we couldnât get inta Rareâs house. She said theyâd be fixed today. So now Ahâm headinâ over ta the spa ta check there.â
          âOoh, thatâs a good idea! Rarity usually goes there when sheâs having one of her episodes!â
          Big Mac nodded. âNot that Ah mind too much, but are ya gonna follow me âround all day?â
          âOh, I canât, sorry! Iâve got stuff to do at Sugarcube Corner later.â Pinkie smiled, sparing a glance at Ponyvilleâs clock tower. âOh no, itâs later already! Gotta go, bye!â
          With that, Big Mac was alone again, though far more confused than he had been prior. Now, if she ainât here, where ta try next? Big Macintosh pondered this as he stepped into the spa where he was greeted by the spa twins, Aloe and Lotus.
          âGood morning, Mister Macintosh! How can we help you today?â
          âMorninâ, ladies. Ahâm lookinâ fer Rarity, and Ah was wonderinâ if sheâd come by here earlier today.â
          Lotus shook her head. âNo, we have not seen her since her last visit here with Miss Fluttershy.â
          âWhen was that?â Big Mac inquired.
          âThree days ago,â Aloe replied. âWe hope there is nothing wrong.â
          âStill tryinâa figure that out. Well, thanks fer yer time.â Big Macintosh departed after farewells had been said. Sighing at another failed attempt, he wandered off to the market, hoping to encounter her there.
          âHey, Rainbow, Ah just thought oâ somethinâ,â Applejack began, catching Rainbowâs attention. âIf yer the head of the Ponyville weather thing, how come ya gotta ask fer reassignment?â
          Rainbow sighed. âThe weather business is pretty strict on regulations. Any kind of special, off-the-chart thing you do, you have to run it by the administration for approval.â
          Applejack frowned. âAh donât think Ahâve ever heard ya use so many big words in a sentence before.â
          âWell donât get used to it,â Rainbow grunted. âIâve had way more experiences with the higher-ups than Iâd like to admit.â
          âAh can imagine,â Applejack jested. âYa donâ exactly do things by the book.â
          âOf course not! Thatâs way too boring.â
          âAh hear ya.â
          Rainbow sighed before entering the building she had seen far too many times. âRainbow Dash. Whatâd you do this time?â
          âOh shut up, Cloud Kisser! Iâm just here to file a reassignment form.â
          Cloud Kicker smirked. âGet demoted, did you?â
          Rainbow stormed over to butt her head against the snarky secretaryâs. âJust because you kissed up to the administration doesnât make your desk job any more dignified.â
          âNo, but the pay sure does,â Cloud Kicker sassed.
          âJust shut the hell up and get me an appointment with the head suit!â
          âYou really should see somepony about those anger issues, Rainbow Dash,â Cloud Kicker chided.
          âGo to hell, Cloud Kisser.â
          Applejack frowned as Rainbow marched pointedly away from her adversary, following concernedly. âWhatâs that all about?â
          Rainbow scowled. âThat jerkwad used to be on the weather team, but she got offered a job as a secretary for better pay, so now she thinks sheâs better than all of us.â
          âWhat did she used ta do?â Applejack inquired.
          âShe was the head of the division before I took over,â Rainbow acknowledged.
          Applejackâs frown deepened as Rainbow stopped before a door and knocked impatiently. The door swung open slightly afterwards, revealing a condescending pegasus stallion in a business suit. âWhat is it this time, Rainbow Dash?â
          âI want to be reassigned,â Rainbow stated plainly.
          âHead of the division not glorified enough for you?â
          Rainbow scowled. âThatâs not what this is about. Iâm here with a proposal.â
          The stallion eyed Rainbow up and down before stepping back to allow entry. âThis better be worth my time, Rainbow Dash.â
          Rainbow Dash shot the businesspony a glare as the door started to close on Applejack. âSheâs part of this conversation.â
          âA proposal having to do with a country hick; Iâm dying to find out more,â the stallion quipped.
          âI donât have to impress you, Shit Clock,â Rainbow growled.
          âOh, I believe you do, Miss Dash,â âShit Clockâ dared. âI also believe you should watch your language before I kick you out of here.â
          Rainbow grimaced. âLook, hereâs the deal. Iâm gonna be spending some time working at Sweet Apple Acres. You know, that thing that started this town and takes up like half its area by itself. And since I have close ties with the family that runs it,â Rainbow gestured to Applejack, âI figure I could take care of the weather for the orchard and free up some extra ponies to work the town.â
          âShit Clockâ pondered for a time, considering the offer before him.
          âThat ainât really his name, is it?â Applejack whispered.
          Rainbow snorted quietly. âNo. Itâs Shot Clock. He used to work as a time keeper for the EBA. But then he got offered this job and he ate it up.â
          Shot Clock cleared his throat. âI appreciate the kind words, Miss Dash. As for your proposal, I admit it shows some promise. Though you know this would mean you could no longer lead the weather team.â
          âWhy not?â Rainbow challenged.
          âYou canât exactly lead a solo operation now, can you?â Shot Clock smirked. âYou would see a raise in your pay for the⌠promotion, I suppose. Though perhaps thatâs not the right word to be used here.â
          âHow is that not a promotion?â Rainbow argued.
          âHead of Weather Operations for Sweet Apple Acres isnât the most prestigious title, Miss Dash.â
          âIt is when Iâm doing all the shit myself!â
          Shot Clock frowned. âIâm not here to argue semantics, Miss Dash. You would get the benefit of freedom of operation, however. Do you accept my offer or not?â
          Rainbow thought for a moment. âSo that means I wouldnât have to report here every week?â
          âYour reports will still be mandatory, though you can send them by mail. More importantly, you would not have to answer to me every time you breach regulations.â
          Rainbow brightened at that. âHow much would I get paid?â
          Shot Clock did some calculations in his head. âIt would come out to about a 20% increase in pay should you accept.â
          âAnd who would replace me as head of Ponyville weather?â
          âI do believe that title would fall to Cloudchaser,â Shot Clock supposed.
          Rainbow looked to Applejack questioningly. âWhat do you think, AJ? Sounds pretty good to me. Cloudchaserâs a pretty cool mare, too. Sheâd probably thank me for the promotion.â
          âItâs up ta you, Dash. This was your idea,â Applejack pointed out. âBut if ya ask me, Ahâd say Ahâd be glad ta have the most dependable weatherpony Ah know workinâ the Acres.â
          Rainbow smiled, blushing lightly. âShot Clock? Youâve got yourself a deal.â
          âSplendid,â Shot Clock remarked. âI shall be sure to inform your team of your departure, and Cloudchaser of her new role. Now be on your way, I have much paperwork to fill out thanks to you. I look forward to being free of you.â
          Rainbow opened her mouth for a retort, but it died in her throat at a touch on the hoof from Applejack. Applejack shook her head, smiling softly. Rainbow smiled back, allowing herself to be led out of the room and back into the lobby.
          âIâve got bad news for ya, Cloud Kisser. Youâre not gonna see me around here anymore,â Rainbow proclaimed.
          Cloud Kicker smirked. âWhat, did Shot Clock finally decide to kick you off the weather team?â
          Rainbow grinned. âNope. I just got promoted. I donât have to deal with your shit anymore. Iâm heading my own operation now. So kiss my ass while you still have the chance, because I am free.â
          Cloud Kicker frowned, unable to think of a proper response before Rainbow had strutted out of the building.
          âYes!â Rainbow cheered, taking off into the sky for a victory lap around the weather center she never needed to see again. She gave the building a kick for good measure.
          âAhâm glad everythinâ worked out so nicely for ya, Rainbow,â Applejack congratulated.
          Rainbow shot over to Applejack, pulling her into an abrupt, passionate kiss. âYouâre getting a pretty sweet deal out of this, too!â
          Applejack smiled. âAh reckon Ah am, arenât Ah?â
          âWe have to go tell your family!â Rainbow insisted.
          Applejack frowned. âWho would we tell? Apple Bloomâs asleep, and last Ah saw, Big Mac took off ta look fer Rarity.â
          âUh, Granny Smith?â Rainbow thought. âMaybe we should wait to get them all together.â
          Applejack nodded, glancing up at Ponyvilleâs clock tower. âWe still got about an hour âfore we gotta head back. Anythinâ else ya wanna do?â
          âI kinda wanna go tell Fluttershy. Sheâs had her own share of experiences with Cloud Kicker, so Iâm sure sheâd be happy to know.â
          Applejack rolled her eyes. âFluttershyâs happy âbout everythinâ, sugarcube. But Ah guess we could go talk ta her if ya want.â
          Rainbow nodded before blushing. âYou know, Fluttershyâs cottage is on the other side of Ponyville. Itâd be a lot faster to fly there.â
          âYou offerinâ a pony ride?â Applejack laughed.
          Rainbow nodded again, spreading her wings, which felt more effortless than it should have. Applejack hopped up onto Rainbowâs back, locking her forehooves around her neck.
          âYa sure ya can handle this?â Applejack asked.
          Rainbow grinned. âHey, who do you think youâre talking to?â With that, Rainbow shot up into the sky and began her flight to Fluttershyâs cottage with minimal signs of exertion. True to her word, Rainbow safely flew Applejack across Ponyville in a fraction of the time it would have taken on hoof.
          Applejack dismounted Rainbow with a chuckle. âAh gotta hoof it to ya, Rainbow. Ya sure do work.â
          âYou know it,â Rainbow boasted, reaching a hoof up to knock on Fluttershyâs door. This time, it was not answered pre-emptively. In fact, it was taking an unusual amount of time for any kind of response, even for Fluttershy.
          Before either mare could start to worry, Fluttershy appeared at the door with signs of mental fatigue on her face. âOh, hello girls. Big Macintosh isnât with you, is he?â
          Rainbow frowned. âNo, why?â
          Fluttershy relaxed visibly. âOh, good. Come inside and Iâll tell you.â Once the door had been shut, Fluttershy called out, âItâs okay, Rarity. Itâs just Applejack and Rainbow Dash.â
          To the bewilderment of the new guests, Rarity rose from behind Fluttershyâs couch. âOh, thank heavens. I donât know if I can face him again.â
          âAhâm a little lost here. Whatâs all this about?â Applejack wondered.
          âRarity had a bit of a⌠hiccup with Big Macintosh,â Fluttershy explained.
          Rainbow frowned. âBig Mac just told us he woke up and saw Rarity was embarrassed by something and then she took off.â
          âSo you mean he didnât see-â Rarity cut herself off, biting her lip. âI donât know whether to be relieved or worried. I apologize for the secrecy, but Iâm afraid I canât tell you exactly whatâs going on. I donât want Big Macintosh finding out before Iâm ready to tell him myself.â
          Applejack smiled. âAhâm sure heâll understand whatever it is yer worried about.â
          âYeah, Macâs pretty flexible with a lot of things,â Rainbow added.
          Rarity pondered that for a moment before clearing her head with a forceful shake. âYou mustnât make assumptions, Rarity,â she muttered to herself.
          âSo, if youâre not here to look for Rarity, why are you here?â Fluttershy asked. âIf you donât mind me asking, I mean.â
          Rainbow grinned. âFluttershy, youâre looking at a free mare. No more having to deal with Cloud Kickerâs bullshit. I got a promotion!â
          âOh, how wonderful!â Fluttershy cheered.
          âRainbowâs gonna take over the weather duties for the whole farm,â Applejack continued. âSheâs gettinâ a pay raise anâ everythinâ!â
          Rarity smiled. âSometimes you two show more initiative than a married couple.â
          Applejack and Rainbow Dash blushed at the assertion.
          âI donât reallyâŚâ
          âAhâm notâŚâ
          Fluttershy and Rarity giggled in unison. âBig Mac told me you had gotten together, but he never told me how cute you are as a couple,â Rarity marveled.
          Rather than protest the assertion, both mares simply scuffed a hoof on the floor.
          âIf youâre really going to be having all your work at the farm, you should probably think about moving your house closer by,â Fluttershy suggested.
          âI have,â Rainbow admitted.
          âThen the next step is to take action!â Rarity urged.
          âAh guess,â Applejack noted.
          Rainbow glanced at the clock. âWe should probably get going.â
          âYeah, gotta go wake up Apple Bloom fer a Crusader meetinâ,â Applejack finished.
          âWell then we wonât keep you,â Rarity smiled. âRun along, you two.â
          âDonât tell Mac where Rarity is,â Fluttershy added.
          Applejack spoke up, âOh, and sorry fer lockinâ ya outta yer house yesterday.â
   âThat was you?â Rarity frowned.
   âYeah, Applejack was going around thanking everypony in Ponyville for helping us get together. And then she figured youâd want to know if something like that happened, since youâre all into romance and stuff. Then we got to your house and you werenât there, Applejack noticed you didnât lock your door, and so she did so herself,â Rainbow explained.
   Rarity smiled wryly. âWell, at least I know there wasnât a robbery in that case. Now, really run along.â
   Both mares nodded, promptly leaving the abode.
          âAlright, back to the farm,â Rainbow said, starting off on the path.
          Applejack followed silently, still slightly flustered.
          Big Macintosh sighed as he made his way back to the orchard. All his searching had come up empty. Nopony had seen Rarity since yesterday, it seemed. It was actually somewhat of a theme. Two possibilities struck him; either Rarity had fled Ponyville, or something was being kept from him.
          But how would all oâ Ponyville know somethinâ Ah donât? Big Macintosh wondered, shaking his head. No, sheâs probably just hidinâ out somewhere Ah didnât think ta look. But was it really that bad that she had ta hide from me?
          The more he thought about it, the less sense it made. There had to be something he wasnât aware of. But how could somepony as observant as he miss it where all of Ponyville was in on it? Was all of Ponyville aware of it? Or just some ponies, while the rest were clueless like he was? Did anypony know about it at all?
          âThis is stupid!â Big Macintosh shouted, stomping his hoof on the ground, or rather, the porch he now stood upon. Behind him, Rainbow Dash and Applejack looked at him strangely as they approached.
          âSomethinâ wrong, Mac?â Applejack asked.
          Big Macintosh sighed heavily. âAinât nothinâ ya gotta worry âbout. Ah gotta figure this out on mah own.â
          Rainbow frowned. âWhat is this about?â
          âAh already told ya! If ya donâ remember, itâs yer own dang fault!â Big Mac snapped, shoving open the door to the farmhouse and slamming it behind him.
          âWhatâs gotten into him all of a sudden?â Rainbow wondered.
          Applejack sighed. âAh donâ rightly know. Looks like thereâs a lot goinâ on we donâ know about.â
          âLike Rarity,â Rainbow finished. âKinda makes me wanna know what it is.â
          âAnâ Macâs started datinâ âer. Canât imagine how much he wants ta know.â
          âAnd weâre about to send your sister off to something that might change her life,â Rainbow mused. âFeels like everythingâs happening at the same time.â
          âNot much we can do âbout it now, though, is there?â Applejack pondered, a hint of sadness in her voice.
          âHavenât we been over this enough in the past few days? Just chill, Applejack,â Rainbow urged. âWe canât fix everything, and we shouldnât need to.â
          âAh know, but itâs just so hard not ta think about.â
          Rainbow smiled. âHey, weâre marefriends now, arenât we? How about we focus on that instead?â
          âThatâd be great,â Applejack admitted. âAnd Ah think Ah know just how ta get mah mind off it all.â
          âThinking about our date tonight?â Rainbow asked.
          Applejack nodded, blushing. âAh have been a little stressed lately.â
          âJust a little?â Rainbow prodded. âWell, I do know of one sure-fire way to relieve stress. And no, itâs not a trip to the spa, because ew.â
          Applejack blushed harder. âL-letâs go wake up Apple Bloom âfore we start thinkinâ âbout that.â
          Rainbow nodded, leading Applejack upstairs.
          âYa know, a trip to the spa does sound pretty good right now,â Applejack ventured.
          Rainbow looked at Applejack strangely. âI thought Mac was the one dating Rarity.â
          Applejack chuckled. âIt ainât as bad as all that, Rainbow. Just give it a chance. Ya used ta think readinâ was just fer eggheads. Ya gave that a try anâ now yer all crazy âbout Darinâ Do.â
          Rainbow stopped, frowning, at the top of the stairs. âWould this be before or after dinner?â
          âAhâd have ta ask Rarity how late it stays open. Ahâd be fine with either one.â
          âBut we donât even know where she is,â Rainbow lied convincingly, turning to give Applejack a meaningful glance.
          Applejack smiled apologetically. She had forgotten that Rarityâs location was to remain a secret. That was some quick thinkinâ there, Rainbow, Applejack thought as she reached out to give Rainbow a grateful kiss.
          âLetâs talk about this once we get off the second floor,â Rainbow whispered before facing forward again, walking to Apple Bloomâs door. Applejack followed, nodding. Once Applejack was by her side, Rainbow opened the door to find Apple Bloom resting peacefully.
          Applejack walked over to her sisterâs bed, shaking her gently. âUp anâ at âem, Apple Bloom; yer crusader friends are waitinâ.â
          Apple Bloom stirred, lifting a hoof to rub an eye tiredly as she sat up. âIs it time already?â she yawned.
          âYep, so get out there and get those fillies!â Rainbow cheered.
          Apple Bloom nodded, shaking herself awake. âThanks, yâall!â Apple Bloom bounded off her bed, rushing straight out the front door and off to the Crusadersâ clubhouse.
          Applejack chuckled at her sisterâs sudden burst of exuberance, leading the way back down to the den. âAh sure hope it goes well for her.â
          âGlad youâve finally decided to stop worrying,â Rainbow smiled.
          âWell, yaâve gone and given me so much ta look forward to,â Applejack said. âKinda hard ta worry at the same time.â
          âSo youâre saying all I have to do is occupy your every thought to keep you from worrying ever again? I think I can handle that.â
          Applejack giggled, shoving Rainbow onto the couch before joining her. âBut can ya handle me?â
          âIâve gotten this far, havenât I?â Rainbow laughed, pulling Applejack into a hug. âUnless you mean in bed.â
          Applejack smirked. âAnâ what if Ah do?â
          âOoh, then Iâd have to test you out.â Rainbow winked.
          âSounds like a good time.â
          Rainbow grinned. âYou know it.â
          âWe really should get around ta figurinâ that out,â Applejack suggested, blushing. âYa know, not really jump right inta it.â
          âYou mean like a sex talk?â Rainbow guessed.
          âAh guess so. Just talk about where we are, what weâd like ta try...â
          Rainbow giggled. âThat might take a while, âcause I wanna try everything.â
          Applejack smirked. âEverythinâ? Ya sure âbout that now?â
          Rainbow blushed. âWell, maybe not everything, butâŚâ
          âAh get ya,â Applejack assured. âAhâm curious, too.â
          âGood thing weâll be in it together, then.â Rainbow paused. âSince we already covered what we want to do, why not just have the talk now?â
          âAh guess we could do that,â Applejack admitted, blushing.
          âOkay, then the other thing you mentioned is where we are. Honestly, Iâm ready whenever you are, so all you have to do is instigate.â Rainbow blushed. âIâm guessing weâd be starting off, uh⌠traditionally, I guess⌠and then leave all the kinkier stuff for later?â
          Applejack nodded. âYeah, Ah think Ahâd like ta get a handle on it âfore we try anythinâ too⌠kinky.â
          âOkay. That was easy. Just whenever youâre ready, then.â
          Applejack nodded again. âWe should probably head back over ta Fluttershyâs ta get those spa times.â
          âI guess so. You promise itâs gonna be good?â
          âIf it ainât, Ahâll cover yer chores fer the next week,â Applejack asserted.
          Rainbow smirked. âIâll have to work on my acting, then.â
          âItâll take more ân actinâ ta fool the Element of Honesty, sugarcube.â
          Rainbow shrugged. âHey, itâs worth a shot.â
          Applejack rolled her eyes, nuzzling into Rainbowâs chest briefly before pulling out of their hug. âLetâs go tell Granny Smith where weâll be tonight, then we can go.â
          âRight behind you.â Rainbow followed obediently.
          Apple Bloom arrived at the clubhouse not having the slightest clue what time it was, but strode inside nevertheless. âHey, gals! Sorry Ahâm late!â
          âHey, Apple Bloom!â Scootaloo greeted cheerily, standing up from where she was sitting next to Sweetie Belle. âYou look like you just got outta bed. What gives?â
          Apple Bloom giggled. âSorry, yâall. Ah was up all night planninâ fer⌠uh, somethinâ er other.â
          âOoh, what do you have planned?â Sweetie Belle asked.
          Apple Bloom blushed. âIt ainât really important.â
          âWell if it kept you up all night it has to be something cool,â Scootaloo prodded.
          âYeah! Is it some new cutie mark idea?â
          Apple Bloom shook her head. âAhâll tell ya girls later. First, whyâd ya call us all here, Scoot?â
          Scootaloo blushed. âOh, uh, right. Yeah, Iâve uh⌠Iâve been doing some uh⌠thinking, and, uhâŚâ
          âWhat about?â Apple Bloom asked.
          âWell, you remember how we walked in on that uh, thing between Rainbow and Applejack?â Scootaloo shuffled her hooves. âItâs kinda got me thinkingâŚâ
          âOh, Ah almost fergot!â Apple Bloom perked up. âTurns out we were right, girls. Mah sisterâs started datinâ Rainbow Dash!â
          âAw, thatâs so cute!â Sweetie Belle chirped.
          âUh, yeah, great.â Scootalooâs gaze was firmly upon the ground, cheeks growing hotter. âListen, girls⌠that, uh, thing we walked into⌠Rainbow told me before that all about the whole fillyfooling thing. I thought it was cool and all, because, hey, Rainbow Dash is one, right?
          Scootaloo gulped. âBut seeing them like that. It⌠really got me thinking about it. And I was kinda wondering if you girls, uh⌠ever thought about⌠us, like that.â
          Sweetie Belle squeaked. âThatâs what got me grounded for a week!â
          Apple Bloomâs eyes widened. âReally? Ah was jesâ thinkinâ bout the same thing. Thatâs what Ah spent all oâ last night planninâ, how ta tell yâall.â
          Scootaloo laughed nervously. âAnd, uh⌠what did you think about it?â
          Sweetie Belle blushed. âUm, I was thinking about how⌠happy they looked. And how I feel the same way whenever weâre crusading. And that maybe we couldâŚâ
          âTry it out anâ see where it goes?â Apple Bloom suggested hopefully.
          Sweetie Belle nodded shyly.
          âAhâm willinâ ta give it a shot if yâall are,â Apple Bloom said, blushing.
          âBut there are three of us,â Scootaloo put in. âDoes that make itâŚâ
          Apple Bloom smiled. âAh talked ta mah sister nâ Rainbow about it. They said it donâ happen often, but since weâre all so close alreadyâŚâ
          Scootaloo smiled back, bringing both of her fellow crusaders into a hug. âThanks, girls. Iâm⌠really excited now.â
          âYou know what Ahâve been wantinâ ta doâŚâ Apple Bloom hesitated briefly before placing a gentle kiss on Scootalooâs nose, then Sweetie Belleâs.
          Sweetie Belle giggled, kissing Scootaloo as well before returning Apple Bloomâs.
          Scootaloo beamed, giving each of her fellow crusaders extended kisses on the lips.
          âScoot!â Apple Bloom giggled, sharing a glance with Sweetie Belle.
          Sweetie Belle nodded, grinning. Together, Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle converged on Scootaloo.
          âHey! Time out! No fair!â Scootaloo laughed.
          âHold âer down, Sweetie Belle!â
          âGot it!â
          âQuit it!â Scootaloo pleaded, giggling uncontrollably as Apple Bloom kissed her relentlessly.
          Apple Bloom grinned. âAh though this was what ya wanted, Scoot.â
          Scootaloo tickled Sweetie Belleâs hooves with her wings, loosening her grip enough to wriggle away and pin the unicorn filly down. She started to pepper the hapless filly with light kisses, heedless of her squeals of delight.
          Apple Bloom snuck up behind Scootaloo and lightly nipped her ear. Scootaloo gasped, shuddering at the unexpected sensation, turning to look at Apple Bloom. âAh saw Rainbow do that ta Applejack once.â
          Scootaloo grinned. âWhat else have you seen them do?â
          Apple Bloom blushed. âCuddle, mostly.â
          âThat sounds fun,â Sweetie Belle piped up.
          âSounds sappy,â Scootaloo said.
          Apple Bloom chuckled. âCanât be all bad if Rainbow Dash does it.â
          Before Scootaloo could protest further, she was tackled from behind by Sweetie Belle. Sensing her opportunity, Apple Bloom flung herself into the pile, kissing under Scootalooâs chin and nuzzling Sweetie Belleâs horn. Sweetie Belle shivered at the contact, subconsciously brushing her hoof across Scootalooâs wings. Scootaloo moaned lightly, wrapping a wing around each of her friends and snuggling into the center of the pile. Apple Bloom shifted her tail so it lay across all three of them, giggling. Sweetie Belle nuzzled into Apple Bloomâs tail.
          âChange your mind about cuddling yet, Scoot?â Sweetie Belle asked.
          âThis is pretty awesome, I have to admit,â Scootaloo said, nodding.
          âAh canât wait ta tell Applejack about this,â Apple Bloom giggled.
          âAnd Rainbow Dash!â Scootaloo added.
          âDonât forget Rarity!â
          Scootaloo frowned. âYou probably shouldnât tell your parents if they grounded you for just thinking about it.â
          âHow did ya get outta yer house if yer grounded, anyway?â Apple Bloom asked.
          âOh! I did this!â Sweetie Belle rose from their pile-up and concentrated. Her horn glowed green briefly before she winked out of existence, reappearing moments later a few feet away.
          âWow, you can do magic now, Sweetie Belle? Thatâs so awesome!â Scootaloo gushed.
          âMah sister told me Rainbow Dash is givinâ ya flight lessons, too, Scoot,â Apple Bloom said.
          Sweetie Belle gasped. âReally? What about you, Apple Bloom?â
          âWell, Ahâve had ta do a bit oâ work fixinâ up the barn. Ah got most oâ it done, though thereâs still a bit more ta do.â
          âThere must be a lot this year if you couldnât get it all done in one day,â Scootaloo commented.
          Apple Bloom laughed, averting her gaze bashfully. âOh, câmon, Scoot. Ahâm not good as all that.â
          âAre you kidding? Youâre like, the master builder!â Sweetie Belle insisted.
          Apple Bloom blushed. âShucks, thanks, yâall.â
          Scootaloo gave Apple Bloom a kiss, prompting Sweetie Belle to do the same. Apple Bloom returned each with a giggle, smiling as Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo kissed to complete the exchange.
          âThis is gonna be great,â Scootaloo said, leaning back after nuzzling her new fillyfriends.
          âI really think you should just tell him, Rarity,â Fluttershy coaxed not for the first time. She had been trying to talk her into it ever since she came by. âI have no problem with it, and you heard what Applejack and Rainbow Dash said. It might not be so bad.â
          âBe that as it may, Fluttershy, I still donât-â Rarity was interrupted by a knock on the door. She jumped at the sound, darting back to her hiding spot behind Fluttershyâs couch.
          âItâs just us again,â Rainbowâs voice came through the door.
          Rarity relaxed, sitting back on the couch properly as Fluttershy went to welcome them in.
          âSorry fer pesterinâ ya, but-â
          âOh, itâs no trouble, I assure you,â Rarity insisted. âIâm grateful for the reprieve, to be honest.â
          âReprieve from what?â Rainbow asked.
          âJust my thoughts, I suppose.â
          âWell, we were just stoppinâ by ta ask ya what time the spa usually closes,â Applejack explained.
          Rarity blinked. âIt closes at five. It is a day spa, after all. But⌠may I ask why you wanted to know? Youâre notâŚâ Rarity grinned. âApplejack, donât tell me youâve picked the day I have to lay low to live out one of my fantasies without me.â
          Applejack chuckled. âDepends. Is that the one where Ah convince Rainbow ta join me at the spa for a little relaxation?â
          âThatâs the one,â Rarity giggled. âOh, I am so jealous. Do tell me how it goes, at least.â
          âYa know, Macâs locked himself up in his room. Ahâm not sure yaâd be riskinâ much ta come with.â
          Rarity shook her head. âIâm afraid I canât take that chance. I canât risk seeing him before Iâm ready.â
          Applejack smiled sadly. âAh understand. Donâ take too long, though. Macâs startinâ ta get a bit rattled.â
          âIâd say a bit more than a⌠bit.â Rainbow frowned at her failed sentence.
          Rarity nodded. âIâll be sure to keep that in mind.â She sighed. âI wish I could tell you girls what all this is about, but you understand why I canât.â
          âAh reckon weâll find out after Mac does.â
          âI suppose thatâs true,â Rarity giggled. âI will owe you girls the whole story, though.â
          âHey, just tell us what youâre comfortable with when youâre comfortable with it,â Rainbow said. âWeâve got plenty to keep us occupied until then.â
          âYep. Rainbow and Ah are goinâ on a date tonight.â
          âApplejack!â Rainbow protested. âYou werenât supposed to-â
          Rainbow was cut off as Rarity swept both her and Applejack into a hug. âOh how wonderful! You must tell me everything when you get back!â
          Rainbow struggled in Rarityâs grasp, which seemed to grow stronger whenever romance was involved. Applejack merely laughed and nodded in response.
          âWell I simply will not keep you here when you have such plans,â Rarity said, abruptly releasing her captives.
          âSo youâre kicking us out, now?â Rainbow demanded.
          âYes. Do have fun, you two!â
          Before either mare could say anything more, they were pushed out of Fluttershyâs cottage by a magical force, the door swinging closed behind them to seal their banishment.
          âI really canât understand her sometimes,â Rainbow stated.
          Applejack chuckled. âYou anâ me both, sugarcube. So, Ah guess weâll fit the spa trip in between lunch anâ dinner. But we still got some time before then.â
          âNeed any weather work done on the farm?â
          Applejack thought for a moment. âSome rain on the east orchard might be nice.â
          Rainbow grinned. âYou got it, boss.â
Fuck formatting. I'm done screwing with this text box.
|
| | | Cloudchaser Pony
Posts : 130 Join date : 2012-02-11 Location : The Magical Land of New Jersey
| Subject: Re: Oh God Cloud Wrote a Fanfic Tue Jul 02, 2013 9:38 am | |
| I saw this on EQD. What the hell. Sadness That I Cannot Rainbow-Face anymoreBig Macintosh sighed, looking out his window. Outside he saw some rain clouds coming in, led by a familiar blue pegasus. While she moved the bulk of them into position and coaxed the rain water out of them, she covertly detached one from the group, bringing it over to start a downpour on the farmer directing her. âWhat the hay, Rainbow!â Applejack spluttered, quickly becoming drenched. Rainbow grinned from atop her now-white cloud. âWhat can I say? I just love the way you look with a wet mane.â âThen why donât ya take a closer look?â Applejack dared. Rainbow suddenly found herself bound by a rope and dragged down to the ground, where Applejack pinned her down with a smirk, dripping water onto the prone pegasus. âYouâre right, you do look sexier up close,â Rainbow jested. âIf ya like it so much, howâs about we get you all wet, too?â âWhat? No, Applejack!â Applejack dragged a protesting Rainbow Dash under the rain clouds she had set upon the orchard, taking note of how Rainbowâs mane casted off little rainbows as the water cascaded off it. âNow yer lookinâ mighty fine yerself.â âIf we end up bedridden with colds tomorrow, Iâm blaming you,â Rainbow asserted. Applejack grinned. âYa mean Ah might get ta spend the whole day cuddlinâ mah favorite pegasus?â Rainbow blinked. âYou know, that actually doesnât sound too bad.â Rainbow gave Applejack a peck on the nose. âWhen did you start getting good ideas?â âYa must be rubbinâ off on me, sugarcube,â Applejack joked. Rainbow grinned. âOnly if I get to rub you off, too.â âWell weâll just have ta wait anâ see about that.â âYou keep teasing me like this and I might not be able to hold myself back,â Rainbow warned jokingly. âMaybe thatâs what Ah want,â Applejack teased. âCanât take me ta bed if yer not a hundred percent.â âWe can always fit that in after dinner, you know,â Rainbow urged. Applejack smiled. âAhâll think about it, fer sure. We do seem ta be talkinâ about it quite a lot.â âMaybe weâre just eager,â Rainbow suggested. âI know I am. And if itâs gonna happen anyway, why not get a head start? Itâs not like the worldâs gonna end if we have sex after the first date, right?â âAh reckon not. Still, Ah donâ wanna take this too fast. Octavia warned me about that,â Applejack frowned. âYou mean about Vinyl and Lyra?â Applejack nodded. âAh donât want that ta happen ta us.â Rainbow smiled. âYou know, just because it didnât work out for them doesnât mean weâre gonna be the same way. They didnât mesh together like we do. And Iâd say weâre a bit closer than they were. We have our own pace. Iâm not trying to pressure you into anything, but if you really want to go for it, whatâs stopping you?â âWell, it sure as hay isnât traditional,â Applejack supposed. âDo I look traditional to you?â Applejack shook her head, chuckling. âAh guess not. Weâll just have ta see how it goes. If we decide the timeâs right, we can try it out, and if notâŚâ âExactly!â Rainbow crowed. âDonât worry about it, just let it happen.â Applejack nodded. âAhâm not sure weâll get around ta it today, though. We do got a trip ta the spa ta look forward to. Donât wanna do everythinâ at once, right?â Rainbow nodded in turn. âThe longer we wait, the better itâs gonna be.â âReally now? Then Ah might just have ta drag this out a little longer,â Applejack teased. Rainbow face-hoofed. âRemind me not to give you ideas anymore.â âAhâm jesâ kiddinâ, sugarcube. Soon as I feel up ta it, yaâll be the first ta know.â Rainbow smiled. âWouldnât have it any other way.â Big Macintosh felt a touch of longing as he watched the rain-covered mares embrace. If only things could be that simple fer me anâ Rare. He leaned back once he registered the fact that he was watching his sister in a steamy situation, shaking his head violently. Ahâm sure sheâll come around eventually, he assured himself.
âWeâre goinâ out, Granny!â Applejack called as they made their way out the door. âYou have fun now, you two,â Granny called back. âWill do,â Applejack assured. As Applejack and Rainbow Dash were about to set off to look for lunch, they were bombarded at the door by a tremendously bubbly yellow filly. âRainbow! Applejack! Yâall will never guess what happened! Scoot and Sweetie were havinâ the same thoughts Ah was, and now weâre gonna start beinâ fillyfriends like yâall are!â âHey, thatâs great, Apple Bloom!â Rainbow cheered, offering a hug. Applejack joined the hug. âAhâm happy for ya, sis.â âAh gotta tell Big Macintosh!â Apple Bloom perked up. Applejack frowned. âMaybe thatâs not the best idea right now, AB. Macâs feelinâ a little upset about Rarity.â âWhy? What happened with Rarity?â Sweetie Belle spoke up, having since caught up to Apple Bloom. âWeâre not really sure,â Rainbow said. âAll we know is Rarityâs gone missing and Macâs all broken up about it.â âOh, so that means we canât go tell her about what happened?â Sweetie Belle asked sadly. âI never said that,â Rainbow reassured. âWe canât tell Mac, but Rarityâs actually staying over at Fluttershyâs so-â âWell what are we waiting for, then?â Scootaloo piped up. âCome on, Crusaders!â Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle followed as they set off towards Fluttershyâs cottage. âBye, sis! And thanks fer the help!â Applejack and Rainbow waved, smiling as they watched the three fillies run out of sight. Despite the new development, it was as if nothing had changed between them, save for the occasional peck on the cheek. Applejack hoped they knew to show a little restraint in the public eye. âSo, where do ya wanna go fer lunch today?â Applejack asked as she and Rainbow set off on their own journey to Ponyville. Rainbow thought. âWe could go back to CafĂŠ du Mane. You know, show off a bit and all that.â Applejack gulped. âYa mean go public?â âWe kind of already are anyway,â Rainbow pointed out. âItâs not like the gossip will be anything new, right?â âAh guess not. Ya have been tellinâ me ta stop worryinâ. Anâ it would be nice ta not have ta hold anythinâ back.â Applejack thought for a few seconds more before smiling. She stepped in closer to Rainbow, prompting her to drape a wing over her back. Comforted by the feathery blanket, Applejack nuzzled under Rainbowâs chin and planted a kiss that elicited a giggle from the pegasus. âCut it out, AJ. Iâm ticklish there,â Rainbow laughed. âAre ya now?â Applejack asked. âAny other spots yaâve been hidinâ from me?â Rainbow blushed. âNot any Iâd be comfortable talking about in public.â Applejack nodded, blushing lightly herself. âWell, we do have a trip to the spa after lunchâŚâ âStop making me excited about that,â Rainbow demanded. Applejack shook her head defiantly, planting a kiss on Rainbowâs cheek. Rainbow held her closer in response, kissing her back briefly before continuing on to their destination. The lunchery had a pretty good crowd on hand to witness the two openly amorous mares get a table. Excited whispers soon broke out among the various occupants, save for one couple that rose from their seats, and started heading their way. âI thought I saw you two acting lovey yesterday.â Rainbow and Applejack looked up to behold Lyra and Bon Bon, the former grinning brightly. âSheâs all mine now,â Rainbow boasted, leaning in closer. âAnd youâre mine,â Applejack added, wrapping a hoof around her marefriendâs shoulders. âWow, sheâs already making you act sappy? She must have you good,â Lyra teased. Bon Bon scoffed. âAs if your sappiness doesnât trump theirs combined.â âItâs different when itâs just you and me!â Lyra protested. Rainbow laughed. âYeah, she hasnât tried to rut you in public yet, has she?â Bon Bon frowned. âActuallyâŚâ Rainbow grinned. âYouâre worse than me!â âYeah, well, I bet you havenât even had sex yet!â Lyra shot back. âNot yet, though Ah might be up fer it today er tomorrow,â Applejack put in. Rainbow beamed. âWay to hype me up even more.â âYes, just hope she doesnât get so excited she forgets that sex is a two way exchange,â Bon Bon said, glancing at Lyra. âDonât worry, neither of us have any idea what weâre doing,â Rainbow assured. âSo itâs bound to go awesomely.â âHey, unicorn sex and earth pony sex are completely different!â Lyra argued. âAhâm sure the horn changes so much,â Applejack chortled. Lyra crossed her forelegs, frowning. âI donât have to impress you.â Bon Bon laughed. âYes, Iâm sure your reputation speaks for itself.â âYâall wanna join us fer lunch?â Applejack offered. âRainbow and Ah were gonna head over to the spa afterward.â Lyra sputtered, holding back a fit of giggles. âThe spa? Really Rainbow?â Rainbow frowned. âDonât judge me!â âShe wonât,â Bon Bon assured. âI wonât let her. As for lunch, that would be lovely, though for the spa, Iâm afraid we have plans of our own.â âNot that I donât really want to be there to see Rainbow get a hooficure,â Lyra laughed. Rainbowâs eyes widened. âYou wouldnât make me do that, would you?â Applejack shook her head. âAhâm not really one fer hooficures, neither. Why spend money on somethinâ Ahâm jesâ gonna scuff the next day?â âGood,â Rainbow said, slumping onto Applejackâs shoulder. Lyra and Bon Bon took their seats. âAnything exciting happening around the farm?â Lyra asked. Applejack rolled her eyes. âYâall donât know the half oâ it. First off, Ah somehow managed ta get Rainbow ta convert her entire life over to the Acres.â Applejack paused. âStill donât know how Ah did that.â âDonât listen to her! She knows she used those earth pony super powers to seduce me!â Rainbow protested. âEarth pony super powers?â Lyra asked, cocking a brow. Rainbow grinned. âYeah! You know, like what Tavi uses to get Scratch to be her bitch!â Lyra burst out laughing as Bon Bon rolled her eyes. âYou really shouldnât encourage her, you know,â Bon Bon warned. As Lyra regained control of her breathing, Rainbow continued. âYou know, Bon Bonâs an earth pony, too. She probably has you under her spell!â Lyraâs eyes widened as she snapped her head around to look fearfully at Bon Bon, who placed a hoof over her face. âThere is no such thing as earth pony super powers, Lyra. Seriously, do you have to believe everything you hear?â âHey, say what you want, but humans really could exist somewhere! Like in some weird alternate dimension where everythingâs tainted by awkward romantic overtones.â âSo exactly like Equestria.â Bon Bon pointed out. âNo, Equestriaâs thing is friendship. Thatâs totally different!â Lyra argued. âSo Iâm to believe that in this other world, love is even more apparent? Does that include orgies in the streets?â Lyra pondered for a moment. âNo, but that sounds really hot. We should try that sometime. Ow!â Bon Bon frowned, retracting her hoof. âI swear, if this becomes another one of your fantasiesâŚâ âDonât worry, I can make this work way better than that last one,â Lyra promised. âI have a backstory and everything! You see, thereâs this weird portal somewhere in Equestria. Somewhere totally random, like a dinner plate, so nopony notices it. But then every once in a while it turns into this crazy robot Cyclops and rampages across Equestria. So Princess Celestia uses her magic to activate the dinner portal, and everypony goes through it to hide from the robot Cyclops and then suddenly weâre all humans and everythingâs awesome.â Bon Bon blinked. âItâs sad to think thatâs actually one of her less nonsensical stories.â âI donât see you coming up with anything, Bonnie!â âAnd thatâs why I keep you around,â Bon Bon assured, patting Lyra on the head. âSo whatâs one of her more awesome stories, then?â Rainbow asked excitedly. âOh, there was this one time I-â âFoodâs here,â Applejack interrupted. âBut we havenât even told them about all our shenanigans!â Rainbow protested. Applejack rolled her eyes. âYa can do that while ya eat.â âNow you made me curious,â Lyra said through a mouthful of food before swallowing. âWhat kinda shenanigans are we talking about?â âMind your manners, Lyra. Weâre in public,â Bon Bon chided. âPlease, Bonnie, weâve been public for what, like two years now?â âThatâs not what I meant, but before you go off on another one of your rantsâŚâ Bon Bon looked to Rainbow Dash. âIt might be best if you distract her.â âIâm good at that!â Rainbow boasted. âSo anyway, me and AJ started up this band a few days ago, and it was awesome! But then I had to get a guitar, and that was expensive, so I started working at Sweet Apple Acres for free food and stuff. Then things got really weird, and I canât even really remember all of it, but the point is Applejack is like the greatest marefriend ever. So I got this idea at some point to try to be the weatherpony for the Acres, so everything would be at the same place, and we worked that out earlier today. Iâm getting a raise and everything! Though I had to give up my previous position, but thatâs alright, âcause Cloudchaserâs cool and all and she was my replacement. âSo after we got together, thatâs when things started going crazy. Right now thereâs this whole thing with Rarity and Big Mac. They went on a date last night, and that got Mac into trouble with Granny Smith for missing dinner without telling her, but he worked his way out of that. But then Rarity went missing, and sheâs apparently hiding something from everypony, except maybe Fluttershy, but I wasnât really clear on that. So Mac got all angry because Rarity was being all elusive, but I donât think he looked everywhere, because we know where she is but weâre not supposed to tell Mac âcause Rarityâs working up some courage to tell Mac that secret thing, and if he found out⌠Yeah, bad stuff. âAnyway, thereâs also this thing going on with Apple Bloom, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle. They walked in on us when we were wrestling on the bed, but it looked like we were about to kiss or something. But that was before me and AJ worked everything out, so it was a little weird for us, too. Well, in addition to the whole filling the minds of a trio of young and impulsive fillies with thoughts of fillyfooling thing. So Apple Bloom told us sheâd gotten a crush on Scoot and Sweetie, and that Scoot had called a Crusader meeting today. Or, well, it was tomorrow, since it was yesterday that she told us, but whatever. So before we left she came back with Scoot and Sweetie and apparently theyâre fillyfriends now and itâs probably gonna take some time to teach them about relationships and stuff. âHow about you guys? Anything interesting happening at the candy shop?â Lyra and Bon Bon blinked. âWell, Iâm starting to sell a new kind of candy,â Bon Bon offered. âOoh, like a new flavor?â Rainbow asked. Bon Bon shook her head, blushing. âNo, itâs something completely different. Itâs a bit of an aphrodisiac, so Iâll have to be careful with hiding it and advertising it at the same time.â Rainbow frowned. âWhyâs that? Does the candy industry have something against afros now?â Bon Bon cocked a brow. âNo, it doesnât. An aphrodisiac is something that heightens sexual desire and pleasure.â Rainbow cocked her head. âSo you eat it and you get horny?â âI suppose, though on a much higher scale,â Bon Bon explained. âFor its intended use in intercourse, you should probably have the initial desire covered yourself.â âSounds neat!â Rainbow turned to Applejack, who was silently eating her meal with a noticeable blush on her cheeks. âWe should try one of those candies sometime. You know, after we get past that first one, anyway.â âMight be fun,â Applejack agreed shyly. âIâm sure we could work out a discount,â Bon Bon suggested. âThatâd be great. But I think we should probably talk about it later. I think Applejackâs gonna explode.â Applejack frowned, her blush lessening. âWell excuse me if Ah ainât comfortable talkinâ about sex in a public restaurant!â Rainbow looked around at the various ponies seated around them, more than a few of which looked to be experiencing varying degrees of discomfort. âShe does make a good point,â Rainbow conceded. âBut hey, at least the wordâs out about that new candy, now.â Bon Bon smiled. âIâll be sure to factor that into our arrangement. But for now, Lyra and I must be off. It was nice catching up with you two. I hope you have half as many exciting stories the next time we meet.â âOr more,â Lyra added. âBecause, you know, more is better.â Rainbow laughed. âHey, if things keep going on like this, weâre probably gonna have twice as many next time.â âYeah, you have to tell me how good Applejack is in bed. All that applebucking should really pay off big time.â âLyra!â Bon Bon and Applejack chorused. âJust saying,â Lyra assured before being dragged away by Bon Bon. Rainbow turned to Applejack once their company had departed. âYou know, she does have a good point there. All that applebucking has given you one sexy plot.â Applejack blushed. âYers ainât too bad, neither. Definitely a might smaller ân mine. Which Ah like, donât get me wrong, AhâŚâ âYou like a leaner plot,â Rainbow finished. âThat works out great for me. I like âem big, personally. And yours is the hottest in Equestria.â Applejack smiled, blush deepening. âAh could say the same âbout yers.â âAnd here I thought you werenât comfortable talking about this stuff in public,â Rainbow teased, making Applejack jump as she remembered where they were. âAhâm not!â Applejack squeaked. âSorry,â Rainbow apologized. âWe can get going if you want. Let me just-â Applejack deposited the proper payment on the table before grabbing Rainbow and leading her away from the restaurant. âThat works, too,â Rainbow supposed. âSo, we gonna head on over to the spa?â âAh didnât think yaâd be so eager,â Applejack joked, calming down considerably. Rainbow grinned. âI donât know. Something about sharing a hot tub with my hot plot marefriend just makes me excited.â Applejack blushed. âThatâs not âtil after the massage.â âWhat else are we gonna be getting?â Rainbow inquired. âWhat else do ya want? There really ainât much more, âcept hooficures, the mud bath anâ the steam room.â Rainbow gasped. âThey have a steam room?â âAh take it yaâd like a go at that?â Applejack chuckled. âAre you kidding? Thatâs like, one of the best places to make out ever!â Applejack smiled. âAhâm sure we could work that in somewheres.â âAwesome.â
âHere we are, Ponyville Spa,â Applejack said, coming to a stop before the building. Rainbow laughed. âOnly you could ever make me excited to go in there.â âIs mah hot plot jesâ too much ta resist?â Applejack jested, flaunting it as she sauntered inside. Rainbow, despite her desire not to, entered after her marefriend with a very noticeable flare in her wings. This earned a smirk from Lotus, who stood behind the welcome desk as Aloe was elsewhere. âWhatâs this? Ponyvilleâs two most tomcoltish ponies in our spa by themselves?â âApplejack made me do it!â Rainbow insisted. âYa know ya like it, donât lie,â Applejack retorted. Rainbow frowned. âOnly because of your earth pony seduction powers.â Aloe giggled as she returned. âYes, I see theyâre working quite well.â Rainbow blushed, trying futilely to regain control of her wings âNow, what can we do for you girls?â Lotus asked. âI donât dare hope youâre here for treatment?â âYep,â Applejack answered simply. âHow much fer a massage, steam room anâ hot tub fer two?â âFifty bits,â Aloe answered with a smile. âLet me get this one, AJ,â Rainbow insisted. âCanât have you paying for this and lunch.â âThen whoâs gonna pay fer dinner?â Applejack laughed. Rainbow thought. âWeâll split it.â âNot to pry, but I canât help but notice you two seem more⌠affectionate than last we saw you,â Aloe observed. âYeah, me and Applejack are dating now,â Rainbow relayed. âOr, well, weâll be going on our first one tonight, but still.â Lotus giggled. âDonât have too much fun now.â âNo promises,â Applejack said, pausing to give Rainbow a kiss on the cheek before following Aloe and Lotus into the massage room. âFirst, letâs work out that stress you carry in your muscles,â Aloe said, gesturing inside. Applejack and Rainbow took two nearby mats, laying down on their stomachs as Aloe and Lotus fetched the massage oils. âYou ever had a massage before, Rainbow?â Applejack asked. Rainbow shook her head. âNever been in a spa before, remember? Well, except for that one time we had that run in with the Poison Joke, and again during the Gabby Gums thing.â Applejack nodded. âWell yer in fer a treat today.â Rainbow moaned in delight as Lotus began her massage, expertly working out all the kinks in her muscles and leaving them feeling like jelly. Applejack chuckled at the dreamy look Rainbow had in her eyes as Aloe started her massage. âThis feels so good,â Rainbow groaned. âIâve gotta start coming here more often.â âWe can afford it with that raise yer gettinâ. Not ta mention the apple sales.â Applejack cooed as Aloe worked out a particularly thick knot in her neck. âSure beats the shower back home, huh?â âDefinitely,â Rainbow murmured. âI see you carry a lot of stress in your wings, Miss Rainbow,â Lotus spoke up. âI would ask permission, but your marefriend has a good set of hooves. We could guide her through the process if youâd like.â âWing massages from Applejack? Donât make me beg,â Rainbow laughed. Aloe led Applejack over to Rainbowâs mat and instructed her to grasp Rainbowâs right wing. Applejackâs newly-relaxed muscles still felt a little weak, but she complied without much trouble. She followed their instructions to the best of her ability, and it clearly showed. Under the spa twinsâ guidance, Applejack had Rainbow in a state of bliss. âDonât stop,â Rainbow moaned, feeling heat begin to stir in her loins. Applejack noticed this, but it only served to drive her onwards. Once Applejack had the motions down, Aloe and Lotus stepped out to give them some privacy. Applejack started on Rainbowâs other wing, feeling the extent of her success immediately. âYa sure are enjoyinâ this, arenât ya?â Applejack giggled. âAh canât say Ah blame ya. Ya really do carry a lot oâ tension in these wings.â âTh-thatâs not the only reason. Oh Luna, AJ,â Rainbowâs voice was lost for a few moments more. âThe wings are a⌠a pleasure point for pegasi.â Applejack froze in her motions, blood rushing to her cheeks as she considered for the first time just how worked up she had gotten her marefriend. âY-ya mean this all is⌠sexy?â âSo much,â Rainbow replied. âWhyâd you stop?â âAh⌠Ah ainât sure this is appropriate taâŚâ âCâmon, AJ. Itâs not like weâre doing it or anything. Besides, noponyâs watching.â Rainbow flexed the wing still held in Applejackâs hooves. Applejack gulped and took a deep breath to calm her nerves before working through the rest of Rainbowâs primaries. âThatâs the stuff. Oh yeah.â Applejack finished her work with a level head before coming around to kiss Rainbow on the nose as a way of notifying her of her taskâs completion. Rainbow reluctantly rose as Applejack led the way to the shower, where she busied herself washing her fur. Rainbow kissed Applejack on the cheek. âStop being so timid, AJ. Iâm not gonna do anything you donât want me to.â âBut ya seemed so inta that massage,â Applejack said. âYa wonât mind if Ah work ya up anâ leave ya hanginâ?â Rainbow blushed. âYou know, I havenât taken any time for relief since this all started. So I might be just a little pent up.â âWell thatâll jesâ make it that much better when it happens, right?â Applejack asked. Rainbow nodded. âBut if I get a little heated, just⌠you know.â Applejack simply nodded in response, not confident enough in her whims to say how much she was getting worked up, herself. Weâll see how it goes tonight. But if this keeps up, Ah⌠Once they had finished their quick wash, they rejoined Aloe and Lotus in the steam room. Lotus, who was pouring hot water onto the heated rocks, offered a sly grin and a wink. Aloe just giggled as the two mares developed blushes. âI take it the massage went well?â Lotus asked. âIt was pretty nice,â Rainbow admitted, shuffling her wings. âWell Iâm sure you wonât need any assistance finding the hot tub,â Aloe said. âSo unless you need anything else, we can leave you to enjoy each otherâs company.â âThatâd be nice,â Applejack said. Smiling, the spa twins bowed before taking their leave, prompting Rainbow to look in Applejackâs direction. âSo, about that make-out sessionâŚâ Applejack blushed, leaning in to press her lips to Rainbowâs, earning a questioning flick of Rainbowâs tongue against her lips. After a brief hesitation, Applejack gave into the temptation, pushing her tongue into Rainbowâs mouth as she pinned her marefriend to the bench. Rainbow moaned appreciatively, wrapping her hooves around Applejackâs shoulders and pulling her closer. As Rainbow shifted her position slightly, Applejack found one of her forehooves stuck in an awkward position. As she removed the hoof, she felt it touch something fleshy. Rainbow gasped in response to the touch, while Applejack realized what she had done. Applejack retreated from Rainbowâs embrace. âAhâm sorry! Ah didnât mean ta-â âApplejack, itâs okay. Relax,â Rainbow smiled. âIt was an accident. You donât have to do anything else.â Applejack averted her gaze, blushing heavily. âB-but what if⌠Ah think Ah want ta?â Rainbow blushed, her eyes widening before a smirk came to her lips. âThen we can let any incidental contact here slide, rock that dinner out, and have the whole night to ourselves.â Applejack smiled, turning back to face Rainbow. âAh think Ahâd like that.â âThen come here so we can make out some more!â Applejack giggled and nodded as she rejoined Rainbowâs embrace, no longer caring where her hooves wandered. Applejack blushed as Rainbowâs hooves slid down her back and rested just above the dock of her tail. She responded by dragging her tongue across the roof of Rainbowâs mouth, earning a moan of appreciation from her partner. As Rainbowâs hooves wandered farther, and Applejackâs tongue became more aggressive, the steam in the room began to disperse, if not in their minds. Rainbow did take the time to pull away, however. âMaybe we should take this over to the hot tub.â Applejack grinned, getting to her hooves. âThen come on. Ah miss those hooves already.â Rainbow nodded, following obediently, led by Applejackâs tail like a leash. âYa know, Ah canât help but remember what ya said earlier about that other ticklish spot ya got on ya,â Applejack wondered idly. âThink ya might be up ta tellinâ me just what that is now that weâre alone?â Rainbow blushed. âCan it wait âtil we get to the hot tub?â âIt just did,â Applejack said, moving aside to unglue Rainbowâs eyes from her plot. âOh. Yeah, thatâs definitely a hot tubâŚâ Rainbow gulped, sitting down on the edge as Applejack dipped her hooves in. âAinât ya gonna join me?â Applejack asked. Rainbow sighed. âI guess I kinda have to tell you now, donât I?â Applejack cocked a brow, prompting Rainbow to continue. âRemember that time the girls tried to convince me to get a hooficure?â âAnd ya said ya donâ like ponies touchinâ yer hooves?â Applejack guessed. Rainbow nodded. âWell, thatâs because⌠my hooves are really sensitive.â âHow so?â Rainbow frowned. âYou know, really ticklish, kinda painful on rough surfaces, and⌠pretty awesome on soft stuff.â Applejack brightened. âSo like another one oâ yer pleasure spots?â Rainbow nodded bashfully. âItâs just the back ones, though. Iâve never had any problems with my front hooves. So, like, donât freak out if I uh⌠vocalize when IâŚâ Rainbow dipped her hooves into the hot water, letting out a peculiar squeak as she did so. Applejack smiled. âWell, Ah reckon Ahâll have ta pay âem some extra attention tonight. And Ah might as well let ya in on mine.â Applejack blushed. âYa already know about the spot behind mah shoulders, but Ahâm also pretty sensitive on mah belly, soâŚâ Rainbow grinned, advancing up to her hock as Applejack did. âI get the feeling weâre gonna have a lot of fun with this.â âAnd we ainât even gonna get to the kinkier stuff yet,â Applejack agreed. âThere is some oâ that Ah really wanna try.â Rainbow giggled. âIâd ask what, but I donât wanna over-prepare myself. So Iâm just gonna hope you share my curiosities.â Applejack eased herself the rest of the way in, making an odd noise as her belly was submerged in the pleasantly hot water, trying not to notice the water get slightly cloudier. Rainbow, seated herself, leaned her head on Applejackâs shoulder, closing her eyes in contentment. Applejack smiled, running a hoof through her marefriendâs colorful mane, delighting in the softness it had achieved. âSo, you thought about where you wanna go for dinner yet?â Rainbow asked. Applejackâs brow furrowed. âNo, but Ah remembered somethinâ else just now. We still gotta pick up those⌠picks from the music shop âfore yer next lesson with Vinyl.â âIâm sure we have time,â Rainbow assured. âBesides, itâs not like weâre going straight to dinner anyway. We could stop by there before then.â Applejack nodded. âThatâd be best.â âSo I take it we have no idea where weâre going for dinner, then?â âNot a clue,â Applejack confirmed. Rainbow rolled her eyes. âWeâll find some place.â âDonât reckon weâll be goinâ anywhere quite as fancy as that restaurant Mac anâ Rare went ta,â Applejack pondered. âBut Ahâm sure yer not too hung up on that.â Rainbow grinned. âAw, you mean weâre gonna go somewhere we can actually read the menus?â Applejack chuckled. âAhâm afraid so, sugarcube.â âSo I brought my dictionary for nothing?â Applejack blinked. âYou have a dictionary?â âNope. Do you?â Applejack shook her head. âApple Bloom might. Ah heard âer talkinâ about it once.â âI wouldnât doubt it.â Rainbow shrugged. âTheyâve tried just about everything else, right?â âEverythinâ appropriate fer a filly her age,â Applejack supposed. âHope they donât run out of ideas before that list gets a little bigger.â Applejack frowned. âAh hope they have their cutie marks by then.â Rainbow shrugged. âWeâll be here to put a cap on that if it happens.â âAh suppose,â Applejack conceded. âThough Ahâm hopinâ it donâ come to that.â âWeâve been over this, havenât we? Donât worry about it unless we have to,â Rainbow said, nuzzling Applejackâs neck. Applejack smiled. âAhâm sure yaâll have it worked outta me âfore too long.â Rainbow smiled back. âThatâs the plan.â Applejack laughed, returning Rainbowâs nuzzle. âAh suppose we got enough ta deal with already tonight.â âDonât remind me,â Rainbow joked, âI might explode.â âCanât have that,â Applejack agreed. âThatâs not supposed ta happen âtil later.â Rainbow merely nodded, lapsing into silence as she enjoyed the hot water and the feel of Applejackâs wet fur. Applejack smiled at the pegasus leaning so lovingly against her, pulling her closer with a hoof and kissing her forehead. Rainbow smiled, kissing Applejack under the chin, noting the chortle it earned, and subsequent laughter from repeated attacks. âOkay, okay, Ahâm ticklish there, too,â Applejack admitted through giggles. Rainbow giggled, giving Applejack a proper kiss on the lips. âI know I said it before, but tonight is gonna be so awesome.â Applejack smiled, giving Rainbow a squeeze before lying back in the water. It was shallow enough to lay flat and still have her head above the water. She rested her head on the edge of the hot tub, giggling as Rainbow lay down beside her and rested her head against her chest. Applejackâs hoof returned to its rightful place around Rainbowâs shoulders. They lay in contentment for a while, interspersed with occasional nuzzles, simply enjoying the otherâs presence. So it was that sometime later, Aloe and Lotus intruded upon the scene. âExcuse me, girls,â Aloe began. âI apologize, but the spa is closing soon. So if you would be so kind as to dry yourselvesâŚâ Applejack and Rainbow Dashâs heads shot up. Applejack blinked. âItâs five already?â Lotus nodded. âIâm afraid so. You can always come back tomorrow, if youâd like.â âI canât believe Iâm saying this, but that would be pretty awesome,â Rainbow said, turning to Applejack. âThis has actually been really fun.â Applejack smiled. âMaybe ya should listen ta me more, sugarcube.â âI probably should if this is what happens,â Rainbow agreed. Applejack chuckled. âWell, we should probably be gettinâ out anyway. How long we been in here?â âAbout two hours,â Aloe answered, âthough how much of that was spent in the hot tub, I wouldnât know.â Rainbow shivered as she stepped out, prompting her to huddle close to Applejack for warmth. Applejack smiled, accepting the towels offered by the twins gratefully, wrapping one around the shivering pegasus before donning her own. The spa twins left the two mares to their quest for dryness, which would inevitably chain to a trip to the music shop, and end at a dinner date at some indeterminate location. It was the reward, however, that was on Applejack and Rainbowâs minds as they completed the first of three prerequisites. âAlright!â Rainbow said, leading Applejack out of the spa with an authoritative air about her. âLetâs figure out this pick business and find ourselves a place to eat! Weâve only got about an hour and a half before sundown, and Iâm not gonna waste a single minute of this night!â âAinât we already wastinâ time sittinâ here talkinâ?â Applejack laughed. Rainbowâs eyes widened. âYouâre right! This is a time for action! Come on!â Rainbow raced off in the direction of the music shop, leaving an amused Applejack to follow behind a pace. âWhatâs with the sudden determination, Rainbow?â Applejack asked as she caught up. âAre you kidding?â Rainbow glanced at Applejack sideways. âThereâs sex to be had here, AJ!â Applejack chortled. âAs if Ah could ferget.â Rainbow skidded to a halt before their destination. âOkay, letâs grab the loot and go!â Rainbow said, darting inside and out of sight. Applejack rolled her eyes and shook her head as she entered after her. Though Rainbow wasnât visible from the entrance, Applejack knew sheâd be in the strings section of the store. But as she was passing by the percussion section that separated the two, something caught her eye. It was a drum set, one she swore was the same shade as a Red Delicious apple. Applejack paused, regarding the drum set before her, wondering if their band could truly be complete with just vocals and guitars. While most of her experience with pertained to string instruments, she couldnât deny the fact that every band needed good percussion. With a thoughtful frown, Applejack made to enter the strings section, only to find Rainbow already leaving with her plunder seized, if not paid for. Rainbow didnât notice until they had exited the store that Applejack seemed distant. âSomething wrong, AJ?â Applejack shook her head. âJust thinkinâ.â âAbout what?â Rainbow prodded. ââBout our band, actually,â Applejack admitted. âYaâve said yerself Ah donât really need much work on mah singinâ skills, but yer off learninâ a new instrument. Ah guess Ah feel like Ah should be doinâ somethinâ, too. And, well, we ainât really got a drummer.â âI guess not,â Rainbow agreed. Applejack smiled. âSo, maybe we should be goinâ about this different. Howâs about you take care oâ the guitars, and Ahâll get ta learninâ the drums. Then we could split the vocal work so we can both be contributinâ the same.â Rainbow grinned. âI like the sound of that. What made you think of it?â Applejackâs smile became sheepish. âWell, Ah saw this drum set in there the same red as an apple.â âWhy am I not surprised?â Rainbow giggled. ââCause ya know me too well,â Applejack answered. Rainbow cocked her head. âSo what, you want me to forget things about you?â Applejack laughed. âNo, ya silly filly. Ah figure weâre goinâ ta get ta know each other a little better tonight, anyway.â Rainbow blushed. âYeah, sure will.â âWhat, no snappy comeback?â Applejack smirked. Rainbow shook her head. âSorry, I guess Iâm just a little nervous is all.â Applejack smiled. âThat why ya were actinâ all funny earlier?â Rainbow offered a non-committal shrug in response, turning her attention to finding someplace to eat. âThat place looks pretty cool,â Rainbow pointed out a quaint little diner with a musical note emblazoned on the door. Applejack chuckled at the change in subject. Sheâd be lying if she said she wasnât nervous, herself. âWanna go check it out?â Rainbow nodded, leading the way inside. They were surprised to find upon entering that Octavia and her old quartet were in the middle of a set. While it didnât look like much on the outside, the restaurant was actually quite large, yet still retained the homey air of a family-owned pub, if a bit quieter and more refined. Applejack looked around in wonderment as she made her way to the welcome booth, Rainbow following with a similar expression. âDo you have a reservation?â The stallion at the booth asked. âOh, we need a reservation here?â Rainbow frowned in disappointment. Applejack sighed. âWell, Ah guess weâll have ta find someplace else.â Before they could make it to the door, they heard frantic hoofsteps behind them. âWait, I know these two,â Octavia said, having vacated her place on stage. âTheyâre friends of mine. Surely we could work something out?â The stallion at the welcome booth frowned, thinking. âWell, I suppose we do have one table without current occupants, though Iâm not sure you would allow these two to dine at your own table.â âOf course!â Octavia nodded fervently, smiling as Rainbow and Applejack brightened. She turned to them as the stallion produced two menus and led them to a table near the front of the stage. âAh never knew ya still did gigs with yer old quartet,â Applejack spoke. âAh figured since ya got inta workinâ with Vinyl-â Octavia interrupted with a giggle, shaking her head. âNo, even with my new line of work with Vinyl, I still make time to perform here every week. This is actually where my quartet and I had our first show. Itâs become a bit of a tradition.â âThatâs awesome,â Rainbow chimed in. âAnd youâve got your own table and everything?â Octavia nodded. âItâs one of the perks of being a world-renowned cellist, I suppose.â They stopped before a particularly extravagant booth with the cutie marks of each member of Octaviaâs quartet emblazoned on the tableâs surface. âVinyl usually comes with me to these, though she had business of her own to take care of,â Octavia said, smiling. âIâm glad Iâll have at least two familiar faces in the crowd.â âThanks, fer this, Octavia. Ya really didnât have ta.â Octavia chuckled. âAnd miss an opportunity to improve your first date? I simply couldnât resist.â Rainbow grinned. âYouâre the best, Tavi. Well, except for AJ, but Iâm kinda biased on that one.â Octavia nodded, smiling. âIf you girls would excuse me, Iâd like to serenade you with new vigor.â âYou do that,â Rainbow said, not entirely comprehending. Octavia giggled, waving as she retook her place back on stage. She offered a smile in response to the questioning gazes of her bandmates, which seemed to placate them. As the music continued, Applejack and Rainbow took their seats in the plush booth. The menu, while extravagant, was thankfully comprehensible. âAnd you said we werenât going anywhere fancy,â Rainbow laughed. ââCause Ah really expected this ta happen,â Applejack shot back, laughing as well. Rainbow placed a kiss on Applejackâs cheek. âWell Iâm really glad it did.â Applejack blushed, kissing Rainbow back before returning her attention to the menu. âAh reckon theyâve got tons oâ fancy foods here. Anythinâ ya wanna try?â âThat pasta whatever thing looks pretty good,â Rainbow said. âAnd it says it serves two.â Applejack smiled. âWeâll split it.â âJust like the bill,â Rainbow laughed. âIf Octavia doesnât insist on payinâ for it herself,â Applejack supposed. âYeah, she probably will,â Rainbow agreed. âDonâ mean we gotta enjoy it any less,â Applejack pointed out. Rainbow grinned. âAre you kidding? This means we can eat as expensive as we want!â Applejack frowned. âAhâm not sure Ahâm comfortable takinâ advantage oâ her like that.â âIâm not either,â Rainbow said. âThat was a joke.â Applejack rolled her eyes. âItâs hard ta tell with you sometimes.â Rainbow shrugged, relaying their order when the waiter came around. Food taken care of, she slumped onto Applejackâs shoulder, closing her eyes and enjoying the music. Applejack rested her head against Rainbowâs, sighing in contentment. Octavia smiled at them between songs, winking in encouragement. Applejack smiled back, pulling Rainbow closer to her. Octavia giggled before she began her next song. Their food arrived shortly, and it was delicious. âAh gotta hoof it to ya, Rainbow. Ya do have an eye for quality,â Applejack praised. âYou seem to be hoofing me quite a lot these days,â Rainbow sniggered. âOnly âcause ya deserve it,â Applejack defended. Rainbow grinned. âReally? Nothing else making you so generous?â Applejack adopted a mischievous grin, herself. âWell, now that ya mention it, Ah have been spendinâ a bit oâ time with Rarity.â âDonât even joke about that,â Rainbow protested. âSeriously, just⌠no. Stop it.â Applejack chuckled. âSorry, Ah couldnât resist.â âI mean, Rarityâs a good friend and all, butâŚâ âAh know what ya mean,â Applejack assured. âAh have enough trouble beinâ around her more ân five minutes as it is.â âYeah, tell me about it,â Rainbow laughed. âAh think Macâs good on her, though,â Applejack continued. âHeâs much more patient than either oâ us could ever be.â Rainbow nodded. âThey do work kinda well together, donât they? I mean, Rarityâs after a stallion, and you donât really get more stallion than Mac. And even if Mac is kinda into stallions, that doesnât mean they canât work something out in the bedroom, right?â Applejack blushed, shaking her head. âAh donâ wanna think about that.â âSorry,â Rainbow apologized sheepishly. âBut, you know, he never really told you just what his deal is with the whole double-hinged barn door, right?â Applejack shook her head. âAh guess not. Ah just thought he sounded a bit embarrassed about it.â âYou can only get so much out of that,â Rainbow pointed out. âMaybe he was embarrassed because he was lying. Ever think of that?â âHe wasnât lying,â Applejack replied instantly. âAh know mah brother, Rainbow, and Ah know honesty. There might be somethinâ a bit unclear âbout it all ta us, but Ahâm sure heâs got it all worked out in his head.â âAnd thatâs what matters, I guess,â Rainbow shrugged. âStill, I canât help but think of how cool it would be if your brother dated a stallion. Weâd be like, the gayest farm family ever!â âSure does defy tradition, donât it? âAnd what better way to start a new tradition?â Rainbow asked. âWe could do so much with that.â Applejack nodded, thinking about it herself. Octavia approached them, which was odd, because they couldnât remember the music stopping, though none was currently playing. Before either of them could question this new development, Octavia spoke. âI see youâre quite surprised,â Octavia laughed. âWeâre just taking a break between sets, and I wanted to see how you two were doing. But seeing you so engrossed in your conversation told me enough.â âI have to admit, that cello of yours is really something else,â Rainbow praised. Something else it truly was. Their entire quartet was so masterful at ambience, even their transitions seemed natural. Even if that transition was into silence. And they provided such an air of levity that it was easy to get lost in whatever it is you were doing. And to think, this was the same cellist who collaborated with DJ-Pon3 to make all sorts of abrasive, and otherwise, electronic music from just about every genre. âYa really are a master oâ yer instrument,â Applejack agreed. Octavia smiled. âThank you. But I really came to tell you that you donât have to worry about your bill. I already have it on my tab.â Rainbow cocked her head. âWhen did you do that?â âAh never saw ya leave the stage,â Applejack added. Octavia giggled. âIâll let that be my little secret.â Both mares were left to wonder just when Octavia had become so stealthy as the cellist rejoined her quartet to start their second set. âHow in the hellâŚâ âDoes it really, matter, sugarcube? We both knew it was gonna happen anyway,â Applejack offered. âI guess not,â Rainbow admitted. âBut stillâŚâ Applejack rolled her eyes, resting her head on Rainbowâs shoulder as music once again flowed through the restaurant. Rainbow leaned back against Applejack. Or she would have, had Applejack been leaning on her to begin with. The uneven distribution of force had them toppling over awkwardly, as Rainbowâs head connected with Applejackâs flank. Rainbow jumped. âSorry! I didnât mean to-â Applejack started up in a fit of giggles, soon laughing uncontrollably as she moved to pull Rainbow back down on top of her. Rainbow found herself caught up in the mirth of the moment, laughing along as she nuzzled Applejackâs shoulder. âSorry,â Rainbow giggled as their laughter began to die down. âItâs alright, sugarcube,â Applejack chuckled. Got yer mind off Octaviaâs sneakinâ skills.âShe really does have that effect on ponies,â Rainbow mused. âOctavia, I mean.â Applejack nodded. âIt is amazinâ how much sheâs opened up, ainât it?â âI think we can thank Scratch for that,â Rainbow jested. âAh reckon we can,â Applejack agreed. âTheyâre good fer each other.â âThat does tend to be a theme, doesnât it?â Rainbow laughed. âYouâd think ponies would pair up haphazardly, right?â Applejack shoved Rainbow playfully. âYou know what Ah mean.â âOr do I?â Applejack grinned. âWell, maybe Ahâll have ta show ya.â Rainbow smiled at Applejack, who smiled back. Unable to resist, the two shared an extended kiss out of sight of all but Octaviaâs quartet. âYou know, of all the things I expect to taste on your lips, pasta isnât really up there,â Rainbow jested. Applejack chortled. âAh could say the same fer you, sugarcube.â Rainbow sniggered, kissing Applejack again. âYou know, if we did stop here, I donât think Iâd have too much of a problem with that.â âAh know what ya mean, sugarcube,â Applejack admitted. âIt almost feels like itâd make all oâ this unimportant if we went all the way tonight.â Rainbow smiled. âTo be honest, Iâm not really even sure Iâm ready. I mean, I really want to, butâŚâ Applejack nodded. âItâs just such a big step.â âYeah, and maybe, you know, we shouldnât really force it,â Rainbow went on. âLike what you were saying earlier about what Tavi told you about Lyra and Scratch.â Applejack chuckled. âNow ya listen ta me?â Rainbow blushed, averting her gaze. Applejack turned Rainbow back to face her. âYâknow, Ah really was worried weâd be goinâ down that same path earlier. But nowâŚâ Rainbow smiled. âThis is really what sets us apart from them, right? Iâve got you to be responsible for us.â âAh suppose thatâs true,â Applejack agreed. âTomorrow, though, good luck keeping me off you,â Rainbow warned jokingly. Applejack laughed. âGotta leave somethinâ ta look forward to, Ah guess.â Rainbow smiled, pulling Applejack in for another kiss, which was happily returned. âYou know, today really has been a whole lot of fun. We should really do this again.â Applejack nuzzled Rainbowâs shoulder. âWhenever ya feel up for a little relaxation, jesâ let me know.â Rainbow nodded, smile widening ever so slightly. âYou got it, boss.â Octavia looked down on the two mares embracing like a proud mother, having heard bits and pieces of their conversation. As if I needed any less reason to doubt them, she mused, packing up for the night. She had to admit there was a fair bit of majesty to be found in playing music for two of her recently romantically inclined friends. She sighed wistfully, wishing Vinyl had been on hoof to witness it. Octavia made her way backstage after packing up her cello and waving to Applejack and Rainbow Dash. She bid farewell to her quartet and made for the door leading outside, raising her hoof to- âYou were great out there, Tavi,â Vinylâs voice sounded behind her. Octavia beamed, turning around to throw her hooves around her marefriend. âHow long have you been here?â Vinyl smiled. âLong enough to see what you did for those two, and how happy you looked playing for them. My set ended early, so I figured Iâd stop by to check on you. Canât say I was expecting something like that, though.â Octavia blushed. âI⌠It was justâŚâ Vinyl giggled, rolling her eyes. âChill, Tavs. Iâm happy I got to see you like that. And I know those guys need all the help they can get.â âI donât know, they seem to be doing well enough on their own.â Octavia smiled. âReminds me of our first few days together.â Vinyl groaned, face-hoofing. âDonât remind me. Iâm still trying to get over that spaghetti explosion.â Octavia laughed. âThen perhaps I shouldnât tell you they had a pasta dish of their own tonight. And no, it did not explode.â Vinyl let her hoof drop to the floor, after having raised it to ask that very question. âWell, I guess the chefs here are a little bit better at cooking than me.â âJust a little?â Octavia giggled. âOkay, a lot better,â Vinyl admitted, rolling her eyes. âNow are we gonna just stand here all day? I donât know about you, but Iâm exhausted.â Octavia nodded, leading her marefriend out the door and back home.
Applejack and Rainbow were on their own way home after having their tab picked up by the sneaky cellist. They could have sworn they never saw her stray farther from her stage than to their table. âMaybe she did it when she came by ta get us a table,â Applejack guessed. Rainbow frowned. âThat would have to be it. I just didnât know sheâd been taking lessons from Scratch.â âMaybe Vinylâs been takinâ lessons from Octavia,â Applejack pointed out. âYa never know with them quiet ones.â Rainbow giggled. âYeah, Iâm sure Taviâs the mastermind behind their entire relationship. She already has Scratch brainwashed with those earth pony seduction powers.â âYa still goinâ on about that?â Applejack chortled. âHey, the evidence is all there and noponyâs proven me wrong yet,â Rainbow said. âUnless youâd want to show me sometime.â Applejack shook her head in amusement. âAhâll be sure ta tell ya all about it tomorrow.â âAwesome.â Rainbow nudged open the door to a quiet farmhouse. She had to admit sleep did sound pretty good about now, especially with a sexy orange farmpony there to cuddle with. âAh donât suppose weâll need a shower after that trip to the spa,â Applejack acknowledged. âSo if ya wanna hop right to it, thatâd be alright with me.â Rainbow nodded, leaning against Applejack as they made their way up the stairs and to their now-shared room, not to say that Tank was complaining about having the guest bed all to himself. Applejack dove under the covers first, Rainbow sliding in beside her to wrap her hooves around her. âBig day ahead oâ us tomorrow,â Applejack said, nuzzling into the crook of Rainbowâs neck. âBring it on. With both of us there, days donât stand a chance.â Applejack chuckled at her marefriendâs confidence. âGood night, Rainbow.â She gave Rainbow a kiss on the cheek. Rainbow smiled, returning the gesture before relaxing into Applejackâs embrace. âGood night, AJ.â [insert earlier RariMac scene here] Note: Formatting is suddenly back to what it was before this textbox shenanigans. What the hell. Also, sex is happening on day six. I so sorry. |
| | | Cloudchaser Pony
Posts : 130 Join date : 2012-02-11 Location : The Magical Land of New Jersey
| Subject: Re: Oh God Cloud Wrote a Fanfic Tue Jul 16, 2013 7:25 pm | |
| Have a whole day because I'm forgetful!
THE CLOP IS STRONG WITH THIS ONE
Apple Bloom yawned, rubbing her eyes as she regained consciousness. She looked around, noting the pile of fillies she had become a part of with a giggle. After meeting up the previous morning, the three fillies had spent the day as any other. If you cut out the parts where kisses were shared, hugs were longer than normal, and cuddle piles were formed, anyway.
They had spent the night in Apple Bloomâs room, barely avoiding suspicion from Granny Smith. Apple Bloom really didnât want to get Applejack and Rainbow in trouble for prompting their romantic shenanigans. But the day, and subsequent night, had raised many questions for all involved.
Scootaloo stirred from her rest, raising her head and smiling tiredly at Apple Bloom. âMorning, AB. Sweetie Belle still asleep?â
Apple Bloom nodded. âAhâm thinkinâ, though. Are yâall as⌠confused about this as me?â
Scootaloo cocked her head. âConfused about what?â
âWell, all oâ this,â Apple Bloom made a sweeping gesture, accidentally connecting with Sweetie Belleâs horn.
Sweetie Belleâs face scrunched up in her sleep. She mumbled something before turning and hugging Apple Bloomâs foreleg.
Apple Bloom shook her head in bemusement while Scootalooâs face lit up. She donned a devious grin as she reached a wing around to sneakily brush against Sweetie Belleâs horn.
Sweetie Belle spoke again in her sleep, this time a little clearer, murmuring some strange combination of Apple Bloom and Scootalooâs names. She opened her eyes blearily at a third touch to her horn. âHuh?â
Apple Bloom rolled her eyes. âMorninâ, Belle. Sorry Scoot woke ya. But thatâs just what Ahâm talkinâ about. What is that thing with yer wings and her horn? And now that weâre together, what do we even do? What can we do we that we couldnât before? Why do Ah feel like Ahâm meetinâ yâall again fer the first time?â
âWhy donât you ask your sister? Sheâs the one who told you about this stuff in the first place, right?â Sweetie Belle suggested, still half asleep.
Scootaloo nodded. âYeah, and Rainbow Dash! She knows all about this kinda stuff. And sheâs got wings, so maybe she knows something about that.â
Apple Bloom chuckled. âAnythinâ ta get a chance ta talk ta yer idol, huh?â
âShut up!â Scootaloo shot back.
Apple Bloom nodded, placating the flustered filly. If she didnât know better, she might think her friend had a bit of a crush on the older pegasus. But she did know better, so she merely kissed Sweetie Belle on the nose in an attempt to wake her up faster. Sweetie Belle giggled and rose to a sitting position.
âSo are we gonna go ask them?â Sweetie Belle yawned.
âYup. Come on, Ah think theyâre in AJâs room still.â Apple Bloom made a forward motion before bouncing off the bed. Scootaloo followed along giddily, leaving Sweetie Belle to shake herself awake and catch up.
Apple Bloom knocked on Applejackâs door to no answer. Curious, she let herself in to find an adorable sight. Rainbow Dash lay draped over Applejackâs chest, wings tucked tightly around the farm mare, who had a single hoof wrapped around the midsection of her pegasus extension.
Sweetie Belle stepped into the doorway, and could not resist joining Apple Bloom in a chorus of dâaww. Scootaloo merely rolled her eyes and reached a hoof up to poke Rainbow Dash in the side.
âNot now, Applejack. We gotta set the mood first,â Rainbow mumbled, still very much asleep.
Confused, and slightly frustrated, Scootaloo poked her again, in the wing this time.
Rainbow chortled in her sleep. âOkay, we can skip all that. Now come on, weâŚâ Rainbow trailed off, completing her thought a few seconds later. âSexy time.â
Scootaloo frowned. âWhat?â
âSexy time? Whatâs that?â Sweetie Belle asked nopony in particular.
Scootaloo shrugged aloofly. âI donât know. Youâre the dictionary.â
Sweetie Belle frowned. âAnd youâre the chicken.â
âI thought we agreed not to talk about that!â Scootaloo snapped.
âGirls, please!â Apple Bloom got between the two before they could butt heads. âAh heard mah sister talkinâ about it with Rainbow once. It was somethinâ about⌠some kinda⌠Ah donât know. They never said.â
âWell then letâs ask them!â Scootaloo said, shaking Rainbow fiercely, finally waking the slumbering pegasus, and her orange body pillow in the process.
âNot so rough, AJ, I-â Rainbow blinked, taking in her sudden change of surroundings. She looked down to a dazed-looking Applejack in confusion. âSo⌠I just dreamed all that stuff, right?â
Applejack tried to shrug, but found her movement restricted by Rainbowâs wings.
Rainbow retracted her wings sheepishly, apologizing. âSorry. I may have gotten a little bit-â Rainbow froze, staring with wide eyes at their young audience. She glanced back at Applejack to find a baffled expression on her face. âHow⌠much of that did you hear?â
âWe heard about the sexy time! Whatâs that mean?â Sweetie Belle chirped innocently.
Rainbowâs face fell into her pillow, which also happened to be Applejackâs chest. âLuna dammit,â she muttered.
Applejack laughed. âItâd have ta come up eventually, right sugarcube?â
Rainbow raised her head. âWait, youâre okay with talking about sex with them now?â
Applejack shrugged. âYa said yerself yaâd have it beaten outta me.â
âBut so soon? I mean, I know Iâm awesome, butâŚâ
Applejack laughed again, kissing Rainbow on the nose before turning to the three fillies at the side of their bed. âWell, Ahâm sure ya have a whole lotta questions. But letâs start off with somethinâ a little less⌠sexy.â
âOkay, how about those weird tingly feelings Iâm starting to get in my wings?â Scootaloo asked.
âUh, we said less sexyâŚâ Rainbow frowned.
âWait, ya mean thatâs what sex is about?â Apple Bloom cocked her head. âWhat about Sweetie Belleâs horn, then?â
Applejack chuckled nervously. âAh, uh⌠Letâs just steer clear oâ the uh, physical stuff fer now.â
The three fillies adopted matching frowns briefly before shedding them in favor of expressions of excited curiosity. âAlright, then what else is there? Like, what are we supposed ta do now that weâre fillyfriends?â
âOther than kissing,â Sweetie Belle clarified. âWe already do that.â
Rainbow scoffed. âPlease, kid. Those little pecks arenât real kissing. Thereâs gotta be way more tongue involved.â
Scootalooâs eyes narrowed in befuddlement. âTongue?â
Applejack nodded. âYa gotta do it with yer mouths open. That way ya can⌠well, lick each otherâs tongues, Ah guess.â
The three filliesâ heads shot back. âLick each otherâs tongues?â Sweetie Belle asked incredulously.
âYou wouldnât understand unless you tried it,â Rainbow said.
âAhâm not sure Ah wanna,â Apple Bloom spoke for all three, evidenced by their nods of affirmation.
âWell, ya donâ have ta do nothinâ ya donâ wanna,â Applejack reassured. âThere is other stuff ya can do, but Ahâm not sure itâd be proper at yer age ta date.â
Rainbow shrugged. âHey, as long as theyâre careful and donât upset the wrong ponies...â
âAh guess so. Canât imagine the kinda looks theyâd be gettinâ, though,â Applejack shuddered.
âYeah, just donât let strangers take you anywhere. Like, at all.â
Applejack blinked. âThatâs not what Ah meant! Celestia, Dash, Ah donâ even wanna think about that!â
Rainbow laughed. âNah, Ponyvilleâs a pretty clean town. You shouldnât have to worry about that.â
âWhat the hay are you two going on about?â Scootaloo demanded.
Rainbow reached down to pat Scootaloo on the head. âNothing youâve gotta worry about, Scoot.â
âWhen ya say datinâ, ya mean like what Mac told us âbout him anâ Rarity?â
âPretty much, yeah,â Rainbow nodded. âThereâs other stuff you can do, of course. Dinnerâs probably above what you should be doing, though. Like, maybe a picnic at Ponyville Park for lunch or something like that.â
âThat sounds like fun!â Sweetie Belle grinned.
âThat does sound fun, Rainbow,â Applejack agreed. âAnâ we ainât done it yet.â
Rainbow rolled her eyes good-naturedly. âIâll work on it.â
âMight even convince me ta ferget that little talk we had,â Applejack speculated.
Rainbow giggled. âAnd that brings us back to sex.â
Applejack nodded. âIf yaâve already started gettinâ tingly feelinâs, then it probably wonât be too long âfore ya start ta get them in other places, too. Anâ ya might also get some urges. Now Ahâm not tellinâ ya not ta do nothinâ about those, but donâ go too fast with it. Yer still fillies, and ya will be âtill ya at least get yer cutie marks. Understand?â
The three fillies nodded in comprehension.
âAnd hey, it might serve as an added incentive to get those cutie marks, right?â Rainbow grinned. âI canât really talk from experience just yet, but Iâm sure that will change pretty soon.â
Applejack laughed, shoving Rainbow to the bed playfully. âDonâ you get me started, sugarcube.â
âOf course not,â Rainbow promised. âThatâs not until later.â
âWhat weâre tryinâa get at is that yaâll probably start ta get those kinda tingly feelinâs down a bit lower,â Applejack explained.
âYeah, right down between your legs,â Rainbow added.
Scootaloo, Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle shared an astonished glance, blushing heavily. âYa mean down there?â
âBut thatâs whereâŚâ Sweetie Belle trailed off.
Scootaloo shook her head. âOh Luna, thatâsâŚâ
Applejack nodded. âAnd we have yer word yaâll wait âtill ya have yer cutie marks, at least?â
The flustered fillies nodded in unison, all looking in different directions.
âI think we can trust them on this one, AJ,â Rainbow said. âBesides, I think theyâve still got a couple years to go before then.â
âAh reckon so, sugarcube,â Applejack agreed.
âNow head on downstairs to breakfast, alright?â
The Cutie Mark Crusaders nodded again, taking on this new crusade with a remarkable lack of enthusiasm as they shuffled their way out of the room and down the stairs in silence.
âWell, thatâs one way to start a day,â Rainbow supposed, sighing,
Applejack laughed, nodding. âLetâs head on down, too. Breakfast sounds real nice about now.â
Rainbow nodded in agreement, following Applejack downstairs to find none other than Rarity sitting at the Apple family dining table next to Big Macintosh. âOh, hey Rarity. You get all that stuff sorted out with Mac?â
Rarity nodded, leaning her head against Big Macâs shoulder. âAnd am I ever glad I did. It went better than I could have ever hoped.â
Applejack smiled. âWell, weâre happy ta hear it. Anâ welcome ta the family.â
Rarity smiled broadly, reaching up to plant a kiss on Macâs cheek. Big Mac blushed, pulling his marefriend closer. âWe got somethinâ else ta tell yâall, too,â Big Macintosh prompted.
âI suppose we do,â Rarity agreed, waiting for the family to be seated before speaking. âI know this may come as quite a shock. Especially to you, Applejack and Rainbow. Iâm sorry for keeping it a secret for so long. But it is now best that you know that Iâm not the mare you think I am.â
Applejack and Rainbow both opened their mouths to inquire further, but realizationâs dawning stopped their questions short.
Rainbowâs eyes widened. âOh my gosh, Rarityâs a guy.â
Rarity smiled shyly in response.
A smile slowly came over Applejackâs face. âWhat was that ya were sayinâ yesterday âbout this beinâ the gayest farm family ever, Rainbow?â
Rainbow burst out laughing. âIâm sorry, this is just too perfect!â She struggled mightily to contain her giggles, but to no avail. âOh my gosh.â
Applejack chuckled. âAhâll speak fer Rainbow. Weâre definitely surprised ya manage to hide it so well, but weâd never think oâ judginâ ya fer it.â
âAnâ this is somethinâ ya want, Mac?â Granny Smith asked levelly.
Big Macintosh nodded firmly, pulling Rarity closer still.
âToo tight, dear,â Rarity gasped.
âSorry.â Mac loosened his grip slightly.
Granny Smith chuckled. âWell, it sure is hay ainât expected, but if it makes ya happy, Ah canât say no.â
Big Mac smiled. âThanks, Granny.â
Rainbow finally calmed down, gasping for air. âAre we⌠gonna eat or not?â
Everypony present shook their heads in bemusement, signaling the start of the most crowded Apple family breakfast anypony could remember.
Before Applejack and Rainbow Dash could leave the house after breakfast, they were stopped by Rarity. âWait, girls, I feel like I owe you a better explanation. Would you⌠mind terribly if we could talk somewhere private?â
Applejack and Rainbow shared a glance. âAh guess not.â
âItâs not like we havenât talked enough for one morning,â Rainbow added, earning a pointed glance from Applejack. âI mean, sure. Why not.â
Rarity smiled gratefully. âThank you for this. It will certainly help prepare me for confessing to Twilight and Pinkie Pie.â
âI donât think anything can prepare you for that,â Rainbow speculated. âTwilightâs probably gonna lock you in her basement for science-y stuff, and Pinkie⌠I never know what sheâs gonna do.â
âThrow a party, maybe?â Applejack suggested.
Rainbow paused. âWait, Pinkie hasnât even thrown a party for us yetâŚâ Rainbow gulped. âHas anyone seen Pinkie since she found out?â
âAh saw âer yesterday,â Big Macintosh said, sidling up next to Rarity. âShe seemed a might worked up by somethinâ, even fer her. She ran off âfore Ah could ask what it was.â
Rainbow fell to the floor, holding her head in her hooves. âIf we donât survive what she has planned, let it be known that I lived an awesome life.â
Applejack chuckled lightly, consoling Rainbow. âAhâm sure ya wonât die alone, sugarcube. Or even a virgin.â
Rainbow smiled at that. âYouâre right. We still have a few days if sheâs planning something that big. That leaves plenty of time!â
Rarityâs eyes narrowed. âCould it be that our dear Rainbow has been saving herself for somepony special?â
âNo!â Rainbow answered immediately. âI just never found anyone who could keep up with my awesomeness!â
Rarity grinned. âSo Applejack isnât special, then?â
âI⌠shut up!â Rainbow shot back, blushing profusely. âI could have had sex any time!â
âYes, Iâm sure your list of marefriends,â Rarity gestured to Applejack, âcan attest to that.â
Applejack chuckled. âSheâs right, sugarcube. Ya told me yerself yaâve never been with another pony before.â
Rainbow frowned, muttering, âItâs not like I havenât thought about it before.â
Applejack grinned, brows rising. âSo yer tellinâ me yaâve been pininâ after me fer a while now?â
âIn a totally sexual, non-romantic way!â Rainbow insisted.
Applejack laughed. âAnd that makes it better how?â
âBecause you make me act funny! Itâs your earth pony super powers, I swear!â
Rarity giggled. âActually, Rainbow, I do believe the word youâre looking for is âloveâ.â
Rainbowâs blush reappeared, heavier this time. âI⌠I do not! I could⌠I⌠Luna dammit, you guys!â
Applejack chuckled, kissing Rainbow on the forehead. âYer sweeter than ya let on, sugarcube. Ya done shown me that plenty,â she whispered.
Rainbowâs face softened, a smile coming to her lips. âThe things you do to me, AJâŚâ
Applejack smiled back. âAnâ that list has plenty oâ room ta grow.â
Rainbow blushed lightly. âI donât suppose youâve thought at all about uh⌠sex, have you?â
âAh have,â Applejack admitted. âAnâ we donât really have much planned after applebuckinâ today, do we? Ya did offer a picnic. Maybe we do that, see where it goesâŚâ
Rainbow smiled wider, kissing Applejack on the nose. âYou have no idea how good that sounds.â
âAh reckon Ah do, sugarcube,â Applejack countered. âAhâve been pent up just as long as you.â
âYou donât suppose we could just have it out in the orchard, do you? You know, somewhere⌠private and out of the way?â
âAh donât think Ahâd mind that,â Applejack acquiesced. âAh know just the place, too.â
âAwesome,â Rainbow said, smiling.
âIf you two are done conniving, I do believe I had your agreement for a talk,â Rarity chimed in.
Applejack nodded. âWeâll be right up, just give us a couple minutes.â
Rarity looked to Big Macintosh, who smiled. âCâmon, Rare. Ah reckon they want some privacy.â
Rarity smiled back. âRight behind you, dear.â
âMy favorite,â Big Mac joked, earning a playful shove from his marefriend as they made their way upstairs.
Rainbow sighed as she was alone with Applejack again. âYou donât think theyâre planning anything today, do you?â
âNope, Ah reckon Ahâll be able ta tease Mac âbout the fact Ah lost mine first,â Applejack speculated.
âYou already got a marefriend before he got a coltfriend,â Rainbow said, before frowning. âWow, that felt really weird to say.â
âAh donât think Ahâll ever get used ta that,â Applejack agreed. âSheâll always be a mare ta me.â
Rainbow nodded. âDick or vag, sheâs still the Rarity weâve known all these years.â
Applejack chortled. âThatâs one way ta put it. Now câmon, sheâs got some âsplaininâ ta do.â
Upstairs, Rarity waited patiently while Big Mac looked around his room idly. Applejack entered shortly, followed by Rainbow, and Rarity smiled. âPlease, sit down. This may take a while.â
Rainbow shrugged at a glance from Applejack, and the two seated themselves on the floor beside the bed.
âNow, Iâd first like to say that despite what you now know about me, Iâd prefer if you still considered me a mare. Though I was born a colt, I was raised a filly. Itâs really all Iâve ever known myself to be.â
âThat would be a whole lot less confusing,â Rainbow said. âAnd hey, we were just talking about that.â
Applejack nodded. âAh gotta ask, though. How come ya can still look just like a mare, even if yer really a stallion?â
Rarity smiled forlornly. âYou can thank my parents for that. They⌠changed me when I was very young. Magic can do incredible things, especially when administered early. But thereâs just the one thing it canât.â
Rainbow frowned. âWhy would your parents try to make you a filly?â
âBecause they wanted one,â Rarity answered. âAs I understand it, they were⌠upset when they found out I was a colt. And the surgeries involved arenât cheap. Despite their intentions, I find it hard to resent them when I think of how much money they spent on me. It almost makes me a little depressed, knowing how much better off theyâd be had I been born a filly.â
Big Macintosh offered a consoling hug, which Rarity accepted gratefully. âIf none oâ that had happened, ya might not be where ya are today. Ainât that worth all the money in the world?â
Rarity smiled. âIf it brought me to you, they must have done something right.â
Applejack smiled wryly at the sight of her brother and one of her best friends so lovingly embracing. Rainbow surreptitiously extended a wing and wrapped in around Applejackâs side. Applejack giggled at the sentiment, leaning into Rainbowâs wing hug.
âOf course, it was hard to hide it from Fluttershy, what with our weekly spa trips,â Rarity continued. âEven with the spell I had been taught to keep myself hidden. I learned the hard way that invisible does not mean untouchable.â
âWait, so youâre telling me you let Fluttershy feel up your dick?â Rainbow asked incredulously.
Rarityâs eyes widened as she developed a blush. âN-no! It was an accident! I would never consent to such a⌠such an intimate exchange with my best friend.â
âHey, youâre looking at two best friends over here,â Rainbow ventured, pulling Applejack closer with her wing.
Applejack chuckled, rolling her eyes. âAh donâ think thatâs quite the same, Rainbow.â
Rarity, who had become quite flustered, was hugged tighter by Big Macintosh. âAhâm sure it werenât nothinâ big. How did it turn out?â
Rarity smiled gratefully, blush lessening. âWell, we were both shocked, of course. I will admit that the whole situation was⌠slightly arousing. But Fluttershy, being the dear she is, accepted me without question, though I insisted on a better explanation later.â
âShe sure is a sweetheart, Miss Fluttershy,â Big Macintosh agreed.
âDo I detect a hint of longing, Mac?â Rarity poked deviously.
Big Macintosh chuckled. âCourse not.â
Rarity giggled, kissing Mac briefly before returning her attention to her friends. âApologies, Mac does have that effect on me. But yes, everything turned out alright. Fluttershy insisted it would take something far worse to end our friendship. Itâs actually one of the reasons I chose to hide out the day with her.â
âSo she was hidinâ somethinâ from me,â Big Mac observed. âAh thought Ah saw somethinâ in her eyes.â
Rarity smiled sheepishly. âSorry. Iâm sure you can understand why I wanted some time to think.â
Big Macintosh nodded. âAh would, too, in yer situation.â
âThanks,â Rarity squeezed Big Mac. âYou donât know how good it feels to be somewhere so accepting. I admit that I was a little worried that traditions might get in the way.â
âTell me about it,â Rainbow chuckled, giving Applejack a peck on the cheek.
âSo ya said they wanted a daughter, yer parents,â Applejack ventured. âWhat happened when Sweetie Belle came along?â
Rarity cast her gaze downward. âIt was a⌠troubling time, to say the least. Itâs my understanding that they gave up on me and tried again. And this time they got a real filly.â Rarity sighed. âI got jealous, and stole the attention back away from her. But⌠she was so young. She needed that attention more than I did. So the only thing I could think to do was to set off on my own. I was never around Sweetie Belle as much as I wanted in her early years. Running a business while barely older than she is now just⌠took so much time. I tried my best, but I always feel like I didnât try hard enough.â
Big Mac hugged Rarity tighter. âYa know that ainât true, Rare. Ya did the best ya could, and Sweetie Belle donât resent ya none fer it. She looks up to ya, wants ta do what you do. Ainât that proof enough?â
âBut we both know itâs not her true calling,â Rarity went on. âHad I been there for her, maybe I could have nurtured her real talent in singing.â
Applejack chuckled. âTrust me, Rarity, no amount oâ love nâ affection can set those fillies straight.â
Big Macintosh nodded. âAfter Ma nâ Pa died, Ah had ta be a father ta little Apple Bloom, on top oâ beinâ a big brother. If both of us couldnât fix her, Ah donât think yaâd have stood much of a chance alone.â
âI suppose youâre right,â Rarity conceded. âItâs just so hard not to blame myself for being a bad sister.â
âThe fact ya care so much makes you a good sister, Rare,â Big Mac insisted. âAnd Ah wonât be havinâ none oâ this doubt from ya. Yer a wonderful mare, and Ahâm proud ta call ya my marefriend.â
Rarity smiled. âThanks, Mac.â
Applejack looked on in wonderment as the two embraced again. Her brother seemed to have some sort of mastery at calming Rarity down despite having only been with her for so short a time. She wondered if Mac himself had sent any extra looks her way in the past. Rarity certainly did seem quite enamored with him.
âNot to interrupt or anything, but shouldnât we be getting to applebucking soon?â Rainbow cut in.
Big Macâs eyes shot open. âRight, the apples! Ah plum fergot, Ahâm sorry. Ya wouldnât mind helpinâ us out a bit, would ya, Rare? Ah got everythinâ set up yesterday so the goinâ should be easier, but itâd be nice ta have Rainbow free fer buckinâ ta make it go faster.â
âI suppose I could, if the work isnât too demanding. What would I be doing?â
âJust gatherinâ all the buckets ta one spot so we donât gotta fetch âem all ourselves at the end. Ah canât rightly say how many trees are ripe, or how spread out they are, but it shouldnât be too bad with yer magic.â Big Mac smiled hopefully.
Rarity looked thoughtful for a moment before grinning. âI donât know, it sounds like it might be rather difficult. But I suppose if youâd agree to a trip to the spa afterwards, I could let it slide this once.â
Big Macintosh frowned. âAh ainât never been to a spa before.â
âPrecisely my point, dear,â Rarity giggled. âNow do you agree to my terms or not?â
Big Mac sighed. âAlright, but only fer you.â
âPerfect! Iâll make sure Aloe and Lotus make you look absolutely ravishing.â
âWhy do Ah get the feelinâ Ahâm gonna regret this?â Big Mac despaired.
Rarity laughed, pecking Mac on the nose before exiting the room. Shrugging, Applejack and Rainbow followed, leaving Mac to contemplate his situation alone.
âAhâm sure it wonât be so bad,â Big Mac assured himself. âAnd besides, if it really makes her so happyâŚâ he smiled, âthen itâll be worth it.â
With three ponies each taking a third of the area, the work progressed at a fast clip. There were a few more trees than there had been the previous session, but Big Macâs preparations took the work of catching the apples out of the picture. Rarityâs help with wagon loading certainly didnât hurt, either.
Rainbow smiled as she crossed paths with Applejack. The work was laborious, as evidenced by the sweat on their coats, but Rainbow couldnât help but think of how attractive Applejack looked this way. âDonât tire yourself out too much or weâll have no energy left for the after party!â
Applejack chuckled, wiping her brow with a forehoof. âAhâm sure ya wonât be sayinâ that when Iâm through with ya.â
âIâll hold you to that,â Rainbow snickered as she delivered a quick buck to another tree.
They bantered on about the day ahead of them, neither bothering to mention that they had purposefully worked through their sections to give them as much time together at the end as possible.
âHow do you think Macâs gonna handle the spa treatment? Sounds like Rarityâs gonna go all-out on him.â
âShe didnât get ta come ta yer first spa trip, either,â Applejack agreed. âAhâm sure sheâll have him begginâ fer mercy by the time they get home.â
âI can see it now, Rarity coming home with a big ball of red fur that used to be Mac,â Rainbow laughed. âOh, itâll be rich!â
Applejack nodded, laughing along. The day seemed to slow down whenever they were together, as if Celestia was holding the sun in place to give them more time in their day. It helped Rainbow appreciate some of the subtle nuances of life she normally didnât care to observe. The way water beaded on the leaves, the sound produced by a solid buck to a trunk, the smell of apples all around them, things she had really come to know and love about being out in the orchard.
Though it had only been five days since she started her time on the farm, it felt like sheâd been here all her life. Applejackâs family had welcomed her immediately, and made her feel like she really belonged here. Growing up as an only child, and having only Fluttershy to call a real foalhood friend, never really gave her the whole family experience. Rainbow smiled as she thought back on that first day she had met Applejack.
âAlright Rainbow, you can do this! Thereâs no way that Sonic Rainboom could have been a one-time thing! Thatâs a trick worthy of a Wonderbolt!â Rainbow psyched herself up, trying not for the first time to recreate that glorious moment that had earned her a cutie mark. Just because sheâd failed the last five hundred times didnât mean sheâd fail this time.
Flaring her small, but powerful wings, Rainbow dove off the cloud she was perched on, driving herself to the ground as fast as her developing muscles would allow. She strained herself, pushing harder and harder, but that Mach cone simply would not form. She squinted, trying to discern any abnormal wind patterns around her, but none were to be found.
âThis is stupid!â Rainbow cried out, giving her wings one massive flap⌠and crashing head-first into a painfully solid object. She was dimly aware of some pole-like structure breaking her fall before blacking out.
Rainbow woke some time later on some strangely comfortable surface, with some other equally strange layer of softness above her. It wasnât quite as soft as a cloud, but it was definitely quite warm. She wracked her brain, trying to figure out why she would be surrounded by such a strange material. She vaguely remembered crashing against some most definitely non-cushioned surface. She must have been trying some sort of trick, butâŚ
Rainbow shot up. âI have to do theâŚâ The sudden movement made her feel strangely weak. Her head started to spin as she collapsed helplessly onto the strange fluffiness from before. Her vision swam into focus, and she found she was trapped in some sort of strange chamber. She tried to move, needing to escape, but her limbs wouldnât cooperate.
Amidst the commotion, an orange filly with an oversized brown Stetson woke, having fallen asleep in the late hours despite her conviction to stand watch over the strange pegasus filly in her care.
âYer awake!â Rainbow froze at the voice, slowly turning her head to regard her would-be captor. âYa took quite a hit back there. Ah was startinâ ta worry ya mightaâŚâ
Rainbow cocked her head as the filly trailed off, looking far less relieved than her voice had indicated. Rainbow considered her words. This filly certainly didnât sound like an evil dungeon master. In fact, she sounded an awful lot like she was⌠âYou⌠you saved me?â
The orange fillyâs freckled cheeks reddened as she pulled her hat over her eyes. âAw, shucks, it werenât nothinâ as special as that.â
âYou did!â Rainbow perked up. âMaybe you can tell me what happened. Or where we are.â Rainbow looked around the plain white room. âOr what this stuff is.â She indicated the surface she laid upon. On further inspection, it looked like a bed of some sort. It was a far cry from the plush cloud beds she was used to, but she couldnât think of what else it might be. She poked at the mattress experimentally, before examining the strange sheets.
Her savior devolved into a fit of laughter at Rainbowâs antics. âAinât ya ever been in a bed before, sugarcube?â
âSo this is a bed.â Rainbow frowned. âWhy isnât in made of clouds?â
âAh donât reckon us earth ponies can walk on clouds,â the filly replied.
âBut then how did you get here?â Rainbow looked around again. âWhere is here?â She returned her gaze to the Stetson-wearing filly, noticing for the first time that- âOh my gosh, what happened to your wings!?â
The orange filly eyed Rainbow up and down. âAh never had any. Ahâm not a pegasus like you.â
âThen how do you fly?â Rainbow demanded frantically.
âAh donât,â the filly replied slowly. âDid you get hit on the head or somethinâ?â
âI donât know! Everything here is weird! There are ponies without wings, beds made out of stuff that isnât clouds, I donât even know if this room is made of clouds!â Rainbow fixed the bemused filly with a panicked stare. âWhere are all the clouds?â
âUp in the sky, where they belong.â
Rainbowâs brow furrowed. âWait, youâre telling me weâre below the clouds?â
The fillyâs face suddenly darkened. âYer tellinâ me yer one oâ them cloud dwellers?â
âYou mean youâre not?â Rainbow asked, a little frightened.
The filly snorted. âAhâd hope not. Youâre the ponies what killed Ma nâ Pa!â
Rainbow blinked. âWhat are you talking about? I didnât kill anyone!â
Thunder echoed in the distance, causing the enraged filly to jump in fright. âYa sure did! With one oâ them Celestia damned storms yer always makinâ!â
âI donât make the storms! Iâm just a filly!â Rainbow insisted.
âThat donât mean ya gotta stand by and watch!â
Rainbow scowled. âI donât have to listen to this!â She got to her feet through sheer willpower, moving to throw open the window.
âWhere do ya think yer goinâ?â
âHome. And you canât stop me!â
At Rainbowâs defiance, a strong wind swept through the room, nearly knocking Rainbow off her hooves. The orange filly was less familiar with weather patterns, and was tripped up by the wind, her hat flying loose at escaping out the window. âMah hat!â she cried.
Rainbow watched as the filly turned from a ball of rage to a catatonic statue. She looked absolutely devastated by the loss of her hat. Not even having to consider her options, Rainbow flared her wings and chased after the wayward hat.
The world below the clouds was certainly very different from her haven above, but she allowed herself no time to look at the scenery. She had something she had to do, and nothing would stop her. She turned this way and that, scanning for the hat. Even in the near-pitch blackness, she could make out the hat as it made its way to a formidable-looking sheer cliff.
Like a bullet, she was off in pursuit, far from caring about the Mach cone developing around her. It was almost in reach, just a little further⌠Rainbow cried out in pain as a protruding branch scored a gash along her stomach, but pushed through. The tears that formed in her eyes made it hard to see, but with her fullest extension, she grasped the brim of the hat between her teeth before it could fall down the cliff side.
Clutching at her stomach with a hoof, Rainbow laboriously made her way back to the hospital. The window wasnât hard to spot, being the only one open on the whole building. She collapsed inside, skidding across the white floor and leaving a trail of red, but she kept the hat firmly between her teeth.
The window was quickly shut by the orange filly, who then turned to make sure Rainbow was okay. She froze as she saw a battered, yet triumphant, Rainbow Dash holding her hat. Her eyes began to tear up. This filly she had barely met, who she had just accused of murder, went out of her way to save the last treasure she had from her parents.
âI got this back,â Rainbow said, extending her neck to place it upon the fillyâs head. âItâs important to you, right?â
Unable to control herself, the filly tackled Rainbow into a hug, sobbing into her shoulder. Rainbow winced as her stomach flared in pain, vision swimming as she collapsed to the floor. Just before she blacked out, she heard the filly cry for help.
Rainbow blearily opened her eyes, wincing as the light from the hospital room flared. Before she could work up the courage to open them again, she felt a pair of hooves wrap around her neck.
âYer okay!â The orange filly from earlier cried. âAh was so worried. Ya didnât have ta do all that fer me. Ya coulda been killed!â
Rainbow felt a smile come to her face as she opened her eyes again, a filly now between her and the previous light source. âHey, featherbrained stunts are what I do best.â
âAh can never thank ya enough fer thisâŚâ
Rainbow grinned cockily. âNameâs Rainbow Dash.â
âAhâm Applejack,â Applejack replied. âAh was wrong about you, Rainbow Dash. Ah have ta make this up ta you somehow.â
Rainbow waved a hoof dismissively. âNah, this makes us even now, right?â
Applejack smiled, hugging Rainbowâs neck tighter.
âRainbow? You alright, sugarcube?â Applejackâs voice snapped Rainbow out of her reverie. âYaâve been awful quiet.â
Rainbow smiled, unable to keep from embracing Applejack in a hug. Applejack, while surprised at the sudden display of affection, nevertheless returned the hug. âSorry, I was just thinking about how we first met.â
Applejack smiled, eyes glassing over with nostalgia. âAh still canât thank ya enough fer what ya did, Rainbow,â Applejack said, removing her hat and gazing at it fondly. âYa got me this back, and ya kept my spirits up while ya were recoverinâ.â
Rainbow blushed, averting her gaze. âAw, it wasnât anything that special.â
Applejack suddenly burst out laughing, hugging Rainbow again. Rainbow couldnât stop from laughing, herself, as she nuzzled into the crook of Applejackâs neck. The bond they had created that day was one of true friendship, and now it was blossoming into something more. Rainbow couldnât think of any pony sheâd want to share a relationship with more. Applejack echoed those sentiments with a kiss upon Rainbowâs lips.
âYa really are a sweetheart, Rainbow.â Applejack broke away to buck the last tree they needed that day, smiling as she watched the buckets float away in Rarityâs blue magic. âNow, about that picnicâŚâ
Rainbow blushed, looking to the sky for help. She estimated they had about three hours before noon, which gave them plenty of time to prepare. Rainbow released the breath she didnât remember holding. âSo, what do we wanna bring?â
Applejack thought as they made their way to the loaded wagons. Rarity awaited them, triumphant and exhausted. She gave Mac a predatory grin, eliciting a nervous chuckle from the big stallion.
âWell, itâs gotta be more ân just apples, Ah guess,â Applejack contemplated. âAh reckon we could pick somethinâ up at Sugarcube Corner.â
âYou mean like muffins or something?â Rainbow asked.
âOoh! Muffins? Where are they?â
Rainbow cocked her head, regarding the wall-eyed pegasus who had materialized out of nowhere. âDerpy? When did you get here?â Rainbow paused. âWhy are you here?â
âOh, you know, itâs not too far from the uh, carrot place and um⌠There was something elseâŚâ Derpyâs face scrunched up as she tried to remember.
âA letter, maybe?â Applejack suggested.
Derpy brightened. âOh, yeah! I got one of those. Itâs from, uh⌠I donât remember.â
Rainbow took the proffered letter, reading the envelope. âItâs from Twilight,â she observed. âYou donât think something went wrong, do you?â
Applejack scanned the envelope over Rainbowâs shoulder. âItâs addressed ta both oâ us. How did ya know Rainbow would be here?â
âUmâŚâ Derpy held a hoof to her forehead. âCarrot Top told me something that sounded smart, but I forgot what it was.â
Rainbow shrugged, opening the letter while Applejack unhitched herself from her wagon.
Dear Applejack and Rainbow Dash,
I apologize for the formality, but things have gotten a little hectic here in Canterlot. I just wanted to let you know that Iâm going to be staying for another week to help sort things out. If you need anything from the library, Spike will be able to assist you. I trust you and the girls will be able to handle Ponyville while Iâm gone.
Until then, Twilight Sparkle
Applejack frowned, reading the letter over again. âYa donât think itâs anythinâ serious, do ya?â
âI donât know. Sheâs not usually this⌠not-wordy. I mean, itâs nice to not have a wall of words for once, butâŚâ Rainbow pondered for a moment. âWell, itâs definitely not like her, but I donât know if thatâs really anything to worry about. I mean, she did send a letter like she usually does.â
Applejack set about unloading her wagon, unsure what to think. Derpy had disappeared at some point, so she couldnât ask how she had come about the letter. âWell, no use worryinâ, Ah guess. Twilight can take care oâ herself.â
Rainbow nodded hesitantly. âI guess.â We do still have that picnic later, she supposed.
Applejack put a hoof on Rainbowâs shoulder, making her jump slightly. âHow come Ahâm the one who has ta get you ta quit worryinâ now?â
Rainbow shook herself. âSorry, I just⌠Thereâs a lot on my mind right now.â
Applejack smirked. âWell, ainât that a rarity.â
âWill you shut up about Rarity already?â Rainbow snapped, walking off into a corner of the barn.
Applejackâs smirk turned into a frown as she followed. âRainbow, what-â
âIâm sorry,â Rainbow interrupted. âIâm just⌠frustrated right now and I donât know why. I really feel like IâŚâ Rainbow trailed off, adopting a heavy blush. âLike I need to get off.â
Applejack smiled gently. âWell, ainât that what this whole picnic ideaâs all about? Ya said yerself Ahâd have a hard time shakinâ ya. And, well, Ahâm startinâ ta feel it, too. So, howâs about we head on over ta Sugarcube Corner, pick up somethinâ sweet, then come back ta grab somethinâ from home, anâ get started on that picnic?â
âThat⌠would be awesome,â Rainbow admitted. âThanks for⌠putting up with me, AJ.â
âThink nothinâ of it, sugarcube,â Applejack returned, before pausing. âOn second thought, think everythinâ of it. Ah do it only fer you⌠Dashie.â
Rainbow blinked, eyes slowly widening. âYou know, for how annoying Pinkie makes that sound, you make it sound soâŚâ
âCute?â Applejack suggested, smiling.
âI was gonna say sexy, but⌠If thatâs what you want, then I think I can live with it,â Rainbow smirked, âJackie.â
Applejack chuckled. âWe gonna be startinâ with the pet names, then?â
âHey, weâre having sex later, right?â Rainbow giggled.
Applejack nodded. âAh reckon so, sugarcube.â
âThen I can call you whatever I want,â Rainbow whispered into Applejackâs ear, giving it a sensual lick. Applejack shivered at the touch, blushing as she felt something stir within her.
âLetâs hold off on that fer now, Dash,â Applejack gulped. âDonâ wanna head inta Ponyville smellinâ oâ sexy intentions, right?â
âWhatever you say, Jackie,â Rainbow sniggered, making sure to add a sway to her hips as she walked out of the barn.
Applejack blushed heavier. This was one of those times she was really thankful she wasnât a pegasus. Celestia help me, Rainbow.
|
| | | Cloudchaser Pony
Posts : 130 Join date : 2012-02-11 Location : The Magical Land of New Jersey
| Subject: Re: Oh God Cloud Wrote a Fanfic Tue Jul 16, 2013 7:31 pm | |
| Rainbow eased up on the teasing as they entered Ponyville, not wanting to attract too much attention. Sheâd be sure to rub it in Vinylâs face that it only took her two days to her two months. I almost wish weâd thought of this sooner, Rainbow mused. But then I guess we wouldnât have everything perfect like it is now.Rainbow smiled as Applejack sidled up closer so that their flanks brushed against each other as they walked. Rainbow extended a wing over Applejack to pull her in closer still, making sure to brush a feather across her cutie mark, delighting in the soft moan in elicited. As long as the true meaning behind the gesture remained secret, Rainbow would make sure to use it as much as possible. Donât wanna be too forward, after all, Rainbow thought with a smile. As they entered Sugarcube Corner, they found Mrs. Cake behind the counter. She ducked into the back room, presumably to fetch Pinkie Pie. For that very assumption, Rainbow and Applejack were confused when she returned alone. âEverythinâ alright, Mrs. Cake?â Applejack asked as they walked up to the counter. Mrs. Cake rolled her eyes good-naturedly. âYes, it just seems Pinkieâs off in her own little world right now. I canât imagine what sheâs planning this time.â Applejack and Rainbow shared a glance. âI⌠think it might have something to do with us, getting overdosed on way too much party,â Rainbow suggested. âI donât know how far down the grapevine itâs travelled yet, but me and AJ⌠kinda started dating a couple days ago.â Mrs. Cake chuckled. âOh, Iâm sure Pinkie wonât be holding anything back in that case. Iâve heard her rambling on about the two of you, though I never made the connection, myself.â âYeah, uhâŚâ Rainbow blushed, rubbing the back of her head with a hoof. âUm, this is kinda embarrassing, but uhâŚâ âRainbow and Ah are gonna have a little picnic later today,â Applejack picked up, much to the relief of her marefriend. âAnd no picnicâs complete without a treat from Sugarcube Corner.â âWell, Iâm flattered that you would think so,â Mrs. Cake smiled. âWhat did you have in mind?â Rainbow shrugged. âI dunno. Cupcakes, I guess?â Mrs. Cake brightened at that. âOh, yes, that reminds me! Pinkie made these earlier, and she told me to give them to you if you came by before whatever party sheâs planning.â Mrs. Cake produced a medium-sized box from under the counter. She opened it to reveal patterned blue and orange cupcakes. Applejack and Rainbow looked to each other, grinning sheepishly. They should have known Pinkie would do something like this. She thankfully had the decency to place them in an undecorated box, and not one with big hearts that announced the contents to anyone who spared a glance. Applejack took the box and placed it upon her back, chuckling as Rainbowâs wing covered it. âHow much?â Applejack asked, reaching around in her saddlebag. Mrs. Cake laughed. âI didnât think I needed to tell you. No charge, dears.â Applejack poked her head back out of her saddlebag, closing it again. âUh, thanks, Mrs. Cake.â âOh, think nothing of it,â Mrs. Cake said, smiling. âIâve seen enough couples come through here in my time, and youâve been friends of Pinkie for quite a while now. I know youâre not the most romantically inclined pair, but sometimes I just canât resist.â âUh, well, thanks anyway,â Rainbow said, pausing awkwardly before walking out with Applejack. âSee you later, I guess.â Rainbow sighed as they exited the sweets shop. âI know Mrs. Cake isnât Pinkieâs mom, but something about that was way more awkward than it should have been.â Applejack chuckled. âShe only means well, sugarcube. Sheâs just got a few more wits about âer than Pinkie does.â Rainbow nodded. âIâm not the only one worried about what Pinkieâs gonna do to us, right?â âAhâm downright terrified, sugarcube,â Applejack admitted. âAh just know how ta hide it.â âYou should teach me sometime. I really donât,â Rainbow chuckled. Applejack smiled. âOh, Ahâm sure Ahâll be teachinâ ya a thing er two pretty soon, Dashie.â Rainbow smiled back, blushing lightly. âHow many of those cupcakes do you think weâre gonna get through before we just buck it?â Applejack tapped a hoof to her chin jokingly. âAh reckon about two.â Rainbow laughed, nodding. âThis is gonna be the best day ever.â âCount on it, sugarcube,â Applejack smiled.
Much too excited to grab more than a picnic basket and blanket from home, Rainbow and Applejack decided to simply buck the nearest tree to their picnic site and eat whatever dropped from it. Applejack carried the basket, draping the blanket over Rainbow flared wings with a snicker. Rainbow gave chase as Applejack took off at a run to their destination. Not knowing where they were going meant Rainbow had to lag behind a bit, something she really didnât mind for once. She might have to fall behind in their races more often if the view was this nice. Applejack turned sharply, disappearing into a glade of trees. Rainbow barely managed to avoid crashing into a tree, only to run headfirst into another. Applejackâs head poked out between the trees as she giggled at Rainbowâs delayed reaction. âMaybe if ya werenât so busy starinâ at mah plot, ya woulda seen that one cominâ,â Applejack sniggered. âYeah, well, maybe if you werenât so sexy I wouldnât have to⌠Wait, that didnât make any sense.â Applejack laughed, disappearing again through the trees. Rainbow followed her inside, the blanket still somehow caught in her wings. Her short trip to Applejackâs position revealed she had managed to keep hold of the basket, too. Whatâs more, it revealed a part of the orchard she had never seen before. The leaves of the trees created a canopy, blocking out most sunlight and giving the appearance of a much later hour. Off to one side of the clearing, there was a pool of water, complete with a little waterfall. Rainbow shook her head in awe, wondering how she had missed such an awesome hideout. âAfter Ah gave Apple Bloom and her friends the clubhouse, Ah needed a place of mah own ta escape to,â Applejack began. âAh found this place âbout a year ago. Kinda makes me wonder how it survived without any tendinâ to.â âMaybe this place works kinda like the Everfree,â Rainbow suggested, looking around at the trees. âIt does have another secret Ah still ainât got figured out,â Applejack said, delivering a buck to a nearby tree. To Rainbowâs astonishment, what fell werenât normal apples, as would be expected. Instead⌠âZap Apples?â Rainbow inspected the fruit carefully. âBut itâs not even Zap Apple harvest time!â âThese ones grow year-round,â Applejack explained. âWay Ah understood the stories, thatâs how they worked in the Everfree.â Rainbow paused as a thought struck her. âYou donât think this is a part of the Everfree they never cleared out, do you?â âAh donâ rightly know. Ah never asked Granny âbout it,â Applejack admitted. âAh thought that, mahself. But then if it is, then why is it so⌠peaceful? Ah donât know if itâs âcause it ainât part oâ the main forest, er what. All Ah know is that fer the past year, this place has been mah haven. And yer the first pony Ahâve ever showed it to.â âItâs awesome, AJ,â Rainbow said, smiling. âYou know, it is a pretty decent size. You could fit a pretty nice house in here.â Applejack smiled back. âAhâve thought about that. But then Ah wouldnât have anyone ta share it with.â âIâm sure you could find somepony,â Rainbow laughed. âItâs not too far from the house, either. Seems like a pretty good place if we ever want a little privacy.â Applejack blushed. âThat would be really nice.â Rainbow reached for the other Zap Apple that had fallen from the tree, offering it to Applejack. Applejack accepted the fruit while Rainbow laid out the picnic blanket. It fell easily, with little need for straightening. Applejack took up a pose on the blanket, raising her brow saucily. Rainbowâs wings shot up as she joined Applejack on the blanket, taking a bite out of her Zap Apple. âYa know, these things have always reminded me oâ you,â Applejack said, taking her first bite as well. âI wonder why,â Rainbow laughed, delighting in the rainbow of flavor. âItâs a mystery, âApplejack agreed, giggling. Their Zap Apples were soon devoured, leaving that electrifying aftertaste in their mouths as Rainbow reached for the box of cupcakes. Her hoof was stopped as she found Applejack suddenly on top of her. The sensations of a kiss mingled with the tastes already on their tongues drove them wild. Rainbow withdrew from the kiss, panting. âApplejack, wait. Are you really sure you want to go through with this? This is a pretty big step, and weâve only been together for a little while. If you really donât want to, we could just, you know, take care of ourselves and wait for another time.â Applejack averted her gaze briefly. Even with a more level head, it didnât take her long to come up with her answer. âJust shut up and kiss me, ya silly filly.â Rainbow happily obliged. Clop here!
âCome on, Mac. Itâs not so bad,â Rarity said, falling in step beside the hesitant stallion. âI promise I wonât have them do anything that would make you uncomfortable.â Big Mac sighed, trudging along valiantly. âYou know Ah ainât sure âbout this, but Ah made a promise.â He smiled wryly. âAppleâs honorâs a might stronger ân that, Rare.â Rarity smiled back, leaning against Macâs side as she walked. They were on their way to the spa at Macâs insistence after lunch and a quick pit stop at Rarityâs. âA promise ainât a thing Ah take lightly,â he had said. It almost made her wonder just how far she could push before she found his limit. If things go well, Iâm sure Iâll find out soon enough, Rarity mused, shaking her head lightly. Lotus perked up as the door chimed, beaming as she saw who had graced their spa. âWell, Mister Macintosh. It seems youâve found your mare.â Lotus chuckled, noting the look on Macâs face. âOr perhaps she has found you.â âEither way, heâs mine now,â Rarity returned, grinning. âAnd by extension, yours.â Aloe popped up beside her sister. âQuite a specimen weâve found ourselves with today, Lotus.â âLetâs hope heâs as good as those two,â Lotus agreed. âDonât you worry, girls,â Rarity assured, looking up at Big Mac hungrily. âThis hunk of stallion is as fresh as you can get.â âWeâll be gentle,â Aloe promised, grinning deviously. Unsure of what to expect, Big Mac let Rarity lead him into the main room, which housed most of the spaâs pools and hot tubs. There were a few ponies scattered about, though most seemed to be leaving. He was led to a side room which featured raised, cushioned platforms. Rarity laid herself out on her stomach on one, gesturing to another. âLotus and Aloe may be experts on all races, but I hear they do their best work on earth ponies such as yourself. Being that they are earth ponies themselves.â Mac eyed the position Rarity was in dubiously. âAhâm not sure whatâŚâ âJust relax and let their hooves work their magic,â Rarity instructed as Lotus and Aloe walked in. Big Macâs face scrunched up as both mares converged on him. âAre ya sure this is⌠normal?â âDonât tell us youâve never had a massage before, Mister Macintosh,â Lotus smiled. âA stallion as hard-working as you must build up a lot of tension.â Big Macintosh gulped, taking a step back. âAhâm not sure Ahâm clear on what a massage is.â Rarity giggled from her perch. âI assure you it isnât what youâre thinking, Mac. Itâs certainly not wrong to enjoy it.â Mac looked to Rarity apprehensively. Rarity smiled, nodding to the massage platform. Trusting Rarityâs word over his own unfounded doubts, he took a deep breath and mimicked Rarityâs prone position upon the platform. The hooves that went to work easing the stress he had built up these past few days immediately let him know he had made the right decision. He sighed in contentment, letting his body go limp as the spa twins worked their way up and down his back. Mac tensed as he felt a pair of hooves slide down his flank, relaxing again when they set to work massaging his legs. âYour hooves seem to be in quite a state from all that work you put them through,â Lotus observed, inspecting one of his back hooves closely. Aloe nodded, running a hoof along his to measure the imperfections. âWe can have your hooves restored to a pristine state, if youâd like.â Rarity shot up from her platform, forgetting entirely about her own massage. âOh, that would be wonderful, dear,â she said, grasping another of his hooves. âThe hooficures they offer can ease any pain you carry in your hooves.â âAhâm not sure thatâs really necessary-â âNonsense,â Rarity interrupted. âNow that I have you here, I wonât let you leave unless youâre in the best state of your life. We could trim and wash your coat, make it look simply luxurious! And of course your hooves would beâŚâ Big Mac smiled, only half paying attention to the words Rarity spoke. Instead, the nurturing generosity behind them was what truly touched his heart. Such compassion may be shown within his family, but he had only really gotten to know Rarity a couple short days ago. He did admit that, even before his time with Cheerilee, Rarity had caught his eye on multiple occasions, but he never expected anything quite like this. ââŚand your mane! You simply must let me style it for you some-â Rarity was silenced by a pair of lips closing around her own. She smiled into the kiss, happy to coach her clueless coltfriend through a proper kiss. Big Macintosh broke the kiss after a time, panting. âRarity, AhâŚâ Rarity held a hoof to Macâs lips, smiling. âYou donât need to say anything more. Your happiness is all the thanks I could ever ask for.â Big Mac smiled back, kissing Rarityâs hoof. âYaâll never have ta worry âbout that, Rare.â Rarity blushed, nuzzling Mac sweetly. âYou really are more than I could have ever imagined, Mac. Who would have thought my prince was so close all this time?â Big Mac chuckled, shaking his head for lack of a proper response.
Apple Bloom was on her way home from school, alone. Something about that talk she and her friends had with Applejack and Rainbow earlier made things seem exceedingly awkward. Theyâd barely conversed the entire day, still trying to come to grips with just what this whole relationship thing could really entail. Applejack had told her that it wasnât something they should be doing any time soon, but that didnât stop it from being so⌠confusing. On the one hoof, it was just about the most embarrassing thing sheâd ever been told. Sheâd never thought her... private areas would ever be, well, more than that. But on the other hoof, the way they talked about it⌠It was exciting, in a way. Like that if this was really a step sheâd have to take, she couldnât think of anypony sheâd like to share that with more than Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo. As the Cutie Mark Crusaders, they did everything together. Surely this was just another one of those things. Apple Bloom shook her head uncertainly. Maybe this really was one of those things she couldnât understand until she was older. Maybe once she started getting those urges her sister and Rainbow had talked about, itâd make more sense. Or maybe Ah should just quit worryinâ about it, Apple Bloom thought, chuckling. Apple Bloom nudged open the door to the farmhouse to find Winona curled up atop Tankâs shell on the couch, both fast asleep. She smiled at the sight, wondering if theyâd gotten the idea from Applejack and Rainbow, too. Before the thought could formulate, the mares in reference entered through the front door. âHey, AB,â Rainbow called. âWhat happened to Scoot and Sweetie?â Apple Bloom turned to face them, looking a little sheepish. âHey, yâall. We decided ta take some time ta cool off after ya done told us all that stuff earlier. Ah ainât quite sure weâre ready ta think about all that just yet.â Applejack smiled, walking over to place a hoof on Applejackâs shoulder. âWe didnât expect ya to be, sugarcube. And that yaâd figure that out on yer own really tells me how much yaâve grown up. Yaâve started takinâ responsibility, even if ya can still be a little thick-headed âbout some stuff.â Apple Bloom giggled as Applejack ruffled her mane. âTake it from a mare all about speed, kid. Some things you canât take too fast,â Rainbow said, glancing briefly at Applejack. âYour body can be ready all it wants, but itâs your heart thatâll tell you when itâs time.â As Applejack moved to give Rainbow a kiss, Apple Bloom ducked upstairs to her room. She sat on her bed thinking. Mah body can be ready all it wants, but itâs mah heart thatâll tell me when itâs time? What does that mean? Apple Bloom got up from her bed and paced around her room. Is she just talkinâ âbout this, or is there more to it ân that? Mah body⌠Ahâm not sure itâs quite ready fer anythinâ just yet. But mah heart⌠what does it want?Apple Bloom grabbed a pencil and a sheet of paper, sitting at her desk. She tried to think with her heart, and not her mind, about just what she felt about her fellow crusaders. She closed her eyes as she started to draw, afraid her body would warp what it saw into something false. The movements felt natural, like this was something she had done many times before, something she was familiar with on a higher level. When she opened her eyes, she saw a picture of the three of them curled up together in an innocent cuddle pile and nothing more. The romantic overtones were plainly present, but beneath that was the same friendship they had always shared. Apple Bloom smiled. Maybe things didnât need to change too quickly. Maybe things were perfect the way they were. Apple Bloom chuckled, âOr maybe we should just quit worryinâ so much.â âThatâs somethinâ Rainbowâs taught me,â Applejack said from Apple Bloomâs doorway. Apple Bloom looked up to see the two of them standing just outside her room. âSometimes, ya gotta just let things happen. And other times, ya just canât force âem.â âLike Twilight told me, life is never black and white. Itâs colored with all kinds of emotions, and shaded by all your experiences,â Rainbow said, smiling. âI guess you could say itâs like a painterâs masterpiece, in a way.â âAnd yer the most colorful of âem all,â Applejack praised, nuzzling her marefriend. Rainbow donned a cocky grin. âYep. Even Scratch has nothing on-â Applejack frowned as Rainbow froze. âRainbow, sugarcube? You alright?â Rainbow sat down, holding her head in her hooves. âI totally missed my guitar lessons today.â Applejack couldnât help but laugh, considering what theyâd done instead. âAhâm sure she wonât mind yer excuse too much.â Rainbow blushed, trying to hide herself behind herself. The end result was a massive tangle of limbs that Applejack had to help her out of between giggles. She nuzzled Rainbowâs cheek once she was freed. Rainbow responded by grabbing Applejackâs hat and placing it over her face. Applejack shook her head; following her downstairs to make sure she didnât bump into anything. Or at least be able to laugh if she did.
Mac sighed in contentment as he eased himself into the hot tub. Rarity joined him soon afterward, nuzzling into his chest. âYou were right, Rare. This has been a lot oâ fun.â âMaybe you should listen to me more often then, hm?â Rarity teased, kissing Mac under the chin. Mac chuckled, kissing Rarity on the nose. âAhâll be sure ta keep mah ears perked.â Rarity giggled, kissing Mac again, this time on the lips. Mac cocked a brow, grinning. Rarity responded by giving Mac a lick on the lips. Or she would have, had Mac not caught her tongue with his and instigated another lesson in kissing. Rarity moaned into the kiss, straddling Macâs chest as she deepened the kiss. So lost were they in the kiss that they conveniently forgot an essential part of stallion anatomy. Rarity was reminded as something warm and stiff prodded her rump. Rarity recoiled, jumping back off of Mac and causing a decent amount of water to splash out of the hot tub. Mac immediately made to cover himself. âAhâm sorry, Ah-â âNo, itâs⌠itâs quite alright. I was just⌠shocked, is all,â Rarity said, panting. âBut perhaps it would be best if we⌠held off on that for now.â Mac nodded, keeping his hooves firmly in place until he calmed down. âAhâm really sorry, Ah wasnât thinkinâ.â âNeither was I,â Rarity admitted. âOf all the things to slip our mindsâŚâ Mac chuckled despite himself. âYeah, at least there isnât anypony around ta see us.â Rarity scanned the room, finding truth to Macâs claims. âOh, thank goodness.â Rarity returned to her place beside Mac, making sure to not get carried away again. They simply relaxed for a time, delighting in the feel of the hot water and the jets. âThese hot tubs are simply divine. Perhaps one of these days I could get Aloe and Lotus to let us stay past closing and enjoy them properly.â Mac blushed heavily. âAhâm not sure thatâsâŚâ Rarity giggled. âIâm sure they wouldnât mind. They practically offer those services already.â Mac shivered, truly a feat in such a warm environment. Rarity laughed again, nuzzling Macâs shoulder. âWe should probably start headinâ home soon,â Mac said, looking out the window at the setting sun. Rarity nodded. âThe spa will be closing soon, anyway. But thereâs always tomorrow.â Mac chuckled, rising from the hot tub and shaking himself off. Rarity offered him a towel, which he accepted sheepishly. âSorry.â âItâs quite alright, Mac,â Rarity assured. âWe simply mustnât miss dinner again, after all.â In a stroke of boldness, Rarity copied Macâs maneuver, drying herself somewhat before finishing the job with a towel. âYou look simply ravishing, might I add.â Big Mac shook his head in wonderment as he followed Rarity out of the spa. âPut it on my tab, will you, dears?â Rarity asked as they passed the counter. âBut of course, Miss Rarity,â Aloe smiled. âDo bring your coltfriend by again sometime.â âIâm sure youâll be seeing him again soon enough,â Rarity promised, exiting the spa. They made good time back to the Acres, arriving a good half hour before dinnertime. Applejack and Rainbow were present, but Apple Bloom was conspicuously alone. Applejack caught their eyes before they could question the development. She smiled, nodding reassuringly. Big Mac sagged in relief, earning a giggle and a kiss from Rarity. âSoupâs on, everypony! Come anâ get it!â They all seated themselves at the table to another of Granny Smithâs culinary masterpieces. Rainbow instigated an exchange of witty banter between all occupants of the table, giving it that air of levity she could always so easily provide. âSo, how was your day, Mac? Have any near-death experiences at the spa?â Rainbow chortled. âActually, it was a really good time,â Mac explained. âRarity really gave me a work over, and Ah feel great! Sheâs told me Ah look pretty good, too.â âSimply stunning, dear,â Rarity said, smiling. âHow about you girls? What have you been up to?â Applejack blushed. âWell, uh⌠thatâs the thing, we umâŚâ Rainbow wrapped a hoof around Applejackâs shoulders, puffed out her chest, and donned a cocky grin. âMe and Applejack had sex!â Big Mac did a spit-take. Granny Smith looked on with a cocked brow. Apple Bloom blushed, averting her gaze. Rarity, on the other hoof, started laughing hysterically. âDidnât take too long, did it?â Rarity managed between giggles. âNope!â Rainbow answered confidently. Applejack shrunk against Rainbow, trying to disappear below the table, unable to find the courage to speak. âWell, unexpected as it is, Ahâm happy fer yâall,â Mac said with a smile. âWhatever makes ya happy,â Granny agreed, shrugging. âYeah,â Apple Bloom added, eating to distract herself. Applejack reached a hoof up to bonk Rainbow in the head playfully. Rainbow responded by extending a wing to tickle that spot right next to Applejackâs shoulders. Applejack quickly fell into hysterics. âCut it out, Rainbow!â âYou started it!â Rainbow giggled, retracting her wing. âAnd youâre never going to be finished, are you?â Rarity mused, shaking her head. âNope!â Rainbow pulled Applejack back up into a sitting position before resuming her meal. Applejack laughed, following Rainbowâs lead.
After dinner, when everypony had retired for the night, only Rarity and Big Macintosh remained downstairs. âYou know, Mac, Iâve been thinking a lot since that mishap at the spa,â Rarity began, leaning against Macâs chest. Mac extended a hoof to play with Rarityâs curly mane. âThinkinâ about what?â âAbout taking that next step,â Rarity replied, blushing. âIâve thought about it before, but it was always some distant fantasy. But with you, I feel like maybe it can happen after all.â Big Mac smiled. âYa really are somethinâ special, Rare. Ah canât say Ah havenât thought about it, mahself. Though Ah never have before. Had sex, Ah mean.â Rarity frowned. âWerenât you with Cheerilee for almost a year? And youâre telling me you never got that far with her?â Big Mac sighed, ceasing his hoof movements. âAh never did tell yâall why Ah broke it off with her, did Ah?â âIâm sorry, if itâs not something youâre comfortable with-â âNo, itâs alright, Rare. Ah know ya donât wanna impose, but yer mah marefriend now,â Mac said, giving Rarity a kiss on the cheek. âIt wouldnât be proper ta keep somethinâ like that from ya.â âIf itâs really alrightâŚâ Rarity trailed off. Big Mac took a deep breath. âYa remember how it started, right?â âOf course. My sister and her friends wonât be hearing the end of it any time soon if she did anything to hurt you,â Rarity assured. âNo, Rare, it ainât their fault. Theyâre just fillies, anâ they were just tryinâa help,â Mac said firmly. âItâs mah fault Ah let it get ta me. Ah fell fer her so hard, Ah never even thought oâ how it might not have been the same with her.â Rarity said nothing, only holding Mac tighter. âIt took me almost a year, but Ah found out just the same. It just made it all the more painful ta hear she didnât care as much about who Ah was as what Ah was.â âThe most ravishing eligible bachelor in Ponyville,â Rarity concluded sadly. Mac nodded. âIt hurt even more that Ah didnât even hear it from her. It was durinâ one oâ Pinkieâs parties when her sister was gettingâ wasted like she always does. That look on Cheerileeâs face when Berry done blabbed her secretâŚâ Rarity felt her eyes dampen in sympathy as Mac cried into her shoulder. It had only been last fall when Mac let Ponyville know he was single again. If she had known⌠âYou really do need to come out of that shell sometimes, Mac. Even if I wasnât before, Iâm here for you now. Iâll pull Sweetie Belle out of that class and teach her myself if I have to. You donât need to-â âNo! Donât⌠donât make her life harder than it needs ta be. She really was a friend ta me once. Ah couldnât stand ta see her sad, even now.â Rarity smiled sadly. âYouâre much too kind for your own good, Mac. But if you donât want me to take action, then what would you have me do?â âAh justâŚâ Big Mac took a shuddering breath. âAh just need ta know⌠that yaâd never hurt me like-â Before Mac could even finish his thought, Rarityâs lips were upon his in a kiss filled with all the love, adoration and passion she had built up in her time pining after the timid farm stallion. âDonât you ever let me hear those words again, Mac. I love you, and I would never even think of hurting you.â Mac gasped between sobs, clutching Rarity to him tightly. âAh want ya so much, Rare. Ah want ta love ya fer all ya are, so ya never have ta go through what Ah did. Ah-â Rarity silenced Mac with another kiss. âI want you, too, Mac. But that doesnât mean we have to rush into anything. Youâve done more than enough for one night, but if you really want to go through with it, I wonât stop you.â Big Mac let his breathing normalize before responding. âMaybe⌠somethinâ a little less than all that. Like, maybeâŚâ Rarity smiled, feeling her arousal stir within her. âI know just the thing,â Rarity whispered into Macâs ear before leading him up to his room. When Mac opened the door to his room, he looked around, confused. Rarity didnât seem to be anywhere. He took a step inside, closing the door behind him before he felt a wet touch against his flank. Turning his head, he saw Rarity, smiling with her tongue still stuck out cutely. âThereâs far more where that came from, Mac.â Macâs heart started to thump as Rarity pushed him to his bed, unsure of just what Rarity had in store for him.
Guess what? MORE CLOP!
Applejack cuddled close to Rainbow as they prepared for sleep. Rainbow nuzzled her sweetly, holding her close. âWeâve got a lot to do tomorrow, huh?â âYeah, like apologize ta Vinyl fer skippinâ out on guitar lessons fer sex,â Applejack chuckled. Rainbow laughed. âYeah, that too. But I was more talking about all the stuff we can do now. Like that book! Itâll be a lot less awkward to read it now that weâve had sex, right?â âAhâm surprised more sex wasnât the first thing ya thought of,â Applejack teased. Rainbow crossed her forelegs. âHey, thereâs way more stuff than sex to be had here. Like magical fillyfooler babies.â âAhâm sure weâll get ta that eventually,â Applejack promised. âBut ainât there a lot more ya wanna do before settlinâ down?â Rainbow nodded. âItâs nice to think about, though.â Applejack chuckled. âYa really are somethinâ else, sugarcube.â âIâm whatever you want me to be, Jackie.â âThen Ahâd like ta keep ya just the way ya are, Dashie,â Applejack returned, kissing Rainbow on the forehead. âGânight, sugarcube.â âNight, AJ.â
So it has happened! The sexiness. Also, so many things to write. The book, more CMC development, more sex, other things I don't wanna spoil... my god. |
| | | Cloudchaser Pony
Posts : 130 Join date : 2012-02-11 Location : The Magical Land of New Jersey
| Subject: Re: Oh God Cloud Wrote a Fanfic Thu Jul 25, 2013 12:06 am | |
| Oh god make it stop. The ideas. They just keep coming!
NANANANANANANANA PLOTMAN!
Big Macintosh woke the next morning to find Rarity was already awake, and didnât look entirely happy at the moment. Mac thought about what could bring this on, and the first thing he thought of was⌠âRare, Ahâm sorry,â he began. âIf this is about last night, Ah-â
Rarity cut him off with a sigh, turning her head to look at him and placing it back on her hooves. âNo, itâs nothing that simple, Mac. I was⌠thinking about how we might tell Twilight and Pinkie about us⌠and me.â Rarity turned her head to face forward. âAnd it occurred to me that Iâd forgotten somepony in all of this. It hurts to think I would be so stupid as to forget somepony so close to me so easily.â She leaned back slightly to gaze up at the ceiling. âOh, Spike. How am I supposed to make this right?â
Big Mac nuzzled his marefriend. âAhâm sure yaâll find some way, Rare. Ah can be there with ya if ya want.â
Rarity sighed, shaking her head. âNo, that would only hurt him more. I have to do this alone. Besides, you have somepony you need to talk to as well.â
Big Mac blinked. âAh do?â
Rarity chuckled. âYes, you have to make things right with Cheerilee. Iâm sure she had some reason why she did what she did. Wouldnât it make you feel better to consider her a friend again?â
Mac sighed, rubbing a hoof across his face. âAh guess yer right. Ah havenât even talked ta her since then.â
âAnd it didnât turn out so bad, now did it?â Rarity ventured, placing a kiss on Macâs nose.
Big Mac chuckled. âNo, Ah guess not. Cheerileeâs no unicorn, so Ahâm pretty sure Ahâd know if she was a colt, too.â
Rarity giggled, pushing Mac to the bed playfully. âYouâre never going to let that die, are you?â
âWhy would Ah? Itâs one oâ mah favorite things about ya,â Mac countered.
Rarity blushed. âAnd thatâs one of my favorite things about you, Mac. You donât judge me, or even settle for me. You actually prefer me the way I am.â
âFunny how things work sometimes, huh?â Mac pulled Rarity down on top of him. âAnd Ponyville never has ta know if ya donât want âem to.â
âI may work up the courage someday, but for now⌠I would rather keep it between us and the girls.â Rarity nuzzled under Macâs chin. âBut before we get too carried away, I do think breakfast should be ready soon.â
Granny Smithâs customary meal call reinforced Rarityâs assertion.
âAlright,â Mac conceded, letting Rarity up. âBut Ah expect some good cuddlinâ after all this.â
Rarity smiled, looking back over her shoulder. âDo a good job and you might get something even better.â
Mac blushed as Rarity winked and exited the room with a sway in her hips. âLast time Ah try ta beat her in a battle oâ sexy wits.â
âSo, I was thinking that once we get done with breakfast, we could start reading that book,â Rainbow said, following Applejack downstairs for breakfast.
âNope. First thing weâre gonna do is apologize ta Vinyl fer missinâ that lesson yesterday,â Applejack asserted.
âOh, fine,â Rainbow frowned. âBut, hey, maybe theyâd be interested in the book, too! We could bring it with us and read it together.â
Applejack paused, thinking. âAh can accept that. But donât get upset if they donât wanna.â
âPlease, this is gonna be awesome. I mean, any book called the Dark Ages has to have some kinda action in it, right?â
Applejack shook her head, continuing on to the kitchen, where they found Rarity and Big Mac at the table.
âYou two have fun last night?â Rainbow teased.
Big Mac blushed. âAhâm sorry, did ya hear us?â
Rainbow blinked before laughing. âDidnât need to. So, whoâs bigger, then?â
âRainbow, Ahâm not sure this is appropriate table talk,â Applejack muttered.
Rainbow shot Applejack a smile. âRelax, AJ, Iâm just poking a little fun.â
Rarity spoke up after a pause. âIf you must know, Mac is most certainly big.â
Mac blushed furiously. âRare!â
Rainbow sniggered, both at the assertion and Macâs reaction. âIâm sure youâll have lots of fun playing with it.â
Rarity smirked. âI certainly am looking forward to it.â She turned to Mac and gave him a kiss on the cheek, calming him slightly. âWhat about you girls? Find anything to experiment with yet?â
Rainbow donned a cocky grin. âSure did. Your next step is ours.â
Rarity quirked a brow, grinning. âOh, is it now? Well now, I do hope it treats you well.â
âI know it will,â Rainbow answered confidently, measuring Applejackâs expression of slight embarrassment before continuing. âI think we do still need some work on the foreplay, though.â
Rarity laughed as Applejack turned and smacked Rainbow. Rainbow laughed along, rubbing her cheek. âYou know Ahâm not comfortable talkinâ âbout sexy stuff with other ponies. âSpecially when mah brotherâs right there!â
âSorry AJ,â Rainbow apologized, still giggling lightly. She gave her marefriend a placating kiss on the nose, whispering, âWe do still need to work on getting you to loosen up a bit.â
Applejack sighed, gaining a smile. She knew Rainbow liked to brag, and Rarity was a notorious gossip. But she had to remember they were all friends here, no matter the incriminating subject matter. She figured she should be flattered that Rainbow held her in such high regard as to talk about her in a way previously reserved for her flying skills and exploits. It may sound a little shallow to others who didnât know the real Rainbow Dash, but Applejack knew how important flying was to Rainbow; Â as important as the farm was to Applejack.
Applejack felt very lucky to have the ability to combine her two great loves, but frowned when she considered that Rainbow might not get that same opportunity. One day, she knew their relationship would conflict with Rainbowâs other dreams and desires, as well as her own. There was no such thing as a stay-at-home Wonderbolt. Applejack understood that all too well, from all Rainbow babbled on and on about them. Applejack never wanted what she had with Rainbow to end, butâŚ
âYou alright, AJ? You havenât been eating,â Rainbow asked, concern in her voice.
âŚBut she could always count on Rainbow for some featherbrained scheme that somehow worked itself out. Applejack smiled, nuzzling Rainbow in response. Ah really do need ta stop thinkinâ so much. Like Ma used ta say, nothinâs perfect, but thatâs what makes it so precious.
Rainbow smiled, relieved that she had caught Applejack before she could relapse into another one of her moments of self-doubt. One day, Rainbow was sure she would get Applejack to understand how special she really was. I mean really, she makes me act all sappy. I mean, if Iâm gonna be all romantic, I should make it awesome, right?
âNow yer not eatinâ either, sugarcube,â Applejack pointed out.
Rainbow blinked, realizing she had been staring at Applejack for the past minute. âDammit, AJ,â Rainbow muttered, blushing.
Applejack merely chuckled in response.
âAlright, letâs head on over ta Vinylâs,â Applejack said, leading Rainbow out of the house after breakfast.
Rainbow followed along obediently, knowing this was entirely her fault. She frowned, considering the fact that Applejack was as much to blame as she was. âYou know, this wouldnât have happened without your sneaky seduction powers.â
âYer still goinâ on about that?â Applejack asked, bemused.
âYou havenât proven me wrong yet,â Rainbow pointed out.
Applejack glanced over to Rainbow. âAnd how exactly am Ah supposed ta do that? Show ya how well Ah canât seduce some random pony with some kinda crazy powers Ah donât have? Do ya know how many ways that could go wrong?â
Rainbow paused, making Applejack come to a halt as well. âSeven,â Rainbow answered at length.
âCare ta share what those are?â Applejack asked, wondering how she had come up with so many.
âNope! But now I know it really is a stupid idea,â Rainbow stated confidently.
âSo yer not gonna make me do it, then?â Applejack asked hopefully.
Rainbow smirked. âI never said that. I just thought of a particular pony to unleash you upon. Should make for some good laughs.â
Applejack gulped. âWhoâd ya have in mind?â
Rainbow grinned, leaning in to lick Applejackâs cheek. âItâs a secret.â
Applejack shivered, fearing what Rainbow had in store for her.
When they reached Vinylâs door, they saw it carried a note.
âRainbow,
âIâm over at Taviâs place today. No time for lessons, but if you need me for anything, you know where to find me.
âVinylâ
Rainbow shrugged, leading the way to Octaviaâs house two blocks down.
Applejack wasnât entirely sure what to expect of it. She knew Octavia was quite well off, but you could only live so extravagantly in a town like Ponyville. That thought was tested as she beheld the house Octavia apparently lived in. It was at least twice as big as Vinylâs small abode, though it somehow radiated the same coziness every other house in Ponyville offered. She couldnât say definitively, but it was certainly one of the biggest she had seen.
Rainbow strode up to the porch and rapped a hoof on the door three times. The door was quickly answered by Octavia herself, who wore a smile. âOh, hello, Rainbow; I take it youâre looking for Vinyl?â
âYeah,â Rainbow answered sheepishly, rubbing the back of her head with a hoof. âSheâs not too mad about me missing the last session, is she?â
Octavia giggled. âSee for yourself,â she answered cryptically, holding the door open for them to come in.
Vinyl was slouched upon the couch in Octaviaâs living room, and gained a devious grin as she noticed their visitors. âSo, how was it?â
âHow was what?â Applejack asked obliviously.
âYou know,â Vinyl said, waggling her brow, âthe sex.â
Applejack sputtered, blushing heavily as Vinyl cackled.
âTwo days, Scratch,â Rainbow proclaimed. âI think that demolishes the two months it took you.â
Octaviaâs brow rose. âTwo months? Is that what you told them, Vinyl?â
Vinyl grinned sheepishly.
Octavia rolled her eyes. âWeâve been together for about eight months now,â Octavia said, looking at Vinyl pointedly. âAnd here I thought you were over that.â
âHey, I canât just have Lyra beat me like that and let everypony know it,â Vinyl grouched.
âSomethinâ weâre missinâ here?â Applejack asked, confused.
Octavia cleared her throat. âIâve told you about Vinylâs past⌠experiences with Lyra, yes?â
âTavi, you wouldnât!â Vinyl squeaked.
âOh, I think theyâve earned the right to know, Vinyl,â Octavia smirked.
Vinyl crossed her forelegs. âWell, let it be known that I hate you.â
âWe both know thatâs a lie, dear,â Octavia returned.
âBefore all thatâŚâ Rainbow cut in, glancing to Applejack. âYouâre not mad about me missing last session to have sex with AJ, right?â
Vinyl laughed, âNah, I woulda done the same thing. Not every day you get to have that kinda fun.â
âI told you before, dear, you can have all the sex you want if youâd just move in with me,â Octavia reminded.
Rainbow frowned. âThat is a good question. Why havenât you moved in with her yet, Scratch? This place is pretty awesome.â
âWeâve been debating that for quite some time now,â Octavia replied. âIâve been telling her to sell that hut she lives in, but sheâs much too stubborn to listen.â
âHey, Iâm a DJ. I need to have some kind of independence,â Vinyl stated. âBesides, why would you even want me here? Iâd just wake you up in the middle of the night when Iâm mixing our songs.â
âI have a spare bedroom, Vinyl. You can take that and make it into your own little studio of sorts, and just use a soundproofing spell when Iâm sleeping,â Octavia pointed out. âYou canât tell me you didnât learn one to get in some late night mixing sessions when you lived with your parents.â
âWait, Scratch has parents?â Rainbow chimed in. âI thought she just crawled up from under the sink or something.â
âVery funny, Dash,â Vinyl grumped. âI do have parents, and Iâm certain you know their names.â
âBubble Butt and Crotch Floss?â Rainbow jested.
âI meant that theyâre ponies youâve met before,â Vinyl growled. âOne Iâm sure of, and the other you might have.â
Rainbow chortled. âCranky and Matilda?â
âDo I look like an ass to you?â Vinyl snapped. âI bet I havenât even heard of your parents!â
âProbably not, but you havenât even told me who yours are yet,â Rainbow pointed out.
âBecause sheâs a little embarrassed about her roots,â Octavia explained. âHer parents are rather famous, but in a field sheâs never been too keen on.â
âWhich is?â Rainbow prompted.
âFashion,â Vinyl relented. âI donât know if youâve met my mom, but sheâs been in Ponyville before. Her nameâs Photo Finish. I think Fluttershy had a run in with her. My dad⌠Well, I think you know him a little better. Hoity Toity, the big shot fashion aficionado Rarity showed your Gala dresses to.â
âAh remember you playinâ at that first show, Vinyl,â Applejack recalled. âIf ya really donât like fashion so much, why did ya agree ta somethinâ like that?â
Vinyl smiled, reminiscing. âBecause he asked me to. That was the first time he really acknowledged me as a music pony. Mom was always more open about that, but Dad always wanted me to get into fashion. Itâs kinda funny though. Iâm teaching you how to play guitar, and those have strings, and sewing is all about string. Why are they so different?â
âBecause of the way to express yourself, dear; you can make much more noise with a guitar than a sewing machine,â Octavia answered, chuckling.
Vinyl laughed. âI guess youâre right. Still, I donât think Iâd have gotten to meet you any other way.â
âYou never know,â Octavia agreed. âBut you donât have to think about it.â
Vinyl nodded, nuzzling into Octaviaâs embrace. âYou know, I might just have to move in after all.â
âRemember my promise,â Octavia chirped, getting Vinyl to blush.
Rainbow and Applejack looked on in bewilderment, but before they could question further, Vinyl re-composed herself. âSorry about that. Tavi can do that to me sometimes.
âItâs those earth pony super powers!â Rainbow insisted. âApplejack does it to me all the time!â
Octavia smirked. âSo I take it that since friendship is magic, love is therefore super powers?â
Rainbowâs brow furrowed, contemplating the question. That was more coherent than she was comfortable with. As amazing as Applejack was, there was no way Rainbow could have already fallen as far as that. That kind of stuff was for Rarityâs stupid romance novels, not real life. And definitely not Rainbow Dash.
Applejack said nothing, but the warm smile on her face told enough. She wasnât quite ready to call it that, either, but seeing Rainbow so torn up about it let her know the feeling was mutual. Theyâd cross that bridge when they got there, but for nowâŚ
Rainbow was snapped out of her reverie by Applejackâs lips upon hers. The kiss was brief, but enough for Rainbow to gain a goofy smile. Applejack giggled as Rainbowâs wing settled around her midsection and pulled her closer, brushing against her cutie mark briefly.
âYa seem ta have a good bit oâ history together,â Applejack began. âWe should share stories sometime.â
Octavia smiled. âWe should. After today, Vinyl and I are free for the next couple of days.â
âSounds like a plan,â Applejack smiled back. âBut fer now, Rainbow and Ah have this book Twilight got us on some kinda long-lost magic that lets mares have foals together. Sheâs got it in her head we should read it now that weâve had a roll in the hay, and Ah was wonderinâ if youâd be interested?â
Vinyl looked thoughtful for a moment. âA spell that lets mares have foals together? Why is that something long-lost? That sounds awesome.â
âTwilight said it had somethinâ ta do with Princess Luna, anâ it was around the time oâ Nightmare Moon. So once Luna was trapped in the moon, Ah guess it couldnât be done fer a thousand years.â
âBut surely it would show up on some record of those times?â Octavia pressed. âThis sounds like quite a breakthrough to have been forgotten.â
âAhâm not quite sure on that, mahself,â Applejack admitted. âTimes were different then, anâ Ahâm not sure how open Equestria was ta two mares in a relationship. But maybe since Princess Luna became Nightmare Moon some time later, the ponies thought it was some kinda dark magic she used? Ah really donât know, and Twilightâs stuck out in Canterlot. So this bookâs the best weâve got fer now.â
âWell then what are we waiting for? Letâs read it!â Vinyl insisted.
Rainbow took the book out of her saddlebags, grinning as she brandished the dark cover. âThe Dark Ages. Sounds pretty cool, huh?â
âNo, it sounds lame,â Vinyl smirked. âNow read the damn book already!â
âFine! Way to ruin the scene, Scratch. AnywayâŚâ Rainbow opened the book. âThe Dark Ages was written by⌠blah blah blah boring stuff. Preface, table of contents⌠Here we go, chapter one! How it all started.â
âLame,â Vinyl repeated.
âYou shut up!â Rainbow shot back before returning to the book. âOkay, letâs see. Talking about what it is, we already know that. Dramatic build-up, blah blah blah. Okay, the spell! It says here it was created by Princess Luna, obviously. The spell used the power of the Elements of Harmony. Huh, whaddya know.
âHow it works⌠The princesses used the Elements of Harmony to create a spell that let two mares⌠uh⌠Whatâs this word?â Rainbow showed the book to Applejack, who shrugged.
Octavia took the book from them. âPlease, you three are hopeless. Iâll read it.â
âThe princesses used the Elements of Harmony to create a spell that let two mares conceive a foal. The spell worked by binding the essences of the two together to create an offspring. To use the spell, the power of the Elements had to be infused and maintained in the couple while theyâŚâ Octavia paused, gaining a very noticeable blush. âCopulated.â
âMeaningâŚ?â Vinyl prodded.
âMeaning that to use this spell, we would have to let Rainbow, Applejack and their friends watch us while we have sex,â Octavia squeaked.
âSo Luna was a rampant voyeur, and Celestia was kinda dragged into it, so once Luna was gone, Celestia didnât want to keep doing it?â Rainbow inferred.
Applejack was blushing heavily, herself. âRainbow, ya know this means the same for us if we ever get ta that point. Would ya really be okay with havinâ our friends around fer all that?â
Rainbow shrugged. âHey, if it gets back into use, that means weâd get to see a whole lot of ponies having sex. And theyâd all be mares, soâŚâ
âSo itâd be like porn in real life!â Vinyl burst out, getting a smack from Octavia in response. âYou guys are lucky! I wish I had an excuse like that!â
âRainbow, Ah like mares, too, but Ahâm not sure Ahâd be comfortable doinâ that. Sex is supposed ta be private,â Applejack insisted. ââSpecially when youâre doinâ somethinâ as intimate as havinâ foals.â
âI have to agree with Applejack,â Octavia said. âAs much as I would like to know that I could someday have foals with VinylâŚâ
Vinyl hugged Octavia. âDonât worry, Tavi. Iâm sure youâll have warmed up to the idea by the time that gets tossed around.â
âIâm not so sure about thatâŚâ
âWeâre not even thinkinâ about the others. Can ya imagine how embarrassed Fluttershy would be?â Applejack frowned, sympathizing with the timid mare.
Rainbow giggled. âI can, and it looks hilarious.â
Applejack shoved Rainbow away from her, breaking their wing-hug.
âHey, Applejack, come on. Iâm just trying to lighten the mood here,â Rainbow said, putting a hoof on Applejackâs shoulder. âItâs not like weâre having foals tomorrow, right? Thatâs still a long, long way down the road, remember?â
Applejack sighed. âIf it really does come ta thatâŚâ
âThen weâll be there together, right?â Rainbow finished hopefully.
Applejack smiled. âAinât we lucky weâve got such good friends?â
âI donât know, something about having the princesses watching usâŚâ
Applejack slapped Rainbow playfully before giving her a kiss on the same cheek. âYa really are terrible, Rainbow.â
âDonât you ever forget it,â Rainbow laughed.
Rarity walked up to Golden Oaks Library, composing herself before knocking. You can do this, Rarity. Itâll be alright.
Spike answered the door. âOh! Uh, hi, Rarity. I uh, come in!â
Rarity sighed. Spikeâs normally endearing infatuation with her was now just painful, knowing it would soon come to an end. âTwilight isnât here, is she?â Rarity asked fretfully.
âNope, itâs just me today. Twilightâs still up in Canterlot,â Spike relayed. âI donât know about you, but I think somethingâs going on with her. Sheâs been a little distant lately.â
âThatâs actually not what Iâm here about, Spike. I just needed to know weâd be free of distractions,â Rarity said in a soft voice that gave Spike hope. âI⌠came here to tell you that thereâs something going on with me, too. And that⌠I havenât been entirely truthful to you, or any of the girls.â
Spike blinked. âTruthful about what?â
Rarity took a shuddering breath. âSpike, I know youâve been pining after me for quite some time now. But thereâs something about me that you donât know, and Iâm not sure youâll like.â
âW-what are you talking about? I like everything about you, Rarity,â Spike stammered. âYouâre the most beautiful, caring mare in the world.â
Rarity winced. âThatâs just it, Spike. Iâm not.â
âNot what?â
âA mare,â Rarity whispered.
Spike recoiled as if struck, backing up several paces. âI⌠what?â
âItâs how I was raised, and how I appear for the most part, but⌠the truth is, Iâm a stallion, Spike.â Rarity smiled sadly. âIf it would make you feel any better, I could show you. This is hard for me, too, Spike.â
Spike gulped, eyes watering. âNo, thatâs⌠thatâs okay. I just⌠I need to think for a while.â Spike turned back after reaching the stairs. âDo you⌠do you still love me, though?â
Rarity cast her eyes downward. âIâm so sorry, Spike. I never meant to hurt you.â
Spike let out a gasping sob as he retreated upstairs, leaving Rarity feeling miserable.
âI hope Mac is having a better time with Cheerilee,â Rarity mumbled to herself, going to sit on Twilightâs couch to wait for Spikeâs return.
Big Mac walked through Ponyville, thankful it was summer, and classes were down to just once a week. He knew he wouldnât be doing this if it werenât for Rarity, but he also knew this was the right thing to do. Knowing Cheerilee, sheâd beâŚ
âBig Mac?â
Mac turned to regard the source of the familiar voice. âHey there, Cheerilee. You got a minute ta talk?â
Cheerilee hesitated, unsure if this was some kind of advance on Macâs part.
Mac smiled. âAh wonât bite.â
Cheerilee sighed, gesturing inside her house, which they stood in front of. âMac, Iâve felt terrible for what I did to you, and even worse that you had to hear it from my sister. Back then, I⌠I was scared about what would happen if anypony found out.â Cheerilee sat herself on a chair, offering the couch to Mac. âI felt like I needed cover, and I didnât really stop to think about what I was doing. I lied to you for far too long. I lied to myself. And I lost a good friend.â
Mac closed his eyes, sighing. âSo it werenât nothinâ Ah did, then?â
âOf course not, Mac,â Cheerilee insisted. âYou were wonderful to me. There were even times you almost made me believe what we had was right. But we both know that wasnât the case.â
âYa said ya were scared,â Big Mac went on. âWhat was there ta be scared of? Expressinâ yerself?â
Cheerilee frowned. âI was scared for my job. Teaching little fillies and colts⌠itâs what I love. But you know how impressionable they can be. If word got out that their teacher was a⌠a fillyfoolerâŚâ
Big Mac smiled wryly. âYa always did think oâ yer kids first. Ah really didnât believe it when Ah first heard it, but now Ahâve had time ta think about itâŚâ
âI do love kids,â Cheerilee agreed. âThatâs part of what made it so hard to cope. I canât have foals with another mare, but was it really worth lying about? I caused you so much pain, and I can never ask you to forgive me for thatâŚâ
Big Macâs smile became more genuine. âYa really did hurt me, Cheerilee. But Ah reckon that painâs numbed a good deal lately. Ah reckon our time together taught me a lot about mahself, too.â
Cheerilee smiled in bemusement. âMac, youâre not telling me⌠youâre a coltcuddler?â
Mac chuckled. âLittle bit oâ both, Ahâd say.â
Cheerileeâs brow furrowed. âWith just one pony?â
âShe really is a special mare.â Mac grinned.
âI⌠Iâm afraid I donât understandâŚâ
Mac laughed. âAhâm sure sheâll tell ya herself someday. Sure had me fooled, too.â
âSo you donât resent me for what I did to you?â Cheerilee asked in a small voice.
Mac smiled. âNah. Ahâd much rather have an old friend back than live in the past. So whaddya say, Cheery?â
Cheerilee beamed, eyes leaking tears. âYou really are a great friend, Mac.â
Big Mac wrapped Cheerilee in a hug, glad that everything had turned out alright. Ah guess she was right, after all. Thanks, Rare.
Apple Bloom yawned, rising from her bed and rubbing her eyes. She had certainly slept in, as the clock read 10:26 AM, but she still felt tired. She slid herself out of bed groggily lest she fall back into sleepâs embrace.
Walking to the washroom to splash some water on her face, Apple Bloomâs thoughts wandered. She wondered what Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo were doing. She hoped they werenât having as rough a go of it as she was. Apple Bloom blushed as she looked at her reflection, remembering the rampant sexual energy Rainbow Dash seemed to be emanating. There was certainly a great deal of talk about it.
Apple Bloomâs stomach growled, reminding her she had yet to eat breakfast. She dismounted the sink and ventured downstairs, where Granny Smith was reheating some leftover fritters from breakfast.
âMorninâ, sleepy head,â Granny Smith chirped, ruffling Apple Bloomâs mane. âDonât let sleepinâ this late become a habit now.â
âSorry, Granny. Ah was just⌠Things have been gettinâ a little awkward âround here anâ with mah friends,â Apple Bloom said, shuffling over to her seat. âOh, and good morninâ ta you, too.â
Granny frowned. âApple Bloom, has there been somethinâ goinâ on?â
Apple Bloom shook her head. âAh just need ta figure this out on mah own.â
âWell, donât let it set too long now, er it might get bigger ân it needs ta,â Granny counseled, hoofing Apple Bloom a plate of fritters.
Apple Bloom ate them gratefully, thinking about her next move. Thereâs gotta be somethinâ Ah can do. Maybe thereâs somethinâ at the club house thatâll help me think. The clubhouse always reminded her of the way things were supposed to be, before all this mess with sexy stuff. Everything was great when it was all just hugs and kisses, but now there was just that bit of information in the back of her mind that seemed to taint everything that used to seem innocent.
Maybe we never shouldâa asked about all that, Apple Bloom supposed. Maybe that was somethinâ we shouldâa learned on our own. Maybe Ah should stop thinkinâ in maybes. Theyâre gettinâ me nowheres! The only thing thatâs gonna help here is action. If Ah canât make this right in mah head, maybe Ah can at least- no, Ah will make this right with the girls.
Apple Bloom nodded her head in conviction. âThanks fer the food, Granny!â She called over her shoulder as she rushed outside. She had to get to the clubhouse, find something that could help make this right. They had tons of stuff there! Pictures, mementos, an orange pegasus filly sleeping on the floor.
Apple Bloom blinked, returning her gaze to the last item she had observed. Sure enough, Scootaloo lay in the middle of the room, resting peacefully. Apple Bloom frowned as she shook her friend awake. âScoot, wake up, this is important.â
Scootaloo blinked, eyes slowly focusing on the yellow earth pony filly before her. âO-oh! Hey Apple Bloom? What brings you here?â She attempted to assume a casual pose on the floor, failing as her foreleg gave out and sent her head crashing to the floor.
Apple Bloomâs frown deepened. âScoot, did you spend the night here again?â
âOf course not! I was just, you know, passing through and uh⌠I must have, uh, fallen asleep at some point andâŚâ
âScoot,â Apple Bloom lowered her voice, pulling her friend into a hug. âWhatâs been goinâ on? How come ya havenât been goinâ home every night?â
Knowing that she had been found out, Scootaloo changed tact. âOh, you know, I just wanted to spend more time with you, andâŚâ
Apple Bloom silenced Scootaloo with a kiss. âPlease, Scoot, no more lies. Tell me whatâs wrong. Is it âcause youâre uncomfortable facinâ yer parents about us?â
Scootaloo sighed, breaking away from Apple Bloom. âIâd feel better if Sweetie Belle were here, too. This would be⌠really hard for me to do twice.â
Apple Bloom rubbed a hoof along Scootalooâs back comfortingly. âWell Ahâm sure we could go-â
âI thought Iâd find you guys here,â Sweetie Belleâs voice sounded from the doorway. âListen, girls, about all this-â
Apple Bloom turned to Sweetie Belle. âPlease, Belle, Scootâs gonna tell us somethinâ real important.â
Sweetie Belle blinked once before nodding and coming to sit next to them.
âWeâre all here now, Scoot. Now please, just tell us what-â
âI ran away from home,â Scootaloo interrupted. âIt wasnât too long after I met you guys; right after Dinky got her cutie mark. I just-â
âWoah, hold on a second, Scoot,â Apple Bloom cut in. âWhatâs this gotta do with Dinky? And that was almost three years ago, Scoot. Yer tellinâ me yaâve been away from yer family all this time?â
Scootaloo sighed, looking up to the ceiling. âI never did tell you girls about my family, did I?â
âScoot, just how much have you not been telling us?â Sweetie Belle asked, slightly hurt.
âItâs hard for me, okay?â Scootaloo snapped. âWhen you havenât seen your parents for three years, itâs hard to think about. I never know what they think of me, or if they even love me anymore! I ran away for such a stupid reason, and now IâŚâ Scootaloo gasped, tears leaking from her eyes. âI canât find a way to go back.â
Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom were there to dry her tears in a heartbeat. âItâs okay, Scoot. We can help you with this,â Sweetie Belle promised.
âYeah, what are fillyfriends for?â Apple Bloom added with a hopeful smile.
Scootaloo choked back a sob. âThanks, you guys. But I donât know if itâs gonna be as easy as that.â
âWell, why donât you start by telling us a bit about yer family?â Apple Bloom suggested.
âYou said something about Dinky,â Sweetie Belle added.
Scootaloo nodded. âDinky⌠she⌠is kinda my twin sister. I guess.â
âKinda?â Apple Bloom asked skeptically.
âYou guess?â Sweetie Belle cocked her head.
âItâs⌠complicated. I never really understood it, myself,â Scootaloo admitted.
âWell, what makes it complicated?â Sweetie Belle pressed.
âItâs about my parents,â Scootaloo replied. âI kinda donât really have a⌠dad.â Scootaloo cocked her head, as if sheâd confused even herself.
âWhat happened to him?â Apple Bloom asked softly.
âSheâs a mare,â Scootaloo clarified.
âWait, what?â
âYou mean he somehow got changed into a mare?â Sweetie Belle guessed.
Scootaloo shook her head. âIâm not even sure thatâs possible. Sheâs always been a mare, as far as I know. Even if she is a little nutty.â
âWell, howâd ya get born if both yer parents are mares? Applejack told me it donât work that way,â Apple Bloom questioned.
âI know Dinkyâs mom is Derpy,â Sweetie Belle venture. âSo does that mean Derpy is your mom, too?â
Scootaloo chuckled. âThatâs the thing. Derpyâs⌠kinda my dad.â
Apple Bloom furrowed her brows. âHow does that work?â
âYeah, how can she be both a mom and a dad at the same time? Especially if you and Dinky are twins.â Sweetie Belle held her head in her hooves, trying to process the impossibility.
âI said weâre kinda twins,â Scootaloo reminded. âWe were both born at the same time, but her mother is my father, and her father is my mother.â
âWhat?â
âSo if Derpyâs your dad, then whoâs your mom?â Apple Bloom asked.
âGolden Harvest,â Scootaloo answered. âOr I guess she likes to be called Carrot Top now.â
âWait, so you used ta live on the Carrot Farm?â Apple Bloom mused, looking out the window and spying Carrot Topâs farmhouse easily.
âYeah, I guess Iâm not too far from home, am I?â Scootaloo marveled, smiling briefly before her face darkened. âBut I canât go back now. Not after how I just ditched the place.â
âDonât say that, Scoot. Theyâre yer family,â Apple Bloom reproached. âAhâm sure theyâve been waitinâ all this time fer the day ya came home.â
âWhat, and just forget how I ran away for three years just because I was jealous that my sister got her cutie mark before me?â Scootaloo demanded.
âThat wasnât the only reason, was it?â Sweetie Belle asked knowingly.
Scootaloo winced, turning away. âNo, I guess not. Dad was never very good at teaching me how to fly. She somehow had a better time teaching Dinky magic, even though sheâs a pegasus. Mom couldnât help much either, since sheâs an earth pony. I met Rainbow Dash for the first time not too long before then, and she was the greatest flier Iâd ever seen! I was sure she could help me out someday.
âBut it took her two years to really notice me. And by that time, I was pretty far gone. When you spend two whole years chasing after one thing, I guess you can kinda lose sight of everything else,â Scootaloo lowered her head ashamedly.
âDid you ever tell Rainbow about that?â Sweetie Belle asked, coming to stand beside Scootaloo.
âNo,â Scootaloo answered simply, turning away again.
Apple Bloom advanced on her from the other side. âWould ya feel better if ya did?â
Scootaloo sighed. âMaybe.â
âThen letâs go look for her!â Sweetie Belle insisted.
âYeah, sheâs probably with mah sister somewheres. Itâs almost lunchtime so theyâre sure ta be somewhere in Ponyville. Câmon!â
Rarity was feeling her first pangs of lunchtime hunger by the time Spike made his way back downstairs. She smiled up at him sadly.
âYouâre⌠still here?â Spike asked incredulously.
âI have been the whole time,â Rarity affirmed.
Spike came to sit next to Rarity, something she allowed. âWho is he?â
âYouâre quite perceptive for your age, Spike,â Rarity observed. âItâs Big Macintosh. Iâve had my eye on him for a while, and he truly accepts me for who I am. I couldnât imagine you would do the same.â
âNo, I guess not. Iâd just be lying to myself,â Spike agreed. âIs it⌠really true, though? That youâre not really a mare?â
In lieu of an answer, Rarity turned to face Spike, splaying her legs slightly to reveal her secret. Spike looked on in disbelief until Rarityâs self-consciousness kicked in and she hid herself with a blush. âI wouldnât do that for just anypony, you know. I never showed Applejack or Rainbow Dash, and I donât intend to show Pinkie or Twilight.â
âWhat about Fluttershy?â Spike asked.
âThat was⌠rather unavoidable,â Rarity admitted. âWhen you have weekly spa visits with somepony for almost five years now⌠Itâs hard to hide, even with magic.â
âWas she the first pony you told?â
Rarity nodded. âIt was only about a year ago, maybe less. She never judged me, either, butâŚâ
âBut youâre not interested in mares?â Spike suggested.
âWell, no, I donât suppose I am. But it was more⌠platonic. Fluttershy may accept me, even embrace me, but weâve only ever been friends. Best friends.â
Spike nodded. âYou two have been having those spa trips ever since I came to Ponyville.â
âI have to apologize again for all this. I never meant for it to be this⌠complicated.â
Spike smiled sadly. âItâs alright, Rarity. I think I always knew it could never work between us. Youâre a pony, Iâm a dragon. Youâre all grown up, and Iâm still just a kid. Heh, youâre gay and Iâm straight!â
Rarity chortled. âI suppose thatâs true, isnât it? I never really saw it that way, myself. Despite it all, Iâve always viewed myself as a mare. I suppose that tends to happen when youâre raised a filly, hm?â
âI wouldnât know, sorry,â Spike shrugged.
Rarity laughed. âI wouldnât expect you to, Spike. And I will be forever thankful to you for taking this so well.â
âHey, a dragonâs gotta be noble, right?â Spike grinned.
âAnd youâre the noblest of them all,â Rarity praised, pulling Spike into a hug.
âIâm guessing youâre gonna wanna keep this a secret?â
âIf you would be so kind, noble dragon.â
Spike held a claw to his chin dramatically. âHm, only if you pay me a royalty in gems!â
Rarity laughed. âIâm sure that can be arranged, your majesty.â
Spike laughed along, happy that nothing had changed between them.
Applejack sighed, leaning back in her chair after consuming her last bite of the delicious lunch Octavia had prepared. âThanks again fer lettinâ us stay fer lunch, Octavia.â
âItâs no trouble at all,â Octavia assured, turning to Vinyl.
âYep! But if youâll excuse me, Iâve gotta go get ready for a gig tonight. See ya!â Vinyl waved, grabbing her saddlebags before exiting the house and making her way to the club she was performing at tonight.
Along her way, she caught sight of three familiar-looking fillies, one in particular that looked quite down. Walking over to them, Vinyl called out, âHey, arenât you Rainbow Dashâs kid sister?â
Scootaloo perked her head up, looking for the source of the voice. An erratic-looking white unicorn with an electric blue mane and purple sunglasses was waving at them. Curious, the three fillies broke from their search to investigate. âYou know where Rainbow Dash is?â Scootaloo asked.
Vinyl cocked her head. âYeah, sheâs at my marefriendâs house. Iâd show you, but Iâm running kinda late as it is. Itâs the big house over that way with the treble clef on the door. Gotta run!â
With that, the quirky DJ was off, and Apple Bloom and Scootaloo were thoroughly confused. âWhatâs a treble clef?â Apple Bloom wondered.
âOh, I know! Itâs the clef that sheet music for a lot of lighter string instruments like violins are written in,â Sweetie Belle answered confidently.
Scootaloo blinked twice. âWhat are you, a dictionary?â
âHey, I-â
âLetâs please not start this again, gals,â Apple Bloom cut in, separating the two.
Sweetie Belleâs face scrunched up before she turned around and started walking in the direction Vinyl had indicated. With her freaky knowledge of music, Sweetie Belle quickly found the aforementioned house and knocked on the door.
The door was answered by Octavia, who looked surprised to see such young visitors. âOh, hello, can I help you?â
âWeâre looking for Rainbow Dash,â Scootaloo said, darting in front. âYou marefriend said she was here.â
Octavia nodded slowly, stepping aside to let them in. âRainbow Dash, these three fillies were looking for you,â Octavia called as the crusaders entered the kitchen.
âOh, hey you three, whatâs up?â Rainbow asked.
âItâs⌠kinda a long storyâŚâ Scootaloo began sheepishly.
âSo what are we waiting for? Letâs get you back home!â Rainbow insisted immediately upon the conclusion of Scootalooâs explanation.
Scootalooâs eyes widened. âB-but what about-â
Rainbow interrupted by grabbing Scootaloo, throwing her on her back, and flying out the door. Applejack shook her head in bemusement, turning to Octavia. âWell, Ah guess this is where weâre gonna part, then. Nice talkinâ to ya.â
âLikewise,â Octavia said, smiling in amusement.
Rainbow reached Carrot Topâs farm in record time with a deathly afraid Scootaloo clinging to her shoulders for dear life. Scootaloo tensed as Rainbow knocked on the door. She jumped in front of her idol. âWait, Rainbow Dash, Iâm not ready for-â
âScootaloo?â
Scootaloo looked behind her. The door was open, and there stood Carrot Top, eyes brimming with tears. Derpy settled beside her in the doorway, smiling. âMom, Dad!â Scootaloo flung herself into their arms.
âScoot!â Derpy cheered.
âWe knew youâd come back someday,â Carrot Top spoke through her tears.
Scootaloo never wanted to let go again. She was home, and there wasnât anything-
âWelcome home, Scoot.â
âDinky!â Scootaloo glomped her sister, peppering her with kisses.
Dinky giggled. âI missed you, too, sis. But I donât remember you ever being so affectionate.â
Scootaloo righted herself sheepishly. âSorry, IâŚâ
âYou were never alone, you know,â Carrot Top said, drawing Scootalooâs attention. âEvery day, your father,â Carrot Top smiled at Derpy, âwould keep an eye out for you. All the time she could find between deliveries, she was watching over you.â
Scootalooâs eyes widened. âIs that true, Dad?â
âHow do you think you were always able to find food when you needed it?â Carrot Top asked.
âThey donât call me the greatest delivery mare in Ponyville for nothing!â Derpy puffed out her chest.
Scootaloo laughed, drawing all three of them into another hug. âI love you guys. I missed you so much.â
âWe missed you, too Scoot,â Derpy returned in a moment of clairvoyance, extending her wings to wrap around them all. âAnd weâre really happy youâve found two wonderful fillies that brought you back to us.â
âI guess this means weâre gonna be staying over here for a while, huh?â Sweetie Belle put in.
Scootaloo broke from the hug to give her fillyfriends each a kiss. âThank you guys so much. I⌠I love you both.â
Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle smiled warmly. âWe love you too, Scoot.â
Scootaloo slowly built up into a fit of spontaneous laughter. Without knowing why, she pulled Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom on top of her, rolling around and laughing without a care. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle happily joined in, needing no reason to see Scootaloo so giddy.
From one side, Dinky giggled while Carrot Top and Derpy leaned their heads together, smiling warmly. From the other, Rainbow and Applejack shared a glance, after which Applejack leaned her head on Rainbowâs shoulder. Rainbow smiled, placing a kiss on Applejackâs forehead.
âWe donât blame you, you know,â Carrot Top said, having skirted the developing cuddle pile with Derpy to join Applejack and Rainbow. âScootaloo was always looking for some kind of great adventure, and we knew we couldnât offer much on a simple carrot farm. I actually feel like I should thank you, Rainbow Dash, for giving my daughter new purpose in life.â
Derpy nodded. âBefore you came along, she was always so bored around here.â
âI donât think you have to worry about that anymore,â Rainbow chuckled. âWho knew little Scootaloo had such a wacky foalhood.â
âThatâs a really good point, actually,â Applejack picked up. âHow did ya have foals without the spell? Twelve years ago, Princess Luna was still trapped up in the moon, and we werenât bound ta the elements yet.â
Derpyâs eyes traveled further to opposite sides as her face scrunched up in thought. âI dunno. I think it had something to do with that carrot muffin we ate.â
âA carrot muffin?â Rainbow asked incredulously.
âMore like a carrot lodged inside a muffin, but yes,â Carrot Top reinforced. âIâm not entirely sure that was really the cause, but it was the only thing I can think of that was different.â
âSo, what exactly happened?â Applejack prompted.
âOh, I know this one!â Derpy perked up. âIt all started back when you were just filliesâŚâ
So, Derpy and Carrot Top were hanging around one night when they got to talking about muffins.
âActually, dear, we were talking about foals,â Carrot Top reminded.
âThen how did the muffins come up?â Derpy asked.
âMaybe I should just tell the story,â Carrot Top laughed.
Carrot Top sighed wistfully, looking up into the night sky. Derpy soon appeared at her side as she always did.
âWhatâcha thinkinâ about, Carrot?â Derpy asked.
Carrot Top averted her gaze to her companion briefly before refocusing on the stars. âOh, nothing you have to worry about, dear.â
âIs it about muffins?â Derpy prodded.
âSee, I told you we were talking about muffins!â Derpy interrupted.
Carrot Top shook her head hopelessly before continuing her tale.
âNo, itâs nothing quite as simple as that, Iâm afraid.â
Derpyâs brow furrowed. âBut muffins are like, the most not-simple thing I can think of!â
Carrot Top laughed. âAnd thatâs what makes you so adorable, Derpy.â
âYay, Iâm adorable!â Derpy cheered. âWhatâs that?â
Carrot Top chortled, shaking her head. âNo, I was just thinking about how I might like to be a mother someday. But I canât bear to think of ever leaving you.â
Derpy frowned. âWhy would you have to? You can be a mother any time you want!â
âYou mean by adoption?â Carrot Top asked.
âSure!â
âWhile I admit itâs a good option for some⌠I just canât feel itâs quite the same,â Carrot Top despaired.
Derpy frowned again, thinking. âOh, I know whatâll help!â She said, perking up and darting away before Carrot Top could ask what she was going on about. Derpy returned shortly with a carrot in her mouth, which she offered to Carrot Top. âYouâre always telling me how carrots can fix anything!â
Carrot Top smiled sadly. âIâm afraid this is something they canât fix, dear.â
Derpyâs ears drooped. âBut⌠butâŚâ Unable to think of anything to say, Derpy left the room helplessly. Something carrots canât fix? Thatâs impossible! Carrot Topâs always right! Derpy paused. Right?
In her wanderings, she found herself drawn to the kitchen, where a muffin sat on the table. Derpy smiled. A muffin could always cheer anypony up. Derpy considered that for a moment, before making a connection. Without hesitation, she stabbed the carrot through the muffin and ran back to Carrot Top triumphantly.
âCarrot! Carrot! I figured it out!â Derpy called, skidding to a halt inside the room. âYouâre right; carrots arenât the best at everything. But they can fix a lot of stuff. I saw how sad you were, and then I found this muffin! Muffins always cheer anypony up! And when you put that with a carrot, itâs like, unstoppable!â Derpy placed the carrot-muffin on the windowsill beside Carrot Top, grinning.
Carrot Top glanced once between the hopeful grin on her marefriendâs face, to the carrot-skewered muffin. After a pause, she couldnât help but break out into laughter. She wrapped her hooves around Derpy, giving her a kiss. âItâs not the muffins that cheer ponies up, you silly filly. Itâs you.â
âYou mean Iâm a muffin?â Derpy gasped.
Carrot Top giggled. âYouâre my muffin.â Carrot Top moved to give Derpy another kiss, but Derpy stopped her.
âWait! Before anything else, weâve gotta eat this! Itâll make everything better!â Derpy said, holding up the muffin with a hoof.
Carrot Top laughed, nodding. Together with Derpy, she ate the humorous concoction. While strikingly different, Carrot Top had to admit that the flavors did complement each other quite well. She might just have to look into that.
âBut for nowâŚâ Carrot Top grinned. âI have something much better in mind.â
âOh boy, sex!â Derpy cheered, causing Carrot Top to giggle before tackling her to the ground.
âWe had sex like we usually did, and wouldnât you know it, three weeks later, we found out we were both pregnant,â Carrot Top finished, laughing.
Rainbow cocked her head. âSo⌠eating a carrot-muffin thing⌠let you have foals?â
âCarrot-muffin, then sex,â Derpy corrected.
âAh⌠Ah donât know whatâŚâ Applejack could barely form a coherent sentence.
âI donât know how it happened, either,â Carrot Top admitted. âBut the only thing that matters to me is that I got to have foals with the mare I love.â
âDâaww, I love you, too, Carrot,â Derpy said, hugging Carrot Top.
Rainbow turned to Applejack. âYou donât think-â
Applejack held a hoof to her lips, prompting Rainbowâs silence. Rainbow nodded, chuckling. âWell, Ah think our work here is done. Make sure ya donât go losinâ her again now, yâhear?â
Carrot Top nodded. âThank you again for bringing her back. Weâll never forget that.â
âMake sure Scoot doesnât, either. Weâve still gotta get her flying!â Rainbow added.
âWeâll be sure,â Carrot Top promised, smiling.
âTake care now,â Applejack said, leading Rainbow out.
Carrot Top and Derpy waved goodbye before returning their attention to their newly-returned daughter. âItâs so good to have you home, dear.â
âItâs great to be back, Mom,â Scootaloo returned, saluting.
Derpy saluted back. Carrot Top giggled.
I got the idea for Vinyl's parents from My Roommate is a Vampire. So sue me. No, please don't. |
| | | Sponsored content
| Subject: Re: Oh God Cloud Wrote a Fanfic | |
| |
| | | | Oh God Cloud Wrote a Fanfic | |
|
Similar topics | |
|
Page 1 of 2 | Go to page : 1, 2 | |
| Permissions in this forum: | You cannot reply to topics in this forum
| |
| |
| |
|