But not in the sense that it's raining, the other kind of being like cats and dogs.
It had taken only a little time to get used to the intruder - she was one of Applejack's friends, and anyone who accompanied her master was welcome as far as Winona was concerned.
Learning her name - Rarity - had been easy. The humans said it often enough. Learning her scent had taken a lot more time: it was constantly covered by layers of things humans shouldn't smell like. Rarity smelled nothing like the other Apple humans or the master's other friends - they all had normal smells over their body's scent. Chemicals and soaps and cat and laundry all layered to hide who Rarity was, with the worst being biting astringent scents that tried to conceal the human in her. But below that there was Rarity. Hints of hard-worked sweat that she tried to hide; notes of bitter coffee and forbidden chocolate; fingertips that had just a touch of pin-pricked blood. And with all that, there was a layer that smelled a tiny bit like Applejack. Of all the friends, none quite had that same undercurrent. It was the difference between a hug and an embrace, and it took a dog's nose to really tell.
It took almost as long for Winona to learn how to behave around Rarity - she had rules, and those were very different from the Apple humans. A yip to alert Rarity to Winona's presence was fine, but more noise than that was not. Also not allowed was jumping and under no circumstances was Winona to touch Rarity. It was okay if Rarity initiated the touch, but she was a skittish human so it was best to let her decide when and how contact was made. And if Rarity was ever holding her bundle of paper and had a writing stick, Winona was not to disturb her in any way. To do otherwise made Winona a bad dog, and she knew she shouldn't be that.
But it was all fine. Humans were particular beings with their own personalities and eccentricities. What mattered to Winona is that when Rarity came to the home, she made Applejack happy.
It wasn't until several seasons later that Winona met her counterpart - Opalescence. It had been at Fluttershy's refuge, where she kept her large pet family. Winona met many of her fellows that day - Spike, Angel, Tank, Ray, Sir Gumbert - but Opal was distinct.
For starters, Opal smelled of Rarity: the real Rarity under all the other scents that hid her. (Except the cat hair, but that just made sense.) It left no doubting who the cat belonged to, and that in turn set the tone for Winona's relationship with Opal. The other humans didn't relate to Applejack the way Rarity did, so it meant that Winona had to relate to Opal differently too. The humans being close meant that the pets had to be close. That, too, just made sense.
So after the group photo, they sat beside each other.
Opalescence groomed herself in silence. Winona waited for her to finish - which took quite some time. But when the cat done, she finally acknowledged the dog beside her with a flat, vaguely irritated look. (Which is to say, like a cat.)
Yes? Opal questioned the dog that was staring at her.
Rarity's your master, right? It was a question with a fairly obvious answer, but Winona had never needed to make small talk before and it seemed like a good place to start.
But the cat rolled her eyes. Cats don't have masters. She licked her already clean paw dismissively before adding, I'm guessing that means you're the Apple village idiot.
Thus the roles were established and the insult was ignored. Your human's a good one. She makes mine happy.
I've never met yours, Opal admitted with a glance over to where the humans were talking. But I've smelled her and you on Rarity. She seems to like you both. That's acceptable.
We both want them to be happy, and they make each other happy. That makes us friends, Winona insisted with a wag of her tail.
Opalescence looked the dog over with a critical eye. Allies, she countered. But yes. I agree.
And that had been the start of a beautiful - if chilly - relationship.
The pets would meet at least once a moon after that. Their humans liked the idea of their pets playing together and so often brought them together to socialize. Certain dynamics established themselves: Ray could often be seen laying atop Tank's shell and the two were a devastating comedic duo. Ray's quick and sharp wit complimented Tank's more placid, dry role as the straight man who would unleash the occasional unexpected but devastating retort. Angel postured as king of all he surveyed and the others mostly allowed it to avoid pointless fights - even though they all knew the group's true leader was Gummy. Spike was the distant one, preferring to associate directly with the humans than his fellow pets. (And they were fine with that - there was always something off about him that none of the pets could quite place.)
And inevitably during the playtime, Winona and Opalescence would find themselves sitting side by side and comparing notes.
Rarity smelled like another new human when she visited, Winona observed.
Opal's disdain was unmistakable. Another potential mate tried to court her. She likes him, but I don't.
As usual the statement confused Winona and she let out a quiet, questioning whine.
Grudgingly, Opalescence explained herself. Rarity is still bad at choosing which ones she courts. She's too busy looking for shiny coats or whatever the human equivalent for a full tail is when she should be looking for one that makes her happy.
That, Winona understood. My master makes her happy, came the suggestion.
She does. Opal had moved past grudging resignation when she said that - they had long since come to the agreement that while most of the humans made each other happy, Rarity and Applejack made each other particularly so. Does your human look for the same foolish things when she courts?
The dog paused, thinking back. She's never courted, came the hesitant admission. Not that I can remember.
That's stupid. Opal's sarcasm was unmistakable. If she doesn't get started, she'll be too old by the time she has her first litter.
The idea made Winona's head hurt to think about. So she didn't. I'm gonna go chase Tank now.
Opalescence said nothing back, instead curling up in her tail to watch the others chase and harrass one another.
The subject of Rarity's courting stayed on Winona's mind, however. It fit a pattern: Rarity would be present with the scent of a new human on her. Several days later she would arrive at the Apple home, sad. Then she and Applejack would sit together, there would be crying, and Rarity would sleep over. The cycle would then repeat itself within a moon.
Winona was always uncomfortable when it played out. She knew she wasn't supposed to initiate things and let Rarity decide when Rarity was ready to be touched, but it still felt wrong to wait on the other side of the room and see one of the humans in pain. They needed comfort and closeness and nuzzling, but instead she just sat there and let herself stay hurt. Doing nothing hurt Winona too, but she had always been told she was a good dog and that meant obeying the rules.
So Rarity cried. Applejack comforted. Winona did nothing.
Afterwards was no easier, even if it was just as consistent. Every morning when Rarity left, Applejack started her own pattern. She would spend the early hours in a somber mood - Winona knew it wasn't sad, because Applejack reacted to being sad by going outside to work. She never went to work after Rarity left. Instead she would hold a mug of hot drink, look at books of pictures, watch out of windows - things that Winona knew meant that Applejack was thinking about something. Probably about Rarity, because that made sense.
After each time it happened, Winona would ask Opalescence what had gone on. And the answer was always the same.
Rarity is courting wrong. She isn't looking at mates that make her happy, she's looking at things that don't matter. She's my human, but she's very stupid sometimes.
And that made Winona wonder more about how Applejack didn't court, and if that was a good or a bad thing.
But like seasons, patterns change.
Winona was settled into her bed as she was most evenings: a comfortable gray and blue lump of flannel in the corner of the Apple living room. She could see the kitchen from where she lay, letting her watch all that was about to happen.
Long after the sun had set, Applejack padded down the stairs in bare feet, quieter than the other Apples could hear. She opened the front door without waiting for a knock - and Rarity entered.
Rarity smelled like yet another new human, but she had other scents on her too. Smoke and musky perfume under a layer of sharp, tangy adrenaline. Her human words were loud, each jabbing Winona's ears like a spike that made the dog whimper.
Applejack's response was quieter and in a tone Winona recognized well: it was the gentle soothing croon she made to Winona when the sky exploded in summer or when the dog was hurt and needed care. It never failed to calm Winona down, and it seemed to have the same effect on the other human.
There was a little bit of quiet before Rarity spoke again, now speaking at the same volume as Applejack. She was still tense and trembling but her voice was under control.
Both humans sat at the kitchen table and spoke - alternating back and forth in short, quick bursts. There were still moments where what Rarity said would anger Applejack, or Rarity would start calm before working herself up. But over time, the total amount of anger grew less and less as the two humans wore down and the anger's cause became more distant. By that point, it was hours after Applejack normally went to bed and Winona assumed Rarity (and all humans) kept the same hours as the Apples. They must have been very tired.
The entire time, Winona sat there and watched. She was a good dog, and knew not to touch unless Rarity started it. But she wanted to. Rarity needed someone to rub against her leg and let her know she was loved. Yet that was against the rules, so Winona stayed where she was and waited for a signal that she could help her master make Rarity feel better.
Finally, with the worst of the anger gone, Rarity hugged Applejack. It was a half and half thing - her body language was relieved and relaxed, while Applejack's was still tense. The two continued to talk, arms around each other and close. Applejack said something, her cheeks flushed and smelling of fear. Rarity laughed quietly, missing the point. Then Applejack kissed her.
Winona had seen a lot of kisses in the Apple family, particularly when the other Apples from far away came. Many would give Granny a kiss on the cheek, with the youngest ones making a face afterwards as if they tasted something bitter. This kiss wasn't like any of them, though. Applejack put her lips against Rarity's instead of on her cheek, which was something Winona had never seen before. For a moment, Winona was worried something was wrong - Rarity's reaction to the kiss was to go stiff as she gave off a whiff of fear. But then she tilted into it, pressing back against Applejack.
The two shifted - slipping out of the chairs and hitting the floor. Winona jumped to her paws, ready to rescue the humans. They didn't need her, though. The hug became an embrace, and the kiss continued. Nervously Winona paced in the distant darkness as the pair got to their feet and - only just barely breaking their hold on each other - lurched to the stairs. They rose up, hands grasping as they half walked, half stumbled to the second floor. Then they disappeared into Applejack's room where good dogs were forbidden from going at night.
So Winona obediently returned to her bed. It would be interesting to see if the pattern of the morning would change too.
Curiously, the next morning was mostly the same.
Rarity was up first and left before any of the Apples rose. There was a scent on her that some neutered part of Winona recognized but couldn't entirely place. But there was only the slightest whiff of it before Rarity sped out the door without seeing or speaking to any of the humans.
When Applejack got up, she spent the morning like she always did after Rarity left: she took a hot mug and drank out of it, staring out the window across the orchard. She had hints of that curious scent too, dampened by an early shower.
Now at least Winona could comfort her master. They spent it together in silence - Winona's body resting against Applejack's leg, and Applejack's hand idly scratching Winona's ears. What had happened with the humans was a mystery, but a good dog knew when her master was sad.
Rarity didn't come by again. Not for a long time. In fact, Winona didn't see her at all until the next play date.
Arriving at Fluttershy's refuge, Winona immediately saw a difference: Applejack and Rarity stayed far apart, keeping at least one friend between them at all times. They didn't talk or even look at each other.
Concerned, Winona went to see her partner - but before anything could be said, Opalescence responded to Winona's presence with a hiss and a warning swipe of her paw.
Applejack's voice barked loud and sharp, warning Winona to back off. With a confused whimper, she did. Dog and cat kept their distance, sitting several body lengths apart on the side of the room as the others played. The game of trying to dislodge Gummy from Tank's back was usually one of Winona's favorites - but she couldn't bring herself to care this time. (She still watched intently, of course.)
Minutes passed before she finally tried talking again, though Winona stayed away from the cat. Are we still friends?
Opalescence groomed herself a little more - feigning disinterest - before responding. Your human hurt mine.
They hurt each other, I think, Winona insisted with a quiet whimper. But I don't know why.
With a low grumble, Opal reiterated one of her old stand-bys. Rarity courts wrong. She paused. I never like the humans she chooses to because they always hurt her. This time, she tried to court your master and as usual she got hurt. So I don't like Applejack and I don't like you.
That was something for Winona to think about. So she pondered it - spending long enough for Opalescence to return to grooming herself in boredom. But the kernel of it eventually worked through her brain. Your master hurt mine, too, she reminded.
Rarity is not my master, came the immediate, reflexive response.
Winona was used to that and ignored it. She usually hurts her a little. Whenever Rarity comes over, Applejack is always unhappy the next morning. This last time she was unhappier than normal, though. If she hurt Rarity, Rarity hurt her back just as bad.
Good. Opal seemed grimly pleased by that.
I don't think they want to hurt each other, Winona ventured. When I saw them the night before, they seemed happy.
Rarity always looks happy at first. I've seen it enough times. Opal turned her eyes towards her human - Rarity sat on the close end of their friend group, the maximum buffer of five between herself and Applejack. But it's always that she's forcing herself to be happy, not that she is happy.
Winona's counter was quicker now as her thoughts continued to organize themselves. You've seen our humans together before. Did it ever seem like Rarity was forcing herself to be happy around Applejack?
This time, Opalescence was the one who stopped to think. She looked harder at her human, pulling up and shuffling through old memories. Checking each one carefully and weighing it against what she knew of Rarity's other dates. …No.
They made each other happy, Winona insisted. Until this time.
Until this time, Opal echoed thoughtfully.
It was an opening - and Winona circled back to her original question. So what changed?
Opal's ears flattened as she thought about it. Then she ventured a theory. Rarity does not know how to court. That means she doesn't know what to do when she gets it right, either.
It was a solid, sensible answer for Winona. So how do we fix it?
The cat squinted at the dog. We're supposed to fix it?
Winona chose her words carefully. Don't you want to your human to be happy?
I, Opal sneeringly replied, am a cat. I don't need humans, I just deign to allow them to serve me.
That wasn't a no, Winona gently observed.
Silence. And then a grudging response. It was not a no.
And Winona repeated herself. So how do we fix it.
Opal let out the long-suffering grumble that only a cat who knew she had to do something could make. We can't fix it. Only they can fix it, since they're the stupid ones.
Applejack isn't stupid, Winona reflexively defended.
She's acting stupid.
Winona hesitated, then nodded. Okay, I guess she is a little.
Smugly, Opal stretched herself out. The best we can do is get them talking to each other again and hope they come to their senses. She finished, easing onto all fours and eyed her partner. I have an idea. You need to go over there and climb into Rarity's lap.
Winona recoiled as if sprayed by a skunk. I can't do that! Rarity's off limits for touching unless she starts it. Only bad dogs do that, and I'm not a bad dog!
Applejack needs you to, Opal insisted. Think of it this way. You're not being a bad dog, you're being a good cat. She turned with a flick of her tail. Good cats don't care what the human wants. We know what they need, and we take care of it. Even if they don't realize they need it.
The debate ended as Opalescence sauntered away - simply leaving the dog behind her.
Winona hesitated, caught in the headlights of the problem. Was being a bad dog worth trying to help Applejack?
…Yes, of course. The more Winona thought about it, the more she realized how stupid of a question it was. Helping Applejack was always worth it.
So she sucked up her courage, stood, and trotted over to Rarity.
The pale girl was looking away - staring off into space and barely aware of her surroundings. Sitting on the floor with her chin on the heel of her hand, Rarity was oblivious to Winona's approach. So her yelp of surprise was genuine when the dog leapt into Rarity's lap, put her front paws on the girl's chest, and started eagerly licking her face.
Rarity managed to not scream, but only just.
On the other side of the room, Applejack scrambled to her feet. She shouted loud words that Winona knew were scolding and orders to leave Rarity alone. She knew it meant she was a bad dog. But Winona didn't relent, hopping down and curling around Rarity's back to protectively wrap the girl's torso in dog.
And as Applejack stormed over to pull her dog away, the other half of the plan went into action. Opalescence shot straight up from the floor, landing on a shocked Applejack. The farm girl stopped dead in her tracks as suddenly her arms were full of cat. And not merely sitting there: purring loudly and rubbing her head against the underside of Applejack's chin.
Both humans froze where they were, confused by what was happening. Each searched for an explanation for their pets - and finally were forced to look at each other again. Pressed against Rarity as she was, Winona could feel the human miss a breath when those eyes met.
Neither spoke - even Applejack's rough commands to Winona stopped as they dumbly stared into each other's eyes.
Fortunately, the gray-and-yellow haired human who always smelled of hay stepped in. She spoke, putting a hand on Applejack's shoulder and motioning towards Rarity. And that prompted both Applejack and Rarity to start talking too. Quietly and hesitantly, but talking. Even looking at each other again occasionally.
Winona stepped back as Rarity stood.
Opalescence jumped down as Applejack moved forward.
Both watched as their humans cried and embraced. And then shared another lips-on-lips kiss.
Opal started grooming again to get the farmer's dirt off of herself. Happy?
Winona's tail wagged. Happy.
Author's Note
This was originally a Jinglemas gift for EileenSaysHi, but I ended up having to do a new story because - as much as I liked this one - it didn't actually fulfill the prompt. But it worked out in the end here, so yay!
