150 Proof

In all their years of life, neither Dash nor Applejack had ever experienced a happiness beyond what they experienced now, locked in a never-ending embrace of love. It seemed as though nothing could ever pry the two away from each other, and they both intended to keep it that way. The warm, apple-filled room was complimented by the most adorable setting of two ponies that could ever be imagined; Applejack was laying on Dash's right side, clenching their bodies closer while laying her head upon Dash's chest while Dash hugged Applejack's neck. The true epitome's of Loyalty and Honesty were extenuated by the situation.

Dash had awaken first and taken to the action of gently running her hoof through her lovers mane, feeling it's soft texture run across her limb like a river. In context, the situation couldn't have been more perfect. Applejack slowly came to at the soft pawing of her illustrious, blonde mane. She feigned sleep for a few minutes longer, enjoying the feeling, then slightly rubbed her face into her lovers side, meanwhile opening her eyes to make contact. She became absorbed in the fiery determination that flooded those violet orbs. Dash; however, became absorbed in her emerald-like eyes that complimented the entire scene, filling the room with an almost transparent coating of honesty and love.

Through the peace and quiet of the house came a slight knock on the front door that startled the both of them. Through the muffled gasp in surprise, they heard a familiar voice call out, "Applejack, are you okay? We haven't heard from you and Dash in a few nights." Applejack could hear the worry in her voice and continued listening. "And we can't find either of you. Are you there, Applejack?" Neither Applejack nor Rainbow Dash had considered their friends in the passing of the night and suddenly felt ashamed for keeping them in the dark. But both were also glad for the reminder that their friends still cared.

The two scrambled trying to get out of the bed, meanwhile they both answered a, "Yeah" in response to their purple friend's question.

Their friend pointedly asked, "Wait, is that Dash in there? What are you guys doing in there?" With her cover blown, Dash rushed to answer the door, but tripped and fell onto the floor. Applejack stifled a slight laugh and went over to help her lover off the floor. They both exchanged an embarrassing smile and went up to greet their friend.

Applejack opened the door to a very confused Twilight standing at the door, who only became more confused as she saw her friends sweating, red in the face, and messed up hair. She carefully asked, "What were you two doing?" Neither Applejack nor Rainbow Dash could ever lie to their friend, but they were stuck. Should they tell their friend? What would she think? Would she be okay with it? A million questions flooded Applejack's mind as she pondered over what she should do.

Luckily, it seemed Rainbow Dash could think on her feet as she answered nonchalantly, "Applejack needed some help around the farm, so I offered to help and we just had a sleep over!" Even though Applejack didn't like hiding information from her friend, she had to admit it, Dash wasn't lying.

The answer seemed to suffice as Twilight's demeanor changed from confused to happy. She then stated, "Well if you guys aren't too busy, Pinkie Pie is throwing another party tonight. It seems we have a new visitor in town." She reached and gave both her friends an invitation that showed the address. "The party's at six, I hope to see both of you there!" she happily pronounced as she walked away from the house. They both knew they'd be there, nobody misses a Pinkie Pie Party!

***

It was 5:30 before the duo had even left the house and went out into the sweet smelling air outside. The sun was just starting to set as they started walking, leaving beams of golden light to hit the two lovers, caressing them in a soft and warm blaze of light that reflected off their coats with sheer beauty. Each looked at the other in awe as the light inspired view stole them from their thoughts. The view was simply stunning.

The walked together in the fiery light toward the address on their invitation. The house they came to thirty-two minutes later had a warm feel to it. The two story house had the sweet smells of delicate party food, sweat, and drinks. The party had just started and had opened with a monster beat that had the whole street shaking! Neither remembered who the new pony was while they were in their company. They walked about, taking in the party atmosphere. The music was loud, the food was great, and the drinks were strong. A classic Pinkie Pie Party.

They walked past a group of stallions indulging in a drinking game who, as they passed by, took a nice look at the beautiful mares in front of him. The two lovers noticed and playfully said, "Hey buddy, our eyes are up here."

The stallion apologized and laughed at himself, then offered the two a seat. All in good fun, Dash and Applejack accepted the offer and sat at the nearby table. Applejack laughed pointed out to Dash a stallion who had toppled over after three drinks. The friendly stallion eyed them with curiosity and said, "It's powerful stuff. I'm not surprised he's out." The liquor was a deadly concoction known as the Death of Equestria. The drink was 80% pure alcohol. Even the hardiest of ponies had trouble holding it in their stomachs without vomiting. He then mockingly added, "You think you gals can do better?" This was a deadly mistake on the stallions part, for if he had known either Dash or Applejack, he would've known not to challenge them, for they were sure to win. The two readily accepted the drinking challenge as a round was set down in front of them. Dash and Applejack downed the drinks simultaneously, grinned, and set the glass onto the table upside down. The stallion, so as not to look like a fool in front of his friends, mimicked the action and set the glass down as well. With the two parties tied, a second round was brought to them, which was drank in a similar manner. The stallion admitted surprise; he had yet to see mares handle one round of the powerful liquor, let alone two.

The friendly game continued continued as the third round was pronounced. The drinks started taking their tolls on both parties. After the third round, their heads were swimming in an alcoholic abyss. The two parties seemed to be able to take the extra onslaught of liquor, but as the fourth round was brought out, Applejack toppled over in defeat, with a loving and concerned catch from Dash to prevent her from hitting the floor. The stallions friends cheered as he outlasted one of the mares. Applejack looked up to her lover and said, "Sorry Dashie, I couldn't hold no more."

Dash held a smirk and said, "Don't worry about it, I'll kick their asses twice for ya." And with that statement, Dash was eager for the next round. The stallion slightly backed away at the determination. Deep down he knew he was probably going to lose. Then he thought to himself, "Well, I'm not going to make it easy for her!" With his conviction set, the last two remaining players downed their fifth round of shots. Then a sixth.

At this point, there was a crowd of ponies that surrounded the two players. No one had ever lasted this long in a drinking game. The crowed placed bets and picked their champion as they brought on the seventh round, which was downed simultaneously once more, drawing out cheers from the crowd. Dash knew she wouldn't last much longer as she felt her heart slow down and she lost feeling in her legs. Not a single coherent thought entered her mind as the eighth round was killed. Thirty minutes into the party, and she was already completely smashed. She couldn't see straight and forced herself to focus on the stallion in front of her, who was ready to keel over as well. The ninth round was brought out and Dash felt her stomach churn, but as soon as the glass hit the table, she drank it and forced it down, showing tremendous willpower. No matter how much her body wanted to vomit, she wouldn't let it. She forced it down and looked sternly at the stallion, who barely got the drink to his lips before he fell over. The crowd cheered at the victory of Dash. The bets were paid and the crowd slowly dissipated.

Dash forced her legs to move as she not only made her way to the couch on the middle of the room, but also carried her love on her back. The party-goers looked in awe as the obviously drunk Pegasus dropped onto the couch, her lover in her arms, and drifted into an alcohol induced sleep. Her last conscious thought was of Applejack.

***

Dash awoke to a menacingly massive headache and fuzzy memory. She hadn't drank that much since her twenty-first birthday. Her vision adjusted and focused and she stared, wide-eyed at her friends, who stared at her. She looked down and saw her love hugging her torso, smiling in her sleep. Her friends shifted their gaze from one to another, fitting the pieces of the puzzle together. Dash let out an awkward smile, utterly embarrassed for being caught by her friends in the situation she was in. Her friends simply laughed and helped Dash wake up Applejack. It was four in the morning and the party had worn down as the goers started leaving with thoughts of their warm beds invading their minds. Pinkie Pie seemed undeterred by the time. She acted like only an hour had passed as she bounced around, talking, drinking, and dancing her little heart out.

Applejack was slowly awakened to her friends slightly giggling at her, she looked down and saw that she was holding Dash close to her in a loving embrace. She looked up to her lover who just lovingly smiled and helped her to her feet. The six friends walked the duo to Applejack's house, giving support when needed, for the effects of the drink hadn't worn out completely, even after the several hours of loving slumber. Conversation started between the friends, and naturally, it was about Dash and Applejack, who walked in silent embarrassment. The four others talked about it amongst themselves as the two lovers simply focused on walking straight.

"You know, I knew something was going on between you two when I went to your house, Applejack." She wasn't necessarily talking to Applejack, who seemed lost in her thoughts. She actually directed the statement toward Dash, who seemed better able to control her walking movement.

Although Dash already knew the answer, she still asked, "How did you know?"

Twilight giggled and said, "Well Dash, when two friends come out of a house sweating, blushing, and with messed up hair, it's not hard to figure out. Plus, well...the smell kinda sealed the deal."

Dash hid her red face in embarrassment as her other friends burst uncontrollably into a laughing spasm. Twilight then added with a smile, "Besides, we all actually saw this coming. You two are perfectly complimentary." Dash smiled warmly at the compliment. Each of their friends added their approval, some pointedly saying they should date.

Dash, looked at her friends and simply asked, "You guys are okay with this?"

Her friends stared at her in disbelief at the absurd question. Twilight answered, "Of course we are Rainbow Dash. We are your friends. We just want you to be happy. We accept you for who you are! Dash, we wouldn't have it any other way." With those words, the friends approached Applejack's home. The warm, moonlit night gave the whole house a whitish glow, which was invitingly wanted.

Dash turned to her friends, then to Applejack, who was still walking funny, then back to her friends with a frown. Her friends knew what she was thinking and quickly, Fluttershy added, "Go ahead Dash, she needs you."

Applejack jolted at the mention of her being and asked in confusion, "Huh...what?"

Her friends simply giggled and replied, "See...?"

Dash said her goodbyes and led her lover into her house, directing her toward her bed. Dash fell backwards onto the bed, letting Applejack fall atop her. The resumed the same hold hey had on the couch at the party; Applejack wrapped her hooves around Dash in a passionate hold, while Dash placed her hooves around her lovers neck. Even with the slight smell of alcohol on her breath, Dash was eventually lulled into a loving sleep by the sweet smell of Applejack's breath.

***