Just A Couple of Ponies

Chapters

Chapter 01
Chapter 02
Chapter 03
Chapter 04
Chapter 05
Chapter 06
Chapter 07
Chapter 08

Chapter 01

To ponies, lunch existed in many forms. In Manehattan, it ranged from the usual fare found in diners lining the streets to the posh servings found at the five star restaurants. In Canterlot, it ranged from the grandiose spread at the Royal Castle to the simple offerings in a donut shop.

Some considered it the first meal of the day. Others thought of it as the biggest meal of the day. And yet others considered it a second breakfast, but those were a strange sort.

For three mares in Ponyville, however, lunch was a picnic, and a chance to hang out.

“And then, then he had the nerve to ask me out again! After standing me up like that!” Rainbow Dash huffed, crossing her forelegs together.

“Seriously?” Applejack asked, her eyebrows almost reaching her hat. “So what’d ya tell ‘im?”

The pegasus rolled her eyes as she grabbed another sandwich. “I told him I’d go on a date with him… when pigeons sing opera!”

The third pony’s smile turned into a playful smirk. “Actually, I know a spell that could–”

“If you finish that thought, egghead, I’m throwing a sandwich at you.”

Twilight held Rainbow’s gaze for a few seconds, before the pair burst into giggles. Applejack soon joined them, shaking her head at her friends’ antics. As their laughter subsided, the earth pony eyed the blue mare as she devoured her sixth sandwich.

“I thought I had a big appetite, Sugarcube, but yer puttin’ me to shame here.” An orange hoof prodded Rainbow’s side. “Where’d you put all of that anyway?”

“Hey! I can’t help it if I always look good.”

Twilight shook her head in amusement. “Actually, Rainbow, I’d say you’ve just got a really fast metabolism.”

“Metawhatnow?”

“Metabolism, it’s the chemical reactions involved in maintaining the living state of the cells and the organism.”

“She means ya jus’ turn food into energy real fast, Dash,” Applejack offered, Twilight’s explanation having earned only a blank look from the pegasus.

“Oh. Why didn’t you just say that?” Rainbow raised an eyebrow at the alicorn, before focusing back on Applejack. “And how’d you know that anyway?”

Applejack shrugged, grinning. “What can I say? She’s rubbed off on me.” She chortled as Twilight’s muzzle lifted skywards, pointedly ignoring the earth pony’s teasing.

Rainbow’s smirk grew wider by the second. “Yeah, I’ll bet she has…"

“Wha–” Applejack’s eyes widened as she caught the pegasus's smirk, and she pulled down her hat to hide her burning cheeks. “Get yer mind outta the gutter, you dirty filly!”

“C’mon, you walked right into that one!”

Twilight could hardly contain her giggles. “To be fair, you really did, Applejack.”

It was now Applejack’s turn to ignore the teasing as she fixed Rainbow with a mild glower. “Whatever.” She snorted as she watched the pegasus wolf down yet another sandwich. “I’m jealous of ya Dash, I’ve gotta work off any extra weight.”

“I don’t mind it!” Twilight smirked at Applejack, before leaning in and planting a kiss on the orange pony’s cheek.

Applejack returned it, before locking a mock glare on Twilight. “You’re one to talk, y’know!”

“Hey! This was a magical growth spurt and you know it!” Twilight draped a wing across Applejack’s back. “But I can do this now!”

Twilight’s wing pulled Applejack closer, dragging the orange pony into kissing distance. As Twilight’s lips met Applejack’s, Rainbow’s grin began to fade.

She knew she wasn’t one for mushy stuff. Usually, it just made her roll her eyes. But, for some reason, when it was these two it was much worse – an uncomfortable twisting in her gut that she couldn't quite place. She tried to ignore it, focusing on the itch in her wings – that feeling, though embarrassing, was perfectly understandable; her friends were an attractive pair by anypony's standards.

She decided she ought to get out of there before her feelings became painfully obvious.

“H-hey guys, this is fun and all, but I gotta jet…"

Twilight broke the kiss and frowned at the pegasus. “Already?”

“So ya eat our food an’ then beat a hasty retreat.” Applejack chuckled. “What a nice dinner companion.”

“Er, it’s still lunchtime.”

“Y’know what I mean!” the earth pony shot back.

“Hey, it’s not my fault you packed a dozen sandwiches! Somepony had to eat them!”

Twilight giggled. “We knew you’d be around, so I asked Spike to pack a few more.”

Rainbow blinked as she processed the alicorn’s words. “Wait, you made these extra ones just for me?”

“D’you see anyone else who’d pig out on them like you do?” Applejack quipped.

“I…" Rainbow swallowed, the words catching in her throat. “H-hey, like Twilight said, I’ve got a fast metabotulism thingy.” She stood up, staring at the skies. “Anyway, I should go. Gotta feed Tank!”

Twilight levitated the last sandwich over to herself. “Careful,” she said, “he’ll get as fat as his owner.”

“Oh, ha ha.” Rainbow snorted as she flapped into the air. She couldn’t resist the parting smirk. “I’ll let you two get a room. See you guys later?”

“You betcha!” Applejack nodded.

With a wave, Rainbow dashed into the skies.

She still felt bad, but it was a different sort of pain now. Before, she’d been burning to leave, as quickly as possible. But now, the twist in her gut was gone, dispelled by her friend’s parting words.

Still, Tank did need to be fed, and the little guy missed her when she was gone for too long. She grinned as she sped towards her home. There would be other times to hang, and she was going to do just that in the near future.

The twist was replaced by a warmer feeling: she was expected, she was welcomed. She had two of the best friends a girl could ask for.

It truly was a wonderful day. The sun shone brightly, with not a cloud in the sky. Ponies of all ages wandered the streets, eager to soak in the fantastic weather. It was much too nice a day to be staying inside.

Yet that was exactly what Rarity was doing.

She stared at her sewing machine, lying dormant and unused.

She eyed her sketchpad, pages ripped out of it with rejected designs.

She glared at the ponyquin, as it bore the fruit of the last half dozen hours of work, give or take a few.

Not that she could dignify the dress with such a term. It was horrible, and she couldn’t fix it.

Rarity wistfully glanced out of the window and sighed.

Dear Celestia, why am I wasting my life working on these frivolous designs that nopony truly appreciates? she thought, flinging herself on her couch. Am I cursed to be forever misunderstood, only to be appreciated after I have passed from this mortal coil? Look at those happy foals out there, so joyful. I should just–

She paused, narrowing her eyes at one of the passing children. “Wait… yes! Powder blue would do wonderfully! Oh, and some nice pink frills. Wahaha! This will be my Pièce de Résistance!”

She leapt off the couch, humming cheerfully to herself as her magic grabbed the appropriate materials. In mere minutes the dress was finished, and it stood under Rarity’s critical gaze. “Yes… yes! Très magnifique! This will surely be a hit!”The celebration, however, would have to wait, as the front door’s jingle rang out.

“Welcome to Carousel Boutique, where every garment is chic, uni– Oh, Twilight, perfect timing!” she said as she caught sight of her friend. “What do you think, the powder blue on the flank, accented here with pink frills? Oh, and sapphires! Where are my sapphires?"

“Right behind you,” Twilight replied as she set the basket down.

“Ah, yes. Thank you dear, I wouldn’t know what to do without you.” The gems floated up to the garment, and the unicorn stepped back to admire her work. “There! What do you think?”

“I like it! It looks great.”

“You think so? It could still use some finishing touches… But never mind that!” Rarity shook her head, grinning at her friend as she noticed the blanket in the basket. “Out on a date, were we?”

“Yep! We had a picnic in the park.”

“Oh, that sounds lovely. So, to what do I owe the visit?”

“Well…" The alicorn sat down on her haunches, looking down at her front hooves as she tapped them together. “I was rearranging my clothes closet, and I kind of got one of my dresses caught on something.” Twilight glanced up at Rarity, as if scared to even meet her gaze. “I, uh… might have ripped it a bit?”

Rarity waved Twilight’s concerns away with a hoof. “And you’d like me to repair it. But of course! Which dress is it?” She turned away, seeking out the tools she’d be needing for such a job.

“Oh, thank you!” Twilight said, sagging with relief. “It’s my coronation dress.”

“Your coro–” The words sputtered into silence as the unicorn whirled to face her friend. “How bad is the damage? Tell me!”

“I-it’s not that bad! Just a little tear!” Twilight backed up as she wilted under the fashionista’s gaze. “Please, Rarity? You’re the only one I trust with this!”

Rarity held Twilight’s, then sighed and turned back to her craft. “I’ll see what I can do, darling. Bring it to me whenever you can.”

“I’ll go get it right now!” Twilight said, grabbing the basket in her magic as she opened the door.

“Oh! Wait one moment, dear!” Rarity said, turning around to face her friend once again. “Have you seen Rainbow Dash? I finished the Shadowbolt costume she ordered for Nightmare Night. Thank you for sending that letter for me, by the way; Luna was able to give me all the details I needed."

“Rainbow?” Twilight repeated. “She was with us in the park. She went home to feed Tank – don’t know if she’s still there though.”

“She was?” Rarity asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Yeah, why wouldn’t she be?”

“I thought you said it was a date?”

“It was! She left when the kissing started.” Twilight giggled. “It’s funny, normally if ponies start making out in front of her, she just heckles or cheers them on. But every time A.J. and I get physical, she gets embarrassed and runs off. It’s kinda cute, you know? I think A.J. does it on purpose.” She giggled again, but stopped as she realized her friend was staring at her. “Er, Rarity? Is something wrong?”

The fashionista gave a slight jump. “What? Oh, ah, it’s nothing. In any case, I best be off. If I don’t catch her before she leaves home, I might never find her.” She shooed Twilight away with a hoof. “Just put the dress anywhere if I’m not back by then.”

Twilight nodded. “Will do. Later, Rarity!”

Rarity’s gaze strayed back to her work as the door closed behind Twilight. Her magic gently picked at it, but her attention just wasn’t there.

She casually joins them on dates, so often they find it routine? And she gets embarrassed by their intimacy?

“No.” She shook her head, chuckling. “It can't be. Rarity dear, you must stop seeing things that are not there.”

But the thought wouldn’t leave her alone. It gnawed at the back of her mind, teasing her with ideas and assumptions. She glanced at the clock. If she hurried, she could maybe drop off the costume at Rainbow Dash’s home, fix Twilight’s dress, and still be on time for her spa appointment with Fluttershy.

They’d have so much to discuss today.

“Fluttershy, darling… I have news. But I'm not certain if it's good news."

Fluttershy turned her head as she let Lotus dig her hooves into her back. She knew that tone of voice very well, and the sudden quiet from the spa sisters told her that they too knew what was coming. Whatever this was, it was going to be interesting.

“Oh?” the pegasus answered quietly, knowing that the unicorn was waiting for a prompt.

“I believe our dear Rainbow Dash has a crush.”

Fluttershy’s eyes widened, and she gasped. “Oh my – are you sure? I mean, I thought I saw something, but – wait.” She looked puzzled as she remembered Rarity’s words mere moments ago. “Why wouldn't that be good news?”

“Well, it's about who…" It was now Rarity’s turn to pause. “I’m sorry, you saw? You mean you knew?” she asked.

Fluttershy flinched from Rarity’s gaze, hiding under her mane as Lotus tsk’d at her movement. “I guessed. I saw some… signs.”

“Signs?”

“Oh, well… She seemed a little more… daydreamy than usual.”

“Daydreamy?”

“Well, not really daydreamy.” Fluttershy hesitated. “Staring off into space. Sighing. Not lazy, or bored, or anything like that. Just–”

“Melancholy, perhaps?” Rarity offered.

“No. No… Um. Maybe. Not really sad.”

“Lacking?”

Fluttershy shook her head. “I'm not sure.”

“Something on her mind?”

“Kinda? Um…"

“Distracted?”

“Yes!” Fluttershy blushed at her own outburst. “Sorry… Oh! And she preens a lot, and brushes her tail without even realizing it.”

Rarity’s lips twitched upwards at the mental image. “As adorable as that would be to see, the problem still remains.” She sighed, staring forward as she leaned back onto the massage mat. “I have reason to believe that Rainbow has a crush on either Twilight or Applejack.”

“Oh!” Fluttershy breathed. “Oh no. Are you sure?”

“Well…" Rarity hesitated, stepping off of the mat. “I haven’t seen it myself, but Twilight and I were discussing her most recent date with Applejack.” She considered her next words. “It wasn't so much what she said as how she said it.”

Fluttershy tilted her head in confusion as the pair entered the sauna. “What do you mean?”

“Rainbow Dash was at that date. And Twilight expected her to be. It was normal to her.” Rarity shook her head, relaxing on the bench. “Don’t get me wrong, I love you all but… if one of you were to invite yourselves to one of my dates? I would be most cross.”

Fluttershy remained silent for a moment, processing all the new information. Memories came to mind, of moments she had glimpsed, scenes she had seen. “They have been together a lot lately.” She said quietly. “I guess I just thought it was… like you and me, they were just close, I mean. But now… I'm not sure how I missed it.”

Rarity reached over and put her hoof on the pegasus’s withers. “Don’t blame yourself, dear. If those three haven’t seen it for themselves, it’s no wonder none of us have either!”

“Wh-what?”

Rarity frowned at Fluttershy’s reaction. But as she realized the cause, her eyes widened. “Did I not mention that? None of them seem to be aware of it. Well, Twilight and Applejack certainly haven’t – Twilight obviously had no idea when we spoke today, and there is no way Applejack of all ponies would have kept it to herself if she knew. Dash, I’m not sure about, but I suspect the same. If she did know, who would she have asked for advice?”

Fluttershy nodded. "Um. Probably me. And I would have told you. It sounds like you might be right. " She pursed her lips, deep in thought. "But how could they be doing that without any of them noticing? I mean, I would notice if that was happening… I think?”

“Never underestimate the ability of a pony in love to ignore the obvious,” chimed in Aloe.

Rarity raised an eyebrow. “Oh?”

Aloe grinned. “Let me tell you a little story. Once, there were two ponies. Now, these two didn’t like each other very much. In fact, they were rivals, for they both ran bedding stores, and their shops were just across the street from one another! They got in many loud fights about who had the finer sheets or the fluffier pillows. Despite this, they ended up splitting an apartment – ‘Rent is expensive’, they said, ‘and we both need to live closer to our shops’. It was a ‘cohabitation of convenience’, and everypony knew it. But three years and two apartments later, they were not only still living with each other but looking at buying a house together! And then, one fateful day, somepony pointed out to them that their ‘cohabitation of convenience’ had ceased to actually be convenient a long time ago. And that, children, is the day those two ponies finally realised they were in love.”

Aloe paused dramatically. “Good thing, too – about a year later, that couple had twins – my sister and me.”

Rarity and Fluttershy applauded jokingly. “Bravo!” “Encore, encore!” Aloe stuck her tongue out at them and went back to work.

Fluttershy’s expression grew serious again. “Goodness, they really might not know.” She looked at Rarity almost pleadingly. “What do we do?”

Rarity sighed, silently thankful that she was in the spa. The whole situation would undoubtedly be stressful, but at least she’d be able to relax before tackling the problem head on. “We must tell Twilight and Applejack, of course. But first, we must talk to Rainbow; it could be we are misjudging the situation, and that would be horribly awkward. If it's true, we need to find out which of them is the object of her affection, and whether she is aware of it.”

Her tone grew apprehensive. “From there… Well, that will be up to Twilight and Applejack, I’m afraid.”

Rarity had feared that they would spend the entire rest of the afternoon searching high and low for Rainbow Dash, but thankfully, she was due at Fluttershy’s cottage some time after they were done at the spa. Rarity wasn’t one to look a gift horse in the mouth, as it were, and took the time to enjoy a brief meal with Fluttershy, as they attempted to think of ways to confirm their suspicions.

All too soon, however, they found themselves at the cottage at the edge of the forest. Everything looked as it normally did – the various creatures flitting through the air, scampering on the ground, or swimming in the stream.

The low-hanging cloud with a rainbow-streaked tail dangling off the side was only slightly out of place.

Fluttershy called up as the pair approached. “Rainbow?” She waited a moment, her brow furrowing as she was met by silence. “Rainbow?” she repeated, slightly louder.

Rarity shared a look with Fluttershy. They knew the other pegasus was awake – her tail was flicking about as she lay on her back, her legs tapping to a rhythm only she could hear.

The unicorn cleared her throat. “Rainbow Dash!” she shouted, startling the pegasus.

“Gah! Hey, no need to– Oh, hey guys.” Rainbow grinned as she recognized her friends. “Got your cloud, Fluttershy!”

The yellow pegasus smiled in return and trotted into the cottage to fetch her animal friends, leaving Rarity alone with Rainbow Dash.

Perfect.

Rarity allowed herself a small smirk. “I didn’t know you made home deliveries, Rainbow Dash.”

The pegasus shrugged. "Eh, Fluttershy needs a lot of water for all these animals, so I usually save her the trouble and deliver a cloud."

“How thoughtful! Do you make such deliveries for other ponies?”

“Sometimes?” Rainbow shrugged again. “I mean, sometimes somepony needs help watering their garden or something.”

The opening was too tempting for Rarity to resist. “Like Applejack?”

“Yeah!” Rainbow grinned, her ears perking up at the name. “If she asks. Doesn’t always happen. You know how stubborn she is.” The pegasus waved a hoof, rolling her eyes.

“I do indeed.” Her smile stayed the same, but inside, she felt a growing sense of discomfort. It was entirely too early to judge whether her suspicions were correct, but she hadn’t missed Rainbow’s reaction. She needed more proof.

Rarity waited until Rainbow had given the cloud a gentle tap, showering Fluttershy’s smallest friends with a light drizzle – enough to get them clean and not drown them. “So, how is work these days?”

Rainbow grunted as she sat back down on the cloud. “Meh. Same old, same old.”

Rarity’s eyes narrowed slightly. That hadn’t quite delivered the results she’d been hoping for. Another topic, then.
“I see. And have you had any contact from the Academy?”

“Uh? Not really. Why?”

She hadn’t expected the pegasus to question her in return. “Merely curious,” she answered, thinking quickly. “I thought it was an ongoing thing?”

“Well yeah, if you’re a normal pegasus.” Rainbow smirked as she puffed out her chest. “I was breaking records left and right, so I’ve got a special set of drills.” She gave a flap of her wings and stopped the drizzle with a hoof. “As long as I keep practicing, I just have to show up for the group training.”

“Next, please!” Fluttershy watched as the next set of animals moved under the cloud. Hares, some of the larger birds, and even a cat sat themselves under Rainbow Dash, who gave the cloud a harder shove.

“Why all the questions, Rarity?” Rainbow asked, eyeing the unicorn.

The white mare lifted a hoof to her chest, putting on an affronted air. “Why, can’t I inquire as to how one of my best friends is doing?”

Rainbow inched back slightly at the outburst. “Uh, sure?” she answered, frowning. “But why didn’t you ask when you saw me yesterday?”

“I had other things on my mind, darling. So, do you have any plans for this weekend?” She gave Dash an innocent smile as the pegasus eyed her warily. “Simply curious, my dear. I was thinking that if some of us weren't busy, a picnic or something of that sort might be worth considering. Though I may be watching my sister and her friends…"

"Oh.” Rainbow blinked. “Dunno. I would, but I think I might already have plans."

“Oh?”

“Uh, yeah, Twi and A.J. are having lunch and seeing a movie, and they invited me along.”

“To the movie?”

“And lunch!”

Rarity couldn’t stop her brow from furrowing. “The lunch as well?”

“Yeah, they do it all the time!” She grinned happily. “They even made extra sandwiches just for me today.”

“That’s so nice of them!” Fluttershy commented, ushering another set of animals forwards.

“I know! I totally didn’t expect them to do something like that for me.”

The yellow pegasus looked up, aiming a small frown at her friend. “Rainbow! They’re your friends. They’re very nice ponies, why wouldn’t they do something like that?”

Rainbow’s eyes widened, slightly taken aback at Fluttershy’s vehemence. “I-I guess they’re pretty awesome.” She shook herself, her air of confidence reappearing. “I mean, they don’t have anything on me, but they’re still pretty awesome!” She grinned, staring off in the distance as a hoof started playing with her mane.

The other two mares shared a look. Fluttershy nodded – this was what she’d been talking about.

“Sorry, darling,” Rarity said, snapping Rainbow out of her reverie. “You said you did this often?”

“Do what often?”

“Join them for… events?”

Rainbow beamed. “Oh, yeah! All the time. And it’s great!” She started giggling, earning confused looks from the other ponies. “I mean, have you ever seen a drunken Twilight?”

“Twilight… drunk?” Rarity repeated. “I can’t say I have, but what does that have to do with–”

“Alicorns have a pretty high tolerance, apparently. But once it hits…" Rainbow said, grinning as she leaned forwards. “It’s hilarious.”

“Wh-what happened?” Fluttershy asked, her eyes wide. She wasn’t sure she wanted to know, but she couldn’t help but ask.

And neither could Rarity. She’d smelled gossip, and had completely forgotten the reason she was there. “I agree, do tell!”

Rainbow’s grin could have matched one of Pinkie’s. “Well, I was hanging out with A.J., and we were heading to the library to see how Twilight was doing, right?” she asked, and continued as her eager listeners nodded. “Turns out, she found a book about mixing drinks.”

Fluttershy gasped. “Oh my goodness…"

Rainbow couldn’t hold back a giggle. “Yeah. Remember when I had a plaid coat for a week? And that green fog for a few hours?”

Rarity’s lips twitched upwards in the beginnings of a smile. “You don’t mean…"

“Yep!” Rainbow cackled. “She’s like some crazy scientist when drunk. And a great explainer!”

“I beg your pardon?” Rarity blinked.

Rainbow gave her a look. “Explainer! You know, explaining things?”

“Well yes, but a little context, please?”

“I was getting there!” Rainbow huffed. “You know how she always talks about a subject forever and nopony listens?” Both ponies nodded, having been on the receiving end of such more than once. “Apparently, she can’t use hard words when drunk, so she explained how weather works to me without them. And I understood everything! I learned so much.”

“Meteorology?” Fluttershy frowned. “But didn’t you need that for your weatherpony certificate?”

Rainbow had the decency to look embarrassed. “Would you believe me if I said I bluffed my way through the tests?" She rubbed the back of her head with a hoof as the two stared slack jawed at her. “I mean, I know what to do. I feel it in my hooves. But after Twilight was done? I actually understand a lot more of why I’m doing what I do.”

She grinned once more, shaking her head as she laughed. “I know she’s smart, but explaining my job to me, while drunk? That’s really awesome.”

A thought struck Rarity. There was a pony missing in this story. “And what did Applejack do?”

Rainbow lifted her face away from a wing she’d started to preen. “Eheh. She was the smart one. Dumped the drinks into the bushes before anypony else could try them.” Rainbow leaned forward again, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “That’s where the green fog came from,” she said, bursting into giggles once again.

“It sounds like Applejack is rather pragmatic," Rarity mused.

Rainbow paused in the preening efforts she’d resumed. "Pragmatic?"

"She has no time for nonsense," Fluttershy explained, ushering the final set of animals under the cloud. Or rather, a single towering bear, fully equipped with rubber ducky and a scrub.

"Oh.” Rainbow blinked. “Psh, yeah. You should have seen her when she tried to make Twi go for a jog."

Rarity tilted her head. "A jog?"

"Yeah, to work off that extra little pudge. It's all that Royal Canterlot Cooking, I swear."

"I take it the jog turned out more amusing than the typical trot?"

Rainbow was clearly holding back her laughter. "Y-you could say that!"

Rarity cursed her insatiable appetite for gossip. "Go on."

“Okay, so, we’re all running through Whitetail Woods, right? We’re setting a good pace, and then Twilight starts complaining. But A.J. doesn’t stop, and starts threatening to not invite Twi to family dinners if she tries to stop.”

Rainbow was already shaking with laughter as she continued. “Twilight’s reaction was already pretty funny, but then she just gave up and started flying. And that pissed Applejack off to no end.”

“I can imagine…" Rarity breathed, picturing the scene.

But Rainbow was shaking her head. “It gets better! A.J. is chasing Twilight around, yelling at her to come back down and ‘do it properly’, but Twilight isn’t listening.” Rainbow fought to control her giggles. “So A.J. gets her rope from under her hat, and lassos Twilight in mid-air!”

“Oh my…" Fluttershy whispered.

“Twilight was too focused to remember she could fly up as well as forwards, so Applejack managed to hold on.” Rainbow waved her hooves, attempting to recreate the scene with motion. “She managed to drag Twilight back, run around a tree, tie it off, then tackle Twilight out of the air.” Rainbow stared into the distance, her face a picture of awe. “Heh. I don’t think I’d wanna go for another Iron Pony round against her. That was just awesome.”

Fluttershy shared another look with Rarity as the other pegasus started preening herself once more. She leaned closer to the unicorn. “That’s the third time she’s preened there,” she whispered.

Rarity stared at Rainbow. “That wing, you mean?” she replied in a hushed tone.

“No – that feather. She has it bad.”

Rainbow finally seemed satisfied with her wing care, and took a look at the empty cloud. “All done, Fluttershy?”

“Oh! Um, yes. Thank you.”

Rainbow waved a hoof. “Anytime. Anyway, gotta get back to practice. See ya later!”

And then she was gone.

Silence stretched on as the two remaining ponies looked at each other. Something needed to be said. Words needed to be spoken. But they both knew what they’d seen.

Despite all the words coming out of her mouth, what Rainbow Dash hadn’t said told them so much more. For lack of a better word, Rainbow had been positively radiant. She’d constantly smiled, even beamed as she spoke. Her entire body had seemed alive with energy, more so than it already tended to be for the athletic pegasus.

But it had been her eyes that sealed the deal. There was a certain way that they lit up when she described something she was passionate about. All of them had seen it when she talked about say, the Wonderbolts. They had been lit the same way just now. But what that implied was quite mind-boggling to both Rarity and Fluttershy.

Fluttershy blinked. “Both?” she said, finally breaking the silence.

Rarity nodded, still overwhelmed. “Both.”

“Oh dear.”

Chapter 02

“… and let it simmer for ten minutes.”

Twilight sat at her kitchen table, admiring the orange pony at the stove. “I love watching you cook.” She grinned. “Especially in that apron.”

Applejack glanced down at her frilly, pink ‘Kiss the Cook’ apron, and rolled her eyes at Twilight. “Only for you, Sparky. 'Sides, someone's gotta cook for ya, without burnin' your home down.”

Twilight groaned. “A.J., when I said it was fine for you to give me a pet name…"

“Well, y’won't let me call ya Twily, and I really like that one!”

Twilight grunted. “Nope, sorry. My brother uses that, and I’d rather think I’m snuggling you at night, not him.” She stood up, grinning. “And anyway, why would I need to cook, when I've got a beautiful, gentle, demure country housewife doing my cooking?” She punctuated each word with a step, and leaned in to kiss Applejack’s cheek.

The farmpony raised an eyebrow, fighting to hide the smile that was threatening to appear. “This country housewife will do the cookin', if her rough and tough country stallion works th'fields and tends th’livestock.” She leveled her best glare at the alicorn. “Big Mac can give ya some tips if’n y’need them.”

They held gazes, the air thick with tension, then both burst out laughing.

“‘Sides,” Applejack said once she caught her breath, “you ain't the best of cooks.”

Twilight lifted a hoof in mock offense. “Hey, I'm adequate!” she said, earning a snort from Applejack.

“True. Least you ain't as bad as Dash.”

“Dash is a bad cook?”

“She lit her kitchen on fire once.”

Twilight blinked. “But isn't her kitchen made of–”

“Yes.”

“… wow.”

The pair fell silent as Applejack returned to her cooking, and Twilight contemplated just how Dash could have managed such a feat. It wasn’t until Applejack had set the plates on the table that Twilight snapped back to attention. She breathed in the aroma, practically salivating at it.

The fork was millimeters away from her mouth when she heard the knock.

Twilight turned around, glaring through the kitchen door, then turned back to eat her food. Spike could take care of it.

A second knock was heard as she munched on her dinner. Spike was clearly taking his time. Maybe he was napping?

“Spike’s with the crusaders, y’know,” Applejack said, between bites.

Oh. Right. “Oh, all right,” she grumbled as she stood up. The kitchen door flew open at the touch of her magic, quickly followed by the front door as she trotted into the main library, Applejack close behind.

Any annoyance she felt at her meal being interrupted vanished as she saw who was at the door. “Fluttershy! Rarity! Come in!” She turned back to Applejack, but instead found herself faced with Pinkie’s blue eyes.

“Hi!”

“Er. Hi, Pinkie. When did you get here?”

Pinkie shrugged. “I don’t know! I came here to find a cookbook to make waffles, but then I found these comics and I’ve been here ever since!”

Twilight looked down, seeing the strewn comics for the first time. “Uh, those are Spike’s. Put them back when you’re done with them?”

Pinkie grinned as widely as ever. “Okay!”

Shaking her head in amusement, Twilight turned back to the new arrivals. “Sorry about that. What’s up?”

Rarity smiled at Twilight, her expression turning to shock as she noticed Applejack behind her. “Oh my. If we've caught you during an intimate moment we can always come back?”

Twilight looked confused. “No? It’s just dinner.”

“I see. Well then.”

Rarity and Fluttershy shared a look, the latter blushing furiously. Now that they were here, in front of the ponies whom this issue concerned, the task seemed quite a bit larger than they’d been picturing. Through an unspoken agreement, Fluttershy deferred to Rarity. Independently, they decided if their friends did not consider answering the door in a frilly pink apron to be an issue, they would not be the ones to make it one.

A tiny part of the unicorn’s mind was unsurprised at this, but that thought was shoved aside as she turned her attention back to Applejack and Twilight. Her gaze settled on the alicorn.

“Twilight, darling. You remember our earlier conversation?”

Twilight took but a moment to think back. “About the dress? Yes, of course. Was there a problem fixing it?” she asked, suddenly concerned.

“Oh, not at all; it’ll be done by Tuesday. But that isn’t exactly the conversation I meant,” she said, and cleared her throat. “The one that followed that.”

Twilight frowned, wondering what the unicorn was talking about. “Remind me?”

Rarity winced. She hadn’t wanted to go into too much detail. “We spoke about your date today.”

“Oh, is that all?” Twilight grinned sheepishly, relief evident in her face. “What about it?”

“Something you said about Rainbow Dash gave me pause. I became… suspicious of something. After I spoke to Fluttershy here,” Rarity said, waving a hoof at the pegasus who gave a slight jump at being suddenly thrust into the conversation, “my suspicions grew stronger. After speaking with Rainbow Dash herself, I am now quite sure.”

Applejack rolled her eyes. “Get to th’point, Rarity. What the hay are you talking about?”

“I was getting there! I was just setting up the mood,” Rarity huffed, ignoring the deadpan look Applejack was giving her. Rarity’s gaze flicked back and forth between the farmpony and the princess, and she took a deep breath. Here goes nothing. "Rainbow Dash has taken an interest in you."

She was met with silence, and confused looks. “What, that it?” Applejack asked.

Rarity blinked. They knew? She could have sworn that the pair had been oblivious. “You – you knew?”

"Well, yeah, ponies tend to find their friends interestin’. It’s just natural."

Or maybe they don’t know. "No,no. She has… a certain desire for your company."

"We like hanging out with her too, what's the problem?" Twilight asked, looking askance at Applejack. The farmpony shrugged in return.

Rarity stared at them, slack jawed, and turned to Fluttershy in hopes of help. But the pegasus’s eyes widened as she met Rarity’s gaze, then shifted to staring at the ground.

The unicorn sighed, pressing a hoof to her forehead. "Fine, I shall put it in simpler terms. She wants to be more than just friends."

"Oh," the pair chorused.

"Oh?" Rarity repeated, when no further comment was forthcoming.

Applejack frowned, confused. "Aren’t we already?"

"… What?" Had she indeed catastrophically misread the situation after all?

"After all we've been through? We're PFFs, right?" Applejack waved a hoof. She rolled her eyes at the blank stares. “ ‘Pony Friends Forever’?”

Rarity shook her head. "No! Well, yes! But that's not quite what I meant."

"What did you mean then?" Twilight asked.

"She wants to be… er… a part of your happy little family."

Applejack’s confusion only grew. "She wants t’be my sister?"

"Not quite like that, no."

"… my mother?"

Rarity’s eye twitched, and she threw her hooves in the air as her patience finally shattered. "Oh for Celestia's sake, no! Rainbow Dash has fallen in love with you! With both of you!"

She blinked, and sat herself back down, her cheeks burning slightly at having lost control in such a fashion. She blinked again as she took notice of Applejack and Twilight’s expressions.

The farmpony’s lips twitched upwards as she gave a hollow laugh. “Alright Rarity, you had me goin’ there for a moment. Now I know yer just pullin’ my leg.”

Pinkie burst out giggling before the unicorn could reply. “That was a great joke! Good one Rarity!”

“… she’s not joking,” Twilight said quietly, still staring at Rarity. “Are you?”

Rarity shook her head, with Fluttershy following suit. “I’m afraid not, darling.”

“Where’s your evidence?” Twilight asked, and narrowed her eyes. “This better not be like what happened with Fluttershy and Big McIntosh.”

Rarity ignored Fluttershy’s frightened squeak, and the blush that was appearing on her own cheeks. That had not been one of her finer moments. “I admit I may have been seeing what I wished to see there; it would have been most pleasant to see her happy. But I am quite sure this time.”

“Well now, it's good that you learned yer lesson, but what makes you think yer right this time? You got anything beyond wishful thinkin'?”

Rarity nodded. “Indeed. Your dates. The ones she always seems to join you on.”

“Now wait a cherry pickin’ minute here, that’s normal–”

“Is it?” Rarity interrupted. “A date is a romantic outing between two ponies. Two.”She let the words sink in for a moment. “How many dates has she joined you on now?”

Applejack blinked, at a loss to answer. She shot a questioning look at Twilight, but the alicorn herself seemed just as lost.

“I… I’ve lost count. Most of them, recently,” Twilight said. She focused back on Rarity. “But that could mean anything! Maybe she’s just bored?”

“Her expression spoke volumes, dear.” Rarity shook her head. “She spoke of you – both of you – like she does of the Wonderbolts. She was singing your praises loud and clear.”

“I’ve known Dash since flight school,” Fluttershy said, choosing a moment of quiet to speak up. “I’ve seen her go through a few crushes.” She looked up from the floor she’d still been staring at, and held Twilight and Applejack’s gazes. “She’s definitely crushing on you now. Harder than I’ve ever seen.”

“But…" Twilight faltered, the words dying in her mouth. “But we’re in a relationship! She knows that! Why would she do that to herself?”

“We don’t believe she’s realized it yet,” Rarity explained.

“How in the hay do ya not realize somethin’ like this?” Applejack blurted.

“The same way the two of you missed it?” Rarity’s smile was a small, wan thing. “And taking her on these dates… You’re just leading her on.”

“Wha– we are not!” Twilight’s ears were laid back, plastered to her skull. “… are we?”

“Not on purpose!” Fluttershy reassured them. “But, um. You are, yes. But you had no idea, right?” she asked as the pair’s expressions fell.

“How did this happen?” Twilight moaned in dismay. “I can’t even remember!”

“Thunderlane,” Applejack muttered after a moment of silence.

“Thunderlane?” Twilight repeated. “What do you – Oh!” she said, her eyes widening in realization. “You’re right. It must have been.”

Rarity’s quiet cough brought Twilight’s attention back to the rest of the group. “What’s this about Thunderlane, dears?”

“Well, y’remember when Dash hooked up with him a few months ago?” Applejack asked, to which everypony nodded. “Me and Twi thought we’d do a double date with them. We got there first, and she arrived alone. He never showed up.”

Rarity tutted. “That cad! What happened?”

Applejack shrugged. “Turns out he’d plum forgotten. Anyway, Dash stuck with us and we had a heck of a good time together,” she said, her grin matching Twilight’s. “I think that’s when it started.”

Twilight nodded. “Then we ran into her again when we were on another date. And we just… invited her along.”

“That’s it?” Rarity asked. “You invited her?”

Applejack nodded. “Yep. Wasn’t anything to it. We were just chattin’, and there she was. It just felt right.”

“Right.” Twilight grinned. “We were talking about where to go next, and then she invited us to go watch some hoofball.”

“Hoofball? You?” Rarity stared at Twilight.

The alicorn looked sheepish. “Yeah, I almost refused, but Applejack told me it’s a very technical game. And it is!” Twilight beamed. “Did you know that there’s hundreds of formations they use, for any type of situation the teams face? There’s a huge checklist! And–”

“Anyway!” Applejack cut in, before Twilight could run off on a tangent. “We had fun at the match, and turned Twi’ into a hoofball fan to boot.”

Twilight nodded, blushing. “And don’t forget the museum trip!”

“Museum trip?” Fluttershy asked.

“My parents told me about this new museum in Canterlot,” the purple mare explained. “I wanted to go, Applejack came along–”

“She looks real cute when she’s bouncing up and down at all that stuff,” Applejack quipped, smirking.

Twilight pressed forward, ignoring the blush that had appeared on her cheeks. “–and when Dash heard us mention it, she really wanted to go, too.”

“But why would Dash want to go to a museum?” Rarity asked.

Twilight and Applejack replied at the same time. “Archeology.”

“Ah.” Rarity smiled. “Of course.”

“So she came along again,” Twilight said. “And I guess we kept inviting her more often after that?” She turned to Applejack, who nodded after a moment of thought.

“What happened to Thunderlane?” Fluttershy asked.

Applejack shrugged. “Dash dumped him.”

Twilight winced as another realization hit her. “I guess this explains why she never found anyone else…"

“Oooh! Now I get it!” Pinkie giggled, causing the four other ponies to jump. She’d been so quiet, they’d completely forgotten she was there.

“Get what, Pinkie?” Twilight asked.

“You two and Dashie had a milkshake at Sugarcube Corner last week, right? And those milkshakes were sooooo good! The strawberry ones are my favorite, because it turns it pink! And it’s so tasty and–”

“Pinkie!” Applejack poked the other earth pony with a hoof. “I think yer gettin’ off-topic here.”

“Oh, right! Anyway, Dashie spilled her drink and was being a grumpypants, but then you two gave her your milkshake and she was all red when she took a sip! I had no idea why but now I get it!”

“There you are!” Rarity exclaimed. “More proof!”

“What?” Twilight asked. “Proof? How is that proof?”

Rarity rolled her eyes, amused at the continued naïveté of the pair. “Darlings, this is Rainbow Dash. Does she blush over a milkshake?”

“But why would she–” Applejack started, only to be interrupted by the unicorn.

“Tell me, were you two sharing your milkshake?” The pair nodded. “And a straw?”

The pair nodded again, then stopped as they realized the implication. A pair of brilliant blushes lit their cheeks.

Twilight met Applejack’s gaze. “Oh gosh… What do we do?” The earth pony shook her head.

Rarity cleared her throat. “Let her down gently,” she offered. “That’s all you can do.”

Twilight reared back as if struck, her eyes wide with panic. "What do we do? She can't – we can't–” She started hyperventilating as she looked back at her marefriend. “A.J., how do we tell her? She'll be crushed!” She hid her face in her hooves as she moaned in dismay. “This isn't supposed to happen!"

Rarity fetched the panicking alicorn a glass of water while Applejack patiently coached Twilight through her breathing exercises. Meanwhile, Fluttershy and Pinkie stood close to each other, the earth pony offering Fluttershy some support as she stared at the floor. She hated being the bringer of bad news.

"Okay!" Twilight said as she finally regained control, her magic lighting up. "Um… chalkboard. Chalk. We need to weigh out the pros and cons of different approaches to telling her.” She levitated the chalk and drew multiple sections that she once more divided into two parts.

“First method, we break it to her right away. Pro one: If we address it immediately, she might move on quicker and find somepony else.” The chalk scratched against the board as she wrote this down. “Con one: She's probably going to be hurt, as if she just got dumped by both of us!"

She stared at the blackboard, unable to write down the con as her breathing started speeding up once more. Rarity took up the role as Applejack helped Twilight calm down once again.

Rarity started writing in another section. “Another option is trying to wean her off gradually. Pros: She’ll be less hurt as time goes on.”

Twilight groaned. “Con: She’ll still be hurt.”

Rarity winced, but wrote it down nonetheless.

“Um. You could try to find somepony else she might like?” Fluttershy offered.

“An excellent idea, darling. That could end in a wonderful relationship, and she won’t even know she’s moved on!” Rarity quickly wrote those points down.

“Con,” Twilight started, staring out of the window, “it could go terribly wrong. She could get hurt by them. We could choose the wrong pony.”

Rarity nodded again, eyeing the ever growing list of cons.

An hour later, the five friends found themselves staring at a chalkboard filled with pros and cons – mostly the latter. Despite all of the discussion, the group was no closer to a solution.

"Why is it so hard to find a good way to do this?" Twilight cried out, glaring daggers at the now filled blackboard.

Applejack sighed, placing a hoof on Twilight’s withers. “I don’t think there’s a way to do this without hurtin’ her, Twi.”

“Then don’t!”

Four sets of eyes turned towards the source of the exclamation.

“Pinkie,” Rarity chided, “don’t be silly, they have to.”

“No they don’t!” She smiled at the couple. “I mean, you really don’t like the idea, do you?”

"Well, no…" Twilight began. “But even if we don’t like it, that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t do it!”

"No, silly!” The pink pony giggled. “I mean you’d rather not let her down at all!”

Twilight frowned. "But.. we have to?"

"Do you really?" She grinned, then headed off to the bookshelves. “Oh hey, there’s the waffle book!” She flipped the pages open, then rushed off to the kitchen, leaving four confused ponies behind.

Applejack grunted. “What the hay was that about?”

“I don’t know!” Twilight said. “Any idea, gir-Rarity? Are you okay?”

Rarity blinked. She’d been staring at the kitchen door, her mouth open in shock. “I – Y-yes, thank you,” she said, and shook herself out of her daze. “I had just never considered what she suggested.”

“What? What is she talking about?” Twilight said.

“She… er, oh dear.” Rarity gulped. “She’s saying not to reject her at all.”

“Oh my goodness…" Fluttershy gasped.

“I – but – that!” Twilight paused in an effort to get her brain working. “She can't–”

“Just a goldurned minute there,” Applejack interrupted. “Whadd’ya mean, not reject her?”

“Well…" Rarity began, figuring out the best way to phrase it. “It’s pretty clear that Rainbow Dash loves you both, yes?” Applejack nodded slowly. “Pinkie is suggesting that… that you let her into your relationship.”

Applejack’s eyes widened, and her mouth formed a small ‘o’ of surprise.

“Polyamory,” Twilight said, staring off into space. Her wings fluttered in a breeze that wasn't there, then gave a small flap of agitation. Were somepony to have touched her then, they would have found she was trembling slightly.

“Gesundheit.”

Twilight looked at her marefriend and did her best not to be annoyed. “That’s what it’s called. Where there is one intimate relationship between more than two ponies at a time with the knowledge and consent of everyone involved.” She rolled her eyes at the raised eyebrows pointed her way. “I’ve read about it, okay? It’s not common, but it’s not unheard of.”

"Well, it ain't like I never heard of it." Applejack shot an amused look to Twilight. "More than one branch of the Apple family was like that. Only we always just called it a herd. You can call it a polywhatis if ya like."

Rarity nodded. “Those relationships are very hard to maintain, however. Or so I hear,” she explained, as the eyebrows turned her way. “What? Mare Monthly had an article on it a few months ago!”

"I suppose; my kin seemed to fare just fine. Like my cousin Autumn Glory.” Applejack grinned as she shw always did when talking about her family. “She settled down with a couple stallions. Last reunion, I asked ’er how it worked out. She winked at me and just said 'There's a reason you don't make a two-legged stool.’ ”

“That doesn’t help!” Twilight cried out. “We can’t do that! What if it doesn’t work? What if it ruins what Applejack and I have? Why should we risk any of that?”

Applejack’s next words completely derailed Twilight’s train of thought. “Because maybe… maybe, it might just be worth it?”

Twilight could only stare uncomprehendingly at her marefriend, her wings flared open in shock. The earth pony’s foreleg hugged Twilight closer.

“Hear me out, darlin’.” Applejack shifted slightly, facing Twilight directly. “I saw how much it was hurtin’ ya ta think about tellin’ Dash t’go away. It was hurtin’ me, too.”

She trailed off, looking Twilight in the eye. “Dash is gonna get hurt if we push her away, no matter how we do it. This is the only thing that won’t.”

Applejack put her other hoof on Twilight’s other shoulder. “I think that maybe… it might be worth givin’ it a shot. Who knows, maybe it'll be worth the risk? It may work, it may not.” She gave Twilight a wan smile as she shrugged. “But we can at least say we gave it a try. If that's what we wanna do. Whadd'ya think, darlin'?”

Twilight’s mouth opened and closed soundlessly, unable to form any words for an entire minute. She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and looked Applejack in the eye. “I – I need some time.”

Applejack’s hooves fell to the floor as Twilight vanished in a flash of magic.

The earth pony sighed, and faced her friends. “You heard the gal. Mind givin’ us some time alone?” She winced as the three merely nodded, not bothering to wonder when Pinkie had returned. “I mean in a ‘until tomorrow’ kinda sense.”

Despite Pinkie’s protests, the farmpony managed to usher the three out of the library, bidding them good night as she closed the door. Applejack sighed, glancing up at the bedroom. Even considering Twilight’s magical skills – she could, theoretically, be anywhere in a dozen kilometer radius – Applejack knew exactly where the her lover would be.

She trotted up to Twilight’s bedroom door, giving it a soft knock before entering. The alicorn was exactly where Applejack thought she’d be – lying on her bed, staring up at the now dark sky. She sat down at the foot of the bed, patiently waiting for Twilight. Applejack had asked for a day, but she knew Twilight would just need someone to talk to.

“How did we miss it?” Twilight whispered.

The earth pony shrugged. “Couldn’t tell ya. Maybe we were just too used to her bein’ there?”

“It seems so obvious now.”

Applejack nodded. “I reckon it does explain a whole lot.”

The alicorn smiled gently. “Do you remember when we all went camping, and Pinkie and Dash forgot their tents?”

Applejack chortled. “Dash volunteered mighty quick to bunk with us, didn’t she?”

“Yeah…"

“An’ what about the picnic today? When we started swappin’ spit?”

Despite herself, Twilight let out a snort of amusement. “Oh Celestia, she must have felt so awkward!”

“Kinda explains why she was so quick to wanna leave.”

"And why she reacted as she did when we told her about the extra sandwiches. Poor Dash.” Twilight shook her head, smiling. The smile faded as Twilight looked at her marefriend. “Aren’t you worried, though?”

“I’d be crazy if I weren’t.”

Twilight’s wings sagged in relief. “Oh, good, so I’m not the only one that thinks it’ll go badly and we’ll break up with her and then you with me and then we’ll hate each other and the elements of harmony won’t work and then the world is doomed?”

Applejack stared at Twilight for a moment before shaking her head. “I admit that hadn’t quite crossed my mind. But thanks fer givin' me that to think about, too, Sugarcube."

Twilight gave a wry smile. “You’re welcome.” She sighed happily as Applejack leaned in to nuzzle her, wrapping a wing around Applejack’s withers.

The farmpony leaned back, looking Twilight in the eye again. “I ain’t worried about that. I’m worried Dash might still get hurt.” Applejack shrugged. “But she’s strong. An’ she wouldn’t hold it against us. And hey,” she said, grinning as she leaned in, “it might just work after all. Harmony worked out fine for us, right?”

Twilight finally relaxed, leaning her forehead against Applejack’s. “Thanks, A.J.. I needed that.”

Applejack kissed Twilight on the nose. “You’re welcome. Now I better skedaddle, it’s gettin’ late.” She laughed as Twilight started pouting. “Now don’t make that face! I’ll be back tomorrow. And Sparky needs her sleep or she gets cranky.”

Twilight stuck her tongue out as her marefriend made for the door, but started giggling before Applejack made it out. “Applejack?”

“Yeah?”

“You sure you wanna wear that through town?”

The earth pony blinked, then looked down at herself. A pink, frilly apron met her gaze. “… Consarn it. I’ve been wearin’ this thing the entire time?”

“You have.” Twilight smirked, and ducked as the apron flew past her head. “Goodnight, Applejack,” she said as Applejack made her way out.

“‘Night, Twi. Love ya.”

“Love you too,” Twilight replied. She relaxed onto her pillow, staring up at the ceiling.

Despite the talk, the back of her mind gnawed with worry. She closed her eyes with a sigh. Perhaps sleep would help after all.

Chapter 03

Applejack had always enjoyed rising at dawn. It made her feel like she was waking alongside Princess Celestia, starting the day together. The fact that she now knew the princess personally had not changed this ritual in the slightest, merely reinforcing the sensation of closeness.

She trotted down to the kitchen, mumbling a quiet greeting to her brother. They ate breakfast in silence, careful not to make too much noise, lest they disturb the still slumbering ponies in the house. Soon, their meal was finished and after sharing a brief sibling nuzzle, they made their separate ways within the farm, beginning their separate chores.

To most ponies, the chores would require most, if not all, of their concentration. To Applejack, who had done these tasks for most of her life, they were now second nature. Instead of focusing on the work, she could spend her time focusing on something else.

Thinking.

She’d done as much as soon as she left Twilight’s home, and had continued right up to the moment she fell asleep. She’d given thought to the news Fluttershy and Rarity had brought, and had wondered if it wasn’t some gigantic prank, but had dismissed that idea. Rarity wasn’t nearly as good an actress as she thought she was, and Fluttershy couldn’t have fooled a mouse.

She’d considered the possibility that the pair had been mistaken – the six of them had had their share of misunderstandings in the past. They’d made mistakes, but eventually all had turned out alright. Considering her track record, she wouldn’t have put it past Rarity to see things that weren’t there.

Fluttershy, on the other hoof, had seemed so sure, so convinced of what she was saying. No matter her own doubts, Applejack couldn’t question Fluttershy’s conviction. The evidence that they’d brought forward hadn’t hurt either. The more she’d thought about it all, the more she was convinced that Rarity and Fluttershy were right.

Rainbow Dash was in love with them. With her.

Finished with her barn-bound chores, she headed towards the orchard, ready to buck apples out of the trees. As she moved, her mind turned towards Dash.

Dash was, without a doubt, her best friend. The two understood each other like none of the others could. They shared the same strength in both body and mind; a type none could match. No matter what they and their friends faced, they were always there, at the front, ready to take on whatever came at them. They were the first line.

It could easily be mistaken for simple mutual respect, but it went deeper than that. They felt comfortable around each other, and never minced words. Had she been asked about how she felt about Rainbow yesterday, it would have been hard to pin down. She would have said that she felt as close as a sister, but not quite the same. They simply got each other.

Thinking about it today? Applejack couldn’t deny the attraction she felt to the pegasus. She hadn’t realized it was there, but now that Dash’s interest had been brought to her attention, those feelings had crawled to the forefront.

If she had to pin down why she'd never realized before now, she guessed it might have been not wanting to fix what wasn't broke. Had Dash approached her though, that might have changed things real quick. Hearing that the attraction was mutual was, in a sense, oddly vindicating.

But Twilight had stepped in first. Not only was Twilight her friend, but she was now her marefriend as well. And Applejack had just suggested that they see another pony alongside their current relationship.

Had she been selfish? She had warmed up to the idea mighty quickly. Was she really doing this to help Dash, or was she helping herself?

And what of Twilight?

Twilight had been shocked. Worried. Terrified, even. Applejack had done what she could to calm her marefriend down. Had spouted some words of comfort, of hope. She was certain that taking Dash in was the best idea – but it was still the one with the greatest risks.

She’d believed her own words then, and she still did now, but she couldn’t help the slight twinge of doubt from forming.

If she had a few doubts, Twilight was no doubt being consumed by them.

And she’d left Twilight alone, under the pretense of giving her time to think.

Applejack blinked and looked around. She was standing amongst the apple trees, not moving. She figured she hadn’t budged in a while, too lost in thought to even perform her chores.

She willed herself forward, not towards the closest tree, but towards a far bigger one in the middle of Ponyville.

Where one Twilight Sparkle lived.

When Applejack knocked on the door, what answered her was not a princess. It wasn’t even a pony.

It was a dragon.

“Howdy, Spike. How was the sleepover?”

“Pretty fun!” He smiled, but his expression fell almost immediately. “I guess you’re here to see Twilight?”

Applejack nodded, not missing Spike’s tone. “Sure am. She all right?”

Spike slowly shook his head. “She’s just writing letters in her room, and she didn’t even notice me shouting in her ear!” He wrung his claws together as he looked up at Applejack. “She didn’t even hear me when I said I’d eat all her ice cream! What’s going on?”

Applejack chuckled, ruffling Spike’s scales. “Lovey dovey problems. Don’t you worry about it.”

Spike’s eyes widened. “Are… are you two breaking up?”

“Wh-what?” Applejack sputtered. She reviewed her previous sentence, and held back from smacking a hoof to her forehead. “Naw. We’re fine! It’s jus’ somethin’ else came up.” She threw a hoof around Spike’s shoulders as he continued to stare at her skeptically. “Honest. We’re okay.”

Spike eventually nodded, visibly relieved. “Can I help?”

Applejack shook her head. “Naw. Girl talk. And I know how you like that.” She grinned, nudging Spike.

The young dragon pulled a face, sticking his tongue out in disgust. “Right. I’ll stay down here then.” He wandered off, glancing at the bookshelves. “Hey, where’d all my comics go?”

Applejack hid a grin as she trotted up the stairs. As she came up to Twilight’s room, what she saw gave her pause.

The alicorn was hunched over her writing table, the floor littered with numerous unrolled scrolls. Her mane was a mess, her horn was glowing with magic, and a quill danced over paper.

Applejack looked around, spotting a set of empty inkwells on a nearby shelf, and gave one a poke. It was a surefire way to get Twilight’s attention, and it was a trait that Applejack found utterly adorable.

It also failed miserably.

Applejack blinked. That always worked. “Twilight?” she said, hoping the sound of her voice would snap the other mare out of her daze. But Twilight remained resolutely in place. Frowning, Applejack stared at the nearest piece of parchment. Maybe those would give her a clue.

Dear Princess Celestia, how are you doing?
Dear Princess Celestia, There comes a time in every mare's life

Applejack’s eyebrows rose, and she glanced at the next set of parchments.

Dear Princess Celestia, How would you feel about–
Dear Princess Celestia, I find myself in a curious situation involving Applejack and Rainbow–
Dear Princess Celestia, When a mare loves another mare and another mare loves–
Dear Princess Celestia, jaskldgareohjalkhmtja

Each attempt had clearly been quickly dismissed, as Twilight’s frustration evidently grew. With each scroll, Applejack stepped closer to Twilight, until she stood less than a couple paces away. She glanced at the letter resting next to Twilight’s flank.

Dear Princess Celestia, As a princess, I believe I am entitled to a harem–
Dear Princess Celestia, Have you ever had a harem?
Dear Princess Celestia, How does one properly start a harem?
Dear Princess Celestia, Under the Canterlot Charter of Royal Powers and Rights, am I correct that Amendment 7, in regards to the taking of multiple spouses and–

Applejack’s could feel the heat on her cheeks as she mouthed the word ‘harem’. Princesshood had brought many obligations to her marefriend, and a few perks as well, but Twilight had never mentioned that particular aspect.

Her eyes flicked between her marefriend and the still writing quill. She lifted a hoof, and prodded Twilight’s barrel, to no effect. She moved the hoof over Twilight’s cutie mark, gently caressing it, but again, no reaction.

She smirked as she placed herself directly behind the alicorn, lifted her hoof and began to ever so gently run it over Twilight’s spine, barely touching her coat.

The reaction was immediate.

Twilight yelped and jerked her head upwards, her wings flaring out as widely as they could, barely avoiding Applejack, who had learned exactly where to stand to avoid getting hit by the flailing limbs. Unfortunately, it didn’t protect her when Twilight whirled around to face her assailant, and one wing knocked the earth pony over.

“Applejack!” she cried out as the sight of her marefriend sprawled on the ground registered. “Oh Celestia I’m sorry I didn’t see you there are you okay are you–”

“M’fine, Sugar,” she said, shaking her head to clear the dizziness as she stood up. She gave her best smile to her marefriend, leaning in to nuzzle Twilight. But she could tell the alicorn was still worried. “Seriously. I’m okay. Better than you, I reckon.” She glanced around at the discarded papers.

“I, uh…” Twilight blushed.

“Y’sleep okay?” Applejack asked, nuzzling Twilight again.

“Y-yes, actually.”

“And how long you been writin’?”

Twilight hesitated. “A few hours?”

Applejack chuckled. “Darlin’, it’s barely eight in the mornin’. Did you get any sleep at all?”

“Some!” Twilight huffed, crossing her forelegs. Her ears flattened as she looked at Applejack’s wry expression. “I just couldn’t go back to sleep after I woke up, and lost track of time…”

Applejack held back a smirk as much as she could. “Too busy thinkin’ bout a harem with me ‘n Dash?”

The smirk turned into a guffaw of laughter as Twilight’s expression froze. Her entire face was covered in a blush, and she attempted to hide her face with a wing. “N-no! I wasn’t!”

“Wasn’t?” Applejack asked between guffaws.

“Well I can’t help it now. Augh!” She growled at the earth pony. “You’re impossible.”

Even after quelling her giggles, Applejack couldn’t stop smiling. “So… there really a law about harems?”

“K-kind of,” Twilight replied, unable to look Applejack in the eye. “I read about it in Moon, Sun, and Stars: A History of Equestrian Cosmology. But it hasn’t been used in a milenium!”

“Uh huh.” Applejack grinned, glancing at the letter Twilight had been working on. “And what about that one?”

“Oh! I used a spell to directly transcribe what I was thinking to paper,” Twilight said, her pose relaxing somewhat. “Actually, it was more a combination of spells. I enchanted the quill with a ‘bring to life’ spell, and then just melded it with my thoughts, and–”

“I’m guessin’ that’s why it looks like you’re screamin’ in it?” Applejack said, pointing at the single, continuous ‘AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA’that covered the entire paper. She shook her head at Twilight’s downcast expression, and leaned in to give Twilight a kiss. The alicorn melted into her embrace, the tension flowing off of her like a waterfall.

Applejack nuzzled Twilight as she leaned away. “Spike’s worried about ya. How ‘bout you go eat breakfast with ‘im?” She gave the alicorn her best grin. “I’ll write the letter for ya. I reckon we could both use a bit o’ advice.”

Twilight’s eyes widened. She glanced back and forth between the discarded letters, and her marefriend, before closing her eyes and nodding. “That’s probably a good idea. Thanks,” she said, smiling.

The farmer found her a while later, relaxing at the kitchen table. A mug of hot coffee steamed in front of her, its aroma reaching Applejack’s nose as she approached the alicorn.

Twilight turned and faced her marefriend, a warm smile on her face. She immediately noticed the scroll in Applejack’s mouth, and with a nod of the mare’s head, she grabbed it in her magic.

“Take a look, darlin’.”

Twilight wordlessly unrolled the scroll, trepidation creeping in. Hopefully Applejack would have done a better job than she had.

Dear Princess Celestia,

I am writing you on behalf of myself and Twilight. I'm not gonna mince words your majesty, but we need your advice real bad.

Now, before you panic, things are fine between Twi and me, but, well, we got a bit of a romance situation nonetheless. You see, a while back we had a double date with our pal Rainbow Dash, and her date never showed up. Since then we've just been inviting her along all natural like, not thinking anything of it.

Trouble is, our friends have informed us that Rainbow might have developed feelings… for both of us. As you can imagine, it's got us all kinds of flustered. You see… we're considering just letting her date us.

Look, we could really use a sage word or two, if you don't mind. I don't have the foggiest idea how this would work. I mean… I think I have some relatives that went off and started a herd at some point, but it's not like I can just go ask em how it went. And Twi… you can probably guess why I’m the one writing the letter. I figure you might have seen this type of thing more than once, so I’d like to ask, what's your take?

Signed,
Applejack and Twilight

Twilight rolled the scroll once more and sealed it, then floated it to the dragon.

“I take it y’like it?” Applejack asked.

“It’s perfect,” Twilight said, nuzzling Applejack’s cheek. “Spike? Can you send that off?”

“Sure!” The dragon grabbed the letter out of the air, and blew his fire on it. The wisp of magic spun in the air before zooming off towards Canterlot.

Applejack stared at where it had gone for a moment before turning to face Twilight. “Twi, can we talk?” She glanced at Spike, who rolled his eyes as their gazes met.

“I get it, I get it. I’m going,” he grumbled as he stepped out of the kitchen. Twilight’s eyebrows rose at his departure. She turned to face Applejack with a questioning look.

Applejack coughed at looked away. “Girl talk. That’s what I told him this was all about.”

“Fair enough.” Twilight smiled. “What did you want to talk about?”

The farmpony held Twilight’s gaze for a moment before speaking. “Twi… are you okay with all this?”

“With Dash, you mean?” Twilight asked hesitantly.

“Yeah. I kinda feel like I forced ya into this.”

“What? No–”

“Lemme finish,” Applejack interrupted. “I was thinkin’ ‘bout it this mornin’. You know how me ‘n Dash have always seemed close, right?” Applejack asked, waiting for Twilight’s nod. “I think it took Rares and Shy tellin’ us that Dash likes us t’realize, but… I think I always had a thing for Dash.”

Applejack lifted a hoof as Twilight’s eyes widened. “I ain't saying what we got ain't special – you have no idea how special.” She slipped close to Twilight, kissing her gently. “I really hope I can find the words to explain it right.” Applejack closed her eyes, and took a deep breath before opening them again. “But Dash's really special too. I gotta know… are you just goin’ along to make me happy? I feel awful tryin’ to push you into this if I’m the only one who feels this way.” She shook her head vehemently. “I don’t wanna see ya hurt. We can stop this right now if ya say the word.”

Twilight stared wordlessly at Applejack. She then slowly leaned forward and turned her head, pressing her cheek against Applejack’s chest. Despite her magical growth spurt making the angle rather less comfortable, it was still something she loved doing. She could feel the rise and fall of Applejack’s breathing, hear the heartbeat. She felt the warmth of the other pony, and sighed in contentment.

“You said last night you saw how much it would hurt to tell Dash to go away,” Twilight began, still leaning in Applejack’s embrace. “You’re right. Just thinking about her not being there… I don’t even want to imagine it.”

“Sugar…” Applejack hugged Twilight closer, trying to stop the alicorn from shivering as she spoke.

“But I’m scared, A.J.. I don’t want to mess this up. There’s so much at stake here!” She leaned harder against the earth pony’s chest, her breath hitching slightly. “I don’t want to hurt Dash. Or you. I-I just don’t know what to do.”

“Darlin’. We've fought off changelings, Discord, and other world-threatenin’ things.” She leaned back, and lifted Twilight’s chin with a hoof. “Dash is our friend. I think we can handle this stuff with her well enough.”

Twilight smiled, shifting her head to press her cheek against Applejack’s hoof. “Why are you so confident in me?”

“‘Cause you’re smart, amazin’, cute, and I love ya?” Applejack grinned as that finally got a giggle out of the alicorn. “‘Sides, you’re already askin’ for advice. Sounds like a good plan to me.”

Twilight coughed gently. “Uh, that’s kinda because I was and still am a bit desperate?”

“Don’t change the fact it’s a good idea.” Applejack tilted her head towards the library’s main room. “How ‘bout we go look for some books to help while waitin’ for Princess Celestia?”

Twilight’s ears perked up at the suggestion. “That’s a great idea!” she said, grinning at Applejack. “What would I do without you?”

“Fly off into the sunset with Dash, would be my guess.” Applejack smirked, before yelping when Twilight swatted her flank with a wing.

“Don’t tempt me!”

As the pair made their way into the other room, the fact that a response hadn’t arrived after a few minutes didn’t bother them in the slightest. It simply gave them more time to peruse the books.

They even missed the thirty minute mark entirely, too engrossed in intriguing, but ultimately unhelpful reading material.

After an hour, they shared a spot of tea. They were relaxed, and unworried.

Two hours after the letter had first been sent off, Twilight was pacing back and forth.

“She never takes this long! Oh I knew this was a bad idea–”

“Whoa there, partner. I told ya it was a good idea, and it still is.” Applejack shrugged. “Maybe she’s busy?”

“But–”

“She’s a princess, Princess Twilight Sparkle.” The earth pony smirked at the alicorn. “You should know first-hoof how busy she is.”

“Well yes, but waiting and doing nothing is driving me crazy!” she huffed, and glared as Applejack began laughing. “What’s so funny?”

“You sound like Dash,” the farmer said, between giggles.

Twilight couldn’t help but smile. “Now I know how she felt when she broke her wing.”

“You reckon some Darin’ Do might help here?”

Twilight shook her head. “Not unless she can give us some advice.” She narrowed her eyes as Applejack’s expression became thoughtful. “I know that face. What are you thinking about now?”

“Well…" Applejack hesitated. “How ‘bout the girls?” she continued when Twilight stared back at her with a blank look. “I kinda threw them out after you vanished last night. Told ‘em to give us time.”

“I did wonder where everypony had gone…” Twilight said. She gave it more thought, and nodded. “Sure. Let’s go.”

“Remind me again,” Applejack grumbled as they made their way through town.

“Hm?”

“Why are we talkin’ to Rarity first?”

“Uh,” Twilight said, momentarily at a loss. “Because she always seems to know every little thing about romance?”

“Right,” Applejack replied, her scowl unchanged. “Ain’t you worried ‘bout how she’ll react?”

“I'm sure she won't treat it like some storybook romance. This is reality, after all. She knows that.”

“I hope you’re right…” Applejack said. Not a minute later, the pair arrived at Rarity’s home, and stepped inside.

“Oh, girls!” the fashionista exclaimed. “How are you doing?”

“Ta-ta for now, dears!”

Applejack and Twilight stood outside the Boutique’s closed door, staring straight ahead.

Applejack cleared her throat. “Well.”

“We learned a lot,” Twilight said.

“Yes, we did.”

“None of it useful, mind.”

Applejack shook her head. “Nope.”

“For instance, I suspect I now know who keeps borrowing the vampony romances without checking them out.”

“That’s somethin’ at least.”

“Right.”

“So… Pinkie?” Applejack suggested.

“Sure.” Twilight grinned back. “It can’t possibly be any worse, right?”

Sugarcube Corner's door opened, and out tumbled two ponies with pink cheeks. Hot on their heels was one all-pink pony, her voice rising after her two quickly-departing friends.

“But you don't want to try that until you know what everypony likes. That's important!” Pinkie shouted.

Twilight couldn’t help slowing down, turning her head. “Pinkie, why in Tartarus do you know all this?”

Pinkie giggled. “Silly! Orgies are just parties with less clothes!”

“But – we don't wear clothes!”

“Damnit Twilight, stop correctin' her and run!”

“Sorry! I didn’t know–”

“Apologize later, run now!”

Pinkie pouted as the couple turned a corner. “Aww. I didn't even get to show them what the potato is for!” She grinned as she noticed the eyes of various passer-bys on her. “Hi! You wanna buy a cupcake?”

“Is she followin’ us?”

“I think we lost her!”

“Phew.” Applejack released a breath as she crawled out of the bush the couple had hid in. “That was…” She trailed off.

“Embarrassing? Mortifying? Unpleasant? Disturbingly informative?” Twilight offered.

“I was gonna say ‘awkward’, but those work too.”

Twilight’s haunches sank to the ground as she rested. “Remind me to teach Pinkie about what topics are suitable for public conversation.”

Applejack snorted. “Oughta sign Dash up for that too.” The orange pony blinked, and glanced at the skies. “Speakin’ of, where’s she been?”

“Probably busy working. She mentioned she was going to Cloudsdale tomorrow to pick something up for lunch, so she must have a lot to finish today.” Twilight glanced at her marefriend, who seemed to have lapsed into silence after her response. “Hey. What’re you thinking?”

“Huh?” Applejack blinked, her expression losing the contemplative look she’d acquired. “Oh… Just realizin’ how right the girls were. We really do have Dash around a lot.”

Twilight had no response to this, and simply nodded. There really wasn’t much to say. She glanced around, finally situating herself. In their mad rush to escape death by embarrassment at Pinkie’s hooves, they hadn’t paid attention to their surroundings. It turned out they’d hid in Ponyville’s park.

Her ears flattened as she noticed ponies staring her way. After all, it wasn’t every day that the town’s very own princess ran past, only to hide in a bush. Her cheeks burning, she made to turn to Applejack, intent on escaping scrutiny, when she noticed a little purple and green shape wandering through the park.

“Is that Spike?” Applejack asked at her side.

“It is. Spike!” she yelled, drawing the attention of the little dragon. He came running, holding aloft a bundle of letters. Twilight gaped at them. She’d left him with instructions to track Applejack and herself down when he got the response. Despite the delay, she knew that Princess Celestia would eventually send her a letter back.

She hadn’t, however, expected four letters. But that’s what Spike was presenting her.

“There you are! Took me forever to find you guys.”

Applejack grinned and ruffled the scales on Spike’s head. “Sorry, Spike. Had to run from Pinkie for a bit. Real embarrassin’ girl talk,” she explained, as he rose an eyebrow at her.

“Ew. Say no more.” Spike looked down at the letters, then back to the ponies. He studied Twilight’s face for a moment, then looked back at the letters she had just grabbed in her magic.

He made his decision.

“Spike, why are there so many?” Twilight asked. Silence was her only answer. “Spike?” She tore her gaze away from the scrolls, only to see a distinct lack of her assistant. She gritted her teeth, drawing in a slow breath, letting it go in a quick exhale. “Why would he run off like that?”

Applejack chuckled. “I think I’ve been overusin’ that excuse. But don’t you mind him; let’s see what we got here.”

Twilight grunted, and unrolled the scroll bearing Celestia’s mark.

My dearest Twilight, and dear Applejack,

First, I apologize for the delay in my response. While I have had numerous relationships in my life, they have primarily been of a monogamous nature – there have been a few polyamorous relationships, but the most recent of these date to even before Nightmare Moon’s banishment. As such, my experience in the matter is likely less than relevant today.

Thus, I believe that Luna may be better placed to answer your questions. I also forwarded your request on to Cadence, hence the delay. As the Princess of Love, even though she is still young, I believe she may be able to help you better than I.

Despite my aforementioned paucity of experience, I have the utmost faith in you two, my little ponies. I sincerely believe you will make the best decision you can, and that you will do everything you can to support it.

Yours Truly,
Celestia

PS: It seems that Shining Armor has included a letter of his own with Cadence’s, so I am attaching it to this bundle. Give my apology to Spike when you can. I hope he hasn’t gotten another stomach ache from receiving so many letters.

“That… wasn’t nearly as helpful as I was hopin’,” Applejack muttered. Wordlessly, Twilight unrolled the next scroll.

Dear Twilight Sparkle & Applejack,

Twilight, I am most pleased to hear that you are starting your own harem.

I had until now thought that you would take but a single lover, much like my sister, but it fills me with joy to hear you are considering multiple suitors.

Rainbow Dash is an excellent choice. She is most pleasing to look at, as are all of your friends. Have you considered asking your remaining entourage to join as well?

Before my banishment, I maintained an extensive harem myself. Do not be mistaken: this was not a purely physical arrangement. I did dearly love those ponies, even during my fall from grace. Perhaps the time for mourning has finally passed.

Thank you for this letter, dear Twilight, dear Applejack. It has made me feel much better. Perhaps it is time to start a new harem?

Yours Truly,
Luna.

PS: Dear Applejack, when next you visit Canterlot, would you be so kind as to bring your brother with you? I would much desire to be introduced to him.

Had she not been as shocked as Applejack, Twilight would have teased the farmpony endlessly. She resolved to just file this away for future opportunities. “Maybe Cadance had something useful to add?” she said, and began reading the third letter.

Oh Twilight, I’m the one with the ‘Princess of Love’ title, yet here you are with multiple lovers. Should I be worried? I guess I can stick to the ‘Goddess of Fertility, Inebriety, and Music’ one. Or as Celestia used to joke, ‘sex, drugs, and rock and roll.’

Sorry, I shouldn’t tease. But really, if you are in love, you don't need anypony's advice about what to do. There is a little voice that speaks to us when we find that special somepony; I became what I am when I found I had a talent for getting ponies to listen to that voice when other things spoke too loudly for them to hear it.

In your and Applejack’s case, there’s simply a second voice alongside the first.

I suggest you sit down, have a nice cup of tea, clear your minds, and really listen to what your hearts say.

Love,
Cadance.

“I reckon’ some hard cider would be more useful than tea right now.”

“Last thing I need is a hangover, thank you. As tempting as it sounds.” Twilight glared at the letter. “So, ‘listen to your heart’. Isn’t that what Princess Celestia was saying?”

“Yup.”

The alicorn sighed as she pressed a hoof to her forehead. She blearily opened one eye, and fixed it on the last letter. “At this point, it can’t get worse. It just can’t”

Applejack put a hoof on one of Twilight’s. “Only one way t’find out, Sugar.”

Hey Twily!

So. I'm Captain of the Royal Guard. You're a librarian. I'm a toned, fit athlete. You've got a little pudge – or so Princess Celestia tells me. I’m a charming conversationalist. You’re a shy bookworm.

How are you getting more mares than me, Sis? How?

It’s the wings, isn’t it?

I'm not sure whether to be proud or jealous. I'm going with proud, and that's certainly not because my wife is watching me write this. Seriously, Sis – I just want you to be happy. If they do that for you, go for it, and if anypony has a problem with it, they'll have to go through three alicorns, five elements of harmony, and me first.

Now, I've got to go. I need to… discuss this 'Patron Goddess of Fertility' thing my wife has somehow unaccountably failed to mention before. I think you can tell Mom she can stop worrying about grandfoals, though – she's been bugging me about it ever since she found out you weren't interested in stallions.

Your BBBFF,
Shining Armor.

With a wordless cry of frustration, Twilight tossed the letters into the air. “This doesn’t help at all!”

“I was expectin’ something more,” Applejack agreed, bending down to pick up the discarded letters in her mouth.

“I don’t have a pudge! And can you even believe Luna? A new harem? With your brother?”

“I’m tryin’ not to think too hard ‘bout that, thank you.” Applejack grinned slyly at Twilight. “But weren’t you gonna ask Princess Celestia ‘bout harems this mornin’?”

“I – But – Argh! That’s beside the point!” Twilight crossed her arms, glaring at the letters in Applejack’s arms. “I was just hoping for some advice from my mentor, is that really so much to ask for?”

The farmpony shook her head and chuckled. “Well if ya' want some real words of wisdom, why not talk to Granny Smith?”

Twilight blinked, staring into the distance for a moment. She then got up, and started heading towards Applejack’s home. “You know what? Sure. Let’s do that.”

“Er.” Applejack scrambled to catch up, not having expected Twilight to take her seriously. “You sure, Sugar?”

“Yes. We’d be heading that way anyway to see Fluttershy. And we’ve tried everything else. It literally can’t get worse now.”

“Will ya quit sayin’ that?”

The old mare’s rocking chair was still, and its occupant was fixing Twilight with an indecipherable gaze. One that still made her think her hooves were quaking. Princess Celestia could probably learn a few tricks from the Apple matriarch.

Thankfully, the silence was soon broken.

“So lemme get this straight. You and mah granddaughter been together how long now?” Granny Smith said.

“Um.” Twilight blinked. “F-five months?”

“And y’all’ve been friends with Rainblow Crash fer how long now?”

“Rainbow Dash, Granny.” Applejack muttered.

The elder Apple raised an eyebrow at the younger. “Ah heard that, Lil’ Apple! Ah'm old, not deaf! 'Sides, that's what Ah said! Hrmph.”

Twilight did her best to ignore this exchange in favor of answering the question, wondering if this was going anywhere. “Ever since I got to Ponyville, Mrs Smith.”

“Even longer fer Applejack. And Ah tol'ya to call me ‘Granny’ a million times, dear. Anyway.” Granny Smith shrugged. “Rainbow's been hangin' around you two for a good while now, yes?”

Twilight glanced at Applejack, unsure where Granny Smith was going with this. “Yes?”

“Ah'm surprised this ain't come up sooner. Figured Lil’ Apple here woulda wrestled her into submission by now, or Rainbow would landed on her and plopped a wet one on her cheek. So, when’s th’wedding?”

“G-granny!” Applejack sputtered, attempting to hide her blush by pulling her hat down with a hoof. “We ain't quite sure we even want to date her yet!”

“Well, what are you waitin' fer? A gilded invite? Go talk to her!”

“Granny!”

The old mare chortled gleefully. “She's stuck with y'all through thick and thin, child. Even when you done gone messed up the town a few times.” Her gaze flicked between the two mares. “Th’both o' ya.”

Granny Smith relaxed into her chair once again, building a slight rocking rhythm as the younger mares wished they could burrow into the ground forever. “Ah’ve seen y’all keep her grounded when she needs it. Y’all have seen each other at yer worsts, and she's still taken a shine to ya.” She smiled at the two confused mares. “And y'all like her back just fine.”

Twilight shook her head. “But why us? That’s no different from the others. In fact, she's known Fluttershy longer than either of us. What makes Applejack and me different?”

“Couldn't tell ya, filly!” she chortled as two pair of eyes stared at her in disbelief. “An’ Ah ain't the one you should be askin', now am Ah?”

Twilight smiled sheepishly. “I suppose not, no.”

“Darn tootin'. Y'all just gotta make sure y'all at the same point.”

“What point, Granny?” Applejack asked.

“Y'all love each other, pony fer pony, and not just as a group. If one link is weak, it'll come down faster than this barn at the last reunion!”

“Granny!”

The old mare eyed the pair and sighed. “Ah kin tell yer still not convinced. Come closer.”

The pair shared a look, but obeyed. They each took a side next to the old mare, who wrapped a hoof around their necks. “Now close yer eyes.”

Twilight frowned. “But what–”

“Jus' do it, y’all see in a moment.” Twilight held her tongue, closing her eyes after noticing Applejack had already done so. “Now, Applejack. Tell me ‘bout Rainbow Dash.”

The farmer opened her eyes. “But Granny, you know her–”

“Eyes shut!” Granny snapped. Applejack immediately complied. “Humor me, child.”

“Well, you've seen her. She's all colors.” Applejack grinned. “When I first met her, I thought the zap apples had come early!” She cleared her throat. “Probably ‘cause I bucked her out of the tree she’d been nappin’ in. Then she said she wanted free apples to ‘make up for the injuries I gave her’.”

The old mare laughed. “She was just fine, wasn’t she?”

“Fit as a fiddle. Told her I’d give her a few if she beat me in a hoof wrestle. And she dang near did. First pony I’d met other than Big Mac who could give me a run for my money.” Applejack shook her head, still smiling. “That kinda set the tone. Always tryin’ to one-up each other. Y’all saw where that got us.”

“Ah did indeed.”

“She’s stubborn as heck, and I know what I’m talkin’ about. Heh.” Applejack chuckled guiltily. “Wouldn’t change her for the world though. And she’s brave, maybe a lil’ reckless, and–”

“That’s enough, dear,” Granny interrupted. “Your turn, Twilight Sparkle.”

“Uh. She's… well to be honest, she's infuriating. The very first impression I ever got of her was from being bowled over into a mud puddle when she crashed into me,” Twilight grumbled, yet was unable to fight the grin from spreading across her face. “I couldn't help but like her, though. Even when she's so full of herself I just have to knock her down a peg or two. I just wish I had that kind of confidence. It's like… when she's around, I feel like I can do anything too!”

“That all?” Granny asked.

Twilight blinked, momentarily drawing a blank. “She… she’s an amazing flyer?” She chuckled nervously.

The hoof holding her close tightened briefly. “Settle down, child. Just say whatever yer thinkin’. Ain’t no right or wrong.”

“O-okay. But she really is!” Twilight said. “The way she twists and turns so quickly, she has to calculate all those vectors and angles on the fly!” She giggled to herself at her inadvertent pun. But her mirth soon dissipated. “She’s so much smarter than she gives herself credit for. It’s frustrating sometimes. She could learn so much if she just put her mind to it! But she rarely does.”

Silence hung a few short moments until the old pony broke it. “Y’all can open yer eyes now.”

The two young mares did so, staring at each other. Both look slightly flushed, and weren’t quite sure why.

“Applejack,” Granny said, drawing the orange mare’s attention. “Ah’ve raised ya since you were a foal. Ah’ve seen you grow all these years, an’ Ah think Ah know ya pretty well.” She hugged her granddaughter tighter, laying her chin on the younger pony’s blond mane. “Ya love that pegasus, Lil’ Apple.”

Granny held Applejack for a moment, then turned to face Twilight. The alicorn’s ears flicked backwards, and she fidgeted under the old mare’s gaze.

“Ah ain’t known you as long, Missy. But believe you me, Ah studied y'all pretty closely when Ah heard you was courtin' mah grandfilly.”

“Granny…” Applejack said, snapping her mouth shut as her grandmother gave her a short glare.

“Don’t interrupt, child!” Granny Smith turned her gaze back to the young princess. “Ah think Ah know ya well enough too. An’ even with all that bellyachin’ Ah heard, Ah kin tell ya yer in love with Rainbow Dash too. Don’t think fer a second ya aren’t,” she added, catching Twilight’s shocked look.

Twilight blushed brilliant red. “I-I’m not sure I can say that, not yet.” She took a deep breath and pressed on. “But if she feels that way about me… I want to try. I want to see if I feel the same way.” She blinked and held the old mare’s gaze. “I don’t want to ignore what she feels. Is that love?”

“Ain’t my job to tell ya,” Granny replied, grinning. “But if she loves ya, then go fer it. And give me plenty of grandfoals!” She cackled as the two young mares fell backwards, their faces redder than ever. “Y'all seem to care for her a whole lot. Ah think she'll be in good hooves.”

Twilight’s brain kick-started itself back into action. “Thank you, Granny, that was really helpful!”

“See?” Applejack grinned. “Granny's a pretty smart pony.”

“Smart enough Ah had 'em make a bed big enough for me and my special someponies back in the day!” The old mare cackled to herself. “Had it built extra strong too; pegasi like it rough, ya' know.”

“Granny!”

“You know…”

“Hm?” Applejack turned to look at her marefriend, shifting the sprig of grass she’d acquired.

The alicorn stared ahead as they kept walking, making their way off the farm. “The more I think of it, the more I realize something.”

“What’s that, Sugar?”

“Granny sucks at giving advice.”

Applejack snorted. “Now what makes ya say that?”

“Celestia used to do the same thing. Made me think enough about something to realize I already knew the answer,” Twilight huffed. “It always annoyed me, but it worked every time.”

The farmpony chuckled. “That’s how old folks work. If y’can’t see what’s right in front of ya, they’ll help ya sort yourself out.”

“Are you calling Princess Celestia old?”

Applejack blinked, sputtering before noticing Twilight’s grin. She gave her marefriend a mock glare. “It’s not like she ain’t!” she said, bumping the other mare’s shoulder with her own.

Her smile dipped as she slowed to a halt, staring at Twilight. The alicorn looked at her inquisitively. “Did it help?” Applejack asked gently.

Twilight hesitated, looking away for a moment. “I… I think so.” She nodded, and released the breath she’d been holding in. “Let’s do it.”

Applejack looked her straight in the eye, and put a hoof on hers. “Ya sure, hon?”

“As sure as I’ll ever be.” Twilight smiled, leaning into a nuzzle. She pulled back and looked around as she heard a gasp. It hadn’t sounded like it came from Applejack.

A panicky Fluttershy stood down the road, trying to hide behind her mane. “I-I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to interrupt!”

Applejack shook her head at the mare. “You ain’t botherin’ us none, Fluttershy. What brings ya ‘round these parts?”

The pegasus peeked at the pair, and cautiously approached them. “I was looking for you, but… Are you sure? You looked very, um. Busy?”

“Just a bit of P.D.A..” Twilight grinned, holding back a sigh at Fluttershy’s confused expression. “Public displays of affection? Anyway, why were you looking for us?”

“I heard from Pinkie that you were looking for advice about Dash?”

Twilight nodded. “Yes. We tried to find you earlier, but you weren't home.”

“Oh! I'm sorry, I was out giving Harry a massage.” Fluttershy sighed. “He really needs to take better care of himself.”

“Don’t you worry ‘bout it, Sugarcube.”

“Yes, well…” Fluttershy hesitated, her eyes scrunched shut as she clearly fought some internal battle. Some part of her must have clearly won out, as the words started pouring out of her at a pace that would make Pinkie envious. “I think you should try dating her because you're really compatible and it's obvious–”

Applejack blinked, sharing a look with Twilight. “ ‘Shy–”

“–very much and I've seen you together and it's so cute and–”

“Flutter–”

“–be devastated, and I know it's a lot to ask but–”

“Fluttershy!” Applejack yelled, stopping the pegasus’s tirade. The yellow mare flinched at the volume, cowering behind her wings.

Applejack sighed, pressing a hoof to her forehead before approaching her cowering friend. “ 'Shy, it's okay,” she said gently. “We've already decided to give it a shot, if Dash is willing.”

Fluttershy visibly deflated. “O-oh. I guess you don't need my advice after all.”

“No no no!” Twilight jumped in. “We'd still love some advice! I mean, you’ve known her the longest. Do you have any tips to give us about dating her?”

“I think so. Um. She likes compliments. I think you know that though.” Fluttershy smiled as the two other mares chuckled. “And she–”

“Wait!” Twilight blurted. She glanced at Applejack, who gave a long-suffering sigh and took off her hat. The four letters they’d received could be seen within, and with a flare of Twilight’s magic, a notepad and pencil floated from behind them. “Okay, ready!”

Fluttershy blinked. “O-okay. She doesn’t like ponies touching her hooves, she loves Neighponese food, but hates Marexican. It gives her gas,” she said, giggling. “Um. She doesn’t like sitting around too long, unless its something she finds really interesting. And she loves an audience when she’s flying – you know that, of course, but she really likes it when you watch her from above the clouds, because then she has more room for stunts.”

Twilight beamed as she finished writing. “Thanks, 'Shy! I would never have guessed about the Neighponese food.”

Fluttershy smiled. “Happy to help. Don’t try to change for her. She really likes you like you are.” She glanced at the sky, deep in thought. “Oh! Before I forget, her favorite flowers are anemones. And whatever you do, don't play with her tail – she hates that.”

Twilight’s pencil paused as she stared at the pegasus. Next to her, Applejack narrowed her eyes. “Fluttershy, how do you know all this?” the alicorn asked.

Fluttershy’s smile suddenly grew strained, as her eyes flicked back and forth, looking for an escape route. “Um, we… mayhavedatedbeforeyoumovedhere?”

“Really?” Twilight asked. “But… you never mentioned it before.”

Applejack smacked her forehead with a hoof. “O’ course. I’d plum forgotten.”

Twilight’s eyes rounded on her marefriend. “You knew?”

“I forgot! Been a while.”

Twilight huffed, turning back to Fluttershy. “Why did you stop? If you don’t mind my asking, of course.”

Fluttershy shook her head. “It’s okay. We dated a bit before she left flight school. She kept me safe.” She smiled wistfully. “I found her here a few years later. We tried picking up where we left off, but it didn’t feel the same anymore.”

“Sorry to hear that,” Twilight said, her ears flat. Fluttershy shook her head again.

“It’s okay. It’s probably better this way. We still love each other like sisters – which is probably why it didn’t work out.”

Applejack rubbed a hoof to her chin, deep in thought. “Jus’ one thing botherin’ me ‘bout Dash’s tail,” she mused, then flushed as she realized what she just said. “N-not like that!” She cleared her throat and pressed on. “But why in tarnation doesn’t she complain when I grab her tail?”

Fluttershy looked away, unable to meet Applejack’s eyes as her blush covered her entire face. “Th-that’s not the kind of playing I meant.”

Applejack’s eyes widened, her own blush deepening. Twight’s pencil kept scratching on the paper, keeping detailed notes of everything she was hearing.

“Thanks, Fluttershy. I think that should keep us busy for a while. I mean, that should help,” Twilight amended quickly.

The pegasus nodded, still blushing. “I should get back to my cottage. Angel’s probably hungry. See you later?” The pair nodded. As they all turned to make their way home, Fluttershy paused once again.

“Um… Twilight, one last thing.” Fluttershy blushed. “Dash is…” She trailed off inaudibly.

Twilight cocked her head to one side. “Sorry, Dash is what?”

“Dash is… really really good at preening.” Fluttershy stared at the ground. “Oh Celestia, sorry, it's so embarrassing. It's just every time she would help me we…”

Twilight stared, uncomprehending. “Shy, calm down, I don't see what–” She trailed off as the meaning hit her, and Twilight blushed crimson as well. “Um. Got it, duly noted.”

Fluttershy nodded silently, before fluttering away.

Twilight sighed, staring at the sky. “Honestly. Pinkie, your grandmother, Princess Luna, and even Fluttershy. Is everypony except us a deviant sex fiend?”

Applejack guffawed loudly. “Except us, Sparky?”

Twilight frowned. “Yes?”

The grinning farmer leaned close to her marefriend, her mouth almost touching Twilight’s ear. “Dash. Liquid rainbow. Lasso.”

Twilight froze for a moment, then blushed even more deeply. “R-right. Everypony. Including us.”

She grinned at Applejack, giving her marefriend a sly look. “So, wanna go back and ask Pinkie for those tips?”

Laughing, she ducked the orange hoof aimed at her head.

Chapter 04

Applejack thought she knew Rainbow Dash pretty well. They had a good understanding of each other, built up over a number of years. Despite this, Applejack had never fully understood the pegasus’s ability to tune out voices when a subject didn’t interest her. She’d even been the target of it a few times.

Now, half an hour into Twilight’s fifteenth plan to approach Dash, Applejack had finally learned the trick.

With a blink, she snapped herself out of her daze. This was about Dash, after all. She couldn’t afford to nod off. They had to figure out the best way to do this. So she focused back on her marefriend’s words, sure that the alicorn’s plan would be just right.

“–and then the dancing girls leave by the north door, and we ask her.” Twilight looked at Applejack eagerly. “What do you think?”

Sometimes, though, Twilight’s plans were just a little over the top.

Applejack shook her head. “Way too complex. I was thinkin’ we should just wait 'till we're hangin’ 'round the library, bring the subject 'round to it, then ask her.”

Twilight frowned, tapping the pencil against her list. “Really? You don't think we should at least do something special – like maybe a semi-romantic dinner? I mean, we want the right atmosphere–” She stopped and looked up as her marefriend suddenly facehoofed. “What?”

“Twi, I just realised. We're thinkin’ about this all wrong.”

“What do you mean?” Twilight asked, tilting her head.

“This is Dash we're talkin’ about.”

“So?”

“So we need to be more… direct.”

Twilight chuckled. “What – just wait till she gets here, walk right up to her, we each kiss her on the lips, and if she doesn't fly out the window, we're good?”

Applejack chortled. “Maybe not that direct, but somethin’ like that.”

Twilight stared at her, aghast. “I was kidding!”

“I wasn't.” Applejack smirked.

Twilight looked at her list, stared at her marefriend, then turned back to the list. “Right,” she said, her magic tearing off the top sheet. “So, action, not words. How do we do that?”

Applejack tapped a hoof to her chin in thought. “I got an idea. Remember when y'all were learnin’ how to use those wings o' yours?”

Twilight nodded warily. “Yeah?”

“Well…”

There really was no other city like Cloudsdale.

As Rainbow Dash flew above the streets, her eyes wandered over the buildings lining the road. She recognized most of them – but a few had changed. And even those she recognized looked subtly different. Clouds never did stick to one shape.

Despite how widely used it was as a building material, and how solid construction-grade cloud could be, it was still essentially a cloud. Soft, fluffy, and a good buck would break it apart. Something as large as, say, the Weather Factory, was almost entirely construction cloud, but even that would give with a decent force – much less than wood or stone could take. Most places simply used what was available, and if they were missing any, weather pegasi could simply make more, for a price.

A pegasus’s cloud-home was always changing. Her parents’ place was a perfect example of this.

When she’d left for Ponyville, they’d tried to insist on setting her up with everything she could ever want – a home, a job, a monthly allowance, and even a maid. She’d managed to talk them out of everything except the home – and instead of simply buying a cottage in the town proper, they’d simply let Dash have her room.

And the room next to it. And the entire western wing of their mansion.

Over the years, she’d modelled it to her liking, and it no longer bore much resemblance to the design it had parted with. Much the same could be said about the original construction – not only had the wing been replaced, the entire home had shifted its layout, leaving it at a slightly larger angle from the gated entrance than it had been a few months earlier. They’d probably been bored one weekend, and pushed a few walls around.

She landed with a few gentle flaps, and gave the door a couple solid knocks. Moments later, a halo surrounded the door and swung it open, revealing an older, white maned unicorn stallion in a black tuxedo vest. Rainbow Dash grinned as she saw the glimmer of recognition in his eyes. “Hey Righty.”

“Miss Rainbow,” Right Proper replied, smiling as he lifted a hoof to the young pegasus. The glint of thunderforged steel shoes shone under the hoof, without which the unicorn would fall through the clouds. Rainbow bumped hooves in return, mimicking the older pony’s actions as they twisted their extended hooves in a convoluted pattern until they bumped them once more.

Rainbow couldn’t help but chuckle. “Haven’t done that in forever. I almost forgot how cool you were.”

“It’s only been two months, Miss Rainbow. And you wound me deeply.”

Rainbow laughed. “You’ll live. Where’re mom and dad?”

“In the kitchen.” The unicorn nodded in the direction of one hallway. “It is good to see you again, Miss Rainbow.”

She grinned. “Thanks. Good to be back.” With a final nod, she started walking down the hall. She shook her head as her gaze drifted to the walls, eyeing the trophies, posters, and newspaper clips hanging on either side. Her mother still found the display terribly embarrassing, but her father had insisted.

Firefly, the newest Wonderbolt. Does she have what it takes?

Rainbow smiled at the headline. Her mother had proved herself, and more, if the rest of the wall was any indication.

Canterlot Cloudeseum Speed Record – Firefly. 876.9 km/h

Los Pegasus – Vanhoover Endurance Flight Marathon – First Place – Firefly

Her mother had demanded one concession from Rainbow’s father, in exchange for allowing him to display his wife’s achievements along the walls of their home like this. One headline stood above all others – a place of honor for the Wonderbolt.

Newest Wonderbolt Retires Early

Firefly’s career had lasted a mere three years. In that time, she’d done so much, but she’d never regretted stopping when she did. For later on in that year, Rainbow had been born.

Rainbow smiled. Growing up around all this – it was no wonder her dreams were what they were. Like mother, like daughter.

Her ears perked up as she heard voices down the hall. “Mom? Dad?” she called out, increasing her pace as she heard what sounded like a gasp and a flurry of moving feathers. “Mom? Are you okay?”

“Y-yes! Just a second!”

Rainbow raised an eyebrow, but kept walking until she reached the kitchen’s entrance. There she found a pink pegasus mare standing in front of the stove, rearranging her blue mane while a pot simmered behind her. Another pegasus mare stood next to her, a maid uniform covering most of her red coat. She was attempting to straighten the hat on her curly blue-gray mane, but failing horribly.

Meanwhile, the lone stallion in the room sat at a table, ignoring everything but the papers strewn in front of him.

“Uh.” Dash hesitated. “Hey mom, what’s up?”

“Oh!” Firefly jumped, startled despite having seen her daughter enter the room. “Oh, s-simply comparing manes with Feather Duster! Exchanging styling advice! And care tips!” She glanced at the maid, her smile tinged with desperation. “Isn’t that right, Miss Duster?”

“Oui, madame!” The other pony nodded. Finally satisfied with her (still slightly askew) hat, she quickly trotted out of the kitchen, grabbing a broom with her mouth on the way out.

Rainbow blinked, eyeing both the maid and her mother’s ruffled feathers. “Huh. Fun times?”

“Yes.” Firefly nodded eagerly. “A mare’s gotta take care of herself.” She blinked, suddenly remembering where she was, and turned to face the table where the rainbow-maned blue stallion was sitting. “Honey, Rainbow is here!”

“I heard her, ‘Fly,” he muttered, his eyes remaining glued to the papers spread before him.

Firefly shared a look with her daughter before rolling her eyes. “Don’t mind him. He’s just trying to finish that novel of his.”

"You mean the one about the guy who survives nearly drowning in liquid rainbow, seduces a Wonderbolt, and becomes a savvy businessman?"

"His thinly-veiled autobiography, yes."

Spectrum Dash looked up, staring at the two mares. "I should make her some other sort of star athlete instead, shouldn't I?" he asked, deadpan.

"Yup," Dash and Firefly replied in unison.

The stallion stared once again at his work, nodding to himself. "Yes, good idea… good idea.”

Firefly rolled her eyes. She trotted over to her daughter and drew the younger pony into a hug, then leaned back and peppered her with questions. “So how are you? How long are you staying?”

Rainbow nuzzled her mother’s cheek. “You know me, mom. Awesome as usual.” She grinned. “Can’t stay long, gotta head back soon.”

Firefly raised an eyebrow as she let go of Rainbow. “Oh? To what do we owe this visit then?”

“Got any ice cream?”

The pink mare eyed her daughter. “We don’t see you for months, and you come back for ice cream?” Firefly sighed theatrically and turned to her husband. “Spectrum, whatever did we do to deserve such a devoted daughter?”

The stallion didn’t even look up. “Wouldn’t know, dear.”

“I wonder why I even bother.” Firefly chuckled. She turned back to her daughter. “Any particular reason?”

Rainbow frowned. “What, I need a reason?” Her question was answered by a raised eyebrow. “Okay, fine, I just want to share some with my friends.”

Had Rainbow been paying more attention, she would have noticed how her mother leaned forward at the mention of friends. “Which friends? And what’s the occasion?” Firefly asked.

“It’s just lunch,” Rainbow answered, her ears tilted backwards. “Look, do we have any?”

“They must really be special friends if you came all the way here just for ice cream for them.” The older mare shook her head, hiding a smirk as she turned back to her cooking. “Just grab some from the freezer downstairs. You can ask Righty to get it.”

“Uh? Yeah, I guess they are?” Rainbow answered. She wasn’t sure what her mother was on about. “Thanks. I’ll head back then.”

The younger pegasus turned to leave, but stopped as she felt a hoof on her shoulders. “Oh no. You can at least let your mother catch up with you a bit.” Firefly snorted, nudging her daughter’s barrel. “It’s not like it’ll take you long to get home anyway, eh?”

Rainbow couldn’t help her grin. “It won’t even have time to melt!”

“That’s my girl!” Firefly crowed, raising a hoof to bump her daughter’s. “So how’s work?”

The younger pony shrugged. “Same as usual. Quick work, plenty of time to practice.”

“Good girl.” Firefly nodded approvingly. “And the academy? You know I could put a good word for you.”

“I already said no, Mom.” Rainbow frowned, shaking her head. Firefly raised a hoof in surrender.

“Okay, fine,” she sighed. She took a good look at her daughter, her mouth twitching upwards as she noticed something. “Your wings look great.”

Rainbow turned her head, looking at an extended wing. “Really?”

Firefly nodded, fighting to hide her growing smile. “Yes. You’re taking good care of yourself.”

“I guess…"

Firefly turned back to the simmering pot, hoping the contents hadn’t burned. She stirred it with a spoon, her smile blooming on her face as she moved in for the kill. “So, I’ve got a stallion I’d like you to meet.”

The younger pegasus jolted, at the sudden shift in topic, then groaned loudly. “Oh Celestia, not again,” she muttered. “Who is it this time?”

“Countable Infinity.”

“Uh.” Rainbow tried to match a face with the name. “The Summers’ kid?”

“Yes! He’s almost finished his accountancy degree!”

Rainbow twitched, feeling part of her soul die. “Mooooom,” she groaned again.

“He’s a nice pony!”

“He’s boring.”

“Rainbow Dash!” Firefly scolded, still facing away from her daughter. The smile still hadn’t left her face, and Rainbow would see right through her if she saw it.

“He is!”

“That’s still rude.” She tisked and continued to stir the pot. “I take it you don’t want me to set up a date?”

Rainbow shuddered. “Yeah no. I’ll pass.”

“Alright, alright. Though I think Pressure Front's son will be home on leave from the Royal Guard next week, if you want to–”

“Noooooo thank you,” Rainbow cut in. “Those Royal Guard types are about as exciting as watching paint dry.” Rainbow snorted, grinning to herself. “Funny thing, I actually had to watch paint dry a few months ago.”

Firefly turned to stare at her daughter. “I sense there’s a bizarre and amusing story behind that, involving your friends.”

Rainbow chuckled. “Yeeeeah. You’re not far off.”

“Oh, do tell!”

“Lemme put it this way: I got a year’s dose of Pinkie Pie in about a day.”

Spectrum lifted his head from the table, eyeing his daughter critically. “I think I should be writing your story, not mine.”

“Sorry Dad, but I’m way ahead of ya there.” Rainbow grinned, shining a hoof on her coat. Suddenly, her stomach growled, announcing its displeasure to the world. “I-I’ll tell you about it later though. I gotta jet.”

Firefly waved a hoof to the door. “Don’t make Applejack and Princess Twilight wait for you. Now go! Shoo!”

“I’m going, I’m go– hey, wait.” Rainbow paused, eyeing her mother. “How'd you know I was going to have lunch with them?” Her eyes narrowed in suspicion. “Are you spying on me?”

“No, that’s Right Proper’s job.” Firefly shot back. Her lips twitched a moment later. “I’m kidding. You mentioned them earlier.”

“No I didn’t!” Rainbow said. “Did I?”

“You did,” Spectrum offered, his attention back on his text.

“Huh.” Rainbow shrugged. “Whatever. Gotta run. Bye Mom! Bye Dad!”

Firefly waved as her daughter vanished around the corner, heading to the basement. “Thanks for the save. So, you still think she'll hold out on those fillies another month, dear?”

Spectrum nodded. “Unless we give her a push. You know how blind she can be sometimes.”

Firefly smirked. “Care to up the wager?”

“Depends on the bet.”

“Remember that sandwich you keep talking about?”

The stallion’s attention finally shifted to his wife. “You mean me on one side, you on the other, and Feather Duster in the middle?”

“No, the one with the special barbecue sauce.”

“Oh.” Spectrum blinked. “That one.”

Firefly grinned as she flicked her tail against her husband’s flank. “I like your idea better.”

Spectrum’s eyes followed his wife’s tail. “And if you win?”

“First, I get dibs on Feather for a week, and then…" She leaned in, her muzzle practically touching his ears. “Just how close are you and Righty~?”

The farmpony chuckled as her marefriend glanced at the clock for the tenth time in half as many minutes. She had snuck a few glances herself, but only once every few minutes. Maybe. “Settle down, Twilight. She’ll be here.”

Applejack’s amusement drew Twilight’s attention away from her constant checking. “I know, I know. How are you so calm?” Twilight asked, narrowing her eyes.

“I ain’t, really.” Applejack shrugged. “I just figure panickin’ won’t help, so I don’t.”

“You’ve got to teach me how to do that,” Twilight said.

“I’ll give it a shot.”

Silence settled in the library. But as Twilight’s eyes started turning towards the clock once more, somepony knocked on the door.

“She’s here!” Twilight whispered.

“Yup.” Applejack gulped. “I think I’ll start panickin’ now.”

“Please don’t,” she whispered back. Her horn shone, opening the door with her magic. There, on the other side, stood a grinning pegasus. “Hey, Rainbow.”

“Hey guys!” Rainbow said, trotting in. Even though they both saw the other mare all the time, and the picnic had been less than two days ago, neither Applejack nor Twilight could stop themselves from seeing Rainbow in an entirely new light.

Her mane cascaded down the back of her neck, reaching just above her shoulder. Her tail flicked gently as she walked, the colors constantly drawing the eye. Even though, like most pegasus mares, her frame was slight, she still had an aura of strength. She had a more athletic build than most ponies, with well defined muscles and powerful wings, but it was more than just that.

It was the sheer confidence she exuded – her poise, her walk, and the way she looked at them, all spoke of a pony who knew she was awesome, as she so often put it, and actually believed in those words.

It was impossible to not to get drawn in.

“So, what’s for lunch?”

Twilight blinked, her cheeks heating up slightly as she realized she’d been staring. A glance at Applejack told her the farmpony had been no different. “You’ll see,” she smiled, hoping it didn’t look too strained. Her attention was drawn to the container on Rainbow’s back she’d somehow managed to miss. “What’s that?”

Rainbow’s grin managed to grow wider. “Ice cream!”

“Really?” Applejack said, having snapped out of her own daze. “Ain’t it a lil’ early for ice cream?”

“Maybe.” Rainbow shrugged, still smiling. “But you’ve never tasted ice cream like this!”

By now, Twilight could see the label on the container. She gasped as it sparked a memory. “Rainbow! Is that Häagen Dash?”

“Yep!” She beamed, then raised an eyebrow as Applejack snorted.

“ ‘Häagen Dash’?” The earth pony repeated. “What, did ya make that ice cream and name it after yerself?”

Rainbow shook her head. “Nah, it’s named after my family.”

“Your fam–” Twilight’s eyes widened. “Rainbow! Are you saying your family are those Dashes?”

Rainbow hesitated. “Uh, maybe?”

“Okay, I’m lost,” Applejack cut in. “What’s goin’ on here?”

“Häagen Dash is a very popular, and very expensive brand,” Twilight explained. “I had some at the Castle when I was a filly. It’s Princess Celestia’s favorite. And, of course, if she likes it, the aristocracy likes it.” She sighed. “So it sells very, very well in Canterlot.”

Applejack held up a hoof. “Now wait a cotton pickin’ minute here. Are you tellin’ me Dash family is loaded?”

“Probably amongst the richest in Cloudsdale, yes. Isn’t that right, Rainbow?” Twilight asked the uncomfortably shifting pegasus.

Applejack snorted. “Next thing you'll tell me, she can play the piano.”

Rainbow shifted even more. “Actually…”

The farmpony rounded on Rainbow. “What gives, Dash? Why’d ya never mention this?”

Rainbow’s ears were flat on her head. “Because ponies react like this. I don’t like talking about it.” Two red spots appeared on her cheeks. “My parents spoiled me rotten, and it’s really embarrassing, okay? I don’t like relying on them too much.”

“Why not?” Twilight asked.

“Some ponies think they can buy anything they want. I wanna get things with my own four hooves.” She shivered, glancing at the container on her back. “Can I put this in the freezer?”

“Huh? Oh, sure!” Twilight said, as she and Applejack followed the pegasus into the kitchen. The ice cream was quickly stored away, and Rainbow sat herself at the table.

Applejack took the spot next to her, giving Dash a bemused stare. “So, th’piano?”

Rainbow slumped onto the table, hiding her face under a hoof. “Yeah. Had a tutor and everything.” She moved the hoof away, grinning up to the earth pony. “I’m not bad, but it ain’t my cutie mark.”

“Wouldn’t have it any other way, sugar.” Applejack smiled back. “Y’oughta give it a whirl sometime. I can bring my fiddle.”

“Eh.” Rainbow shrugged. “It’s been years since i’ve played.”

“I’ll bring cider.”

The pegasus perked up immediately. “Deal!”

“Lunch is served!” Twilight called, floating a number of dishes over to the table. As she sat down, Rainbow’s gasp was audible.

“Oh, neighponese? Awesome!” she said, grabbing a pair of chopsticks. Twilight and Applejack shared a quick smile before looking to their own portions.

As Applejack settled in, she eyed the thinly wrapped stick on her plate in confusion. “What’re these thingies?”

“Chopsticks!” Twilight explained. “They're a neighponese utensil. You use two, and grab things between them,” she said, waving a hoof at the various rolls spread out on the table.

Applejack stared at the chopsticks, at her hooves, and back to the chopsticks before staring at her marefriend. “You’ll haveta run that one by me again, Sugar.”

Dash chuckled. “Yeah, neighponese food isn’t easy to eat for non-unicorns. I can hold them with a wing – which took plenty of practice, by the way – but you should probably just use a fork,” she said, then blinked as Applejack simply lifted the roll with a hoof and tossed it in her mouth. “Or that.”

Applejack smirked as she chewed. “This ain’t half bad. What’s in it?”

“Standard neighponese is mostly rice and seaweed.” Twilight said, giggling as Applejack’s muzzle scrunched up. “I remembered you don’t like seaweed, so I got Californeigh rolls. They’ve got radish, green onion, and advocado, rolled in vinegar-seasoned rice with toasted sesame seeds.”

“It’s great!” Dash said, her words muffled by food. Applejack nodded in agreement, and tucked in.

The three mares ate in silence, too busy enjoying their food to talk, apart from a few approving noises when they tried a new piece to their liking. But even through the silence, two of them were having an unspoken conversation.

Every time their eyes met, one would tilt their head ever so slightly towards their extra companion. But every time, the other would make the barest shake their head, hoping that Dash would not notice. The time never felt right. They still had to wait.

Eventually, the food disappeared. Rainbow leaned back, belching loudly. “ ‘Scuse me.” She blushed.

“In old times, ponies did that to show they appreciated the food–” Twilight began, only to be interrupted by another belch, this time from the orange mare. Applejack was holding a hoof to her mouth, her eyes wide and her cheeks flaming.

“–but nowadays it’s pretty rude,” she finished. She took a deep breath, swallowing some air, before belting out the loudest and longest belch yet. The other two stared at her in shock, bursting with laughter a second later.

Rainbow could barely speak, she was laughing so hard. “Oh C-Celestia, Rarity w-would faint if sh-she saw you do th-that!”

“If she ever spoke to me again!” Twilight fought her own giggles. “Darling! A princess does not act so uncouth!” she said, attempting to imitate their friend’s voice.

Applejack was banging a hoof on the table, shaking her head frantically as she laughed. “S-stop it! I can’t take no more!”

They caught their breath a few minutes later, once their laughter had subsided to more manageable levels. Twilight sighed in relief – she’d needed that. All the tension and nervousness at what she and Applejack were about to do had bled away, and as her eyes met her marefriend’s, she knew Applejack felt the same.

It was time.

“S-so, why don’t you girls go to the living room, and I’ll get the ice cream?” Twilight asked, her horn lifting three bowls out of a cupboard.

“Sounds like a plan,” Applejack said, and made her way to the next room. A smiling Rainbow followed her.

Twilight’s eyes followed their departure, briefly pondering Applejack’s choice of words. She shrugged the thought away, her magic grabbing hold of the Häagen Dash. She scooped out a portion per bowl, carefully making sure all three were equal. Once she was satisfied, she stored the rest back into the freezer, and made her way to the door.

She paused only a short distance away as she heard voices on the other side of the door. Even if it muffled the words beyond comprehension, the mere sound stopped her. Right there, on the other side of the wood, her marefriend sat with one of her – their – best friends.

A friend who, if all went well, would be her marefriend as well.

Twilight took a deep breath, and pushed the door open with her magic.

“So how’s the family, Dash?” Applejack was asking.

“Eh, you know.” Rainbow shrugged. They were sitting on the couch, Applejack having taken a spot on one end, and Rainbow had taken the other. “Typical stuff. How I'm doing, how's the job, do I have a coltfriend yet, would I like to meet this nice young stallion…"

Twilight eyed their seating position. It was wrong, they couldn’t do what they’d planned like this. She’d have to do something.

Rainbow let out a startled yelp as she felt herself get lifted by the alicorn’s magic, then dropped back onto the middle of the couch. Twilight took her spot where Rainbow had been, and floated the ice cream in front of the other two ponies.

The pegasus stared at Twilight, eyebrows raised. The alicorn smirked. “What? You were in my spot.”

Rainbow frowned. “Isn’t your spot next to A.J.?”

“Uh…" Twilight hesitated. Rainbow had a point. But she could still salvage this. “N-nope. My spot is determined by the area with the maximum comfiness. And that was the spot you were in.”

“How the heck do you even know that?"

“Lots of testing,” Twilight said. A loud snort made both her and Rainbow glance at Applejack, but the earth pony had buried her muzzle in the ice cream. Twilight could have sworn her marefriend was blushing.

Dash blinked and shrugged off the distraction. She stared once again at Twilight. “You could’ve just asked, you know.”

“Would you really have moved if I did?” Twilight smirked. The pegasus seemed to give it some thought, and smirked as well.

“Probably not. Was pretty comfy.”

“My point exactly.”

Rainbow stuck her tongue out at Twilight, then took a bite of her ice cream. She shivered slightly as she swallowed. “Oh Celestia, I’d forgotten how good this stuff is.”

“You ain’t kidding!” Applejack exclaimed, having already devoured her portion. Her muzzle was still covered with a few flecks of ice cream, but a few quick flicks of her tongue cleared it off quickly. “That was… I don’t even rightly know how to describe it. What’s in this stuff?”

“Liquid rainbow, and a few things I can’t talk about and don’t really know much about in the first place.”

Twilight nodded in understanding. “Trade secrets?”

“Something like that,” Rainbow replied. “But you know me. Flying’s my thing, not ice cream.” Shrugging, she dug back into her dessert.

Over her shoulder, Twilight caught Applejack’s eye, nodding slightly. She floated their bowls to a nearby table, shifting in their seats as they waited for Rainbow to finish her portion. Once done, Twilight floated the third bowl over to the others.

Rainbow fell back against the couch. “Best lunch in ages! I think I’ll take a nap. Mind if I crash here?” she asked, glancing at Twilight.

The alicorn shook her head. “N-not at all.”

“Thanks!” the pegasus said, closing her eyes. She settled in, trying to get comfortable, but couldn’t seem to do so. Something on her flank seemed weird. Rainbow opened an eye to see what it was.

Of all things that could have come to mind, Twilight Sparkle’s wing on my cutie mark was not one of those.

“Er. Twilight?”

“Yes?”

“Your wing’s touching my cutie mark.”

“I know.”

Rainbow blinked, both eyes now open. Her gaze focused on Twilight’s wing – the feathers gently touching her flank, right on the cutie mark. She could feel how Twilight’s wing was trembling ever so slightly, but she couldn’t imagine why. Maybe the alicorn was unused to holding her wings open like that.

Rainbow blinked again, chasing away the random thought. The shaking didn’t matter, not compared to the feeling of the feather touching her in the first place.

She quickly glanced up at Twilight, her eyes slightly wider than they’d been before. “Uh, okay? You probably don’t know this but touching somepony’s cutie mark with your wing, um, kinda means something special to pegasi–”

“We know that too, Sugarcube,” Applejack said from her other side, startling the pegasus. She’d momentarily forgotten the earth pony was there. But the feeling of Applejack nuzzling her cheek was very, very real, and she couldn’t imagine how in Tartarus she could have forgotten Applejack’s presence.

In the blink of an eye, Rainbow sat up straight. She grinned nervously as she looked back and forth at the pair. “Uh, Applejack? Wrong pony. Twilight's over there.”

Twilight snuck a quick peck on her other cheek. “That's right, Rainbow. I’m right here.”

Rainbow's eyes bulged. “Huh. O-kay.” She looked down at herself. “Odd, usually I’m wearing a Wonderbolts Captain’s uniform by this point in the dream…”

Applejack nipped playfully at her ear.

"Ow!"

"You felt that, right?"

Rainbow stared at Applejack. "I felt that. Why did I feel that? Not a dream?” Rainbow blinked. “Wow. I mean… wow. Gotta say girls, this is a first for me, I've never been asked to a threesome before. But I mean hey, I'm down!” Unbidden, her wings began to rise.

Twilight and Applejack looked at each other, then back to Dash, shaking their heads. “We were thinkin’ somethin’ long-term, Dash,” Applejack said.

Dash’s wings flared up immediately, earning themselves a glare from the pegasus. She turned her attention back to the two ponies, still grinning, but the smile seemed smaller. “Uh, more than one? Aren’t you going a bit fast there?” She giggled. “I mean, I’m not saying no, you guys are hot but this is kind of out of the blue…"

“Not a threesome, Dash,” Twilight said.

Dash stared at her friends, utterly confused. “Not a – then what–”

“We want you in our relationship, Dash.”

“What?” Rainbow nearly shouted. “You really – you want me to – you guys?”

Applejack nodded, grinning at the pegasus. “Whaddya say, pardner?”

Rainbow stared at the pair for an agonizingly silent few seconds, before bursting into sudden laughter. Both Applejack and Twilight jumped, not having expected anything like this. They shared a look – both knew they felt the same thing. Surprise, shock, and no small amount of hurt. This wasn’t the response they were looking for.

“Dash!” Twilight yelled, trying to get the pegasus’s attention.

“Okay, I give, I give!” Rainbow said, finally getting her laughter in check. “Where’s Pinkie?”

Pinkie? “What?”

“Oh come on!” Dash said, still chuckling. “You guys suck at pranks. This has Pinkie written all over it. Where is she?” She looked around the library, trying to find the hiding pony. “You can come out now, Pinks!”

“This ain’t a prank, Dash,” Applejack growled.

Rainbow giggled. “Yeah right, and I’m Princess Celestia.”

The farmer merely glared at her. “Well then, Yer Highness, I’ll say it again: This ain’t a prank.”

The laughter slowly died in Dash’s throat as Applejack held her gaze. She’d seen that look many times – it spoke volumes. Honesty, truth, and determination.

Applejack wasn’t kidding.

Rainbow turned, facing Twilight. The alicorn wore the same expression.

“… this isn’t a prank?” she asked quietly. Twilight shook her head. “Seriously, what is this? I mean you two are – and I'm–”

“Calm down, Dash. It ain’t like she's ordering ya." Applejack looked at Twilight. “Wait. Can ya even do that?”

Twilight shook her head. "Royals are expressly forbidden from making demands like that. It's in the Magica Carta." She frowned at them. "Not that I'd ever do that in the first place."

“Right. Okay.” Rainbow took a deep breath, staring into the distance. “I gotta go.”

“What?” Twilight exclaimed. “Why?”

“I, ah, gotta go wash the cat.”

“… Dash, you don’t have a cat.”

“Rarity’s cat!”

Twilight stared in disbelief. “Rainbow–”

“Go on, Sugarcube.”

The alicorn turn to stare at her marefriend, shocked. “Applejack?”

“Twi, we just dropped somethin’ huge on her. Give the gal time to think.” Applejack put a hoof on Rainbow’s shoulder, ignoring how the pegasus flinched. “Sorry we just sprung this on ya. I figure ya need some thinkin’ time.” She nodded to the door and smiled at Rainbow. “Go on. We’ll wait.”

Rainbow could only stare at her. She slowly nodded, and lifted herself into the air.

“Rainbow, wait!” Twilight said as Rainbow faced the door.

“Twi–” Applejack started, but was cut off as Twilight put a hoof on her mouth.

Twilight stared at Rainbow, who stared back. The pegasus’s expression was mixed – parts confusion, parts fear, and something else Twilight couldn’t place. Twilight blinked, realizing she didn’t know why she made Rainbow stop. She wracked her mind for the first available thing.

“Are… are we still on for the movie and dinner?”

Rainbow’s answer was a long time coming. “S-sure. Yeah.” With an awkward wave, she sped out of the library.

Applejack wrapped a hoof around Twilight’s withers. “Don’t you worry. She’ll be right as rain in a bit. She’ll probably laugh it off when we get to the movies.”

Twilight sighed, nodding. “I guess that could have been a lot worse.” She said. She chuckled at Applejack’s raised eyebrow. “Remember what I said about if she didn’t fly out of the window, we were good?”

“… that was the door, Sugar. Doesn’t count.”

“I know! That’s a good sign, right?”

The movie had been great. Applejack hadn’t known what to expect, as she’d yet to read any of the Daring Do novels, but after seeing the film version, and especially watching Twilight’s reactions to it, she thought she might have to give them a look.

She just wished she could have seen Dash’s reactions as well.

They’d waited in the cinema, keeping an eye out towards the entrance, smiles appearing on their faces every time the door opened. Those same smiles vanished each time, without a rainbow maned pegasus to sustain them. They’d eventually gone inside, sure that Rainbow would arrive at some point. They’d have to suffer through her complaints at missing something, but it would be worth it. She was probably just saving a foal from the well again.

And maybe the entire town had once again run into a string of bad luck, requiring Rainbow’s timely interventions to save the day. It wouldn’t be the first time, Applejack had mused, as the movie’s credits started scrolling past.

Their brief walk to the restaurant had been marked by silence. Both sets of eyes were glancing at the sky, hoping to see a rainbow speeding across the blue.

They were still waiting as they were shown to their table.

Something felt off as they read the menu and placed their orders, settling down to wait for their meal. Her attempt to spark a conversation had even worked, and she smiled at seeing Twilight speak animatedly about the movie she’d just seen.

But as the laughing alicorn turned to the empty seat next to them, eager to share the joke, Applejack’s smile died along with Twilight’s. She knew it. They both knew it.

Something was missing.

“She’s not coming, is she?” Twilight whispered, staring at the empty chair.

Applejack swallowed. The knot in her throat made it hard to speak, but she managed, placing a hoof on Twilight’s own. “No, Sugarcube. She ain’t.”

Chapter 05

“And then – then she feathermarked me!” Dash said, staring at Fluttershy with her wings flared.

The yellow pegasus shrank back from the display, unconsciously hiding her cutie mark with her tail as she collected herself. “Um. Maybe she didn’t know what it means?”

Rainbow shook her head. “She knew. They both knew. And then they kissed me!” Rainbow blinked at Fluttershy’s gasp. The other pegasus was blushing. “O-on the cheek. But still! I thought they wanted a threesome but…"

“But?” Fluttershy prompted, her cheeks still flaming. She knew she had to say something, but hadn’t found the right time. Dash usually figured out things on her own, but she’d always needed an open ear.

She still didn’t know if she should tell Dash that she’d known – that they’d all known this was coming. That was probably best left to Twilight and Applejack.

“Th-they actually want me in their relationship. Outta nowhere!” Dash said, staring out of the window. “And I'm not even sure I like them back!”

Dash collapsed back into her seat. The blue pony had started pacing midway through her long, rather jumbled explanation of the situation – it had been just over an hour since her best friends had… propositioned her, and Dash was no less confused now than she had been then. So she’d gone straight to her best friend's house; Fluttershy had always been able to help her straighten out things like this in the past.

The yellow pegasus waited until her friend had calmed down before answering. “You do. Like them back, I mean.”

Dash stared at her the same way she would if she’d grown another head. “I do?”

“Yes.”

“How the hay are you sure?”

Fluttershy smiled. “Did you say no?”

Rainbow opened her mouth to retort, but no words came out. She’d been confused, sure, but it was still something that she could have answered on the spot. But she hadn’t. She’d hesitated. She thought about the two ponies, and immediately pictured their warm smiles.

She hadn’t refused.

“I… I guess I didn’t,” Rainbow answered, averting her gaze and looking thoughtful.

“And you preen a lot when you talk about them.”

Rainbow blushed, staring at her wings for the second time that day. Fluttershy was right. She’d been taking more care of her wings than she had for a long time. Suddenly, she felt like she understood Rarity just a little bit better – past the usual realignment of feathers, a good preen was essentially a wing makeover, making a pegasus look good.

Usually Rainbow preened once every so often, when she really needed it. But thinking back on it, she’d been preening before every meeting with Applejack or Twilight.

Maybe she’d stop giving Rarity such a hard time so often.

… Nah.

“Mom did say they looked good today,” Rainbow said. She smiled at her friend. “Thanks, Fluttershy. You know me better than I do myself.” She blinked in realization. “… And so does Mom, apparently.”

“What do you mean?”

“I never mentioned A.J. or Twi, but she still knew who I was having lunch with today.” Rainbow sighed as Fluttershy giggled. “Why am I always the last to know?”

“It just happens that way?”

“I guess.” Rainbow stretched, rolling off the couch. She flapped over to Fluttershy and drew her into a hug. “Thanks for listening, ‘Shy.”

Fluttershy smiled, nuzzling Rainbow’s cheek. “Always. Are you okay?”

“Yeah.” The blue pegasus nodded. She looked Fluttershy straight in the eyes. “You?”

“Me?” Fluttershy asked, confused. “I’m fine. Shouldn’t I be?”

Rainbow shook her head. “No no, you’re fine. It’s just…" Her ears drooped as she stared at the floor. “Are you okay with this?”

“Me?” Fluttershy repeated. “Why me?”

“I mean, it kinda used to be… us.” Rainbow looked up once more. “And now I’m thinking about Twi and A.J. and you’re still here and–”

Fluttershy hoof sat on Dash’s lips, interrupting her tirade. The yellow pegasus shook her head, smiling gently at Rainbow as she lifted the hoof, then firmly bopped Rainbow on the head with it.

The blow had no force behind it, but Rainbow still winced, her hooves flying to her head. Her eyes were wide with shock, staring at her friend.

“I’m fine, Rainbow. I’m glad we had what we had.” She leaned over and kissed Rainbow on the forehead, in the same spot she’d hit her friend. “But I’m just as glad we have what we have now. I’ll be okay.” She smiled, pulling Rainbow to her hooves. “I think, however, that Twilight and Applejack need you. And you them.”

“But–”

“Go fly, Rainbow. You always think better when you fly.”

“I…" Rainbow swallowed, the words barely forming. “I will, ‘Shy. I got a lot to think about.” She turned to give Fluttershy one final nuzzle, then lifted off into the air.

The yellow pegasus watched her leave, sighing happily to herself. Rainbow would be all right.

Fluttershy was right. She did think best while flying. The rhythmic beat of her wings set her mind at ease, the wind in her mane cooled her temper, and the simple lack of hard ground under her hooves gave her a sense of freedom that let her really focus on things.

Namely, in her case, two very special ponies.

She did like them. Fluttershy was right about that, too. She liked all her friends, really. Each of them was special, and they all meant the world to her. She’d do absolutely anything for any of them, and wouldn’t think twice about it.

The feeling she felt when she thought of them was warm and comfortable. Like sitting next to a fireplace with a hot mug of chocolate. But when she thought of Applejack and Twilight, that heat felt like it came from a massive inferno, a bonfire, even a volcano.

How in Celestia’s name had she missed that?

Okay, she thought.I lo– I like them. What do I do about it?

No, that question didn’t feel right. There was something else she needed to ask herself even before that.

Should I even do anything about it?

She knew her friends sometimes thought she was a bit scatterbrained, and even thoughtless. She couldn’t really blame them. Often enough, it was true, and it didn’t change how they all felt. They all loved her, and she loved them all. But she knew herself better than most gave her credit for.

When did I get so philosophical? Rainbow mused, a smile tugging at her lips. I’ve been hanging around Twilight too much.

She knew that she wasn’t the best at talking, especially where feelings were concerned. She wore them on her sleeves, and couldn’t really control her impulses that well.

Unlike Applejack.

Despite her numerous responsibilities, she knew she still had to grow up a bit. Be more mature, as Rarity put it. As seriously as she took her work, and her time at the Academy, she still had things to learn about dealing with others.

Unlike Twilight.

She shook her head. Those two were a nearly impossible standard to match, no matter how hard she tried. But still, she wanted to.

I guess that’s the point, she thought. She wanted to. She wanted this to happen. Almost more than anything.

But she was absolutely terrified of messing it up.

She wasn’t new to relationships. Fluttershy had been her first, and it had been wonderful. Rainbow’s heart ached at the thought of those years spent apart, changing what they had. Where she once saw a marefriend, she now saw a slightly older sister. As nice as it had been back then, she wouldn’t change their relationship for anything in the world.

There’d been a few others afterwards – all pegasi, now that she thought of it. Thunderlane had been the last, all those weeks… no, months ago.

Jeez, has it been that long?

She shook her head, focusing on the issue at hoof.

Twilight and Applejack.

They were most definitely new territory for her.

Not only was this a new relationship – which were never easy, she’d found – but neither of them was a pegasus. Plus they were her best friends. Plus one of them was a freaking princess.

Relationships were hard, and here she was thinking about getting into two. At the same time.

I must be nuts.

And what of Applejack and Twilight? They were good to each other. Real good. The rest of the group had seen how the two had grown closer and spent more time together, but thought nothing of it, until they suddenly announced that they’d decided to start dating. It had surprised all of them, including the two in question.

But they’d said that it had just felt right.

And, well, so did this. But did she want to risk damaging what those two had, for a chance at that feeling being on the mark?

Was it worth it? Was it–

“A bit for your thoughts, Rainbow Dash?”

Rainbow yelped at the sudden intrusion of a voice that was not her own, jolting upwards and sending herself into a short tumble until she got her bearings. She spun around, facing in the speaker’s direction, and blinked at what she saw.

She’d have to add Luna, sitting on a cloud with a telescope to the list of things she’d found while flying.

“P-Princess Luna?”

“It is I, yes.” The dark alicorn nodded. “I apologize if I scared you.”

“S-scared? Pfft. Ha!” Rainbow puffed up her chest. “You just surprised me!”

“You seemed to be deep in thought. What troubles you?”

Rainbow frowned. “Trouble? Who said I’m in trouble?”

“Nay, I mean that you are troubled by something.”

“What? Says who?” Rainbow crossed her hooves and looked away. “I’m perfectly fine.”

The princess silently observed the pegasus, before her horn lit with magic. A nearby cloud moved towards them, attaching itself to the one she sat on. A few pokes and prods later, her cushion had expanded in size, enough for another pony to sit comfortably. She stared back at Rainbow, who had watched the whole process. “Sit,” she said.

Rainbow hesitated. The princess hadn’t worded it like an order, and she was even thinking of refusing the offer, but the way Luna was looking at her quickly changed her mind. With a few flaps, she settled herself next to the larger pony, jumping slightly as Luna settled a huge wing over Rainbow’s back.

“If you were fine, dear Rainbow Dash, you wouldn’t have almost crashed into my cloud.” She glanced down at the smaller pony, before looking through the telescope once more. “Now, what troubles you?”

Rainbow stared at Luna. Could she tell her, just like that? She looked away, blinking in surprise as she spotted Canterlot almost within throwing distance. Wow. She really had been out of it.

Her eyes wandered back to the alicorn. The princesses were the only ponies she had more than a passing acquaintance with in Canterlot, and one of them was offering to listen.

Even if she didn’t want to admit it, she still felt like she needed to talk.

Here goes nothing. Just take it slow.

“Twilight feathermarked me and Applejack kissed me and they both want me in their relationship!” she blurted out, then smacked her head with a hoof. So much for slow.

Luna smiled, an eye still looking through the telescope. “So they went ahead with it, did they? Good. You are a fine specimen.”

“I– What?”

Luna looked away from the telescope, raising an eyebrow at the shocked pegasus under her wing. “Twilight Sparkle and Applejack sent us a letter, telling us about your interest in them and seeking advice on how they should proceed.” She smiled at Rainbow. “It seems they heeded our advice and approached you. You will make an excellent addition to Twilight Sparkle’s harem.”

“Twilight’s har–” Rainbow shook her head, beating that line of thought out of her skull before her face caught fire. Still, she could feel the blush on her face. “N-no! Not like that! They aren’t like that.”

“Oh? I may have misunderstood her intentions, then.” She leveled a critical eye at Rainbow, and turned back to the telescope. “Perhaps I should not have sent Cadance that letter…”

Rainbow frowned. “Wait, what? What letter?”

“I just told you.” Luna replied, tweaking the telescope’s orientation. “Your friends sounded quite flustered, and sought my sister’s advice. She decided I should weigh in on this as well.”

“What did you tell them?”

“That you and your friends are all pleasing to look at, and are all excellent choices for her harem. However,” Luna continued, unaware of Rainbow’s slack jawed expression. “I sense from your reaction that Twilight may take after my sister more than I. Pity.” She once again pulled away from the telescope, and faced Rainbow directly. “It is likely, then, that their intentions are just as they seem, and they truly wish to court you as equals.”

“C-court?” Rainbow stammered, wondering for the hundredth time how she had gotten into this conversation.

“Indeed. How will you act, dear Rainbow?”

“I-I don’t– Okay, what are you even looking at?” she asked, as the princess’s attention seem to wander once again. “It’s not even pointed at the stars!”

“We have no need of a telescope to see Our stars, young pegasus,” Luna chuckled. “Besides, those are not the celestial bodies I am studying tonight.”

“What?”

“Have a look,” Luna offered, folding her wing back.

Rainbow craned her neck, putting an eye to the telescope. “What the hay is so interes-inter-in…" She leapt back, her face consumed with a fiery blush. “W-w-was th-that Fleetfoot? With Fire Streak?” She blinked, her eyes wide in shock. “Flyers Illustrated said he was gay!”

“Bisexual, from what I have seen,” Luna said. “Like most of the team.” Her magic shone, gently tilting the telescope. “See? They do this after every tour.”

Rainbow stared at the instrument, telling herself she shouldn’t be doing this, but somehow found her body was already craning upwards, peering through.

“I believe you’ll find that Soarin’, Surprise and Spitfire are most definitely enjoying themselves.” Luna paused, frowning as a thought struck her. “I must apologize to you, Rainbow Dash.”

“Huh?” The pegasus turned away from the telescope. “What for?”

“I had forgotten that you dream of joining the Wonderbolts. I should have realized seeing this would affect you. I deeply regr–”

Rainbow laughed, cutting her off. “Are you kidding? Now I want to be a ‘Bolt even more!”

Luna stared, then snapped her jaw shut. “Truly? That is fortunate. But are you not forgetting something?”

“Like what?” Rainbow asked, once again staring through the telescope, her raised wings saluting the sky.

“Applejack and Twilight Sparkle?”

Rainbow flinched, jerking away from the telescope. She stared at the cloud she sat on, then lifted a hoof and punched it angrily. She kept hitting it until she felt her hoof stop. She glanced up and saw the blue shimmer surrounding it.

“Before you destroy the rest of my bedding, may I ask why you are trying to do so?”

“Because I’m a horrible pony!” Rainbow yelled, squeezing her eyes shut. “Let me go!”

“Not before you explain yourself.”

Rainbow opened her eyes, glaring at the princess. “I like – no, I love them, Princess. Both of them.” She stomped the cloud with a free hoof. “But the first chance I get, I completely forget about them!” Rainbow stared in disbelief as Luna started laughing. “What is so bucking funny?”

Luna immediately caught herself, her tone serious once more. “I apologize, I am simply amused at how mistaken you are. It seems even after another thousand years, ponies are still failing to distinguish between lust and love.”

“What?” Rainbow stared at the princess, her upraised hoof falling back onto the cloud as Luna released her magic.

“Lust is not the same as Love, my little pony. You wish to be with the Wonderbolts, both professionally and physically. But do you feel anything towards them emotionally?”

The gears in Rainbow’s mind churned frantically, seeking an answer. “I…"

“Now think of Twilight Sparkle and Applejack,” she said, paying no heed to Rainbow’s attempt to speak. “Do you wish to be with them? To protect them? To love them? To support them in any way you can?”

Rainbow heard the words, and even understood them, but she felt like she was moving through mud. Everything felt sluggish, except her heart.

That, she could feel beating a million times a minute.

Luna smiled gently. “Then do so, Rainbow Dash. Take what you want. Make it real. Pin them to the wall, and kiss their minds away.”

“R-right.” Rainbow gulped, then grinned at the princess. “Right!” She leapt up, her wings flaring as she readied herself for flight, but paused when Luna lifted her hoof.

“Before you depart, I have a question, Rainbow Dash.”

“Uh, sure? What?”

“Do you know whether or not Applejack’s brother is currently enamored with or claimed by another mare? Or stallion?”

Rainbow blinked. “… What?”

“I believe the term nowadays is single? That is what I am asking. Is he single?”

“Big Mac? I think he's dating Cheerilee, but they haven't really said anything. They're both pretty private.”

“Truly? And who is this Cheerilee?”

“Uh, she's the town's teacher, and–”

“A teacher?” Luna asked, a glint in her eye.

“Yeah?”

“Excellent. Educators tend to have open minds. No doubt she will be easy to persuade.”

“Persuade?” Rainbow eyed the princess warily. “To let you have Big Mac?”

“No, to join in my harem as well,” Luna replied, glaring at Rainbow. “I am not a harlot. I have no desire to steal her lover, but if she can be convinced to share, then we both win, do we not?”

“I-I guess?” Rainbow said, not meeting Luna’s eyes. The idea of Luna and Big McIntosh together was funny, especially for the teasing material she’d get on Applejack, but the way the princess was talking about harems was really weird.

Luna had lifted a hoof to her chin, deep in thought. “There are some other potential candidates in Ponyville I would like to know more of. What about–”

Oookay, enough of that. “Oh hey, sorry Princess! I gotta be going, got places to be.” The moment the words had left her mouth, she felt some thought nagging at the back of her mind. Like she’d forgotten something important. Very important.

The princess blinked, unaccustomed to being interrupted quite so abruptly. “But–”

“Oh horseapples! The date!” Rainbow exclaimed. “I've really gotta go!”

“Hm?” Luna pondered a moment. “Oh, yes, I suppose your lovers await.”

She glanced at the spot where Rainbow had been, but the pegasus was long gone, her chromatic contrail already fading.

“Pity. I had further inquiries. Oh well!” She put an eye back on the telescope, resuming her observations. “Oho! Dear Spitfire, wherever did you learn to do that?”

The walk back home to the Acres was quiet and dark, the only light coming from Twilight’s horn as she lit their path through the night.

Over time, Applejack had learned a lot of Twilight’s quirks. She’d known many even before they’d started dating; since, she’d just learned more. Later on, once the unicorn had suddenly grown wings, she’d taken on a another set of quirks. A.J. found all of them adorable, and her heart swelled from the knowledge that she’d grown to know her partner so well.

Right now, however, she knew that Twilight didn’t want words, but simply the comfort of Applejack’s closeness. As they walked, their coats brushing against each other, Applejack had to admit she quite enjoyed one of those new quirks in particular, as she enjoyed feeling the feathers of the wing draped across her back brushing her spine.

Still, though, the expression on Twilight’s face was worrying her. Gone was the look of contentment, or even the adorable way her muzzle crinkled when she was deep in thought, or lost to some daydream. Twilight’s expression was downcast, her eyes never leaving the road.

Applejack had humored Twilight when the alicorn had said she wanted to watch the sunset before heading home. She’d kept silent about how Twilight’s eyes were everywhere except on the sunset itself. She hadn’t even commented on the long and circuitous route they’d taken back, which had seen them wandering through almost every street in town. She understood.

Sometimes, Applejack mused, words were necessary – wanted or not. But as she opened her mouth, Twilight’s voice interrupted her.

“I’m so stupid.”

The farmer blinked, momentarily at loss for words. “What?”

“It’s all my fault,” the alicorn muttered, looking away.

Applejack stopped, lifting a hoof to block Twilight. She turned to face her lover, glaring from under her hat. “Now don’t you start with that, Missy.”

Twilight started, taken aback by the earth pony’s tone. “But–”

“I know what yer thinkin’, Twilight. Yer thinkin’ that you shoulda thought the plan through some more, or we shoulda waited, or even just done nothin’ at all. Am I right?”

Twilight stared, her mouth open. She couldn’t refute a single word Applejack had said.

Applejack knew it, too. “Thought so. If anyone was t’blame, Sugarcube, it’s me. I pushed you into all this. I ain’t sayin’ we were wrong though,” she said as Twilight tried to speak. “Approach was just fine, but this is too danged big for her to just up and be okay with. We just gotta wait while she mulls it over.”

“Wait?” Twilight repeated in disbelief. “How can you wait?”

“ ‘Cause I know Dash. Celestia knows she’s probably the fastest pony alive, but even she’s gotta slow down. And I’m glad she’s takin’ her time with this. The only quick answer would be a ‘no’.” Applejack nudged Twilight’s neck with her muzzle, breathing in the smell of the alicorn’s coat. “You know her too. Y’cant tell me I’m wrong.”

Twilight sighed, leaning against Applejack as the farmer nuzzled her. “No, you’re right. But what if she does say no? What if we got it all wrong?” she asked, leaning back. Her ears twitched. “And what is that whistling sound?”

Moments later, Twilight shook her head, clearing the dizziness from it. Something had crashed into her, sending her flying into Applejack, tumbling across the ground to end up in a pile of pony limbs. Her body was draped over Applejack’s, covering almost all of the earth pony’s body.

When the world stopped spinning, she found herself staring back at Applejack, their faces inches from each other. They both looked up as their assailant loomed above them in the dark – Twilight’s light spell had gone out during her tumble.

Twilight lit her horn, ready to blast whoever it was, but stopped with a gasp as the light revealed the pony’s identity.

“Rainbow Dash!” Applejack exclaimed, glaring at the pegasus. “What in tarnation do ya think yer doin’?”

Rainbow stared at them, her gaze shifting from one to the other, her mouth opening and closing, but no words were coming out. She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and opened them once again.

“Yes.”

Twilight frowned. “ ‘Yes’? That doesn’t answer her questi-mmmph!”

Applejack’s eyes widened, staring as Rainbow kissed her marefriend. The alicorn was still in shock, but she quickly responded, lifting her head to push into the kiss.

The farmer could only grin as Rainbow broke away from Twilight, leaning towards Applejack.

“Uh… by ‘yes’ you mean–” Applejack began, her eyes wide with anticipation for what she hoped Dash meant.

“I mean yes!" Rainbow interrupted, “Now shut up and let me kiss you!” She forced the issue by doing exactly that.

Applejack eagerly reciprocated.

Author's Note

Feathermarking:
Verb.
The act of displaying affection by gently brushing a wingtip against the cutie mark of another pony. Little known outside of pegasus culture save by scholars or those in a relationship with a pegasus.

Chapter 06

As much as Mayor Mare insisted otherwise, Sugarcube Corner was the true center of town. With the delicious baked goods served from early morning to evening, while also being the residence of Ponyville’s premier Party Organizer and Entertainer, the bakery saw more ponies passing through its doors than the Town Hall did on its best of days.

Perhaps that was why they’d chosen it for their weekly breakfast gathering, Rarity mused. The treats did nothing to help her figure, but some sacrifices needed to be made in the name of friendship. And said treats were delectable.

When she walked through the bakery’s doors and saw all her friends at a table, a smirk appeared on her muzzle, growing until she couldn’t have dispelled it, even if she’d tried. Not after noticing how Rainbow Dash was firmly sandwiched in between Applejack and Twilight.

“My my, aren't you three sitting a little too close together?” she asked, looking at each in turn. “Why, ponies may see and get the wrong impression.”

Rainbow grinned cockily as the two ponies besides her blushed. She spread her wings and drew them close, planting a kiss on each cheek before turning back to Rarity. “What wrong impression?”

Rarity chuckled. “None, clear–” she started, before she was interrupted by a loud crash. Pinkie had launched herself across the table, tackling the trio onto the floor. She’d managed to startle Fluttershy as well, as the pegasus was now hanging from a rafter.

“Pinkie!” Rainbow cried out. “What the hay?”

“Oh my gosh you guys did it! You’re so cute and it’s perfect and I couldn’t help it you guys are adorable!” She lifted her three friends, squeezing them tightly in a massive hug. Had they not been fighting for air, or wondering how many bones were cracking, they’d have marvelled at how Pinkie could lift three grown mares with such ease.

“Pinkie! No tackling guests, remember?” a voice called out from behind the counter.

“Sorry, Mr. Cake!” With a gasp, the pink mare unceremoniously dropped her friends. “I gotta start a party! And find the biggest streamer ever! I mean, do you guys know how long your names are?” she asked, pointing at the alicorn and the pegasus. “ ‘Congratulations to Applejack, Twilight Sparkle and Rainbow Dash on being a couple!’ That’s huge!” Pinkie said, and paused. “Wait, is it even a couple anymore?”

“W-well a couple is two, by definition,” Twilight said, picking herself off the floor. “I’m… not sure what this would be, actually.”

Applejack stood up, straightening her hat. “A trio?”

“In relations?” Fluttershy offered from the ceiling.

Rainbow shrugged. “Eh. That sounds boring.”

Twilight tapped a hoof under her chin before tentatively suggesting, “A triad?”

“That’s worse!”

“Ooh, I know!” Pinkie cried, leaning on Rainbow’s back. “A threesome!” She pouted as she was assaulted by a “No!” from five different directions. “Fine. Party poopers,” she muttered.

Rarity winced, pressing on. “At least try ménage à trois, dear!”

Applejack gave Rarity a flat look. “Ain't that the same thing?”

“More romantic, Applejack! But never mind that, tell us everything!”

“Ain’t much to tell, really.” Applejack shrugged, pointing a hoof at Rainbow. “This featherbrain forgot ‘bout the dinner, worried Twilight ‘n me half t’death, and then crashed into us on the way home!”

Rainbow blushed, glaring at Applejack. “H-hey! I was confused! You guys dropped that on my lap and I didn’t know what to do!”

“And that’s changed now?” Rarity asked.

Rainbow nodded, glancing at Fluttershy. “Yeah. ‘Shy here got me thinking straight, and then I ran into Princess Luna.”

“Th-the princess?” Fluttershy gasped.

“Yeah, she was, uh, stargazing. Sorta.” Rainbow cleared her throat. “But we kinda talked, and she set me even straighter.”

“But Dashie, Twilight and Applejack are mares!” Pinkie said, frowning.

“Uh, yeah? I kinda noticed.”

“Then how did Flutters and Luna set you straight?”

Five hooves met five faces.

“Moving on,” Rarity muttered. “Did anything else happen?”

“Yeah, we stayed the night at the library.” Rainbow grinned, shrugging Pinkie off her back to wrap her hooves around her marefriends once more.

Rarity mock-gasped. “Oh, how bold!”

“We were jus’ talkin’, Rarity.” Applejack glared at the unicorn. “I didn’t figure you t’be one with your mind in the gutter.”

“It’s a natural thing to assume about ponies in a relationship!” Rarity huffed, her cheeks slightly tinged red. “Anyways. Do you girls have plans?” She leaned forwards, eyeing her three friends.

“Well duh!” Pinkie giggled. “They’re gonna come to the party and have fun and play pin the tail on the donkey and–”

“Pinkie, I think she means us,” Twilight interrupted, levitating Pinkie back to her seat. “You can come down, Fluttershy.” She waited until her friend had landed before turning back to Rarity. “We haven’t planned anything at all, really,” she said, raising an eyebrow at Rarity’s dumbstruck expression. “What?”

“I’m sorry, dear, I’m just recovering. I thought I heard you say you don’t have a plan?”

Twilight rolled her eyes as her friends giggled. “Oh, ha ha. Laugh it up,” she grumbled, unable to fight a grin from forming. “But seriously, we weren’t planning on doing anything special, right?” She turned to her lovers, who both shrugged in return.

“Oh no no no!” Rarity exclaimed, slamming her hoof on the table, sending Fluttershy back to the ceiling. “That will not do!”

Applejack stared at Rarity as if she’d grown a second horn. “What’re you talkin’ about, Rares?”

“You’re celebrating a new addition to your relationship! You should be doing something special!” Rarity cried out, her expression brightening. “You should go on a date!”

“Er, didn’t we already do that?” Rainbow asked.

“Well yes, but this is your first official date for the three of you! That should be celebrated!”

Twilight looked uncertain. “We don’t really need–”

“And we’ll help!” Rarity added.

“… What?”

Rarity tapped a hoof to her chin. “I can call in some favors. A table for three somewhere appropriate should be no problem.”

“But–" Applejack started.

“And dancing!” Pinkie grinned, ignoring the farmer. “Dancing is always fun!”

Rainbow frowned. “Wait a sec–”

“Ooh, excellent idea, Pinkie. And of course, you must look the part! Why, I can make you–"

Pinkie held up a hoof, shoving it in Rarity’s mouth. “Wait! I’ve got an idea!” She waited until Rarity raised an eyebrow before removing her hoof. “We’ve got two groups of three here, right?”

Rarity blinked. “Are you suggesting a double date?”

“What? No! I don’t like you girls like that!” Pinkie giggled, shaking her head. “No, since we’re two groups of three, we obviously gotta split into three groups of two to help them out!”

Rarity frowned, feeling vaguely insulted, but shoved those thoughts aside. “That’s perfect, actually. Twilight, I’ll take care of you.”

Pinkie beamed, and bounced over to her fellow earth pony. “And I’ll take Applejack!”

“Don’t I get a choice in the matter?” the farmer asked wearily, knowing full well what the answer would be.

“Noperoonie!”

“I guess I’ll help Rainbow,” Fluttershy said from the ceiling, flinching as Rainbow looked up at her. “I-If you don’t mind.”

Rainbow smiled at her oldest friend. “Sure thing, ‘Shy.”

Rarity clapped her front hooves. “Excellent! Now come along, Pinkie, Fluttershy. We have much to plan!”

As Fluttershy’s tail disappeared out the door, three ponies were left staring at each other.

Twilight blinked. “What just happened?”

Applejack laid a foreleg over her marefriends’ shoulders. “Girls, I think our date jus’ got taken over.”

Dear Aunt Luna,

I apologize for the delay in responding. Why did you not use magical means for delivery?

In any case, I am not sure we are talking about the same Twilight Sparkle here. The letter Aunt Celestia sent me seemed very clear. Applejack and Twilight love Rainbow Dash. They want to include her in their relationship, not start a harem. Though I believe you are right – Twilight’s friends would be a fantastic group for her. Maybe some day?

I am glad to hear you are considering forming your own, though I must advise caution – the laws surrounding them haven’t been changed in your absence, but they have distinctly fallen out of favor. These days, multi-pony relationships are on a more equal footing than what a ‘harem’ implies, more akin to what Twilight herself desires. Perhaps you can ask her for details if she decides to go ahead and approach Rainbow Dash?

I will of course help you any way I can. As to your suggestion, Shining and I have had had a few adventurous incidents, true, but I have never considered anything more… old-school. Nonetheless, you are correct about our privileges. I shall have to consider it further.

Yours Truly,

Cadance

PS: Do be cautious with Big McIntosh. I think Applejack might not be entirely amenable to the idea.

“D’ya haveta do that so loudly, Dash?”

A slurping sound had distracted Applejack from her book, making her glance at the pegasus. Below her, lying on the floor, Twilight was reading a book of her own, held aloft by her magic. But her cup of tea sat undisturbed. Instead, the culprit was Rainbow Dash, who lay atop Twilight, a hay shake just beyond her hooves.

“I’m enjoying it, so yeah,” the pegasus shot back, not taking her eyes off her book.

Applejack snorted. “You can enjoy it quiet-like, ya know.”

“Not in Neighpon! Twi says if you slurp loudly, it shows you like it.”

“We ain’t in Neighpon, Dash,” Applejack pointed out, only to get a smirk and a tongue stuck out at her.

Applejack rolled her eyes, but could not help grinning at the picture. She’d stopped by the library once she’d wrapped up her day at the market, and had found her marefriend – no, marefriends – chatting in the kitchen. Not long after, they’d retreated to the main library to read.

She herself had chosen to read up on Ponyville’s horticulture. She knew the apple farm’s history quite well, but Twilight had suggested reading up on some of the town’s other cultivations. She didn’t know how it would help, but it was interesting, and it meant more time with the alicorn, which was always a plus.

Rainbow, of course, had immediately grabbed a Daring Do book. Despite Twilight’s insistence on getting her to try other series, the pegasus always came back to the adventurer’s travels. Twilight had let out an indignant squawk as Rainbow flopped atop her, but hadn’t pushed her off. Instead, she’d kept reading her own book – something about magical cures.

That had left Applejack sitting on the couch. She was perfectly satisfied with the arrangement, as she could gaze at her two marefriends without moving a muscle. She smiled at the sight, the smile slowly turning sly as an idea struck her.

Quietly stepping off the couch, she inched closer to the two others, and raised herself onto her hind legs. After that, it was a simple matter of letting gravity do the rest.

“Hurk!” Rainbow’s eyes bugged out as Applejack’s weight landed on her. “Hey! What’s the big idea?”

Applejack ignored the pegasus’s glare, smiling as innocently as she could. “I’m just gettin’ comfy. You both looked snuggly.”

“But you’re heavy,” Rainbow protested. “I can’t read like this!”

“Oh, I’m sorry for interrupting ya.” Applejack mocked, squinting at Rainbow. “Did ya just call me fat?” she asked, staring at her marefriend.

“Uh…”

“It’s muscle, not fat, and you’re both heavy.”

The pair turned their heads, and met Twilight’s unamused glare. “You two aren’t nearly as cuddly as you think you are.”

Rainbow scoffed. “Please, I’m a cuddle master!” she said, earning a set of raised eyebrows from both her marefriends. “What?”

“I thought you weren’t a sappy pony, Sugarcube.” Applejack smirked.

“Not all the time!” Rainbow blushed. “B-but I don’t mind it at home…”

“Well then, Cuddlebug, ya’ve come to the right place!”

“Huh?” Rainbow jolted as she felt Applejack’s muzzle under her wing, pressing into her feathers. “H-hey!”

“I can never get her to stop when she does that,” Twilight said, giggling at Rainbow’s bewildered expression.

Rainbow opened her mouth to complain, until Applejack ruffled her feathers sideways and her eyes dilated. “Ohh… If she keeps doing that, I don’t want her to stop.”

Much to Rainbow’s dismay, the farmpony did stop, lifting her head to stare at her marefriends with a somber expression. “Hey gals, I’ve been thinkin’.”

“Less thinky, more nuzzly!” Rainbow whined, a hind leg kicking air.

Applejack rolled her eyes. “Either of ya got any idea what Rarity is up to?”

“Nope.” Rainbow sighed, mourning the loss of the nuzzling, as Twilight shook her head. The pegasus smirked. “Why, you worried?”

“Kinda.” She frowned as Rainbow raised an eyebrow. “Have ya seen the way she grins the last couple days? Every time I see her I feel…"

“A sense of doom?” Twilight interrupted, staring at Applejack. “Pinkie’s no better. She just keeps giggling.”

“Thank Celestia, I thought it was just me!” Rainbow sagged back onto Twilight. “They’re starting to creep me out.”

“What about Fluttershy?” Twilight asked.

Applejack shook her head. “No go. She turns tail and flies off as soon as she sees me.”

Rainbow’s growing frown suddenly changed to a devious grin. “I got it! Let’s send Spike!”

“Rainbow!” Applejack chided.

“I already thought of that,” Twilight answered, missing Applejack’s shocked expression. “It’s too late. Rarity's got him busy running errands.” She giggled lightly. “That, and he’s not exactly subtle enough for espionnage.”

“How about I follow him? I’m pretty sneaky with a cloud!”

Twilight shook her head. “I think we should just wait and see. They’re our friends, how bad could it be?”

“Dangit, Twi!” Applejack scowled. “Didn’t ya learn your lesson ‘bout sayin’ that?”

“Because that turned out so badly last time?” Twilight gestured at Rainbow. “Now, could you please get off me?”

Dearest Cadance,

I thank you for your suggestion of caution, though it unfortunately arrived a bit late. Perhaps your idea of using magical communication has merit, despite the stellar work the mail pegasi do.

I fear I must explain myself. Some time after I sent you the letter, I was accosted by none other than Rainbow Dash herself, while I was on the lookout for other potential candidates for my retinue. I did not realize standards of privacy had changed so, a fact I learned after asking Celestia for other viewing suggestions. I’ve since been kept busy reading upon an entirely too large number of books on privacy law.

During my conversation with Rainbow Dash, however, I learned that she had been approached by Twilight Sparkle and Applejack. You are right; their intentions are purely romantic, and almost distressing to Rainbow Dash, but I believe I was able to give her guidance. I have not heard back since, unfortunately, so I am not sure how things ‘turned out’, as it were.

I also learned that Big McIntosh may have caught the eye of a certain schoolteacher in Ponyville, a Miss Cheerilee. I thus approached her, explaining my intentions and desires towards Big McIntosh, and hoped that she could clarify her own plans.

To my great pleasure, she required little convincing. She explained she had no true claim on his heart, past an inopportune series of events with a love poison, but did hesitantly admit they had approached each other on separate occasions after this. Even before hearing the benefits of being in a royal harem, she seemed open to the idea, and willing to talk to Big McIntosh for my sake, and perhaps introduce us.

Do tell me what Shining Armor says. It may be of use for when I speak to Big McIntosh.

Yours Truly,

Luna

PS: This may seem like an odd question, but, who is your favorite Wonderbolt?

“Rarity?”

“Hmm?”

“Are you even listening?” Twilight sighed. Once again, Rarity had gotten distracted by her work, and was now lost to the outside world. She couldn’t really blame her, though, as the seamstress was working on her dress. For that matter, she done the same thing herself on numerous occasions.

Huh. Is that a common unicorn trait? I’ll have to look this up. Maybe if I–

She winced as a needle poked her in the flank, jolting her out of her thoughts. She fought the blush appearing on her cheeks as she realized she’d been about to get distracted herself.

She couldn’t afford to, however. There was something she had to do, and for that, she had to get Rarity’s attention.

“Rarity, your tail is on fire.”

“Mmhm.”

“And I’m eloping with Princess Celestia tomorrow.”

“That’s nice, darling.”

Were she not constrained by her dress fittings, Twilight’s hoof would have met her forehead. This was probably a good thing, as she didn’t want a headache during the date. In any case, it was now time to bring out the big guns.

“Spike told me that the Crusaders borrowed all the silk again.”

“What!” Rarity shrieked, jerking back from Twilight to stare at her materials. “Those fillies! When I get my hooves on them I’ll–"

Twilight smirked as Rarity’s tirade stopped mid-sentence, then swiveled back at her, mixing a glare with a raised eyebrow in a fashion only Rarity could do. “So you were listening.”

“Yes, well, I was in ‘the zone’, as it were,” Rarity huffed, turning her nose up at Twilight. “I would appreciate if you kept heart attacks at a minimum, dear.”

Twilight giggled. “I’ll try. No promises though.”

“You’re terrible.” Rarity sighed, grinning despite herself. “Those two are an awful influence on you.”

“I’m the terrible one? What were you going to do to the fillies, then?”

“I, ah. Nothing you need concern yourself with, dear.”

Twilight’s grin kept growing as she pressed on. “No, no, go on. I think I might have to notify the guards about this.”

“You wouldn’t dare!” Rarity lifted a hoof to her chest in mock-surprise.

“You’re right, I wouldn’t.” Twilight nodded. “Not without a thorough investigation first, at least. And a warrant.”

Rarity chuckled, briefly wondering just how serious her friend was before dismissing the thought. “So, what were you saying?”

“Well, while I’ve been trapped here, I’ve been wondering,” Twilight started, missing Rarity’s pointed ‘hmph!’. “I won’t find one of you over my shoulder during the date, right?”

“Wh– I– ” Rarity sputtered. “Why, I never! What do you take me – us – for?”

“I’m sorry!” Twilight said, her ears flat against her skull. “It’s just… Well, I probably would in your place!”

Rarity blinked. “You would?”

Twilight blushed. “I’d be too curious. I don’t think I could resist.”

“Well! It’s a good thing I’m not the one going on a date!” Rarity giggled, and smiled as she stepped close to a crestfallen Twilight. “However, I’m happy to know you’d be that worried about me,” she said, nuzzling her friend on the cheek.

“Well yeah,” Twilight smiled back. “That’s what friends do!”

Rarity nodded. “Quite. And to answer your question, darling, I would never be so rude as to get in your way like that.” She lifted a hoof as Twilight opened her mouth. “And I’ll make sure to keep Pinkie far away as well.”

“Really?”

“I Pinkie promise, you won’t find us anywhere near your date,” Rarity said, making the appropriate motions. This seemed to relieve the alicorn, who let out a sigh.

“Thank you. I’m nervous enough already.”

“Tut-tut! You are a princess, dear. You are in charge. Be the leader we know you are!”

“Um…”

Rarity gripped Twilight’s muzzle between her hooves, staring at her in the eyes. “They are a rambunctious pair, Twilight. You must tame them!”

“But–"

“Rein them in! Put your hoof down! Leash them if you have to!”

Twilight’s cheeks exploded in color. “L-leash them?”

“Hm. You’re right, that may be too much, too soon.”

“Are we, ah, still talking about the date?”

“Regardless!” Rarity exclaimed, ignoring Twilight’s question. “Do you like your dress?”

“I – Huh?”

“Your dress, darling.”

Twilight glanced at a mirror, seeing the finished product for the first time. Her eyes widened as she took in the sight – Rarity had truly outdone herself.

It was clear Rarity had based the dress off her coronation regalia. The colors and designs bore a distinct resemblance, but Rarity had managed to make it simpler, yet at the same time, more alluring.

The dress itself flowed past her tail, held around her waist with a sash, upon which her wings rested. Rarity had added a scarf, sitting comfortably on her shoulders as each end wrapped around her front hooves. Twilight had imagined that she’d just trip on it, but so far, the scarf seemed to be only tolerably constricting, and was staying out of her way. Perhaps there was an enchantment on it?

Rarity had also added a blue string to rest upon Twilight’s chest, tying the front of the dress to hold it together. Finally, she’d asked Twilight to bring her regalia’s sollerets with her. As hesitant as Twilight was to wear any part of the Royal Ensemble for too long, she had to admit that it went beautifully with Rarity’s work.

She looked like a princess, ready to take on the town by storm.

“It’s lovely!” Twilight grinned. “Thank you so much.”

The seamstress waved a hoof in dismissal. “No need to thank me, dear. It’s my pleasure.” She smirked, winking at Twilight. “Did you not notice the extra feature?”

“Extra feature?” Twilight repeated.

“I took the liberty to write down a few flashcards for you. They’re hidden in the sash.” She nodded her head at the item in question, her horn lighting up to pull out one of the hidden cards. “Go on, read it!”

Twilight raised an eyebrow, and took the card in her magic. “ ‘Order for your mares. They’ll appreciate your leadership’ .” Twilight blinked. “Really?”

Rarity nodded. “Of course, darling. Show them your strength! You know how much they love that.”

“I guess…”

“On your left side are more tips. On the right, advice on how to handle various stains,” Rarity instructed, shuddering at the last part. “You can’t be too careful.”

“No kidding!” Twilight grinned, looking more closely at the sash. “These will come in handy. I can just whip them out at any time!”

Rarity gasped. “Certainly not! You must be inconspicuous!”

“Huh?”

“Why, find an excuse to go to the filly’s room, of course!”

“Can’t I just read them whenever?” Twilight asked, tilting her head in confusion.

“Absolutely not, darling! Why, that would be as if you showed up at the table with a guidebook!” Rarity blinked, remembering exactly who she was talking to. “You shouldn’t do that, by the way.”

Twilight’s hopeful grin faded. “Oh.”

Rarity noticed the change in her friend’s demeanor, and quickly leaned in to hug the alicorn. “Don’t worry. You’ll do fine. Just follow my advice.”

Twilight smiled at Rarity, leaning into the hug. As she pulled back, she took a deep breath and straightened herself. “Right. Okay.”

“Then let me hear it!”

“Be strong.”

“Yes!”

“Lead your mares.”

“Yes, yes!”

“Be commanding!”

Rarity clapped her hooves. “Perfect. You’ll be using the red cards in no time!”

“Red cards?” Twilight repeated. The one she’d seen was white.

“For after your date, naturally.”

“Huh?”

“Top part of your sash.” Rarity grinned and winked. “See for yourself.”

Twilight’s magic explored the sash. As Rarity had said, she found more cards hidden in the folds, and pulled one out. It was a bright, almost sensual red. Her eyes ran over the text.

Fwump.

“Careful with your wings!” Rarity cried. “You’ll damage your dress!”

“You sure about this, Fluttershy?” Rainbow’s voice wafted through the bathroom door. “I can’t remember ever wearing this thing!”

Fluttershy nodded, then blinked as she realized Rainbow couldn’t see it. “When you first arrived in Ponyville. You wore it to that club we went to.”

“Seriously?” Rainbow asked, disbelief evident in her tone. “This looks a little fragile for clubbing.”

“You danced in it, too.”

“Huh.” Rainbow was silent, and Fluttershy could only hear the sound of her shuffling about. “You think they’ll like it?”

“Hmm? Who?”

“The Queen of Prance.”

“Huh? Why would she–"

“I’m kidding! I mean Twi and A.J..”

“Oh!” Fluttershy blushed, tearing her attention away from her animals. After Rainbow had locked herself in her cottage’s bathroom to change, it was all she could to do keep herself busy. Maybe a little too busy, though. “Um. Yes, definitely. Absolutely.”

The silence stretched on, until Fluttershy heard the door lock turn. Rainbow peeked her head out, staring inquisitively at Fluttershy. “What makes you so sure?”

“… The club, back then,” Fluttershy answered after a moment’s hesitation. When Rainbow raised a questioning eyebrow, she knew she had to explain. “You didn’t see how many ponies were looking at you, did you?”

“Uhh.” Rainbow shook her head. “I’m a little fuzzy on that. Why? How many?” she asked, grinning.

“The entire club, Rainbow.”

“Ha!” Rainbow cackled. She disappeared back into the bathroom, rummaging about if the noise was any indication. “So where am I going anyway?” she asked.

“À Bride Abattue.”

The noise stopped momentarily. “Who in the what now?”

Fluttershy giggled. “That fancy Prench restaurant?”

“Oh. Any good?” Rainbow asked, leaning her head back to preen her wings.

“Yes, Rarity and I went to get lunch there a few times. She got you girls a reservation.” Fluttershy smiled at the thought. “They have wonderful classical décor, and the music is very relaxing…”

“Right, but how’s the food?”

“Oh!” Fluttershy blinked. “Yes, it’s delicious.” Her ears perked up as she noticed a distinct lack of noise coming from her bathroom. “Are you done?”

“Yeah, but…” Rainbow paused. “How am I going to fly in this? I can’t show my moves with this thing!”

“F-fly?” Fluttershy stammered, her jaw falling open in disbelief. “Y-you're planning on stunt flying? At a fancy Prench restaurant? During your date?” she said, her voice almost rising with her last question.

Rainbow didn’t seem to notice the difference. “Um, duh? Remember who you’re talking to?”

“You can’t!” Fluttershy shook her head.

“And why not?”

“B-because this is your first date with them!”

Rainbow snorted. “Uh, no it isn’t.”

Fluttershy stomped a hoof. “Your first real date with them, Rainbow! You need to show how serious you are.”

“By not flying?” Rainbow asked, her tone utterly disbelieving.

“Right! I mean, um, yes. Not flying. No more than hovering. You don't want to mess up your dress or mane or anything, and you don't want to get in trouble with the restaurant staff.”

“Hey! I don’t get into trouble… that often!”

“Maybe not on purpose, but… Dash, you want Twilight and Applejack to know how much you respect them, and how seriously you're taking this.” Fluttershy paused, taking a moment to breathe and think of what she wanted to say. “If you're just flying around, then it’s no different than usual! It’s not something special.”

Fluttershy waited for an answer, but none came forth. Maybe she needs something more, she thought.

“I know how important they are to you, and Twilight and Applejack need to know that too. Show them that dinner with them is more important to you than being flying every possible moment. If you slow down for them, let them see that this is special, they’ll know that you’re taking it seriously.”

After another moment of silence, Rainbow poked her head out once again. “You really think so, ‘Shy?”

“Yes.”

Rainbow looked down. “I-I guess. I hadn’t thought of it like that.” With a sigh, she pushed the door open with a hoof, and trotted out into the living room. “So, how’s this?” she asked, lifting a hoof to pose.

At first glance, the dress seemed to match Rainbow’s eyes. But it was a shade darker, a deep burgundy that meshed beautifully with her blue coat. It flowed past her flanks, covering her tail under its folds, with only a slit that showed a hint of her thighs.

A low v neck opening showed off a small part of Rainbow’s chest, and the shoulder straps combined the foreleg hole with opening for her wings, cleverly giving the pegasus ample room to move all her limbs.

She looked amazing, and the wolf whistling seemed to support that.

“Mr. Wolf!” Fluttershy chided, narrowing her eyes at the animal. “Behave.”

Rainbow chuckled, a slight blush tinging her cheeks. “I’ll take that as ‘awesome’. Why’d you have this thing anyway?” she asked, leaning her head back to preen her wings.

She missed the blush that appeared on Fluttershy’s face. “You, well, left it here with me. After the club.”

“What, you borrowed it?” Rainbow asked, still focused on her wings.

“No, you, um, took it off here…” Fluttershy said, every word quieter than the last.

“Huh?”

“… andyouforgottotakeitwithyou,” Fluttershy finished in a rush. “The next morning. Um.”

Rainbow finally met her friend’s eyes, her cheeks a bright red. “Oh. R-right.”

The silence stretched on as the pair looked at each other. Fluttershy’s mind drifted through her memories, of time spent together with her oldest friend. The dress was a reminder of the past, and she smiled, remembering all the happy moments.

Her reverie broke as Rainbow cleared her throat, still blushing. “H-how do I look?”

Fluttershy smiled, leaning forward to nuzzle her friend on the cheek. “Wonderful, Rainbow.”

Rainbow blinked as Fluttershy nuzzled her, unsure whether to return the gesture. Instead, she just latched on the first thought she had. “So… Good to go?”

Fluttershy pulled back, the nostalgia fading. Those memories were just that – memories – and they wouldn’t come back. She gave Dash a final critical look, her eyes drifted up to her friend’s head. She smiled gently as an idea hit. “Your mane.”

“My mane?”

Fluttershy nodded. “I’ve got an idea,” she said, nudging Rainbow back into the bathroom. “Trust me. Applejack and Twilight will love it.”

“Nope!”

“Oh come on, Applejack!” Pinkie whined. “The others are doing it!”

Applejack rolled her eyes as she brushed her mane. “I ain’t the others, Pinkie. I can take care of m’self!”

Pinkie sat on Applejack’s bed, pouting. “Please? I’ll help you buck for a week!”

Applejack’s eyes widened at Pinkie’s words. She remembered, not so long ago, how Pinkie had single hoofedly managed to almost ruin the farm. Sure, Pinkie had helped before and things had turned out just fine. Plus, there’d been powerful magic at work, and the entire town had nearly been turned upside down by its effects. She herself had almost ruined Rarity’s business, so she couldn’t truly blame her fellow earth pony.

Still. The memory was just a bit too fresh.

“Y’aint gotta trouble yourself, Sugarcube,” she said, as she reached for a hairtie. Her hoof never reached its destination, as her head thumped onto the vanity.

“C’mooooon!” Pinkie pleaded, standing on Applejack’s head. “Lemme heeeeeeelp!”

“Mmmph!”

“I can take care of the barn! Paint the chickens!” Pinkie blinked. “No, wait, other way.”

“Mmph! Mmmph!”

“What’s that? Apple Bloom fell down the well?” Pinkie gasped, jumping off Applejack’s head. “We gotta save her!”

“Pinkie!” Applejack wheezed, halting the other mare in her tracks. “Sh-she’s fine,” Applejack said, coughing.

“Really? Then why did you–"

“I didn’t!” Applejack interrupted. She sighed, staring at Pinkie. “Alright. Y’can help. But,” she said, holding up a hoof as Pinkie bounced excitedly, “no frou-frou stuff!”

Pinkie grinned, reaching out of Applejack’s room to pull in a changing screen. “Don’t worry, I’ve got just the thing!”

Applejack briefly considered the fact she may have made a mistake, but the thought had barely formed when she found herself back in front of her vanity.

“There you go!” Pinkie said, giggling. “Whaddya think?”

Pinkie had suited her up. Literally. Applejack was wearing a white dress shirt, the sleeves reaching all the way to her fetlocks. A red string bowtie blended in with the shirt, all wrapped up by a black tailcoat, flowing on her back all the way to her tail. There was even a pair of black shoes for her rear hooves.

The only piece of clothing she recognized was her hat, which worked pretty well with the suit, if she could say so herself.

Wait, what?

“Pinkie, what in Equestria–"

“You look great!” Pinkie grinned. “And all the fillies are crazy for a sharp dressed mare! Haven't you ever listened to ZZ Trot?”

“… Who?” Applejack asked, then shook her head. That didn’t matter. As she opened her mouth to question Pinkie, a dry chuckle from the corridor froze Applejack in her tracks.

“Well, Lil’ Apple, Ah hope that suit ain’t too expensive.”

“It ain’t mine!” Applejack blurted, cheeks burning as she turned to look at her grandmother. “Why? Does it look bad?”

The old mare just cackled. “Oh no no. Ah jus’ hope it's easy to replace, since at least one of your marefriends is prob'bly gonna be tearin' it off of ya.”

Pinkie giggled. “They will! With their teeth!”

Applejack blinked. “What?”

“Mah money's on the pegasus.”

“Granny!”

Granny Smith just smiled at Applejack. “Y’look nice, dear. Knock em dead,” she said, but paused at the door. “Leave the hat. Suit looks nicer without it.”

With that last parting shot, the elder mare left the room with a chuckle.

Applejack stared at the spot her grandmother had stood in, desperately trying to come up with an reason to take off the suit, and put on something more reasonable. But Granny had said it looked nice.

She glanced back at the mirror, the edge of her lips tugging upwards as she looked over herself.

Maybe this ain’t so bad.

She took off her hat and set it on the vanity, and smiled as she turned to her friend. “So, Pinkie, ya got any tips for me?”

Pinkie stared, rubbing her chin with a hoof. “Hmmmmmmmmm.”

After a minute, Applejack’s patience was wearing thin. “Hm?”

“Well, always pre-heat the oven and ensure the baking sheet is properly warmed up, so–"

“Pinkie, I meant for the date.”

“Oh.” Pinkie shrugged. “That’s easy, be a gentlemare!”

“A gentlemare?” Applejack frowned. “Y’mean like Rarity? This ain’t exactly the right suit for that,” she said, glancing at the mirror.

Pinkie laughed. “No, silly, Rarity's a proper lady, not a proper gentlemare. There’s a difference!” She hopped over to Applejack, grinning as she nudged her friend. “You're more gentlemare material.”

“Really? What makes ya say that?”

“Well, you already match the description. Nice, respectful, friendly, polite, mannerly, good looks, proper poise and stuff,” Pinkie said, lifting a hoof for each point.

But Applejack still felt she was missing the point. “Don't that make me a lady?"

Pinkie shook her head. “Nah, you're not wearing enough makeup or fake eyelashes. You're very stallion-y, too.”

Applejack stared at Pinkie. “Beg yer pardon?”

Pinkie’s eyes widened in realization. “I mean, you like to take charge! Wear the pants in the relationship,” she giggled as she looked at Applejack. “Or in your case, the tailcoat!”

“… I'll take that as the compliment I think it's supposed t’be,” Applejack said, as she stared at herself in the mirror once again.

Pinkie wasn’t wrong. She liked being in charge, and took to the role well. It was an unspoken fact in the group that if Twilight was absent, she was the de facto leader of their posse. With the alicorn present, she was Twilight’s right-hoof mare.

She grinned at the thought. Maybe that had played a part in their relationship? The mutual respect and admiration, how they valued logic and common sense – traits sometimes lacking in their friends. And perhaps, most of all, how they were often the first pony they approached with a problem.

And it was Pinkie, of all ponies, who’d made her realize this. She shook her head, smiling. Wonders never cease.

“Where’d you get this thing, Pinkie? It fits perfectly.”

Pinkie giggled. “It’s mine!”

“What?” Applejack stared. “I can’t wear this!”

The pink mare’s ears drooped. “Why not? Is something wrong with it? It’s the streamers, isn’t it?” Pinkie narrowed her eyes. “Not enough streamers!”

Applejack shook her head. “S’not that, Sugarcube. I jus’ don’t wanna get it dirty.”

Pinkie giggle-snorted. “Aww! Don’t worry, silly filly! It’s for a good cause!”

“It is?”

“Well yeah. I figure either Twilight or Dashie are gonna be tearing it off you tonight!”

“Oh for– Not you too!” Applejack mumbled, her cheeks burning. If she was honest, and she usually was, she figured Granny was right. Of the two, Dash was probably the one who’d be putting the moves on Twilight and herself tonight.

It was still sinking in that Twilight wasn’t her only marefriend now. Had it only been a few days since Rarity dropped the whole thing on their laps?

So much had happened, and so much had changed. Yet things really didn’t feel that different, either. Applejack knew this wasn't the case – she knew that letting Rainbow into the relationship would change it. Permanently.

Maybe Twilight was right to be worried. Applejack couldn't say she wasn't, either. Maybe even afraid.

But she had faith in her friends. In Fluttershy, Pinkie, and Rarity. In Rainbow and Twilight.

Those two, more than any others in Equestria.

They’d pull through. They’d make it work.

She gave herself one final look in the mirror, and liked what she saw. She was ready to go.

No sense in stallin’.

Pinkie seemed to agree, as the pink pony was nudging Applejack towards the door. “Go on! Have fun.”

“I will,” Applejack said, smiling. She trotted to the door, pausing at the edge. She turned her head and looked at Pinkie once again. “Pinkie?”

“Yeah?”

“Thanks. For everything.”

“Anytime!” Pinkie grinned, then waved Applejack away. “Now shoo!”

Applejack nodded, heading out. It wouldn't do to have her dates waiting for her.

After all, she was a gentlemare.

Chapter 07

Twilight had to admit it: Rarity had good taste.

This was perhaps doing the mare a disservice; being a pony of taste was the core of Rarity’s very livelihood.

This clearly extended to more than simply fashion. A Bride Abattue was, at first glance, an average sized building in Ponyville. But it oozed with Prench charm, from the melodic tunes audible from within the doors, to the various flags and designs, and the rustic decor. She hadn’t had much experience with this sort of restaurant, but she’d taken an immediate liking to the place.

She did, however, have a bit of a concern.

As Twilight looked around the restaurant’s exterior, she took note of the various customers. They were all enjoying themselves, chatting and dining on generous portions. She smiled at that, glad Rainbow and Applejack would be able to eat their fill.

But none of the ponies eating were dressed up. At most, she saw a bow tie or a necklace. Maybe a small skirt. Nothing like what she wore.

She craned her neck backwards, looking at Rarity’s work. Beautiful as it was, it felt, for lack of a better word, excessive. She felt like she was still wearing her crown and she didn’t really like doing that.

“I feel overdressed for this,” she said, and jumped as somepony whistled nearby.

“Sugarcube, next to you, I’m underdressed!”

Twilight’s face lit up with a smile as she turned towards the voice, only to have it disappear when her jaw fell open.

The words Dear Celestia that is hot had barely entered her mind as she took in the sight of Applejack in a suit, when another voice distracted her.

“If you feel underdressed, then I feel naked!”

Much later, Twilight would pinpoint that moment as the moment her brain shut down completely. She barely registered how Applejack seemed to be staring at Rainbow as well, her slack jawed expression a mirror of her own.

Twilight’s eyes were telling her that Rainbow was blushing, rubbing a hoof against her knee as she and Applejack kept staring at the pegasus, but Twilight’s brain had no idea what to do with this information.

Thankfully, she was spared the need as the doors swung open. A pair of earth ponies walked past, chatting amicably with each other, completely ignoring the three mares standing to the side. It did, however, snap Twilight out of her daze.

She cleared her throat, glancing back and forth between her two obviously flustered marefriends. She felt much the same, but Rarity’s words came flooding back to her.

Lead your mares.

Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath, releasing it slowly. She grinned as her horn shone, ready to grab the door’s handle. But as she opened her eyes to do so, she found Applejack already there, holding the door open with a small smirk.

“Ladies first,” Applejack said, waving a hoof towards the restaurant’s interior.

Twilight eyed her marefriends. She could have sworn she’d seen Rainbow’s lips twitch upwards, but the pegasus’s expression was back to normal as she stepped into the building. Twilight gave a mental shrug, and followed Rainbow inside.

Applejack may have gotten there first this time, but she still had the entire night to show her marefriends what she could do.

Hopefully.

“I'm here for the party!”

Rarity rolled her eyes as Pinkie barged into the boutique. “Tea party, Pinkie. I thought we could all use a little social time to relax after getting those three ready.”

“Oh…” Pinkie stopped bouncing, her ears drooping. “So, no party cannon?”

Rarity gave a long-suffering sigh. “You may fire it once, and only once. And I expect you to clean up the decorations afterwards.”

“Okie dokey! Say, what's the big mirror for?”

“That, my friend, is our entertainment! But first, we must wait for Fluttershy.”

Rarity made her way to her kitchen and grabbed the pot of tea she’d prepared. After a moment’s thought, she opened her fridge and grabbed some of the cupcakes she’d bought from Sugarcube Corner the previous day. If any situation warranted a bit of binging, surely this would be one of them.

As she heard her doorbell ring, she made her way back to the boutique’s main room with a smile on her face, noting how Pinkie had already cannonized it. The pink mare was busy putting on the final touches with the help of Fluttershy, making sure the ‘Go Twilight! Go Applejack! Go Dashie!’ banner was hanging correctly.

Rarity nodded to the pegasus as she set down the tea and snacks. “Ah, there you are. How did it go with Rainbow Dash?”

Fluttershy smiled as she landed next to her friend. “She’s ready. I think,” she said, frowning momentarily. “I mean, I tried to help. Did I do it right?”

“I’m sure you did fine, dear. Though I wish you’d let me make her dress.” Rarity pouted, but quickly stopped and turned to face Pinkie. “And you, too. What did you do to Applejack?”

Pinkie giggled. “You’ll see! C’mon, let’s go!”

“Go?”

“Well duh, aren’t we gonna go watch?”

“I’m afraid not.” Rarity shook her head. “I pinkie promised Twilight I wouldn’t go anywhere near their date.”

“Awww!”

“Which is why I’m bringing the date to us!” Rarity said, stepping up to the mirror she’d prepared. “Do make yourselves comfortable.”

She waited a few moments as Pinkie piled a mountain of pillows on the floor. When she was sure her friends were ready and watching, she lifted a hoof to the mirror, and spoke loudly. “Mirror, Mirror, on the wall–”

“Umm.”

“… Yes, what is it, Pinkie?”

“It’s not on a wall! It’s on a–"

“Yes, a stand, I know. Humor me, please.” Rarity sighed, closing her eyes. “Mirror, Mirror, on the wall–" She paused, glancing at a silent Pinkie. “Which is the most interesting date of them all?”

With the stage thus set, she fired a bolt of magic into the mirror. The surface shimmered briefly, distorting Rarity’s image, until it calmed down moments later.

The image, however, had changed.

“Is that… the restaurant?” Fluttershy gasped, as Rarity turned to smile at them.

“It is! We have the best seats in the house.”

“Hey, where’s the sound?” Pinkie asked, leaning in to poke the mirror.

“Please don’t touch that. The spell is delicate,” Rarity replied, halting Pinkie’s hoof with her magic. “This scrying spell only gives us sight, sadly. In any case, now we wait for the stars to arrive!”

Pinkie tilted her head. “But it’s not night yet!”

“The stars of the show, darling.”

“Who?”

Rarity sighed. “Twilight, Applejack and Rainbow Dash, of course.”

“But you Pinkie-promised!” Pinkie frowned, stepping so close to Rarity, their noses were touching.

Rarity couldn’t help a shiver going down her spine as she stared into Pinkie’s accusing eyes. “I promised not to go near their date. We’re on the other side of town! I have not broken the promise in any way!”

Pinkie continued to stare at her for what seemed like an eternity, until she leaned back with a giggle. “Okay!”

“… Okay? That’s it?”

“Yup! You’re right!”

“Oh.” Rarity blinked. She’d expected far more argument from Pinkie, considering how she’d reacted to Applejack’s trickery back in Dodge Junction. Still, she wasn’t one to look a gift pony in the mouth. “Well then. Shall we?”

“They won’t be very happy about this…” Fluttershy said as her friends joined her.

“Let’s not tell them about this then, yes?” Rarity glanced between the two, smiling as they nodded. “What they don’t know won’t hurt them – Oh! There they are!”

“Why do you know these spells, Rarity?” Fluttershy asked.

“I have my reasons,” Rarity replied. “Just pass the popcorn, please?” She nodded gratefully, not even deigning to ask Pinkie where the popcorn had come from. Far more interesting things were afoot.

“Oh wow, ‘Shy-Shy!” Pinkie gasped. “Dashie looks amazing!”

“I agree, darling. Where did you find such a lovely dress?”

“It’s, um, actually one of Rainbow’s.”

Rarity stared at the image. “Is it now? I would never have guessed. Say, where’s Applejack?”

“Maybe she got lost?” suggested Pinkie.

“No, the restaurant's not that big. Ah, there she is–" she said, the words dying in her throat.

“Oh my…” Fluttershy whispered next to her, eyes wide.

“Like it?” Pinkie asked with a wide grin.

Rarity nodded slowly. “It… is certainly unconventional. But she wears it well. Is it hot in here?” she asked, fanning herself with one of Fluttershy’s wings as the pegasus fanned herself with the other.

Rarity nodded in approval as she watched the mirror. Twilight had just pulled out a chair for Rainbow to sit on.

She hadn’t, however, expected Applejack to do the same. And clearly, nor had Rainbow, as the pegasus looked from one chair to the other.

“What in Celestia’s name are they doing?” Rarity wondered aloud, as Twilight and Applejack seemed to stare each other down, only to blink as Rainbow chose the third seat for herself. As they all took their place, a waiter approached, carrying a set of menus with him.

Pinkie groaned again. “I wish I could hear them!”

“Um, he just welcomed them to the restaurant and asked if they needed a few minutes to decide.”

Rarity’s eyebrows shot up as she stared at Fluttershy in wonder. “How do you know?”

The pegasus shrank from her friend’s gaze. “I can lip read?”

“… Do I want to know why?” Rarity asked.

Fluttershy shook her head, blushing. “… No.”

Rarity frowned, filing the information away for another time. “Very well. But what in Equestria is Rainbow Dash doing?”

“She’s hiding!” Pinkie said, pointing.

“I can see that, darling. The question is, why?”

Rainbow Dash held the menu up, keeping it between her and her marefriends. She’d been staring at it for a while, and hadn’t been able to make heads or tails of it. Tomates à la Provençale? Croûtons? What the hay were those?

She knew if she’d opened her mouth, she’d be making a fool of herself. And right now, looking stupid in front of her marefriends, and the whole restaurant, was the last thing she wanted to do. Fluttershy’s words had made sure of that.

Show them that dinner with them is important to you.

“Have you ladies decided?”

Rainbow jumped slightly as the waiter’s voice startled her. She glanced around and blew a sigh of relief, thankful that nopony had noticed. Still, she stared at the menu, trying to find at least one thing she recognized.

“Yes, I’ll have the plateau courgette et pissenlit please,” she heard Twilight say.

Coor get and piss? Rainbow’s muzzle briefly twisted in disgust, before realizing that Twilight had spoken in Prench. She didn’t know why that surprised her. The egghead was always using that science-talk anyway.

“And to drink?”

“Some orange juice, please.”

“Very well, Princess,” the waiter acknowledged. “And for the gentlestal–" The waiter paused, and gave a quiet cough. “Ahem, pardon me. The gentlemare?”

“I’ll have one of yer Pomme de terre fromage et foin, if it pleases ya,” Applejack replied. Rainbow’s eyes flicked over the menu as she stared at the farmer. Applejack’s accent made the Prench words sound incredibly sexy. She could be ordering the most disgusting meal on the menu and still make it sound like the best thing ever.

Rainbow realized that it was also incredibly distracting. With great effort, she shifted her focus back on the menu.

“Certainly, ma’am,” the waiter continued. “And your beverage?”

Rainbow resisted the urge to smack her face with a hoof. Right. Not like I can read this thing.

“Orange juice sounds real nice right now!” Applejack replied.

Looking real good there, Dash, you can’t even order ri–

“Of course. And for you, ma’am?”

“Wuh?” Rainbow blinked, looking over the top of her menu.

“Your order?”

“Oh, uh. I’d like some hay fr–" Rainbow paused. Come on. You’re at a fancy restaurant and you’re ordering hay fries? She scolded herself. Good start, Dash. Really taking it seriously.

“Ma’am?”

Oh Celestia damn it! “Sorry,” she gulped. “I’ll… I’ll have what they’re having.”

The waiter blinked. “Which one?”

“… Both?” Oh nice job, now you’ll look like a pig!

“Very well. And your drink?”

“Cid– Errr…” Rainbow could feel the drop of sweat crawl down her back. Is cider a serious choice? C’mon, stupid. Show you’re into them. ‘Cause you’re really into them. Just look at how hot they are.

“Cider, ma’am?”

“No!” she blurted, earning a raised eyebrow from the waiter. You’re already messing up don’t mess up don’t mess uuuuup. “J-just water, thanks!”

“Right away.” The waiter nodded and took his leave.

Rainbow flumped back into her seat as she watched the waiter vanish into the crowd, glancing at Applejack as the farmer chuckled. “I’m shocked, Dash.”

Oh Celestia what did I do?

“Huh?”

“Y’aint going for cider?”

Rainbow’s ears flattened against her skull. Had she chosen wrong after all? “Maybe later?” She shrugged, hoping that Applejack couldn’t see how strained her smile was.

Applejack grinned. “Fair enough, we got all night,” she said, relaxing into her own chair. “I didn’t realize they had apple dishes here. Can’t wait t’see what them earth apples are.”

“Earth Apples?” Twilight asked, her eyebrows raised.

“Yeah, those ‘pomme de terre’ thingies.” Applejack shrugged. “Still remember some’a the fancy Prench I learned in Manehattan as a filly.”

“Applejack, you do know you just ordered potatoes, right?”

“… Yer kiddin’.”

Twilight shook her head. “You just ordered potatoes with cheese and hay.”

Rainbow snorted as Applejack frowned, but quickly schooled her expression to hide it. Serious face, Dash. Serious face. Don’t laugh at them.

“That don’t sound too bad, really.” Applejack shrugged.

Rainbow resisted the urge to wipe her forehead. Thankfully, neither of them seemed to see just how nervous she was.

But the date had just started. She still had all night to mess up.

And the more it drug on, the more she felt like she would.

“Booooring!”

“That’s not quite the way I’d phrase it, but for once I must agree, Pinkie.” Rarity grumbled. “What in Equestria are those three doing?”

“Small talk,” Fluttershy said. “Just chatting about the farm and the weather.”

Rarity waved a dismissive hoof. “Not that! Just look at them! They can’t even maintain eye contact!” She squinted at the trio. “I must say, I’ve never seen Rainbow Dash so…”

“Pretty?” Pinkie offered. “Gorgeous? Stunning?”

“No – well, yes, but what I was going for was… passive.”

“Passive?” Pinkie repeated, her head at a tilt.

“Just look at her!” Rarity waved a hoof at the mirror, not noticing how Fluttershy seemed to shrink into herself. “She’s barely said ten words since the date started. Does that sound like Rainbow Dash to you?”

“Nope!”

“Exactly! I – Wait. Where is Applejack going?”

Fluttershy cringed. “I-I didn’t see. I’m sorry!”

“Don’t worry, dear,” Rarity consoled the pegasus, rubbing a hoof on her back. “You can’t be expected to catch everything.”

“Oh, oh! I bet she went to the little fillies’ room!” Pinkie chimed in.

Rarity blinked. “Already? But they just barely started drinking!”

“Actually, me too! Be right back!” Pinkie zoomed off in a flash.

“I always imagined earth ponies had stronger bladders than that.” Rarity shook her head, and turned to face Fluttershy. “Do you have any idea why Dash is acting that way?”

“… Maybe?” Fluttershy squeaked, trying to hide behind her mane. “I just… I just told her to take her date seriously.”

Rarity looked at her friend, then back to the mirror, gazing thoughtfully at Rainbow. “So she takes it seriously by not doing anything? That’s absurd,” she scoffed. “Look at them, they’re not even talking! Oh, Twilight…”

A weight flopped next to Rarity, making her jump, and a brief shriek escaped her muzzle. She turned to face a giggling Pinkie.

“I’m back!”

“A little warning next time, please?”

“Okay!”

Rarity rolled her eyes. “Thank you. Now, where were we?” She blinked in confusion. “Where did Twilight go?”

“She definitely went to the bathroom…”

“Oh, come on!”

“No, no, no… Ugh!” Twilight groaned in frustration as she tossed yet another flashcard aside, where it joined the others in a now overflowing bin. All of them had been almost shockingly unhelpful.

“‘Proper ways to use cutlery’? Really?” She took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down. In the back of her mind she could even hear what Rarity would say.

Well of course! You have to lead them by example!

She shook her head, wondering if she should set that particular card on fire. She couldn’t even begin imagining how table manners would lead the two mares waiting at her table.

One flashcard, however, had given her an idea. Glancing at herself one last time in the restroom mirror, she shook away what nervousness she could and stepped back out into the dining area. She quickly caught sight of a passing waiter and held up a hoof. “Excuse me?”

“Yes?” The waiter asked, his eyes widening as he recognized who the hoof belonged to. “Your Highness?”

Twilight held back the wince. She’d never really gotten used to other ponies calling her that, but she’d managed to learn how to hide it. It did have the occasional perks, though. Flagging down a waiter not assigned to your table without having to wait was but one of them. “Could you bring a bottle of your best wine to my table?”

The waiter nodded, giving her a short bow. “Right away.”

Twilight made her way back to her table, almost faltering once she caught sight of her marefriends again. Her throat was suddenly dry, unable to find the words for just how lucky she was to have both of them.

I really need that drink.

Applejack stopped chatting with Rainbow as she noticed Twilight approaching. She smiled at her, snapping the alicorn our of her torpor. “Hey there, Sugar. We thought you’d gotten lost.”

“Then I hope you were going to send in the guards,” she quipped, grinning.

A grin that faltered quite quickly, as her marefriends stared at her blankly.

Twilight chuckled nervously. “You know. To find me?”

“Darlin’, that was awful,” Applejack deadpanned.

“Yeah, who needs guards when we can put Pinkie on the trail?” Rainbow chimed in, before seemingly hiding behind her glass of water.

Twilight stared at the table, wracking her mind for something, anything to help. She knew her jokes were usually pretty bad, but this had been the worst reaction she’d ever gotten from anypony. Note to self, check out the ‘Self Deprecating Jokes For Dummies’ immediately.

As if her prayers had been heard, two sets of hooves appeared at the edge of her vision.

“Pinkie.”

“Rarity?”

“Am I seeing things, or are there two waiters with two wine bottles?”

“Nope!”

“Oh, good.”

“Nope, you’re not seeing things!”

“… That’s what I was afraid of.” Rarity could feel the twitch in her eye and closed them to in an effort to control it. A deep breath usually did wonders for that, but reopening her eyes just made it worse. “Fluttershy?”

She could feel the pegasus flinch next to her. “Yes?”

“Are Twilight and Applejack offering a toast?”

“Um. Yes?”

“At the same time, I assume?”

“… Yes?”

“Right.”

“Okay…”

“And I’m only imagining the fact that Twilight is glaring at Applejack.”

“Y-yes.”

“And that Rainbow Dash is on her second glass already.” Rarity turned to Pinkie, not waiting for Fluttershy’s answer. “Pinkie, dear?”

“Reporting for duty!”

“You may need to hold me back.”

“Okay!” Pinkie nodded eagerly, pausing to tilt her head at Rarity as the unicorn slowly stood up. “Uh, why?”

“Because, and may Celestia be my witness, I must go smack some sense into those fillies!”

Rarity leapt over Fluttershy, who had taken refuge under her own hooves as the unicorn’s voice rose to a shout. She’d made it to the door, and flung it open with her magic, only to find Pinkie on the other side. The earth pony flung her forelegs around Rarity’s withers, stopping her in her tracks.

“Pinkie, let me go!”

“But you asked me to stop you!” Pinkie grunted, holding the thrashing Rarity in place.

“I know what I said, but it’s my duty to correct this!”

Pinkie shook her head, briefly filling Rarity’s vision with pink hairs. “Nuh-uh! You can’t!”

Rarity stopped fruitlessly trying to move forward. She leaned her head back to glower at Pinkie. “And why not? What in Equestria would stop me?”

“You Pinkie promised,” Pinke stated flatly, staring back at her friend.

Rarity’s eyes widened as she took in Pinkie’s expression. It wasn’t quite a glare, but it was a definite frown. A frown of disappointment, even. “I… I’m sorry, Pinkie,” she mumbled, taking a deep breath to relax herself. “I lost my head there for a moment.”

Pinkie immediately grinned, hugging Rarity. “That’s okay! Now you’ve found it again!”

“Indeed I have,” Rarity said with a chuckle, but she couldn’t hold back a sigh. “It’s just so frustrating to watch.”

“Don’t worry, they’ll be fine!” Pinkie giggled, nudging her friend back into the boutique.

“I hope so, Pinkie. Why don’t you head back? I’ll be along in a minute; I feel I need some tea.”

“Okie dokie lokie!”

Rarity smiled as Pinkie bounded away, silently thankful for her friends. Had Pinkie not been there, Rarity would have likely found herself on the way to do something she’d regret. Pinkie could be counted on to keep her sane, however.

The thought made her pause in mid stride. Well, maybe most of the time. With a quick flick of her magic, she set her teapot on the stovetop’s open flame. She closed her eyes, picturing Rainbow Dash’s dress in her mind. It was quite fetching, and Rainbow wore it well. She’d have to ask the pegasus whether she could get her hooves on it and examine it more closely.

She twisted her mental image of it in her mind, observing it at every angle, until a shrill whistle interrupted her. She lifted the teapot and switched off the stove, and waited a few moments before pouring the water into the waiting teacups she’d prepared.

She smiled as the scent wafted up to her. Music could well soothe a savage beast, but tea could turn a pony to putty. Or at least it did for her. She trotted back to the boutique’s showroom, a trio of cups floating in the air above her head.

“Well, at least the date can’t get much worse,” she said as she flopped back on the mound of pillows, taking care not to spill the tea.

“Um, Rarity?” Fluttershy asked timidly.

Rarity almost flinched. She knew that tone of voice. She’d long since learned to recognize it.

It was the tone Fluttershy used when she had to say something she knew others wouldn’t want to hear.

“Me and my big mouth…” Rarity mumbled as she trotted back to the mirror. “What did I miss?”

“I think Rainbow is drunk.”

Applejack was at a loss for words.

She hadn’t truly known what to expect. Rarity, Fluttershy, and Pinkie had been too cagey for that, and hadn’t breathed a word of their plans other than the location where Applejack now sat.

Despite their secrecy, however, she trusted them. They were her friends and they wouldn’t have planned anything sinister. She’d figured it would be a night of good dining and enjoying the time spent with her marefriends.

Right now, the latter looked rather unsure.

She stared at Twilight for the tenth time that night. Perhaps more. She looked as beautiful as ever: the picture of a princess in the flesh. Applejack had even recognized the dress’ design and had to give Rarity credit. The unicorn knew Twilight’s tastes and making something simple out of a complex gown made Twilight shine even brighter than usual.

Applejack just wished she knew what bee had stung her marefriend. Twilight had been taciturn, even annoyed in some cases. The farmer hadn’t liked the way Twilight had glared at her. They hadn’t lasted long, but it wasn’t the playful kind she was used to. So far, Twilight had remained pretty quiet.

On the other hoof, her silence was nothing compared to Rainbow Dash’s. The usually flighty pegasus was like a shadow of herself. Even when she’d attempted to start a conversation, Rainbow hadn’t spoken more than a couple words strung together. It had felt like she’d gotten the life sucked right out of her.

That, however, had just changed.

“You shoulda seen the look on your faces!” Rainbow giggled, one hoof holding on to her mostly empty glass of wine, the other banging on the table as she laughed at Applejack. “Twilight was all ‘rawr!’ and you’re just sitting there going ‘wut?’ ”

She shared a confused glance with Twilight, wondering at the sudden switch in Rainbow’s behavior. Her eyes widened as she noticed the first bottle of wine they’d opened. Both she and the alicorn had barely touched their first glass, but the bottle was practically two thirds empty.

That left only one pony at the table who could have consumed it. Probably the one who had the bottle within touching distance.

Twilight had clearly come to the same conclusion as her magic surrounded the bottle. “I think you’ve had enough to drink, Rainbow.”

The pegasus stuck her tongue out at Twilight and blew a raspberry. “Whatever, Princess! You just don’t wanna see my moves!”

“I’ve seen your moves, Dash! I just–"

Rainbow cackled, draining her glass. “Not these moves.” She leaned closer to Twilight, waggling her eyebrows. “You never told me where you learned to feathermark… What else did you learn?”

Applejack stared wide eyed at the flustered Twilight, who was attempting to lean away from Rainbow’s wings. One of the blue appendages was inching up Twilight’s foreleg, over her neck, and came to a rest under the mare’s chin, gently tickling it.

As Applejack held down the desire to nuzzle those wings, her eyes widened even more as Twilight lifted a hoof to push the wing away. “Dash, stop it!” she said, not noticing Rainbow’s stricken look. “Not here!”

“But–"

“I mean, seriously?” Twilight waved a hoof to the restaurant. Applejack followed its path, noticing a few eyes were already looking their way. “In public?”

“Twi…” Applejack cautioned. But instead of calming the mare, it only turned Twilight’s ire on herself.

“And you! Stop it!”

“Huh?”

“Stop messing things up!”

“Now wait one apple-pickin’ minute!” Applejack growled, leaning forward. “I ain’t messin’ nothin’!”

“Oh yeah?” Twilight smirked. “What about the chairs?”

“The ch– That’s just bein’ polite!” She said, rolling her eyes. “I dunno if you heard of em, but it’s called havin’ good manners.”

That made Twilight pause, but only for a brief moment. “What about the wine? Whose fault is that?”

“Twi, I ordered one first.”

Twilight blinked. “… Minor detail! And why–"

“Stop!”

Applejack jumped at the shout, as had a large part of the restaurant. Everything was eerily quiet as both she and Twilight stared at Dash.

She’d rarely seen the pegasus look this downcast. Her ears were flat against her skull, her eyes glued to the table, unable to look either in the eye. “Stop. S’all my fault.”

Applejack couldn’t believe her ears. “The hay are you talkin’ about, Dash?”

Rainbow buried her face in her hooves, hiding it from the others as the words poured out of her in a rush. “S’my fault we’re here ‘cause I wanted in with you guys and now I’m just messing it up and you’re fighting and you don’t love me or each other or–"

As one, Twilight and Applejack moved closer to the pegasus, each wrapping a hoof around her shoulders. Their eyes met, and Applejack saw only concern in Twilight’s expression. No doubt Twilight saw the same in her own.

The gesture seemed to have stopped Rainbow’s speech, but the words still seemed to weigh on her. She slowly looked lifted her head and looked at her marefriends in turn. “D’you even really like me?”

“What kinda quest–"

“–ion is that?”

Applejack blinked again, her eyes once again meeting Twilight’s. With a nod, she deferred to the alicorn.

Twilight smiled gratefully, and leaned in to nuzzle Rainbow. “Rainbow, why are you even asking that? Of course we love you!”

Rainbow stared at her, doubt written all over her face. “… Really?”

“We wouldn’t have wanted you in our relationship if we didn’t, silly.” Twilight chuckled, leaning in to peck Rainbow on the cheek.

“Darn tootin’,” Applejack drawled, drawing a giggle from the pegasus. “What gave you th’idea we didn’t?”

Rainbow looked away, once again staring at the table. “Flutters said I should take it seriously,” she answered slowly, hesitating to find the right words. Applejack glanced at the wine bottle and wondered how much of it was doing the talking.

Twilight frowned. “What, the date?” she asked, but Rainbow shook her head.

“Kinda. She said I should… slow down… for you guys?”

“Dash, hon, we like you because you’re fast,” Applejack said, earning a snort from a now-blushing Twilight. Applejack’s eyes widened in realization. “N-not like that, you perv!”

Twilight and Rainbow burst into giggles. The pegasus leaned closer to Applejack, running a feather across the farmer’s cutie mark. “Oh yeah?”

“I-I mean, that’s part of ya!” Applejack stammered, resulting in even more giggles. “Oh fer Pete’s sake…”

“She means you don’t need to slow down for us, Rainbow. We can keep up,” Twilight said, nuzzling Rainbow’s cheek before disentangling herself from the cuddlepile.

Twilight’s eyes met Applejack’s as they both returned to their seats. “And Applejack, I’m sorry. I was just trying to… take the lead, I guess,” she finished lamely, her ears pointing down.

“Don’t ya worry ‘bout it, Twi.” Applejack chuckled. “I can guess what happened there.”

Twilight shook her head. “That’s not all of it. I know what’s wrong now.”

“What, the fact y’all both took bad advice and acted silly?” Applejack chided, grinning.

“No! Well, yes.” Twilight groaned. “Although I would point out you were acting just as silly,” she shot back, although this time she looked more amused than annoyed. “It's something else.”

Applejack’s attention was now fully on Twilight. She knew that expression. And by the look on Rainbow’s face, so did she.

Twilight stared right back at them. “This just isn’t fun.”

Applejack couldn’t help but grin. “An’ I’m guessin’ you got somethin’ in mind?”

Twilight winked at them both. “Maaaaybe.”

“I know what I wanna do.” Rainbow smirked, raising her front hooves onto the table. She leaned on them as she smiled saucily at Applejack. “I wanna tear that suit off you, A.J. With my teeth.”

As Twilight burst out laughing, Applejack wasn’t sure what worried her more: the fact that both Granny and Pinkie had been right on the money or the fact that Dash seemed ready to pounce her right then and there.

Thankfully, she was saved by Twilight getting her laughter under control, raising a hoof to signal a waiter. Almost instantly, one appeared.

“Your Highness?”

“Uh,” Twilight said, momentarily caught off guard. “I’d like one more bottle of wine, please.”

The waited nodded. “Of course. Is there anything else?”

“Yes, and we’ll take our food to go, please.”

The waiter’s eyes flew open in shock. “We do not offer that service here!” he blurted, only to shrink under Twilight’s gaze. “B-but I believe we can make an exception, Your Majesty. I-if you’ll excuse me,” he stammered, bowing as he made his exit.

“Saddle up, girls,” Twilight said as she turned back to her marefriends, grinning triumphantly.

“We’re going roller skating.”

“I’m sorry, Fluttershy, but did she say ‘skating’?”

Fluttershy nodded, still barely trusting her own eyes. “She did, yes.”

“In that dress?” Rarity asked. “In the dress I made?”

“Looks like it!” Pinkie broke in, giggling as she watched the flustered waiters bring the hastily packaged food.

“I see. Well, there is only one thing left to do.” Rarity stood up, lifting a hoof to stop Pinkie from pouncing her once again. “I’m not going after them, Pinkie. I’m doing something far more sensible.”

She took a few steps to the side, out of the way of her friends, and daintily collapsed onto the fainting couch that she had summoned. Fluttershy stared at Pinkie, who shrugged back in return.

“Hey!” Pinkie cried out as her attention turned back to the mirror. “Who turned it off?”

Chapter 08

Journal, Capt. & Prince Cnsrt. S. Armor, 1885-07-13:

Day uneventful. New guard rotation a success. Must recommend Sgt. Whatshismane for promotion. Enlistment still below target – start new recruitment drive early?

Cadence acting odd all week. Reading old law-books and giggling, giving guards strange looks. Guards hitting on wife? Must investigate before reassigning them to Sideeria. No idea why, but suspect all Twi's fault somehow; shall enquire in next bi-annual letter home.

Almost out of armor polish. Shall requisition more tomorrow.

If she was honest, Twilight had to admit she’d woken up with worse headaches before. She was certainly no stranger to drinking. In fact, Celestia had once made it a point to teach her about alcohol upon reaching adulthood – both the good aspects, and the bad.

Twilight had never cursed Celestia’s name quite so vehemently, before or since. She’d also most certainly learned her lesson.

This was more akin to getting poked by one of Rarity’s needles, in comparison to what had, at the time, felt like spears stabbing her in the head repeatedly. A good coffee and some breakfast would fix her right up.

That, of course, implied getting up. And right now, she felt way too heavy to do so. She could barely even move, with something pressing against her on both sides. Something warm. Those same somethings seemed to be pinning her wings to the bed, too.

Mild concern poked its way through her sleep-fogged brain, urging her to wake up. Or at least, if not fully wake up, to crack an eye open so she could survey her surroundings. Having said that, it took her longer than she cared to admit to force herself to actually go through with the idea, but eventually, she found herself staring at a ceiling.

It was a familiar ceiling – her own, in fact. She took comfort she was waking up in a place she knew, and not some pony-forsaken wasteland in the middle of nowhere. Not that that had ever happened to her, but she’d heard stories.

The shifting weights on her wings reminded her of her quest for knowledge, and she turned her head to the right to identify what held her down. This was again no easy task, as the sun filtering through the window’s curtains forced her to squint. That, she rationalized, was the reason why she couldn’t say where the golden glow of the sun stopped, and Applejack’s warmer orange glow started. The earth pony was snuggled up against her, stretched out like some big orange tabby, soaking in all the rays of sun she could.

And despite the few strands of mane poking in all directions, and a coat that looked seriously ruffled, Applejack looked glorious.

Once again, Twilight thanked whatever entity she thought could hear her for bringing her and Applejack together. Her contemplations were interrupted by a loud snort behind her, forcing her to face the other direction.

She made a note to figure out which specific entity she’d need to thank, as she contemplated the other glorious sight resting against her.

Rainbow Dash lay curled up against Twilight, her chin resting upon Twilight’s chest, right next to her heart. The pegasus’s wings were draped over Twilight’s stomach, covering them both like a warm blanket. Her hooves had wrapped around Twilight’s midsection, touching Applejack’s own hooves where the earth pony was hugging Twilight as well.

Twilight smiled as she lay her head back onto the pillows, happy to be the filling of an alicorn sandwich. She then cursed her mind seconds later, as the thought of a sandwich woke the terrible, savage beast that lived in the Library’s confines.

She glowered at her stomach, attempting to will it into silence before it woke her marefriends up. But it was in vain, as first Rainbow, then Applejack seemed to stir from their slumber.

“Ugh… anypony got the number of that carriage?” Rainbow groaned as she pushed herself up. Twilight giggled, lifting her head up to nuzzle Dash on the cheek. The pegasus’s eyes flew open, looking momentarily surprised before her features softened into a smile. “Hey, Twi.”

Twilight smiled back, leaning in to peck Rainbow on the lips. “Morning, Rainbow. Sleep well?”

“Like a log.” Rainbow stood up and stretched, her joints creaking as she extended her limbs. Twilight couldn’t help but stare, her mouth falling open as she watched the athlete’s toned body move in ways she wanted to keep watching forever. Rainbow caught her expression and smirked. “Take a picture, it’ll last longer!”

Twilight blushed, momentarily embarrassed at being caught staring before she realized she didn’t need to be. “Why? I’ve got you here, don’t I?” she asked, tweaking Rainbow’s rump with her magic.

Rainbow cackled. “First thing in the morning, Egghead? I knew I liked you for a reason!” She then glanced at the floor. “Whoa, what did we do last night?”

Twilight blinked in surprise, leaning to the side to get her first good look at her room that morning. Her eyes widened as she took in the scene.

On one side stood her dress, draped over one of the room’s lamps. Thankfully, it seemed to be intact, a feat that she realized was quite amazing as more of her memories of the previous day came flooding back in. She made a mental note to give the skate park owner an apology, especially for how she’d turned the path to ice after a while. And maybe some bits for repairs…

On the other side of her room, closer to the door, Rainbow’s dress lay in a pile, evidently hastily flung off by the pegasus. Applejack’s suit was all over the place – not torn to shreds, unlike what Rainbow had promised, but still in every corner of the room. The coat was near the bed, the tie hung off the door, and the shirt was hanging from a shelf.

With a blush, she remembered that she’d helped Rainbow undress Applejack just as vigorously as the pegasus had. They’d barely made it a few steps past the front door before trying to grope at each other, but she’d managed to corral the grabby pair into behaving until they’d stumbled into her room.

And after that… Twilight only needed to look at the red cards strewn all over her floor to know just what they’d been up to the rest of the night. She glanced at Rainbow, holding back a giggle as she noticed one of the cards stuck in Rainbow’s mane. She quietly fished it out with her magic, tossing it aside.

“Consarn it, can’t ya let a pony sleep in?”

Rainbow stared down at her grumbling stomach as she turned back to face the now awake Applejack. “Nope, too hungry.” She flopped onto the farmer, snuggling up to her like a blanket. “Oh man, you’re warm!”

“Mmph,” Applejack grumbled, but made no move to push the pegasus off. She cracked an eye open, smiling as she met Twilight’s gaze. “Mornin’, Sugarcube.”

Twilight bent down to kiss Applejack. “Morning!” With a grin, she flung the curtains open, letting the light pour into her room, and unfortunately, into her eyes. Wincing, she shaded them with a hoof. “Or afternoon. Ow.”

“Warn a pony when ya do that!” Rainbow groaned, burying her muzzle into Applejack’s shoulder. Her enjoyment was short lived as Applejack lifted herself up, the pegasus sliding off and landing face first onto the mattress with a muffled yelp.

“Afternoon?” Applejack groaned. “Shucks, I oughta head back to th’farm.”

“So soon?” Twilight asked, her ears drooping. She fought the grin that threatened to form as she watched Rainbow wrap her forelegs around Applejack’s midsection.

“Noooo, stay,” the pegasus whined. “You’re too soft to go!”

“At least stay for breakfast,” Twilight offered.

Applejack rolled her eyes. “Fine, but I’m cookin’. I don’t trust either of ya near an oven.”

“I think I should feel insulted,” Rainbow said. “Twilight, should I feel insulted?”

“Didn’t you set your cloud on fire?”

“Dangit, Egghead, you’re supposed to back me up here!”

“C’mon, you two.” Applejack shook her head as she stood up, chuckling. “I’m thinkin’ pancakes sound good right now.” She soon found herself flanked by both of her marefriends, who seemed as eager to reach the kitchen as they were to press up against her. Their mood was infectious, and she found herself smiling widely as they stepped into the library’s kitchen.

Rainbow sat at the table, resting her forehead on it. “Coffeeeee,” she moaned into the wood, her eyes screwed shut.

“Are you alright, Rainbow?” Twilight asked, taking a seat on the other side of the table. She leaned over and placed a comforting hoof on the pegasus’s shoulder. “You did drink a lot last night.”

Applejack chortled as she put on her apron. “Serves her right fer knockin’ so many back.”

“Hey!” Rainbow turned her head, her cheek now flat against the table’s surface. “You drank almost as much as I did!”

“We ain’t lightweights, Dash. We can take it.”

“Yeah, you’re definitely a heavyweight.”

“Are you callin’ me fat again?” Applejack asked sweetly, looking over her shoulder at the pegasus.

“Have you seen your flanks, Applebutt?”

“You want these pancakes or not?”

“Shutting up now, Ma’am.”

“Good girl.”

Twilight shook her head in amusement, barely able to keep herself from bursting into giggles. She sobered up quickly, tilting her head to get a better view of Dash’s face. “Seriously, are you okay?”

Rainbow’s eyes met Twilight’s. She grinned, her cheek still pressed against the table. “I’m fine. As long as I get food, coffee, and this.”

Twilight blinked in confusion. “This?”

Rainbow simply waved a hoof in Applejack’s direction. Twilight gaze followed, and stopped to admire the view of Applejack’s rear, as the earth pony leant up against the stove.

“That.” Rainbow nodded.

Twilight giggled, rolling her eyes. “You’re hopeless.”

“You love it, Egghead.” Rainbow paused, turning her head until her chin rested on the table’s surface. “Looks like you need more help than I do.”

“Huh?”

“Your wings are a mess!”

Twilight shifted a wing and gave it a good look. Rainbow wasn’t kidding. Her feathers were a mess, even by her own occasionally lax standards. She’d never grown up with them, and Applejack only had her own directions to follow, which made for an amateurish job at best.

She jumped as she felt a weight settle behind her, turning her head to stare wide eyed at Rainbow. “Relax, lemme do it.”

Applejack glanced behind her upon hearing that, curious to see Dash in action. She thought she did a pretty okay job when she preened Twilight, but figured she could learn a few tricks from seeing a master at work. The sizzle of the pan behind her quickly drew her attention back to the stove.

She focused on her cooking, keeping an eye on the pancakes until they achieved a perfect golden brown color. With the first stack done, she dipped some more batter onto the pan, when her ear twitched.

She’d picked up a strange noise – a startled gasp. She set the batter bowl down, turning back to glance at her marefriends a second time. Rainbow was licking one of Twilight’s primaries, coaxing it into the right shape and position. Twilight, for her part, had closed her eyes. She’d leaned back into Rainbow’s chest, and Applejack could swear that the alicorn’s muzzle looked a little red.

Once again, she turned back to the counter, grabbing a second plate for this stack of pancakes. She’d just flipped them over, the spatula still in her mouth, when a moan interrupted her thoughts. Blinking, she turned to look again.

Needless to say, distracting one’s cook tends to result in meals getting burnt. This time was no exception.

14th of July, 1885 AFE*

Dear Aunt Luna,

I apologize for my lack of letters these past few days. As we both know, running a nation is busy work, and I’ve been absolutely swamped with paperwork and council meetings and this and that. No problems, thankfully, but they can be dreadfully dull.

So you talked with Rainbow Dash? Then you’re more up to date than I am. I haven’t heard anything from Twilight since that first letter, and Aunt Celestia hasn’t mentioned anything either. Maybe, since you plan to talk to Big McIntosh, you might ask him? It could be a good conversation starter.

I also wanted to take my time considering the idea. After a particularly dull meeting, I decided that these old laws may as well be put to use. It’s certainly something to look forward to.

To that effect, I’ve started a list of potential candidates for my harem. I tried to keep track in my head at first, but the benefit and drawback of being surrounded by Palace Guards is that they are all appealing to the eye. I soon had to resort to a physical list.

My efforts drew Shining Armor’s attention. He approached me, curious as to what was going on; in hindsight, I should have known he would notice any odd interaction between me and his guards.

I explained everything. He was surprised by the existence of these laws, but once I answered his questions he was quite supportive of my desire. I assured him these extra duties were well compensated, and entirely up to the individual; no pony would be forced into this.

I also clarified that only we princesses and our consorts – specifically, those who share our rank through marriage – are eligible. He was greatly relieved to know that ‘Prince’ Blueblood thus cannot take advantage of these laws, as was I once he brought that disturbing thought to my attention.

In any case, Shining was fully in support of my plan, and we are now working together to compile the list. I have the best husband ever.

As for the rest of your letter, I cannot say I’ve had the pleasure of meeting this Cheerilee, though I have heard Twilight and her friends mention her occasionally. She seems like a nice pony. I hope you have as much success approaching Big McIntosh as you have with her.

Yours truly,
Cadance

PS: As for my favorite Wonderbolt, I would have to say Surprise. I love a pony that can make me laugh.

Fluttershy hummed to herself as she trotted past the fence surrounding the Apple family home. It was an absolutely gorgeous day, and the orchard surrounding her felt welcoming and peaceful.

At least, it would have been, if she wasn’t there to ‘clear some varmints’, as Applejack had asked. The farmpony had dropped by the previous afternoon, telling her about the badger hole she’d found in the hill under some of her trees. She was worried the badgers would damage the barks and roots, but their den was too deep for her to try clearing herself.

Fluttershy didn’t always enjoy doing it either. She understood that the animals she spoke with were merely trying to find a home or survive, and Applejack’s orchard was a wonderful place to do so. However, she also understood that the orchard was Applejack’s livelihood, upon which she, her family, and many other ponies in Equestria depended. A few dozen critters, or hundreds, if not thousands of ponies. The choice was easy.

Still, Fluttershy sometimes felt like a landlord evicting tenants from their home.

She paused as she spotted part of the barn’s red wall seemingly moving, before realizing that it was Big McIntosh, his coat almost blending in with the barn’s paint coloring. Letting out a relieved breath, she made her way over to the stallion, who nodded as he noticed her approaching.

“Afternoon,” he rumbled, moving the sprig of grass from one side of his mouth to the other. “Here for them badgers?”

“Hello, Big Mac,” she nodded, turning her head towards the orchard. “Applejack told me about them. Have you seen her?”

The stallion waved a hoof towards a patch of trees. “South fields. Critters are there too. Applejack said they sounded pretty ornery, so be careful.”

“I will, thank you,” Fluttershy reassured him. “They just need a good talking to.”

Big McIntosh looked skeptical, but shrugged and made his way back into the barn. Fluttershy took off, trotting in the direction he’d pointed, realizing after a few minutes she should have asked for better directions. She was about to turn back when her ears twitched, having caught a sound nearby.

As she got closer to it, the noise turned into laughter, which she quickly recognized it as Twilight’s and Applejack’s. Oh, I can ask her instead! She thought, increasing her speed slightly. She noticed the trees clearing up ahead, and figured that the pair were in one of the orchard’s many clearings. As she stepped into it, she stopped in her tracks.

She’d not only found the pair, but Rainbow Dash too. The farmpony was laying on her side, relaxing on a picnic blanket that looked like it had been in the Apple family for generations. Twilight lay on her back, resting her neck against Applejack’s barrel as she listened to Rainbow, who sat next to them, waving her forelegs in the air as she talked.

“So then, one day Dad comes back with a big jar of pure liquid rainbow. Said he figured ‘if it works with ice cream, why not something else?’ “ Rainbow paused in mid sentence to tear a bite off her pie, quickly scarfing it down. “Turns out, he wanted to make a soup out of it.”

“Oh dear Celestia…" Twilight gasped, shaking her head.

“Yeah, that was Mom’s reaction too. She talked him out of it, so instead he used it as sauce for his hay fries,” she said, laughing. “Once he stopped gargling the shower, I swear his mane was shinier than mine. Took a week to go back to normal.”

Applejack guffawed, jolting Twilight as her sides shook. “Lan' sakes, Dash, is your whole dang family a ravin' pack a' loons?”

Rainbow shrugged. “Had to get it from somewhere. But that wasn’t the worst part!”

“There’s more?” Twilight asked, staring in shock.

Movement out of the corner of Fluttershy’s eye cut her eavesdropping short. Focusing on whatever had distracted her, she gasped as she caught sight of a badger cub. With a few flaps of her wings, she approached the young animal, crooning quietly as to not startle it.

“Hello, little one. Are your parents around?” she asked, waiting patiently as the cub chattered a question in return. She forced herself to back a laugh. “Don’t worry, you’re not in trouble. I just want to talk to them about something else.”

Now free of the worries of being scolded, the youngster happily lead Fluttershy to his home. As it turned out, the family had just recently discovered the orchard and claimed it as their territory, unaware that it was owned by the much larger ponies. The male had argued, pointing out that the orchard covered way more land than the pony could live in, not caring when she pointed out the Apple family had lived here for generations. He’d finally given in when Fluttershy had suggested the White Tail Woods a bit further along, with only little haggling to sweeten the deal.

Satisfied she’d done her job with little hassle, she turned back and made her way to the clearing where she’d found her friends. This time, however, her approach was marked by strange sounds. Thumps, grunts, and giggling laughter grew louder as she got closer. She paused, just out of sight, heat rushing to her cheeks as her mind added two and two together.

They aren’t… are they?

She took a step back, eager to leave her friends to their privacy, when she heard Twilight start counting. “One! Two! Three!”

“Give up, cowgirl?” she heard Rainbow ask, slightly out of breath.

“Four!”

“Never!” Applejack growled back. “It… urgh! It ain’t over yet!”

“Five!”

“Come on… A.J.!” Rainbow grunted, ignoring Twilight’s count. “You can’t break out!”

“Seven!”

“Just. You. Wait!” Applejack said, straining each word.

“Eight!”

“Give up!” Rainbow yelled.

“Never!”

“Nine! Ten!” Twilight cheered. “Winner of the Impromptu Iron Pony Wrestling Match. Rainbow Dash!”

“Aww yeah!”

Fluttershy sighed in relief, glad that she hadn’t interrupted anything. Not that she actually had. But she could have. It would’ve been rude.

“You ready for the second round?” Twilight asked, and Fluttershy could swear she heard the smile.

“Huh?” Rainbow panted. “S-second round?”

“Winner takes on the loser and the local princess in a tickle fight!”

“Wait what no no no no–” Rainbow’s cries dissolved into the girliest shriek Fluttershy had ever heard her make. As the other two started giggling, Fluttershy simply smiled and took her leave. Even if they weren’t doing… that, she still didn’t want to interrupt. That just wouldn’t be nice.

As she stepped out of the trees and back onto the barn grounds, she spotted Big McIntosh stepping out of the orchard as well. She trotted up to him with a smile.

He nodded to her as he made his way to the barn, grunting under the weight of the overloaded apple baskets he was carrying. “All done?”

Fluttershy smiled happily. “Yes, they’re going to move to the White Tail Woods tomorrow. They just…"

“Hm?”

“Um. They just want to be escorted there. For safety.” She looked up at Big McIntosh’s face, her ears flat against her head. “Would you?”

“Eeyup.”

“Thank you.” Fluttershy sighed in relief. “I… I also saw Applejack,” she added, and continued when he answered with a raised eyebrow. “She was with Twilight and Rainbow.”

“Havin’ fun?” he asked, smiling as she nodded.

“Yes…" Fluttershy blushed, remembering what she had thought they were doing. “N-not that way, though.”

Big McIntosh snorted in amusement, but nodded again. “She's good fer em.”

Fluttershy tilted her head. “Really? How?” She blushed, realizing how she sounded. “I-I mean, I know she is! I didn’t mean she isn’t! I’m sorry!”

Big McIntosh chuckled, pushing the barn door open with his head. “I know.” He remained silent as he took a few more steps, then bent down and let the baskets slide off his back and onto the ground. He stood back up and looked at Fluttershy.

"They smile more. A.J. 'n Twi both."

Fluttershy blinked. “That’s it?”

“Ain’t that enough?”

Fluttershy turned her head, facing where she knew the trio was as she considered Big McIntosh’s words. As far as he was concerned, Rainbow made Twilight and Applejack happy. That was all there was to it.

It was a simple answer, and perhaps the only one that mattered.

19th of July, 1885 AFE

Dearest Cadance,

Thank you for your letter. I fully understand the desire for a bit of relaxation, so to speak. I’ve had little time myself to expand my list, as, even with Celestia shouldering most of the work, court duties take up much of my time. I cannot imagine how she dealt with it alone for a thousand years.

As I mentioned in an earlier letter, Celestia is aware of my intention. She does not entirely approve, as she’s always been more for single relationships, but she does not oppose my desire to pursue this. She even offered advice, suggesting that I take things slow and not rush. Thus, I will keep Surprise in mind, but I wanted to speak with Big McIntosh and Cheerilee first.

In fact, I had planned to approach him within the next few days, after seeing how well Shining Armor reacted. It is comforting to know that your husband is a wonderful pony, and I will make sure not to approach the guards, or the Wonderbolts, without explaining myself first. And I will take every measure to keep this from reaching Blueblood’s ears.

In any case, as mentioned, I had planned to approach Big McIntosh, but having never truly met him face to face before, I visited Cheerilee once more at her home. I wanted to discuss the best way to talk to him, and open him up to the idea of joining my harem. As per an earlier written request of mine, she had not yet approached him with the idea. I decided it would be of greater benefit to talk with her first.

At least, that was the plan. We ended up discussing the lesson plans she had prepared for the next few months, including history, mathematics, and economics. I have also found that, much like fair Twilight, she is an avid reader. While her personal library could not match Twilight’s, her taste is impeccable. Have you ever heard of the novel ‘Asstec’? It is a piece of historical fiction, describing the life of an Asstec scribe during the height of the empire’s power. I visited Marexico and Veneighzuela during those times, and the writer has masterfully recreated the setting.

We never even reached the topic of Big McIntosh, as we kept leaping from one subject to another. Eventually, Cheerilee could hardly stay awake, and so I took my leave. I truly did not realize I’d forgotten what I visited her for until I’d lowered the moon. I shall have to visit her again.

But enough of me. Have you narrowed down your list to any particular names?

Yours truly,
Luna

Peace and quiet.

These were some of the most important things to have in life, whether during relaxation or during work.

Rarity did not completely shun noise, however. She liked concerts, theatre, and a number of other noisier venues. But she preferred relaxing at home, reading a good book while listening to a record or two.

It was much the same way with her work – she was no stranger to noise, if spending those hours in that Manehatten hotel slaving away at those dresses with her friends was any indication. But on her own, she preferred the relaxing sound of her sewing machine.

The fact that the cutie mark crusaders, along with all the other foals from school, were in the Crystal Empire on a ski trip to the Crystal Mountains was just icing on the cake.

Not that she didn’t love her sister dearly, as well as her two friends. But the fillies had a well-deserved reputation for mischief, mayhem, and massive amounts of noise. And that simply would not do.

Peace. Quiet. And most importantly, no interrup–

“Half of that one was boring as hay!” Rainbow said. “There’s no way it’s the best Daring Do book!”

Rarity sighed as the Boutique’s door swung open. The Cutie Mark Crusaders might be on the other side of Equestria, but the town still had plenty of noisemakers left over.

“It is, and I’ll tell you why,” Twilight exclaimed, pointing a hoof at Rainbow as she, Rainbow, and Applejack stepped into the Boutique’s parlor. “Rosetta Stone!”

Rarity stood blinking. She glanced at Applejack, who rolled her eyes in a way that spoke of a terribly long suffering. “How long?” Rarity asked, whispering.

“Half ‘n hour already,” Applejack whispered back.

“Rosetta?” Rainbow repeated, once she’d stopped laughing. “Seriously? She’s boring and you know it! I fall asleep whenever she gets chapters!”

If Twilight’s eyes had been knives, Rainbow would have been skewered by now. “Boring?! Well excuse me, not every character can be as daring as, er, Daring–”

“Exactly, Egghead!” Rainbow threw her forehooves in the air. “That's what I'm saying!”

"But other characters having a spotlight drives the story forward, and you're left wondering what's happening with the main character – plus, her story helps with Daring's, even if they're not in the same place. Side-stories help deepen the setting!”

“But they're boring!”

Applejack sighed, and pushed her hat up to better shoot a glance at Rarity. “Scuse me a sec, Rares.”

Rarity smiled, stepping back as she got a sense of what was coming. “Of course.”

“Dash!” Applejack barked, raising her voice over the arguing pair. “Who does Darin' bring her stuff to?"

Rainbow blinked as she considered the sudden question. “Er… Rosetta?”

“And does Darin’ usually know how much a piece is worth?”

“Kinda–”

“Or do all the research? Uncover' all that history?”

“No, but–”

A.J. turned to Twilight. “And who finds these trinkets?”

“Daring, but–”

“‘Zactly. Does Rosetta go after them?”

“Rarely, she usually stays back to catalogue all the discoveries–”

“So no flyin'?”

“She's a unicorn–”

“No escapin' traps?”

“No, but–”

“No fighting cats and that Azoot guy?”

"Ahuizotl–"

Applejack glanced back at Rarity and rolled her eyes once again, forcing Rarity to hide a giggle with a hoof. “Dash, just 'cause she ain't Darin’ doesn't mean she's nopony. Darin' wouldn't know what to do with the stuff she brought home. And Twi, even though some background characters probably help out a lot, the books ain't the 'Rosetta Stone Adventures’ fer a good reason. Now, will y’all let me get on with my business?”

“Not a social call, then?” Rarity asked as the chastised ponies nodded sheepishly.

“Nope. Got somethin’ I was hopin’ you could fix. Those two jus’ tagged along ‘cause they were bored and saw me walkin’ past,” Applejack added as the fashionista raised an eyebrow to the pair.

Rarity smirked. “My, you three are practically attached at the hip! Don’t you ever do anything in pairs anymore?”

“Nah, this is more fun,” Rainbow answered, earning a pair of yelps as she swatted both her marefriends’ rumps with a wing. “Now I can keep both wings busy!”

“Rainbow!” Applejack growled, her cheeks tinging red. “Anyway,” she continued, turning back to Rarity. “Big Mac needs this fixed,” she said, unclasping the flap of one of her saddlebags.

With a flourish of magic, Rarity floated the item in question out into the open, eyeing the gash in Big McIntosh’ Ponytones sweater. “How did this happen?”

“He’s getting fat,” Rainbow suggested, ducking the orange hoof swiped at her head.

“Got caught on a nail in his closet,” Applejack explained, glaring at the giggling pegasus. Her eyes slid to the fourth pony in the room. “Twi? You okay, darlin’?”

Twilight snapped out of her reverie. “Hm?”

“Yer jus’ mighty quiet there. You okay?”

Twilight nodded rapidly. “Just thinking about, uh, some projects of mine. Yep.” She frowned as her friends all raised an eyebrow at her. “Really!”

“Alrighty then,” Applejack said, and turned back to Rarity. “Can you fix it?”

“Of course, darling! I’ll have this done in a jiffy. Come back in an hour?”

Applejack smiled. “Will do. Thanks.” She cleared her throat, drawing Rainbow’s attention away from the ball of yarn she was playing with. “Lunch, you two?”

The pegasus nodded, yarn completely forgotten. “Hayburger?”

“Sounds good t’me.”

Rainbow bounced to her hooves. “Last one there pays! Onetwothreego!”

Applejack laughed as Rainbow zoomed away. “Wait up, ya cheatin’ varmint!” She poked Twilight, who was again lost in her thoughts. “You comin’?”

“Huh?”

“Hayburgers. Last one there pays. Dash is already gone.” Applejack pointed a hoof out the door.

“No problem.” Twilight grinned, her horn shining. The next instant, the pair vanished in a purple flash.

Rarity chuckled, shaking her head as she magicked the door closed. She eyed the sweater critically, making note to check her own closet for stray nails; there seemed to be an epidemic of them recently.

As the door swung shut, she could swear she heard the distant cry of a familiar scratchy voice.

“Oh, come on!”

22nd of July, 1885 AFE

Dear Aunt Luna,

I am pleased to hear that your planning is going well. If you want my advice, I think you should discuss the matter with miss Cheerilee some more. Perhaps over dinner, at a nice restaurant? That certainly can help the ideas flowing. And perhaps some music. I’ve also heard candles as lighting helps with creativity.

While I spent a day in the Crystal Mountains with the Ponyville foals, Shining Armor spent the time coming up with a plan to introduce the idea of a harem to the prospective members. We’d settled on a list of two dozen ponies, and in the end decided to perform some interviews with them in Shining’s office.

I opted for honesty – laying out all the facts immediately and clearly. Shining, on the other hoof, felt it was to be more cautious and withhold the true nature of our interest until the end of the interviews, instead introducing it as a special assignment at first. We proceeded with Shining’s method, at least for the first dozen or so interviews.

Let us just say that I won’t regale you with the details here, but the candidates were… less than stellar. They are certainly fine guards, or castle attendants, but they are most certainly not fitting for a harem. Especially the third one

Ignore that; I shouldn’t tell tales. In any case, we tweaked our methods somewhat, and I believe we struck gold: one of our unicorn guards, a mare named Roan d’Arc. I knew I liked her as soon as she stepped into the office, and the next fifteen minutes didn’t dissuade me in the slightest. She is intelligent, funny, and quite a looker too. I know Shining thought the same, despite the professional air he was putting on. I know him too well to not see through that.

So it seems we have our first member. She was initially surprised when we revealed the purpose of this interview, but took it in stride. I do believe we’ll revise our methods before attempting to find any more, however.

Yours truly,
Cadence

PS: Miss Cheerilee accompanied the Ponyville foals. I took a moment to speak with her. She truly is a lovely pony. Don’t forget to talk to her over dinner! And tell me the results!

“Girls? I’ve been thinking.”

Applejack leaned her head away, instantly missing the warmth of Twilight’s neck. They’d been lying on the top floor balcony of Rainbow Dash’s home, waiting for the sunset. On Twilight’s other side, Applejack could see Rainbow match her movements. The pair stared at the alicorn, sharing a glance with each other at the tone with which the words were spoken.

“Dash?” Applejack asked.

“Yeah?”

“D’you got any parachutes stashed?”

“Next to the anvils.”

“Anvils?” Twilight and Applejack repeated, confused.

“You never know when you’ll need an anvil!”

“Why would you need anvils in a cloud-ho–” Twilight paused and frowned at the giggling pegasus. “Dash! This is serious.”

Applejack’s own chortles immediately stopped. “Somethin’ wrong, Sugar?”

“Well, not really. I’ve just been thinking. About us,” Twilight explained. “About what Rarity said.”

“Ooh boy,” Rainbow groaned theatrically, her grin wilting at the pair of stares pointed her way. “What? Who knows what she filled your head with! Spill it, Egghead.”

Applejack nodded. “Rarity kinda talks a bunch, Twi. Yer gonna have to be a bit more specific.”

Twilight couldn’t help the grin from forming. “You two are terrible. I should tell her how you two talk about her behind her back.” Her expression turned serious once more. “It’s what she said a few days ago.”

“Still a lot–”

“Hush.” Twilight nudged Rainbow, earning a playful eyeroll. “She said we don’t do anything in pairs anymore.”

“Well yeah, ‘cause it’s more fun with the both of you,” Rainbow said. Applejack nodded in agreement. “Why, you don’t think so?”

Twilight shook her head. “I never said that!” She stared at the horizon, watching the sun dip towards the ground. “I love it. I love this. And I love both of you.”

Applejack flicked her tail, laying it above Twilight’s own. “So what’s th’problem?” She glanced back as she felt a weight on her tail, smiling as she saw that Rainbow had had the same idea.

“It’s not a problem, really.” Twilight sighed. “It’s just… this relationship isn’t just about us, you know?”

Rainbow blinked. “Huh? What, it’s about Fluttershy and the others too?”

The alicorn shook her head. “Not what I meant. But… Why Fluttershy specifically?” Twilight grinned. “Still got a thing for her? Should we be worried?”

“N-no! Never!” Rainbow sputtered. “I love you guys! I just–” Rainbow sighed as she noticed the grinning faces. “It was nice, y’know? But I’d never leave you guys hanging.”

“I know. I just couldn’t resist.” Twilight nuzzled Rainbow’s cheek, chasing away the pegasus’s pout. “I meant something else though. Let me put it this way. You guys think this relationship is about all three of us, right?”

“Uh, yeah? I didn't think I was that bad at countin', Twi.”

Twilight rolled her eyes. “Okay, fine, it is about the three of us. But do you know how many variations you can make with three ponies? How many different ways to look at our relationship there are?”

“With eyes and…" Dash twisted her face. “I got nothing.”

“No, I mean in numbers. There’s seven.”

“Seven?” Applejack repeated.

Twilight pointed a hoof at Applejack. “You and me. You and Rainbow.” She pointed the hoof at Rainbow. “Rainbow and Me.”

“That’s three, Egghead.”

Twilight stuck her tongue out at the pegasus. “I wasn’t done. It gets more complex here.” Her horn shone, and three different pairs of cutie marks appeared in the air, each pair in its own little bubble. “If you’re taking two of us as a couple, that leaves the third alone, and you also have to count that. Me alone, Applejack alone, you alone. That makes six.” Beneath each pair a new bubble appeared, containing the missing third cutie mark on its own.

Applejack nodded in comprehension. “An’ the seventh is all three of us t’gether?”

“Exactly. And we know that works just fine,” Twilight said, adding a final bubble with all three marks, then immediately crossing it out. She grinned and opened her wings, settling one on each of her marefriends’ backs. “But what about the rest?”

Rainbow held up a hoof, her brow furrowed. “Wait, hold up. Aren’t those the same thing as the first three?” she asked, pointing a hoof at the three solo marks.

Twilight shooked her head. “Not exactly. Opposite sides of the same coin, really. It’s no good if the couple works out fine but the other pony is left feeling jealous, for instance. I mean, I’d hate being left behind.” Twilight’s eyes widened as the words left her mouth. She quickly pressed on, her magic drawing circles around the three pairs. “But I think these are more important. We essentially have three couples. But we’re so focused on the three of us together that we haven’t really tested that out.”

“We haven’t?” Applejack smirked. “I musta imagined the last eight months, then.”

Twilight leaned in, planting a peck on Applejack’s lips. “Trust me, I know we work,” she purred. “But we haven’t really tried it since Rainbow stepped into the picture. She’s changed things.” She faced Rainbow, kissing the pegasus as well. “In a good way.”

“Well, duh!” Rainbow grinned.

“Still, I think we should do some tests,” Twilight continued, turning back to Applejack. “We should each take Rainbow on a date, one on one, and also take each other on a date. To see if anything’s different.”

“Hey, don’t I get a say in this?” Rainbow asked, raising an eyebrow at her companions.

Twilight’s ears wilted, and Applejack blinked. “Y’don’t wanna do this?”

Rainbow laughed. “Relax, I do. I’m just messing with ya.”

“Oh, good…" Twilight breathed a sigh in relief. She glanced at the farmer. “Uhm, do you mind if I…?”

“Hm?” Applejack glanced at Twilight, then Rainbow, then back at the alicorn. Her lips curled into a smile. “I don’t mind, Sug’.”

Twilight beamed, and nuzzled Applejack’s cheek. “You’re the best.” Smiling, she turned to the pegasus. “Rainbow, do you want to go on a date?”

The words had barely left her mouth before Rainbow’s enveloped hers in a kiss. She leaned into it, savoring the feeling.

“Usually th’kiss is after the date, Dash.”

“Great job ruining the mood, Applebutt!”

Author's Note

* After the Foundation of Equestria, by the unified Three Tribes.