“Applejack, darling, is there any party that you can’t ruin by bringing your food cart?” Rarity chided, stepping down from the chariot.
Rarity would have been a vision in the elegant blue dress fringed with diamonds that currently adorned her, save for if it wasn’t torn straight down the side, ruffled around the collar, wrinkled beyond repair and stained with greasy golden splotches of apple strudel, pie and fritter. She had approximately three horseshoes gracing her feet and one floating behind her head that had been demolished beyond recognition.
“Well ‘xcuse me for wantin’ to try and boost my family’s business like you do your own at every event ya go to!” The farmpony snapped back, landing behind her with frustrated stomp.
Behind her came Twilight, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, and Rainbow Dash, all looking just as haphazard. Two weeks prior they had been invited to a garden party organized by the Princesses. This was supposed to be a thank you party for upper crust ponies, low nobility, and heroes of Equestria like the elements themselves, but what had occurred had nearly destroyed the clearing set aside for the gathering, and while deeply insulting all the upper-crust ponies, left Princess Luna rolling on the floor like a little filly and Princess Celestia happily content that another one of her events had been, well, eventful.
“Girls can you please stop fighting? You’ve been arguing the whole way back and even though we nearly set the place on fire, the Princesses said everything was fine and nopony got hurt!” Twilight Sparkle pleaded.
She was marginally incorrect there, they had set the place on fire. Applejack had decided to bring along her apple cart with her, but when a certain ultra-sheltered, three-times-removed-from-royalty-yet-his-family-still-acts-like-they-weren’t, colt had sampled an apple fritter, and then found out he was deathly allergic to apples, all tartarus broke loose. In his fit a medic on standby had tried to calm him down, but accidentally knocked over one of the stove tops warming the spread. As a fire started growing animals from the edges of the garden panicked and stampeded, ponies got bumped, shoved and yelled at, and someone in a heroic attempt to save the day kicked away a spare propane tank with such force it flug across the lawn and rolled right under the Apple cart. And started to leak. Next to another full propane tank. The resulting blast was less of an explosion, and more of a concussive pop, but still shattered the cart and sent Apple confectionery flying everywhere, much to the rampaging animals delight.
Scratched, bruised, and exhausted the mane six made their way towards the center of town, where they would branch off to all go home.
“When I promote my boutique I don’t stand next to the buffet table trying to hock some unrefined Apple treat at everypony!” Rarity shot back.
“Unrefined?!”
Applejack spread her hooves in a halt, turning to face her accuser directly. “I know fer certain that you think my Apple treats are the tastiest things in Equestria!”
Rarity sputtered. “Well...that may be true, but it still doesn’t account for you always having to bring your rustic cart along to everything! Especially if it’s to the royal gardens!” Rarity shot back.
“Well at least I spend my time at these here get-togethers havin’ some fun while I’m selling! All you ever do is go on about high fashion an’ proper Etiquette, trying to sell off froo-froo dresses!” The Farmpony nearly shouted.
“GIRLS!!!” Twilight shouted at the top of her lungs. All eyes settled on her. “Stop fighting!” You’re friends! It wasn’t anypony’s fault! It was an accident that ruined the night, not anypony in particular! And a little bit of frustration is no reason to shouting insults at one of your PFF’s!
“PFF she may be,” Rarity began, “but Applejack is certainly the most difficult of us to get along with! Every gathering has to a be a wholesale!”
“Look who's talkin’ miss high class business-pony!” Applejack seethed. “I didn’t do nothin’ wrong and you’re bein’ rude only cuz another opportunity to be high class an’ proper got blown to bits!”
“Like the apple cart” Rainbow whispered to Pinkie Pie. Rainbow turned her head to see the reaction her joke got, only to be startled by her pink friends expression.
“Uh, you okay Pinks?” Rainbow asked out aloud.
Up until a minute ago Pinkie Pie had been happily bouncing alongbehind her friends, but had now slowed to a trot. Pinkie’s eyes drooped, nervously flicking between Rarity and Applejack. While her mane remained as poofy as ever, her demeanor and speed were fading fast, and a deep frown adorned her face.
At Rainbow’s question the others stopped and turned to look at their pink friend, save for Rarity and Applejack who continued to trade blows.
“What’s the matter Pinkie?” Twilight asked, her voice shaky.
“Friends aren’t supposed to fight. Well, sometimes, but not like this. They’re being mean to each other!” The pink earth pony exclaimed.
“Well that’s the last straw!” came an exasperated yell with a strong southern drawl. “I’ve had it with you tryin’ to be all high and mighty and puttin’ me down just come something went wrong and even though it weren’t my fault, I’m your go to target, just cuz I’m not ‘couth’ enough for ya!”
“That’s not even a word!” retorted the fashionista. “And not your fault? If your apple cart hadn’t been there, none of this would have happened!”
“What’re you talkin’ ‘bout?” If I didn’t have my cart, the tank still woulda exploded!”
“Maybe but at least we wouldn’t all have been showered in Apple a la mode!”
“Huh? There wasn’t any ice cream.”
Rarity stopped fuming and turned up her nose. “Actually for once Applejack I agree with you, this is indeed the last straw. I need to have a break from farmpony for a while, so I don’t wish to see you for at least a month!”
“Fine by me! It’ll be nice to not be told how I’m supposed to ‘properly’ live my own life for once!”
As both girls huffed and started to proudly trot away, a pink ball of fury erupted.
“NOW WAIT JUST A MINUTE!”
The entire group looked on, stunned by Pinkie’s outburst.
“YOU TWO ARE FRIENDS! PFF’S FOR PETE’S SAKE! AND YOU’RE GONNA FIGHT AND ABANDON EACH OTHER JUST CUZ OF SOME SILLY APPLESPLOSION?! YOU TWO NEED A REMINDER OF WHY YOU’RE BOTH ELEMENTS OF HARMONY. THIS WEEKEND I’M PUTTING YOU THROUGH THE FRIENDSHIP RINGER! AND BY SUNDAY YOU TWO WILL BE FRIENDS AGAIN OR SO HELP ME CELESTIA ILL BAKE BOTH OF YOU INTO A BATCH OF CUPCAKES AND FEED YOU TO EACH OTHER SO AT LEAST YOU CAN SEE HOW SWEET YOU BOTH SHOULD BE!
Pinkie stood, chest heaving, eyes filled with fire. Everybody’s jaw was on the floor. Applejack shakily composed herself.
“Sorry Pinkie, but I ain’t putting up with Rarity anymore, ain’t no way, no how!”
“And no way am I sitting through a friendship ‘ringer’ if it’s with her!" Rarity shot back.
Both girls turned and raced off, exteriors like rock but insides trembling.
Pinkie turned, expression still stone, and slowly walked towards Sugarcube corner.
“What are you going to do now Pinkie?” Fluttershy asked, wilting under Pinkie’s gaze as the normally bubbly earth pony turned her attention to the pegasus.
“Don’t worry Fluttershy, I’ll get their smiles.” Pinkie calmly explained. A sly grin spread across her lips while she began to walk off. “Pinkie Pie always gets their smiles.”
~~~
“OW! Consarnit!”
The road to Sweet Apple Acres had been mostly quiet, save for the hoof steps of an orange farmpony who was now face down in the dirt.
“Stupid slippers!” Applejack mumbled while desperately trying to untangle herself.
“Stupid dress!”
As her temper flared, she whipped her head around, bit down on the hem of the dress and yanked back. A large tear rang out as three separate pieces of a once beautiful gown flopped to the ground unceremoniously.
“STUPID RARITY!”
She sat there on the ground, panting out her anger.
“That mare can be so uptight sometimes.” the farmpony said quietly to herself. “I didn’t mean to ruin the party. It wasn’t my fault. But there she goes insulting me and my own. She makes it so difficult sometimes to be her friend!”
“Well I may not agree with you, but I’m not disagreeing with you.” Pinkie Pie said nonchalantly.
“WHAT THE HAY?” PINKIE WHERE’D YOU COME FROM?”
Pinkie Pie turned and gave her friend a deadpanned stare.
“Right” Applejack muttered, giving in to the enigma that was Pinkie Pie.
“Ya know, what I said earlier wasn’t a choice.” Pinkie Pie said.
“Come again?” Applejack said nervously.
“Rarity may be difficult to be friends with, but you’re stubborn too. And when you put you two in a bad situation it’s like putting two cats in a sack together! Also don’t ever tell Fluttershy I said that or alluded to knowledge of such an instance in anyway.”
Before applejack could respond, Pinkie continued.
“You two are spending tomorrow, Friday, Saturday and Sunday going through my own friendship rejuvenation experience!”
Applejack looked to her friend expecting a happy wild face, but got only a serious expression in return.
“Pinkie, there is no-”
“This isn’t something you can back out of. Be there and be on time, or I’ll come get you myself.”
Pinkie’s eyes were full of fire, yet her glare was as cold as stone. She emphasized her point by poking on hoof into Applejack’s chest as she finished, then turned and walked off into the orchard.
Applejack knew there was no getting out of this.
By the time she had made in back to her home, the moon was rising. The sun had long been set and the night was thick, but still relatively early. Applejack walked in, knowing her hard working family would definitely be asleep by now. She checked the mail as she made her way to the stairs.
“Junk...junk....bills....invoice for apple export....junk....what’s this?”
The brightly colored flyer had images of hotels, bits, and bright lights everywhere.
“Offer for two ponies to spend three nights, four days in Las Pegasus? Either come with a friend or let yourself be paired with one roommate of our choosing and fill our empty hotel rooms at, holy cow eighty percent off?!”
Applejack inspected the flyer carefully. High quality card stock, the best unicorn magic powered photo printed images and professional grade designing only pointed to this being a legitimate flyer from a real company.
“I’ve never even been to Las Pegasus before! I never could afford it, but at this price. No, I have work to do here. even if Pinkie-
This isn’t something you can back out of. Be there and be on time, or I’ll come get you myself.
The words and the pink pony’s stern face hung in Applejack’s mind.
“Pinkie won’t get me one bit of rest here, and if I’m in Las Pegasus, she won’t be able to set me up through a ‘rejuvenation experience,’ whatever that is.” the farmpony thought out loud.
“Besides, after Rarity and the garden party, I could use a break.”
Applejack smiled to herself, then headed upstairs to pack. She could tell her family in the morning when they all woke at the crack of dawn, right now she needed to make sure she could get out of dodge, or Ponyville for the matter, before Pinkie could find her.
~~~
“GET BACK HERE I’M NOT DONE TALKING TO YOU!”
Rarity raced as fast as she could avoiding a certain pink baker who had tried to inform her that her presence at a certain friendship rehab was mandatory.
“Pinkie just go away I am NOT going to your silly class thing!
“It’s a rejuvenation experience and I’m not asking!”
Rarity knew she couldn’t outrun Pinkie, eventually the earth pony’s endurance would win out. As she saw her home approaching, a light bulb flicked on in her head. She abruptly turned down a side street, the pink pony in hot pursuit. another turn and she was heading the opposite direction from home.
Alright Rarity just like Twilight said, the fashionista thought to herself. Imagine your destination, connect your magic, build..and pull!
In a sapphire flash Rarity appeared in the Carousel Boutique, exhausted but safe. She knew Pinkie wouldn’t connect the dots, at least not right away at first, so for the moment she was safe. But she still had the weekend ahead of her.
“Think Rarity think!” she voiced out loud to herself. “I need to find a way to get out of Pinkie’s hair-brained scheme! What’s this?”
A certain flyer with dazzling lights lay on her kitchen table in her mail pile.
“Las Pegasus hmm? Couldn’t hurt to break out my hotel and casino cards again. Yes this is just perfect. And such good rates too!”
The white unicorn hummed happily to herself as she reviewed the ticket to her escape.
~~~
The deal for the hotel room in Las Pegasus had been fairly straightforward. Apparently the flyers had been a promotion from the city of Las Pegasus to other cities in Equestria in an attempt to drum up business after major events in the city such as large shows or rare performances concluded. All Applejack had to do was bring the flyer to the mayor’s office, sign up for the offer and the mare behind the desk gave her the voucher and a list of hotel’s it would work at.
“Now you just have to make sure to follow the three nights four days rule, room with your randomly assigned roommate and the deal is all yours. If you don’t follow the rules you’ll simply have to pay full price.” Said the cheery secretary
“You know I’m surprised you came across one of these. They are in every major city but usually are only spread from friend to friend, and certainly only among the most wealthy and well connected. You must have some good friends.”
“Actually I just found this in my mail yesterday.” Applejack responded.
“Really? Well lucky you I guess! Have a nice trip!” Replied the mare.
As Applejack walked towards the train station, her mind kept bugging her.
I wonder how this ended up in the mail. If only the most well connected ponies get these things, then how come it came to me? Well best not to look a gift pony in the mouth i guess. She thought to herself.
By the time she arrived at the platform, the train was waiting. However as she headed to her car, train ticket in hand (another part of the deal), she spotted a recognizable pony. A white unicorn with a perfectly done up mane and eight tons of luggage. And she was staring daggers directly back at her.
“And pray tell where exactly are you going?” The unicorn practically spat.
“It’s none of your darn business, but between you and Pinkie I’ve decided to get a little R&R and head over to Las Pegasus if you must know!” The farmpony snapped.
“WHAT?! Oh nonononono, you are NOT going to Las Pegasus the exact same time I am as well. You’ll have to move your trip.” Rarity said, her eyes closed and her nose turned up and away.
“No way! This deal only works for this weekend, I’m all booked up, and I ain't never even been! Besides why in the hay would I move my trip for the likes of you?” Applejack replied.
“You’ve never been to Las Pegasus? Oh Applejack you sheltered thing, how could you possibly expect to know your way around. I on the other hand know that city like the back of my hoof, and that is why I am going and you are staying! And what deal are you talking about?”
“I’m most certainly not staying! And this deal. Bet you ain’t getting eighty percent off hotel prices and premium access to almost everything there!” Applejack said. She smiled smugly as she handed Rarity the flyer.
“This can’t be! This is the same deal I’m using! how did you get this?” Rarity stated in shock.
“Come again now? You have the same deal? but if only a couple ponies know about these and both you and I are going on the same weekend from Ponyville, and were randomly paired up that means...”
“We’re being “randomly” paired up to share the same hotel room.” Rarity finished
The mares stood staring at each other, aghast.
Rarity broke first. “Well since we are NOT spending four days together in light of recent events and since neither of us can afford this trip at full price, I guess neither of us is going to Las Pegasus.”
“Fine by me, staying here in Ponyville is way more preferable to seeing Las Pegasus for the first time if you’re around! Applejack said.
As the mares stood on the platform a shadow crept over both of them.
They looked up in horror at the pink pony standing on the roof of the station, glaring at them.
“I forgot about her!’ Applejack said.
“WHERE DO YOU TWO THINK YOU’RE GOING? YOU WERE BOTH DUE AT SUGARCUBE CORNER THIRTY MINUTES AGO!” Pinkie Pie yelled at the duo.
“On the train! Now!” Rarity screamed.
Applejack turned around and expertly bucked her luggage into the car, then made a beeline for the doors herself.
Rarity picked up her numerous bags in her magic and raced forward as well. As she tumbled through, Applejack slammed the door shut, just as a pink blur slammed into the closed window.
“YOU MISSIES GET OUT HERE THIS INSTANT” The Pink baker shouted, drawing the attention of nearly everyone at the station.
The train whistled and lurched forwards, slowly accelerating. Pinkie raced alongside it, shouting, but was soon left behind at the end of Ponyville station’s platform.
“That was a close one.” Applejack said.
“Indeed it was, but now we have a bigger problem on our hands.” Rarity responded.
Applejack turned and looked at her.
“It would appear you and I are going to Las Pegasus.”
Author's Note
Hey everypony! So this is my first attempt at writing! This was supposed to be a one-shot but that failed epically so now I'm thinking three chapters. Feel free to let me know how well I did, notify me of any errors, give tips or praise or constructive criticism, just try not to be unpleasant please.
The trolley pony pushed the cart down the cars of the train. A soda here, two cracker packets there, a cheese sandwich for the elderly mare in the last chair, and into the next car.
As he pushed open the door he noticed that this car was mostly empty. Only two mares were inside, sitting on opposite sides of the car, facing out the windows away from each other.
“Anything from the trolley misses?”
Silence.
“Umm...I have sandwiches, juice, sodas, hay fries…?”
Stillness pervaded the air. He could feel the tension between these two, and quietly moved on to the next car over.
Applejack didn’t want to be here. Not with her.
While both ponies had to pay for the travel, they were upgrade by their Las Pegasus passes to a private car so they wouldn’t have to share the long journey with anypony other than their randomly selected roommate. Only two sets of plush train-car chairs were in the room, facing each other towards the middle of the train. The car may not have been very big, but the distance she and Rarity had put between each other would seem massive to anypony else, yet couldn’t be big enough for either of them.
“Ya know, this was supposed to be my trip, my relaxing getaway from you and whatever the hay Pinkie was tryin’ ta do.” Applejack mentioned without turning her head.
“Well that was precisely my idea as well, dear Applejack, but I really don’t wish to go on about this anymore. We can figure out what to do once we arrive but i’m no saying another word to you for the duration of this trip!”
“Fine by me!”
The hours rolled slowly by, the scenery transitioning from forest to plains to the semi-arid landscape where the city lay. And then there it was.
Rarity was practically a magnetic repellant for the farmpony, but she couldn’t help herself when the amazing city came into view through the white pony’s window.
She got up and walked over, careful not to get too close to her co-occupant.
“Whoah…” Applejack breathed as the train began the short homestretch towards the cloud towers of Las Pegasus.
“Oh that’s right this is your first time.” Rarity said, eyes half-lidded and an undercurrent of annoyance in her voice.
“I do suppose it is magnificent upon first glance. This is one of the most elegant and upper-class places in Equestria.”
“Ain’t this place called the city of sin?” Replied Applejack.
“Well...I suppose it does carry that title. Most ponies do come here for a more *ahem* exciting vacation.” Rarity stated.
As the train car came to a halt inside the cloud station, Applejack and Rarity grabbed their luggage and headed out onto the platform.
The heat was nearly unbearable, but Applejack was too stunned to care.
Las Pegasus had originally been an outpost for rogue Pegasi, built in the early days of Equestria. A grand cloud city just like Cloudsdale, with pillars and buildings crafted from the fluffy white stuff made to harbor rough and tumble Pegasi who loved to drink, gamble and wreak havoc to their hearts content. The distant location kept them far out of the reach of law ponies, who were based in Canterlot, and the desert underneath left wild creatures, weather and all other forms of annoyance or intrusions away. However since the ponies who occupied the city were not exactly perfectly responsible citizens with advanced degrees in construction or maintenance, the city slowly began to sink down to ground level. When it finally hit land, ponies from all over came to see the amazing “cloud city on the ground,” and found it’s wild style to be extremely enjoyable. More ponies and Pegasi builders moved there, and slowly built up the city. Combined with strong reinforcement from traditional earth pony techniques, magic lights and architecture from unicorns, and cloud material, the city spread for miles. An endless array of cloud towers and buildings loomed over the desert, held up by concrete materials and supports and enchanted with lights sounds, water features, and of course and ever present cloud-walking spell so that every pony could enjoy the modern marvel, and spend their hard-earned bits.
Applejack’s jaw was almost on the floor.
“Yes, yes it’s fabulous I know, now let’s get moving! I don’t want to spend anymore time with you than I have to.” Rarity said, trotting past the statuesque farm pony.
Applejack shook her head and followed her companion.
“Where’re we supposed to go?” she replied.
“We are staying at the Treasure Stable hotel. Not as high class as some of the others but it is undoubtedly fun, and in a good spot on the stretch too.” Rarity replied, happy that she was back in one of her favorite cities, even if it was with Applejack.
The two quickly made their way to the hotel, Rarity’s memory being an excellent guide.
Everywhere applejack turned her eyes, lights, clouds, and beautiful designs assaulted her. A solid gold-windowed cloud tower loomed over her to the left, glowing in the afternoon light. Down the way, another hotel decorated with statue’s of ponies from ancient Equestria stood on the battlements of what appeared to be a castle. On her right a large lagoon sat in front of another hotel, a makeshift volcano spewing water into the air, accompanied by magic steam and lights, refilling the water feature below.
Before long the two vacationing ponies came upon a modest sized resort that was exactly as Rarity had described. It was decorated with all sorts of fun designs made to resemble the sea and pirate ponies, with merponies, giant squid and skulls everywhere. Out front a stage made to look like a ship had ponies dressed as pirates jumping from ledge to ledge, sword fighting and performing various stunts. It was one of the coolest things Applejack had ever seen.
“Are you done sightseeing?” Rarity asked
Applejack, annoyed with her companion, turned and replied with a smirk.
“I’m just gettin’ started!”
Rarity hmphed and walked into the revolving doors, heading towards the check-in desk.
“Excuse me? Madame?” Rarity said while motioning with her hoof at the concierge.
The silver maned, green coated earth pony behind the counter stepped forward.
“Welcome to Treasure Stable Resort and Casino, how can I help you?” The bubbly mare greeted.
“We’re here to check in for our stay this weekend, however we have a bit of an issue. You see my *ahem* friend and I over here don’t really get along with one another, yet we have been paired together by this package here.” Rarity said.
She slid the info packet and their passes to the mare who looked them over.
“I see.” said the concierge
“Yes well I was wondering if you could find any other ponies in the program who would be eligible and switch our roommates so we can enjoy ourselves?” Rarity asked forcing a warm but pleading smile at the silver maned pony.
“I am sorry ma'am but this packet requires that ponies be paired according to the city in which they came from. You two are the only ones here from Ponyville at the moment. I’ve never actually even seen one of these come from Ponyville. How did you get this?” She asked skeptically.
“It arrived in the mail.” Applejack said, stepping forward. “Look is there anyway you can help us out? Maybe send one of us to a different room? Or any other participating hotel?”
“I’m sorry but the program is designed to fill unwanted double rooms that won’t get booked by single ponies or groups of ponies. And the assigned roommates must stay with someone else in the program from the same city. Since you two are the only ones here from Ponyville, I can’t change anything. I’m terribly sorry,” she stated. To her credit, her concern seemed genuine, so Applejack decided not to push any further.
Rarity huffed. “Well it looks like once again we’re stuck together. I’m am going to be the bigger mare and make the most of it. So for the rest of this stay we will share a room, but you are on your own out here.”
“I think that’d be best for the both of us!” Applejack shot back.
The pair grabbed their luggage and headed up to their room.
As the doors opened, both Applejack and Rarity’s sour expressions turned into awe. The room was a suite unlike any other. A single bedroom sat off to the side of the main room, sporting to beds next to each other, one deep blue like the depths of the ocean, the other seafoam and white like cascading waves. Pirate skulls and crabs and sharks were everywhere, on every feature. A piano, lacquered with deep blues, greens and browns, sat in the center of the room, perfectly matching the ocean-faring theme. Just past the coral-colored couches, piano, and fireplace was a stage/dance floor that had a railing which was made to appear like the deck of a ship, and floor to ceiling windows split it down the middle, creating both a spacious inside area and an amazing pirate ship balcony. Two full bars completed the picture: one outside on the balcony behind the captain’s wheel and one inside, resting in the water of an extremely large pool/hot tub that sat toward the pirate ship's bow, creating the illusion of a pristine ocean.
“This is the most amazing room I’ve ever seen! Rarity exclaimed.
“This is the most amazing thing I’ve ever seen! Applejack responded.
Both girls smiled and squee’d turning to each other with excitement in their eyes. They quickly realized their situation, scoffed and turned away from one another.
They quickly pulled in their luggage and as Applejack looked around the room more, Rarity jumped into the bathroom, throwing up a literal trunk load of beauty supplies on the counter.
“Well, I’m going out to see this city!” Applejack exclaimed.
Rarity peaked her head out of the bathroom.
“Dressed like that? tsk tsk tsk.”
Applejack gave her a cold glare, opened the door and left.
~~~
The streets were a blur of activity. The crowd, which had seemed busy but still manageable earlier, had exploded at the onset of night. Everywhere she went Applejack was shuffling around ponies, trying to figure out which was was up. Even still she was upbeat. She was in Las Pegasus, on vacation! This is where ponies came to have the best time of their lives.
I don’t even know what to do first! Applejack thought to herself. Should I try my hoof at gambling? Granny says it’s bad to gamble, but maybe just a table or two. Or should I look into one of the clubs I’ve been hearing about and get a drink? Speaking of which where are all the bars anyhow?
Eventually Applejack made her way into one of the casinos and, seeing an empty spot, sat down at a 21 table.
“I want to try some gamblin’!” the farmpony announced proudly.
Every pony at the table stared at her, and she sank a little into her seat.
The dealer mare eyed her up and down. “Minimum bet is 2 bits, place your money on the table.”
Applejack complied and placed twenty bits down. The mare took them and replaced them with a small stack of chips, each imprinted with a two on them.
“Bets forward please.” the mare asked, staring at Applejack.
“Oh, right.” Applejack said as she slid a chip onto the little circle in front of her.
The dealer flipped the cards to each pony, and before applejack could even really process what she had, was asked if she wanted to hit or stay. Applejack looked down and realized she was at fifteen.
“I’ll hit!”
The mare eyed her, flipped the card and pull Applejack’s chip away.
“Wait what happened?” the orange pony asked bewildered.
“You busted. You got twenty-three.” The mare replied, slightly annoyed.
“But i didn’t even see what happened! You went too fast!” Applejack cried.
“Ma’am you must pay attention, this is a fast game.”
Applejack hmphed and sat back. Each pony was eyeing her.
“What?” she asked.
“Bet ma’am, new round.”
Oh, sorry.
Applejack slid two chips forward.
If I win now, I’ll win back my lost bit and then some!
Cards flipped, but before and anything could happen, the dealer looked at her cards, flipped them and took everyone’s chips.
“Huh?” What happened now?” Applejack asked.
“The house got twenty-one, house wins.”
“Ugh!”
Eight hands later Applejack walked away from the table, sans chips.
“Well I won one hand. But the next took two chips away. I don’t think gambling is for me. Maybe i’ll find a bar.”
She walked across a bridge over the street towards another hotel. She found a small counter with a bar but no real atmosphere. Looking around, she only saw more of the same.
“Hey how come most o’ these bars don’t really have a dance floor or real room?” She asked the mare behind the counter.
“You must be new in town.” She replied coolly. “Sweetie, most of the bars here are for drinks, not really pleasantries. Why would anyone want to stay in a room drinking when you can simply walk with your drink down the street?”
“You can do that here?” Applejack asked, amazed.
“Of course! But if you really want a room and a dance floor and lights, you need to find a club.” The mare replied. “Anyways what can I get you hun?”
“Um, I’m not sure. I don’t recognize these drinks. Got any whiskey?” Applejack asked.
“Well the burning mare has some fireball whiskey in it! And it’s not bitter like the normal stuff, that whiskey tastes like cinnamon!” The mare exclaimed.
She filled a tall plastic tube that reminded Applejack of a trumpet up with a multicolored slushie like liquid and passed it to Applejack.
Applejack took and sip and squeezed her eyes shut. It was pure sugar, she couldn’t even taste the alcohol.
“Ponies call these drinks?” She asked, still puckering her lips.
“Yup! that’ll be seven bits!
Applejack was nearly floored by the price, but reluctantly paid and took her drink.
Well she said the clubs were more like normal bars, so let’s try there! She thought to herself as she walked down the road.
~~~
Rarity sat down at the poker table, done up to perfection. Her hair had been curled far more than usual, and hung in several strands of tight ringlets. Playful and elegant she had thought to herself when she finished after two hours in the bathroom.
“Evening gentlemen, my name’s Rarity and momma is here to take your bits!” She teased at the two stallions sitting next to her.
“We have a cocky one here fellas.” The dealer stallion said to the others. “Do you know how to play ma’am?”
“Oh yes, this little city is my home away from home!” Rarity replied.
She pushed sixty bits towards the stallion who returned them to her in various sized chips.
“The game is Dodge Hold ‘em folks, minimum bet is five bits.”
Rarity played through hand after hand, winning some, losing others but staying rather even. Eventually the stallion on the far side ran out of chips and stormed off in a huff. It was just her and the pony to her right now.
She placed in fifteen bits after being handed her cards, a ten and a king, both diamonds. She always felt lucky when she had diamonds on her side, after all they were literally on her sides.
The stallion matched her bet, adding two chips to his first one and the dealer flipped. A king, a nine and a jack came up.
The stallion bet twenty more bits.
He must have two pair, nopony makes that bold a move this early. Rarity thought. Well I have the king so he can’t be higher there, but if he has a jack he’ll beat me out if I get a two pair also. She matched his bet, hoping she might beat him by the turn.
The river came down. A ten. Rarity tripled her amount, hoping to win him out. He matched.
Two piles of one hundred and thirty-five bits sat at the table. The turn came. A three.
Oh what the hay? She thought. In a desperate attempt to win she went all in. Maybe she could bluff him. He matched.
“You’re cards?” The dealer asked.
The stallion showed. He had the king and the jack, two pair.
Damn! Rarity thought to herself. And I have the lower pair, even if I did have two diamonds. Wait a minute, diamond diamond, diamond Diamond...DIAMOND!
“Wha HA HAA!” She exclaimed as she showed her flush. The stallion’s jaw dropped, and the stack of bits was pushed towards her. He smiled at her, bowed his head in a solemn nod and left.
Rarity turned to show off her winnings to her friends. “Did you see how much I…” She trailed off as she realized she was alone.
The dealer noticed her sudden halt.
“Congratulations miss, that was very well played.” He said.
“Thank you. I wish someone else could have seen it though.” She responded.
“You didn’t come here with anypony else?” He asked
“Well I’m staying with a friend...well she’s not really a friend I would say…well she is but we’ve had a bit of a...falling out, you see.” Rarity tried to explain.
“I’m sorry to hear that. Hopefully it will workout, Pegasus is always much more fun with friends.” He said.
Rarity thanked him, generously tipped him, and then stashed her bits and left.
Her mind fought herself as she walked down the Stretch.
This is the first time I’m even in this city alone. She thought. Maybe I was too hard on Applejack. No! She was rude and inconsiderate and ruined everything. I’ll just have to press on and have fun on my own! Even if it would be better with somepony else here.
Rarity walked out of the hotel into the night air, turned, and heading off towards her favorite club, Lunar.
It took her a few minutes to get to the opposite side of the Stretch but once she was there she made her way into the Palms hotel and resort which held Lunar, an exclusive but still casual nightclub. She could see the line had built up considerably, but she was a regular here. Every other time she had come her and her friends had never had to wait in line once.
As she approached, she heard a particularly familiar southern drawl.
“What they hay do ya mean I ain’t dressed up enough? why do I need to be dressed up? I’ve been waitin’ like everypony else and my bits are just as good!” Applejack huffed at the bouncer pony.
“Sorry but we have a standard here at Lunar, and letting you in would be against policy. If you go back and get cleaned up we can let you in.” He replied calmly but forcefully.
Applejack scowled at the stallion, turned and began to trot away.
“Well it seems like somepony has no idea how Las Pegasus works.” Rarity chimed in smugly.
“This whole city is just as fruit-bat crazy as you are!” Applejack yelled. “I can see why this place is your favorite! It’s fast paced and fancy and expensive and doesn’t know how to have a regular good time!” Applejack spat at Rarity as the unicorn made her way to the bouncer.
Rarity walked up to the bouncer and gave him a sultry stare. “Back of the line miss.” He stated
“What? but why? How could you not let me just go in?” Rarity said as Applejack laughed on the floor.
“You gotta wait like everypony else. You look good enough though, so you will get in.” He turned to Applejack. “See this is what our standards are. Look as good as her and you’ll get in no problem.”
Applejack immediately stopped laughing and turned away annoyed.
“Excuse me sir but I don’t look good, I look fabulous! I’m beautiful, young, I get how this game is played and I’m single! Why can’t you just let me in?” Rarity begged.
“Well one part of it is that you’re single. You won’t buy as many drinks as a group will, you won’t attract as much attention from stallions, and even though you’re stunning, we usually only let groups of stunning, fun mares through without waiting. That makes us money and gets us more business. You won’t. Now please, back of the line.”
Rarity huffed and turned her head. “Absolutely not! I will not wait in line as I never have had to for this club!
She turned and trotted away.
“Looks like little miss prissy ain’t having herself a great time neither!” Applejack said to Rarity, smirking.
“Shut it you! At least I know my way around! Speaking of which why are you walking beside me? Rarity said.
“I’m not, I’m going back to the hotel. This night is over fer me!” Applejack said.
“Well I am too!” Rarity hastily shot back.
“Then we’re goin’ the same way, shut yer yap and deal with it!” Applejack retorted.
The mare spent the rest of the walk in silence, not even speaking when they made it back to their suite.
“I don’t understand what you see in this place.” Applejack said once they were inside. “It’s all fancy lights and pretty buildings to cover up crazy ponies and highway robbery!”
“Oh dear Applejack you know nothing about this town! This place has more fun and excitement in it than you will ever experience in your life!” Rarity snapped.
“I’ll believe it when I see it sister! But right now I’m going to sleep!” Applejack hissed as she climbed into bed.
“Fine!” Rarity shot back, wriggling into her bed as well. “You’ll see when I get my bearing and come back tomorrow night with stories that will knock your country socks off! Now please be quiet and let me get my beauty sleep!”
“FINE!” Applejack shouted
She turned around in bed quickly, and with one swift motion, angrily turned the light off.
Author's Note
So I'm giving up on trying to do this in three parts. I want the chapters to be more or less similar in length so I'm just going to post them when they get there, or if it's at a good stopping point in the story. Anyways sorry for the delay, these will be coming i more frequently from now on! Once again constructive criticism is welcome!
