“You sure you don’t mind helpin’ me with this, Rarity?”
Applejack shuffled in her seat in Carousel Boutique, wiggling with an uncomfortable look on her face. A plastic sheet covered her from the neck down, and a faint magical glow hovered around her head, flickering in places as her mane was lifted by floating combs, scissors, and invisible appendages.
“Not at all, darling. Do I seem the type to abandon somepony I care about in their time of need?” Rarity stuck her tongue out between her teeth as she worked her styling implements, tucking in strands of Applejack’s mane and roving around her in a half-circle.
“Well... no. I just don’t wanna be a bother, I guess.”
Rarity stopped, halfway around and standing directly behind Applejack. She lowered her hair-care tools to a nearby wooden table, and at the same time let go of her hold on Applejack’s mane. The blonde strands fell to Applejack’s shoulders, glistening with traces of dampness as the light overhead shone on them. Each strand was layered carefully against the next. They bounced as Applejack turned her head towards Rarity.
“Does it look alright?”
“Dear, I’d be hard pressed to make anything about you look ‘alright’.”
Applejack’s face fell, but Rarity smiled wide at her.
“It’s simply an impossibility. If you’ve ever managed to look less than stunning, I haven’t seen it.”
Though it took a few seconds, Applejack’s frown faltered into a grin.
“Aw, shucks. You don’t hafta say that. I know I ain’t much to look at.”
“Nonsense, Applejack. You’re as lovely as the most prim and proper debutant in Canterlot. The difference is that they so often take the time to bring out their inner light... more often than not covering it in too much makeup in the process. There’s an earthly beauty about you, and I don’t intend to hide a fraction of it.” Rarity turned on her hooves and cast her eyes around the room, settling on a mirror several feet away. Her horn shone as she lifted the mirror into the air and around in front of Applejack.
“Do tell me what you think, dear, and don’t hold back.”
Applejack squinted as she sized herself up in the mirror. She swiveled her head in several directions, glancing over the freshly scrubbed face and thoroughly washed mane staring back at her.
After half a minute, she smiled even brighter.
“Well... I think you did a great job, Rarity.”
Rarity lowered the mirror to the nearby table and walked around to Applejack’s side. Applejack followed her with her eyes as she went. As she reached the front of the chair Applejack was seated in, Rarity raised her head, and locked eyes with Applejack; oceans of sapphire blue swelling and staring into emerald green.
“Only because I had such a lovely pony to work with.” Rarity leaned forward and pressed her nose against Applejack’s, who pressed her head forward and returned the gesture. The two nuzzled their snouts together for a moment, eyes closed, before Rarity lowered her head slightly, letting her nose rest against Applejack’s top lip. She pushed her face forward.
Applejack’s lips parted instinctually, feeling the tangible weight of the air as Rarity’s face came closer—but not close enough. Applejack closed her lips into nothing, and a perturbed pout broke over her face.
“Hey...” she said. She opened her eyes for a moment, but Rarity’s hoof on her forehead prompted them closed again. Once more, she leaned forward.
This time, Rarity’s lips caught her. Lightly, so gentle as to be invisible, like feathers, touching her mouth. Applejack parted her lips wider and leaned, hungrily, but Rarity pulled back, offering only the most dainty caress of her kiss. Closing her lips softly on Applejack’s, teasing, almost taunting her, pulling her forward for more but only giving the most absent, ethereal touch possible while still being there.
Until she took Applejack’s bottom lip between her own, and tugged, ever-so-slightly.
Applejack’s breath caught, and held in her chest as Rarity pulled at her lip, releasing it after a second and pressing her mouth against Applejack’s. Just for a moment. A kiss, like lightning.
Rarity pulled her face back. She smiled, eyes narrow, alluring. Applejack opened hers after a few more seconds. Her chest was frozen.
Rarity raised a playful eyebrow at her, and Applejack remembered to breathe. She let out the air in her chest with a loud pant, and drew in another breath just as loud.
“Do be careful you don’t pass out, dear. You’ll be in no state for dinner if I have to drag you there unconscious.” Rarity grinned and walked away from Applejack’s chair, undoing the plastic sheet from around her neck with a flash of magic as she went.
The sheet drifted under Appljeack’s nose, and she reared her head back as she glared sourly in Rarity’s direction.
“Hey, come on now. You can’t be teasin’ me like that when I’ve still gotta get ready for this dumb dinner party.”
“I know, darling, and you must know, too, that I don’t mind even a little bit. I think it’s adorable.” Rarity walked back to Applejack’s side and whiffed a small brush over her shoulders, wiping away the remnants of golden mane that had fallen there. Applejack followed as best she could with a glare until Rarity reached the back of her neck, smirking all the while.
“There. Mane, done. That only leaves—”
“—everything else,” Applejack finished. She got up from the chair and reached for her nearby had, but held her hoof in mid-air, then drew it back, as though she had thought better.
Rarity made a clucking sound with her tongue.
“Not everything, darling. Your wardrobe is already taken care of, is it not?”
A missed strand of mane-clipping fell to the floor as Applejack brushed it off her shoulder.
“I guess. I still wish I didn’t have to wear that silly lookin’ dress.”
“Ahem. It is a cocktail dress, Applejack, and there’s nothing I can think of that would be more appropriate. Heaven forbid you should wear something that compliments your eyes once in a while. They’re so beautiful when you give them the right contrast...”
Applejack scowled, but a hint of blush crept across her face regardless.
“Well, alright. I’ve still gotta shower, and do—” Applejack shuddered. “—makeup.” She looked into the mirror nearby and tilted her head, squinting one eye to size up the sight of her full-body reflection.
“And you’re certain you don’t want my help with any of that, dear? I know how much of a hoof-full you can be in the shower...”
A white hoof appeared aside Applejack’s neck seemingly out of nowhere, and began tracing delicate touches along her coat as she watched it in the mirror. Along the base of her neck, down her back, and to the base of her tail, circling around and moving lower—
Applejack shook her head and turned.
“Come on now. If you keep distractin’ me, I ain’t gonna get anything done.”
Rarity held a hoof to her chest, her mouth open wide.
“Me? Why, dear, I’m the one letting you use my boutique for preparations in the first place. You might care to be more considerate than that.”
The look of mock consternation held on Rarity’s face for a few seconds before she noticed Applejack’s subtle frown. Rarity’s expression immediately softened, and she extended another hoof, which she let rest on Applejack’s hoof.
“You really don’t need to be worried, dear. You’re more than good enough to spend your evening with a bunch of snooty relatives.”
“I’m just worried I’m gonna screw somethin’ up... or that they’re not gonna like me.”
The weight of Rarity’s body pressed suddenly into Applejack’s, wrapping booth forelegs around her for a moment before letting go and pulling back, standing only inches away.
“Well, that’s why you have me then, isn’t it darling? Trust me—just give a nod and I’ll be happy to ensure there are no faux pas enacted on either party’s end.”
“Thanks Rarity.” Applejack brushed a hoof across Rarity’s, feeling the softness of her white fur underneath her touch. “I dunno what I’d do without you.”
Rarity smiled.
“Well, naturally, you might pine in angst for several weeks... the rest after that is anypony’s guess.”
The sound of Applejack’s eye-roll was the puff of air that accompanied it, which Rarity seemingly ignored.
“Now, I shall be back in an hour or two to see how things are going, and if necessary to drag you out the door to meet your delightful relatives—is that right?”
Applejack nodded with a solemn expression on her face.
“Eeyup. And you gotta promise me that if I get skittish, you’ll pull me outta here... even if it’s like draggin’ a poor little country lamb to a pack of city wolves.” Applejack swallowed loudly.
“Oh, nonsense dear. Remember, you’re well prepared, and I’ll be there if you need anything.”
“Thanks, Rarity.” Applejack ran her hoof over Rarity’s once before pulling her body away and letting out a slow sigh. “I’ll see you in a few hours then?”
Rarity nodded.
“Indeed. Do try to stay calm, darling. You’ll do fine.”
Without further words between them, Rarity turned and walked to the door, leaving Applejack a few seconds to look herself over in the mirror again before she began to prepare for the rest of the night.
As she reached the handle to the boutique, Rarity’s hoof stopped.
“Oh, goodness... that reminds me, Applejack. I did have something I wanted to discuss with you before I leave.”
Applejack’s head perked up from its half-sunken position, and she craned her neck in Rarity’s direction as Rarity came bounding over with a soft smile on her face.
“It occurred to me that perhaps the whole reason you’re bothered about this whole thing is because you’ve got too much on your mind. Too many worries.” A glow shone from Rarity’s horn as she spoke, though Applejack couldn’t tell, after a quick glance around, where it might be directed. “It got me to thinking that maybe the thing you need to relax during this whole dinner affair is just... a distraction.” The glow vanished from Rarity’s horn. Applejack stared at the place of the absent aura for a second.
Her whole body jerked as a loud snap sounded behind her. She turned her head to identify the culprit, and found herself once again watching the colour of Rarity’s horn glow.
Around something. A small something.
“So, with that in mind, I thought you might feel much better going forward if I gave you this.” The object floated down in front of Applejack, hovering in the air. Applejack looked up at Rarity, who nodded. Prompted, Applejack raised her forelegs, and at last the hornglow vanished, letting the object fall into Applejack’s hooves. It was small, white, ovoid, almost like an egg. And out of one side, a small pink wire ran, tied to a...
“Oh no. No no no. Rarity, are you kiddin’ me? There’s no way I’m... no!” Applejack held the object back in Rarity’s direction. A soft sheen of red glowed on her cheeks.
Rarity just smiled.
“Oh, come now, Applejack. You don’t think there’s even the slightest possibility it would be nice to have something to... take your mind off your troubles?” Rarity’s voice gleamed as she spoke, like a mischievous cat.
Applejack shook her head vehemently and held the thing out again.
“Nuh-uh. Not like that. I’m havin’ dinner with my relatives, for gosh’s sake, Rarity! There’s a time and a place!”
Rarity’s devilish grin dipped into a pout.
“So... you’re not going to wear it?”
Another head-shake.
“No way. Sorry.”
At the corner’s of Rarity’s mouth, a tiny smile crept back in.
“That’s interesting, because... hmm. I don’t recall asking if you wanted to or not.”
Applejack’s mouth fell open. She held the thing in her hooves steady in the air, looking down at it, then back up at Rarity several times.
“You can’t... no fair, you aren’t allowed ta—”
Her sentence was interrupted by a hoof. Rarity’s hoof, on her mouth, and Rarity close enough to stare into her eyes from inches away. Sapphire.
“Darling... I believe we’ve had conversations about what I’m allowed to do.” Rarity’s breath lingered on Applejack’s face, soaking her senses in a light touch of perfume, like vanilla and lavender. She took a long, slow breath, and felt her knees wobble a bit. The thing still in her hooves.
Rarity pulled away.
“Now, I’m quite happy with my idea, so I fully expect to see you properly prepared when I arrive to get you. Is that understood?”
The look of astonishment on Applejack’s face morphed and twisted into an angry looking glower.
“You... of all the... there’s no way you’re gonna just tell me somethin’ like that. Givin’ me no choice in the matter, makin’ me wear... this! In the middle of a dinner party, when I’m already as nervous as a cricket in a straw-pile... I can’t believe how gosh-darned assumin’, awful, egotistically miserable you’re bein’.”
Applejack’s stare transformed into a full blown glare as the breath of her rant left her chest—but it softened again as once more Rarity leaned forward. Placing her hoof on the center of Applejack’s back, leaning so close that Applejack could hear her breathing, feel her heart beating in her chest, against her own, and the flicker of her tail behind her body that cascades along every inch of her...
A lump stuck in Applejack’s throat. Rarity let out a short whispered breath into her ear, which made every bit of hair on Applejack’s body stand up.
“Of course I am, dear,” Rarity drawled, dancing over every syllable like a thick strand of honey into Applejack’s ear. Applejack shivered.
“But... I know how much you like it.”
And just like that, nothing. The air next to Applejack’s ear felt upsettingly empty as Rarity smiled at her from half a foot away.
“I’ll leave you to it now. See that you’re prepared when I come back, hmm?”
Behind the stone-wall of Applejack’s glare, her cheeks glowed.
Rarity spared one last smile before sauntering to the door and letting herself out.
Applejack considered the thing in her hooves.
She should probably wait until after the shower, at least.
When Rarity returned an hour later, she waited a good five seconds after her knock before Applejack answered the door.
She looked darling. Rarity felt a light swoon brewing, but she suppressed it in favour of a simple smile.
"My dear, you look positively ravishing." Rarity stepped inside, taking care to step around the hem of Applejack's dress. As Applejack shut the door, Rarity circled her, taking in every hem and crease of the evening's ensemble with a practiced eye. "I must say, that colour really brings out your coat. And your eyes too, no doubt. Let me have a look, hm?"
The dress seemed to throw Applejack off completely. She turned at Rarity's request, but did so uncertainly, like she was putting on a show for a whole audience of ponies instead of just one.
Rarity nodded at the mini-pirouette, holding a hoof to her chin as she watched the hem of Applejack's dress settle against her fetlocks.
"Lovely, dear, simply lovely. You look perfectly ready for an evening with the relatives."
"I don't feel ready." Applejack rubbed at a shoulder of her dress uneasily, but pulled her hoof away before she fussed it into noticeable damage. "This whole geddup feels weird, like I'm wearing a costume or somethin'."
"Well, you are in a way, dear... but that's true of everypony, to an extent. High society is particularly guilty of ponies putting on airs to fit in."
"I don't wanna fit in with my cousins. Learned that a long time ago."
"We'll do our best to have the evening over with as little difficulty as possible then, won't we?" Rarity smiled and gave Applejack a pat on the head, just cheerfully enough to be condescending.
Applejack glowered, but contented herself with a low grumble under her breath.
"Well, enough waiting then. Shall we be off before we're late?" Rarity gestured towards the door, which she opened with a soft flash of her horn.
Applejack nodded. "The sooner I can get back home and take this thing off, the better."
"Of course, of course." Rarity held the door open for Applejack as she stepped outside. Her horn glowed as the door moved to close, but she held it just slightly ajar, as though she meant to go back inside. "Oh, Applejack, that reminds me..."
Rarity's horn flashed, and Applejack nearly jumped out of her skin. When her hooves hit the ground, her whole body shook, squirming back and forth like she was a filly who needed the bathroom. Her teeth found her lower lip, and she bit down hard enough that Rarity could see the strain in her expression.
A soft buzzing noise thrummed in the background as Applejack writhed.
“Rarity!” Applejack’s face was flushed, and she seemed to have a trouble even muttering her reproach through the overwhelming urge to bite down. “Turn that thing off!”
The smile on Rarity’s face was more indulgent than coy, but it softened as the glow of her horn did so as well, and the buzzing with it.
Applejack let out a long breath and wiped a hoof across her forehead.
“What’s the big idea, makin’ me jump like that?”
“Just wanted to see if you’d followed instructions, dear.” Rarity shut the door and sealed it with a click. As she walked to Applejack’s side, she ran a hoof over Applejack’s back, rubbing her gently through her dress.
“Rarity, so help me, if you turn that thing on during dinner…”
“Oh, darling, I wouldn’t dream of such a thing. Don’t you know I’d just planned to have you give me a way to turn you on at a moment’s notice not to use it?”
A soft relief washed over Applejack’s face, but after a few seconds it was replaced by a disconcerted scrunch.
“Hey, wait a minute—”
“Come now, Applejack. Your relatives are waiting. The sooner this dinner is over with, the better, hm?”
“Right. Well… alright. You be good, now.”
“Applejack, dear”—Rarity locked a foreleg around Applejack as they walked towards the farm together—”when have I ever been good?”
Applejack sighed. This dinner couldn’t be any more stressful if it tried.
From the outside, the Apple family-house didn’t look any different than normal. There was no telling, on approach, that there was, or would be soon, a pair of high-culture snooty socialites from Manehatten waiting to share dinner with their estranged niece. There was also no indication that said niece might very well be squirming in her chair throughout thanks to a present from her marefriend.
Applejack paused at the front door, even though there was no need to knock, what with it being her house and all. She held herself against the doorframe and looked despairingly at Rarity.
“Do I hafta?”
“Now is not the time to get cold hooves, Applejack. Let’s just go inside and do this together.”
“But they’re gonna be all wantin’ to talk about… fancy-schmancy stuff, and probably turnin’ up their noses at me for still doin’ farm work and all…”
“Applejack, your relatives may be high-society, but they’re still family. I assure you that any disapproval they show, as misguided as it might be, will be purely in your best interest. Just stay calm, remember you’re a wonderful pony with a very important role in your community, and friends who love you.”
Applejack jumped slightly as a quick buzz rang through the air.
Rarity smirked.
“And one pony who loves you very much.”
“Alright, alright. Let’s do this already.” Applejack took a deep breath, took a moment to poke at her hair, even though she had no idea what standard she was adjusting it to, and opened the front door.
The smell of dinner wafted from the kitchen the moment she stepped inside. Her head turned first to the coat-rack to her right—and, sure enough, there were two coats hanging that were far too proper for anypony to wear on the farm.
“They’re already here!” Applejack said quietly through her teeth.
Rarity nodded and gave Applejack a push on the back, spurring her towards the dining room.
“Just as well then, dear. There will be no waiting. Come on now, let’s get a move on.”
“I’ve gotta talk to Big Mac first. Make sure dinner’s goin’ okay…”
“I hardly think your family has forgotten how to cook without you.”
Rarity continued her pushing until Applejack turned her head. Her mouth was turned down sharply, and the green of her eyes sparkled with a palpable anxiety. It was enough to get Rarity to stop for a moment and let out a small sigh.
“Alright, fine. Let’s go check on dinner.”
Applejack let out a long, relieved breath.
“Thanks, Rares.”
“Don’t mention it.”
The pair followed the heavy scent of apples and other assorted dishes to the kitchen. Steam or smoke was billowing at the top of the door, and the room felt hot enough to be a sauna when the door was pushed open. Big Mac and Granny Smith were dancing between various pots and pans like they were in the midst of an olympic preparation feast.
“Hot dang, Macintosh! I can’t believe how much food y’all are makin’.” Applejack rushed forward to the center of the kitchen and spun her head in a circle, sizing up the states of the various dishes. “Where do y’all need me to help—”
Rarity pulled Applejack back before she could so much as touch a single frying pan handle. “Oh no, you don’t. You’re not touching one thing. We won’t have you getting your lovely dress dirty—and this steam is simply awful for your hair.”
“For gosh sakes, Rarity, Mac and Granny obviously need my help. There’s no way—”
“Don’t worry about it, AJ.” Big Mac spoke through his teeth, which were currently gripping the handle of a large, steaming, pot. “Granny and I have got everything under control. You go say hello to Aunt and Uncle Orange.”
“But… but I…”
“We’ll be fine.” Big Macintosh dumped most of the pot’s boiling water into the sink, where it steamed and bubbled up even more. “Go.”
Rarity gave an approving smile. “You see, dear? Even your family knows a thing or two about priorities.”
Before she could assemble another protest, Applejack was being dragged out of the kitchen forcibly, Rarity’s hooves tugging her by the foreleg until she was out the door again. The dining room was only a few seconds away.
“Rarity… look, I can’t… I really should go back and help…”
“Applejack.” Rarity stopped at the dining room door and planted her feet firmly. The look on her face was sterner than any she’d issued prior in the evening, enough to make Applejack turn her head to avoid direct eye contact. But Rarity’s hoof on her cheek guided her eyes forward, and Rarity met them with pursed lips. “Sweetheart, I know you’re nervous. Even I was anxious the first few times I was made to hobnob with more cultured ponies. But it will be fine. I’m here, and I promise I’ll do my best to make the evening go as smoothly as possible. Just be yourself, and everything will be fine.”
Applejack closed her eyes and took in a deep breath. She let it out after a few seconds, long and slow, then opened her eyes.
“Alright. Okay. Let’s do it then.”
“Just before we do, though…”
It was hard to hear over the clatter of pots and pans and hiss of steam, but the buzzing noise returned, prompted by a glow of Rarity’s horn.
Applejack didn’t jump this time, but she did clench her hind legs together and bite down hard on her lip.
“Rarity,” she hissed. “Cut that out…”
“Nonsense, dear. It’s to help you relax.” Rarity’s horn glowed brighter, and the buzzing, though still mostly inaudible, increased slightly.
Applejack’s knees nearly gave. She felt forward just an inch, but was caught by gently by Rarity against her chest.
“Rare…”
“Shhhh.” Rarity’s hooves pressed softly on the sides of Applejack’s face and guided it up, eye-level with her own. Applejack seemed to be having trouble keeping her eyes open, and her mouth was moving like she wanted to make a noise but couldn’t quite manage.
Rarity ran a hoof over Applejack’s well-styled mane and smiled. “Remember how much I love you, dear,” she said.
Applejack’s mouth opened, but Rarity muffled it with her own. The sound still came, a soft moan, but it was drowned in the swirl of Rarity’s tongue, tasting the inside of Applejack’s mouth, her lips planted, massaging Applejack’s softly. Her horn still glowed. The buzzing went on.
Applejack moaned again and leaned forward some more, counting on Rarity to hold her up. Her whole body rocked slightly from side to side, her hind legs still clenched together.
After a few seconds of desperate affection, Rarity’s horn dulled. The buzzing stopped, and the kiss a few seconds after. When they drew away, Applejack was panting slightly.
“For good luck,” Rarity explained. “Shall we?”
The look on Applejack’s face was a mix of furious affection, but she shook her head and straightened her dress, as though it needed straightening, and her expression returned to its usual staunchness. “Right,” she said.
Without further ado, Rarity opened the dining room door. Applejack stepped inside, and Rarity followed.
“Well, if it isn’t Applejack! My heavens, darling, you look absolutely wonderful!”
Aunt Orange’s voice was unmistakable. It was filled with enough high-couture to make even Rarity gag, if she’d been so inclined—but the way she smiled seemed genuine, and she stood from her chair to greet her niece with enough sincerity as well. Her spouse, standing next to her, did the same.
Applejack allowed herself one more sharp breath before she put on her best ‘hospitality’ smile and went to her relatives. The three of them exchanged a semi-formal hug.
“Uncle and Aunt Orange! Sure is good to see ya’. You’re both lookin’ mighty nice as well. Is…” Applejack swallowed, and her eyes went from side to side as though she was running the words over in her head. “Is that a new dress? Imported, maybe?”
Aunt Orange brushed a tuft of her mane away and laughed. “What, this old thing? Well, I suppose it is from the new catalog of Mare Frizon originals, but I can’t say it’s a particularly standout piece. Your dress is much more becoming—wouldn’t you agree, dear?” Aunt Orange gave her husband a pointed look, which he answered with a short clearing of his throat.
“Yes, of course. Is that an import as well, Applejack? It has the look of a Ramdmane Touhami aesthetic to it…”
Despite herself, Applejack’s cheeked began to blush. “Well, actually… this was made by, uh, my friend, Rarity. She’s pretty handy with needle and thread…”
“A friend of yours made this? My dear, it’s simply exquisite!” Aunt Orange eyed Applejack’s dress up and down, running a hoof over one of the patterns. “I don’t suppose you’d have time to introduce us before we leave?”
“Well, actually… she’s, uh, gonna be joinin’ us for dinner, if that’s alright.”
Aunt and Uncle Orange shared a look, which Rarity took as her queue to step in.
“Greetings, madame et monsieur. My name is Rarity, and it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance.” Rarity extended her hoof, which was shaken in turn by both Aunt and Uncle.
“You designed this magnificent piece?” Aunt Orange asked, still mid hoof-shake. “It’s quite dazzling.”
“Thank you very much. I did work hard on it, given the occasion—somewhat of a difficulty to get together in time, but I’m thrilled to hear you think it came out well.”
“Absolutely. I don’t suppose you have any more items in your catalog you’d be open to sharing? I have a manager friend in Manehatten who I think would be quite interested in your design sensibilities…”
Rarity opened her mouth to answer, but stopped herself before her first word had escaped. She could see a nervousness creep into Applejack’s smile. Proper formal conduct in socializing was one thing—fashion talk was all another.
“Certainly, I would be happy to share… but perhaps at a later time. We do have a dinner to get to, after all. Isn’t that right, Applejack?” Rarity punctuated her sentence with a nudge against Applejack’s side, hidden behind the poof of her dress.
“Huh? Oh, right. Big Mac and Granny look like they’ve put together quite the set of dishes. Should be along any—”
As if on cue, the dining room door creaked to announce the arrival of the meal. Big Mac and Granny Smith both carried an assortment of plates and trays, which, when laid to rest on the table, barely left room for cutlery. A fancy table-cloth, no doubt dug up from its hiding place in one of the attic’s many boxes, had been laid from end to end on the table. It even had proper frills at the end, which gained an approving nod from Rarity.
“Let’s… let’s have a seat, shall we?” Rarity gestured to the chairs at the end of the table. Applejack took one hurriedly, and her Aunt and Uncle joined her. Rarity picked a seat opposite Applejack, giving the two end-chairs to the Oranges.
As the last set of dishes was pushed onto the table, Applejack left herself to staring intently at her empty plate. The Oranges to her left looked about silently.
No one seemed to noticed the soft horn-glow, but Applejack snapped to attention like she’d been pricked. She shot Rarity a glare over the table, and Rarity met it with a tilt of her head sideways, in the direction of the visiting relatives.
“Oh… um… sure does smell good, doesn’t it?”
Rarity scrunched up her mouth, but said nothing.
“Indeed. Really, Applejack, you needn’t have gone to all this trouble for us. We just wanted to stop by and say hello to the extended family, as it’s been some while.”
“Ain’t no bother. Well, I mean…” Applejack looked over the table laden with various sides and main-courses, and then to Granny Smith and Big Mac who had taken seats further down the table and looked to be tired and sweating. “I mean, Big Mac and Granny did a great job puttin’ all this together, which I sure as heck appreciate, too.”
“Thank you ever so much for such a lovely selection,” Uncle Orange said. He looked down to a particularly well-arranged apple roast with assorted garnishes, and almost licked his lips before he seemed to catch himself.
“No problem,” Big Mac said from the other side of the table. “Family’s always a special occasion. Just be sure to enjoy it.”
“I suspect that shan’t be a problem,” Aunt Orange said with a smile.
The serving gave enough respite for Applejack to take a few deep breaths. She spooned a few helpings of apple pate onto her plate, but didn’t touch much else, and again contented herself with staring straight down at her utensils.
Underneath the table, Rarity reached out a hoof and gave a soft rub along Applejack’s hind leg. It was enough to get Applejack to look up. Rarity smiled at her, and she smiled back.
“So, uh, Aunt Orange… how are things in the… uh…” Applejack’s tongue fluttered in her mouth as the words fell away. It had been so long, she couldn’t quite recall—
“I’m so sorry to interrupt,” Rarity said, leaning sideways along the table, “but I don’t believe Applejack’s mentioned before. What is it you do in Manehatten? Something austere, a theater hosting, perhaps?”
Applejack breathed out a long smile as her aunt smiled.
“Oh, not quite.” Aunt Orange pushed her plate forward a little, the food on it barely touched. “While we do enjoy the theater, myself and my husband are in the publishing industry—isn’t that right, dear?”
“Literature, mostly, though we do have a production company for up and coming new playwrights. Very astute of you, Miss Rarity.”
“Well, it’s as plain as day to anypony paying attention that surely you must have some stake in high culture. That collar practically screams evening at the opera—wouldn’t you agree, Applejack?”
Rarity’s horn flashed. One of Applejack’s legs kicked out involuntarily under the table, but Rarity absorbed the blow without raising an eyebrow. The horn glow vanished, and Applejack released her lip from between her teeth.
“Er… right. That’s a nice collar, and stuff. I’m afraid I don’t know much about the theater…”
“Well, that’s perfectly alright, Applejack. Ponyville is home to more, how shall we say, down-to-earth pursuits, isn’t that right? Tell me, what have you been up to these years since we’ve last seen you?”
“Uh, well… workin’, mostly. On the farm.”
Aunt and Uncle Orange blinked several times, unspeaking.
Flash. Buzz. Applejack’s face quivered slightly, but she kept her teeth from baring down on her lip again.
“Uh… and, um, some work for the princess. My friends and I are kind of her… go-to when bad stuff happens.”
“My word. Working for royalty? What kind of things does the princess have you do, Applejack?”
“All sorts of stuff. We had ta’ defeat Discord when he came back a while ago.”
“Goodness!”
Though Applejack’s delivery was almost deadpan, the weight of her ‘royal work’ seemed to give the appropriate astonishment to her two visitors—and, for what seemed like the first time since dinner had started, Applejack smiled genuinely.
“Well, aside from all that, you’re just focusing on the farm, mostly?” Uncle Orange asked, eyeing an item on his plate and snapping it up after he’d finished speaking.
“Yep. Lots o’ work to do, and not enough ponies to do it. I’ll probably be here as long as I can manage.”
“Settling down at such a young age? Don’t you have any desire to travel, or see the world?” Aunt Orange chewed demurely on a garnished apple slice, her eyes narrowed slightly.
Applejack squirmed in her seat, though this time not from any interjection on Rarity’s part.
“Naw. That kinda stuff isn’t really for me. I’d prefer to stay where I’m needed.”
“I don’t suppose you’ve given plans to put settling down into a more concrete definition, dear?”
Applejack blinked. “Huh?”
“I mean settling in earnest. Starting a family, that sort of thing. I don’t suppose you’ve a a special somepony, though, or I suppose we might have met him by now…”
Rarity grimaced. That was a dagger of a phrase disguised in conversation, though she suspected it wasn’t intentional. Time in high society seemed to work phrases like that into one’s thoughts. Applejack didn’t seem too offended, at least, though there was the matter of…
“Uh… I’ve, uh… got someone I’m seein’, but we’re not really certain on anything at the moment…”
Aunt Orange raised an eyebrow, while her husband focused on his meal, content to stay away from prickly relationship talk in lieu of food.
Now it was time for Rarity to help again. Maybe a light distraction.
“I believe Applejack’s problem is that she’s too popular to choose just one suitor out of so many potentials—wouldn’t you agree, Applejack?”
Before Applejack could open her mouth to speak, Rarity’s horn shone, ever so lightly. Applejack’s face only gave her away briefly, but she collected herself to the best of her abilities, though the squirm in her chair was somewhat noticeable. She also shot a glare in Rarity’s direction, which Rarity completely failed to acknowledge.
“I, uh… well, I dunno… about that…” Applejack’s words came out punctuated by heavy breathing—not panting, but loud enough that it seemed out of place. And still she was squirming.
With an awful smirk, Rarity’s horn began to glow brighter.
Applejack leaned forward and held herself against the table with her forelegs. Her eyes clenched shut, and she bit down hard on her lip.
“Goodness, Applejack! Are you alright?’
On cue, Rarity’s horn dulled slightly, but not all the way. She couldn’t hear the buzz underneath the clatter of cutlery, but she knew it was there.
With a bead of sweat on her forehead, Applejack raised her head and managed a rough smile.
“I’m… alright. Just been feelin’ a bit out of sorts lately… probably nothing.” Applejack squinted hard for a second, no doubt trying to will the distraction away—but Rarity refused to abate. Her hornglow went up just by a nudge.
“My word. Well, I hope your health stays well. Do let us know if you need to take a moment.”
Rarity reached a hoof over the table and gave Applejack’s shoulder a rub through her dress. “No need to worry about that, I think. Applejack is a lovely host, and I’m sure she wouldn’t dream of departing when such prestigious company was over. Isn’t that right, Applejack?”
The glow gave out for a second. Applejack remembered to breathe.
“Of course. I’ll be… fine.”
The smile had no sooner returned to Applejack’s face than the buzzing began again. She held her expression, though it began to gather the hint of a grimace instead of a grin.
“Returning to the subject at hoof,” Rarity said, sitting back down, “I think Applejack is just a very particular mare. She has quite high standards when it comes to potential partners. Isn’t that so, Applejack?”
“Well… you know me…” Applejack grit her teeth and held still as best she could manage. Underneath the clinking of silverware, the buzzing grew louder, as did the glow on Rarity’s horn. “I’m always… workin’ hard… need somepony who’s gonna… do the same…”
“Oh, now that’s not what I meant at all, Applejack. You’re in the market for somepony who won’t put up with being an accessory. Somepony who’s there for you whenever you need them… who’s not afraid to push you whenever you need it. Isn’t that right?”
Applejack managed a glare before the buzzing grew even still louder. She had to brace herself against the table again, though she managed to keep upright. The sweat on her brow began to glisten underneath the overhead light.
To Rarity’s side, Aunt Orange nodded, seemingly oblivious to Applejack’s growing discomfort.
“I must say I understand the attitude. When my husband and I first met, we were very much of the same mind—encourage each other to excel. Isn’t that right dear?”
“Mhm?” Uncle Orange looked up from his place, mouth half-full. “Oh, um, yes dear.”
The brightness on Rarity’s horn was almost enough to match the lighting, but nopony seemed to be paying it any attention—other than Applejack, who was practically writhing in her seat. One of her hind legs managed to reach out under the table for a kick, but Rarity shifted deftly and avoided it, leaving Applejack on what looked to be the verge of tears.
Without visibly shifting an inch, Rarity extended one of her hind legs and ran her hoof up the inside of Applejack’s leg. The effect was instant: while Applejack had been doing a well-enough job containing herself due to circumstance, the second Rarity touched her, her resolve seemed to melt away. The glare she’d been throwing at Rarity in intervals was replaced by a desperate, wordless mouthing.
Rarity didn’t need to hear what Applejack wanted. She could tell. From the way Applejack’s legs spread as Rarity hoof drifted up, and the rocking of her body forward the closer Rarity’s touch grew. Peeking up under the hem of her dress, bucking her hips ever so slightly, and—yes, as Rarity looked, her mouth moving, though her eyes were closed, and she was biting her lip to keep from moaning. She released it for just a moment to mutter something under her breath, too quiet for everypony but Rarity.
Fuck…
“Good heavens, Applejack, are you sure you’re alright?” Aunt Orange leaned over the table and extended a hoof towards her niece, but Applejack shifted just enough to avoid the concerned touch.
“No,” Applejack managed, gritting her teeth through the constant buzz under the table, no doubt vibrating through her entire body. “I mean… would y’all… excuse me… for a minute?” Applejack raised her eyes from the table and managed to make her tortured squint look pleading.
The Oranges nodded, and Applejack stood from the table without waiting a second longer. She took a moment to steel herself before beginning to walk, as though she was clutching a knife in her stomach, almost crawling out of the kitchen and out of sight.
“My word. She seemed to be in quite a state,” Aunt Orange said.
Rarity nodded with a sympathetic half-frown. “Applejack does have a tendency to push herself when circumstances call for it. She didn’t even mention to me that she was feeling off.”
“Are you and Applejack quite close friends?” Aunt Orange asked, looking past her still mostly-silent husband who’d returned to his plate as soon as Applejack left.
“We’re… yes, you could say that. We’re quite close.”
For just an instant, Rarity’s horn flared so bright it might have been a small lighthouse atop her head, but it quickly returned to its mostly inconspicuous medium-glow.
No one at the table seemed to notice. But elsewhere…
“Good heavens, what was that noise?”
A thump had rung through the frame of the house, echoing so loud it carried into the kitchen at almost full volume. Like somepony had clenched their whole body and slammed their hoof as hard as possible against the wall.
“Was that Applejack, do you think?” Aunt Orange’s eyes narrowed, and she looked towards the door with a worried frown.
Rarity dabbed at her mouth with her napkin and pushed her chair back. “I’ll go check on the poor dear. Do excuse me for just a moment, won’t you?”
Aunt Orange nodded, and her husband did the same, his mouth still occupied with apple casserole.
Stepping outside the kitchen felt noticeably cooler. Rarity scanned to either side of the door. Where could Applejack have gotten to? Rarity’s first thought was the bathroom, but…
Ah. The closet door half ajar.
Rarity pulled the door slightly more open and peeked her head inside.
“Applejack—”
A set of hooves grabbed Rarity around the shoulders and yanked her inside, slamming the closet door shut behind her. Rarity’s eyes had just enough time to adjust to the darkness and notice the hoof-sized dent in the wall before the pair of hooves turned her head in the other direction.
It was Applejack. She did not look happy.
“Oh, Applejack,” Rarity said with an amused smirk. “How are you doing, darling? You looked positively dreadful at the table—”
The hooves on either side of Rarity’s head pulled her closer. Applejack’s glare could have melted steel.
“Not funny, Rarity. You better… cut all this out… right now…” Even in the heat of her fury, Applejack was still squirming, as the soft glow of Rarity’s horn proved testament.
“Cut it out? Why ever would I do a thing like that, dear?’
In the almost lightless closet, Rarity’s horn shone brighter. She was close enough to hear the buzzing now, and it went louder. Applejack groaned, low, and swayed forward, moving her hooves to Rarity’s shoulders for support.
“Gosh dang it, Rarity! Enough! I can’t… it feels…”
“How does it feel, Applejack?” Rarity ran a hoof along Applejack’s mane, so well-styled, and traced her touch just behind Applejack’s ear, which brought an even more noticeable quiver.
Applejack scrunched up her face as though she was swallowing a sour pill. When she relaxed her expression, she did so with a sharp breath out.
“Good,” she said, almost whispering. “So good, Rares, please, I can’t take anymore…”
“Is that why you ran off? You were planning on ducking into the closet and taking care of yourself like a naughty, desperate filly?”
“Rarity!” What would have otherwise been a yell turned into a desperate plea, and Applejack let her muzzle rest against Rarity’s shoulder, where her teeth tensed, ready to bite down to keep herself quite. “Please, I need you to stop, or to…”
“Or to what, Applejack?” Rarity placed a hoof underneath Applejack’s chin and raised it slowly, forcing Applejack to look into Rarity’s eyes. The sparkle of her irises shone just bright enough under the light of Rarity’s horn to show the desperation leaking through.
“To…”
“Yes?”
Applejack groaned through clenched teeth.
“To… help me…”
“Help you…?”
“Cum!” Applejack finally spat the word, and buckled again, leaning her head low. “I need you ta’ get me off Rarity, for gosh sake, I can’t take anymore, please please please…”
Though Applejack’s face was downturned, Rarity smiled broadly.
“Have you been ‘distracted’ through, dinner, dear?”
“Yes,” Applejack hissed under her breath. Her squirming and thrashing almost brought her rump against the walls of the closet as she wriggled, hind legs grinding together.
“Well, then I suppose I’ve done my job. Still, you have been trying your best to keep up appearances, keeping up a conversation while you were no doubt dripping on your chair like you were in heat…”
“Gosh, Rares, please, no more, I can’t, I can’t…”
“Can’t what, Applejack?”
Rarity’s horn glowed even brighter, like star at eye level.
Applejack gasped, and finally her legs gave out, sending her to the floor. The buzzing was like a beehive, and Applejack let out a low moan as she rocked back and forth on the floor.
“Please! I’ll do anything, Rares, please just…”
“Oh my. That’s quite unbecoming, Applejack, to just roll around on the ground so wantonly. Stand up properly and I’ll consider your request.”
“Rarity…”
“Do you want my assistance or not? I care for you a great deal, Applejack, but I shan’t put up with poor behaviour.”
Applejack groaned and bit her lip, hips still wriggling against the buzzing between her legs. She made to stand up once or twice, but each time she was almost up, Rarity’s horn would flare and send her tumbling to the ground again with a low groan. On the third try, Rarity relented, and Applejack managed to stand, though her legs were shaking, and she extended a hoof to hold onto Rarity’s shoulder for support.
“There…” she said, panting. “I… did it… Now please, Rarity…”
“I suppose I could see my way to helping a friend in need. Now that you’ve proven you can behave, I see no harm in having you back on the ground.”
Applejack’s legs bent, as though to kneel, but Rarity’s horn glowed before she could move—not with a louder buzzing this time, but with a shove. A glow of ethereal force pushed Applejack backwards, rump against the wall of the closet, and then tipped her upright, letting her rest her back on the wall with her hind legs and rear on the ground.
Just like she had at the table, Applejack spread her legs subconsciously. She whimpered and dragged her forehooves along the ground, her mouth locked in a permanent pleading grimace.
“Please,” she whispered, tears forming in her eyes. “Please…”
“Shhh. It’s alright dear. Rarity will take care of things now.”
With another glow of magic, Applejack’s dress lifted to reveal the view between her legs. Just as Rarity had predicted, she was soaking. The inside of the dress had been ruined by her constant dripping, and it looked like it had run down her legs as well, no doubt damaging the upholstery of her chair at dinner and making her feel like she was forced to endure a waterfall of arousal the whole meal.
Rarity smirked.
“Oh, dear, you do look out of sorts, Applejack. Have you been needing it that badly all night?”
Applejack whimpered and nodded her head.
“You were such a good girl, too, keeping Rarity’s secret present a secret. Do you want Rarity to help make everything feel better?”
“Yes, please, Rares, please…”
Rarity leaned in low, resting between Applejacks legs. The glow of her horn shone brilliantly on the drenched spot Applejack was hiding Raritys toy, and the vibration made Applejack`s exposed folds quiver every other second, along with the clenching her body seemed to do on its own. A stream of liquid arousal dripped from her like a faucet.
Rarity`s face was only inches away, and Applejack began to buck her hips forward in an attempt to have something, anything, touch against her. But Rarity held steady, and looked up at Applejack with one eyebrow raised.
“Hmm? I’m sorry, dear, I heard you say please, but I didn’t hear what the please was for…”
“Don’t…” Applejack squirmed and slid forward slightly on the floor, but Rarity moved her head back in tandem, looking disapprovingly up at Applejack from between her legs.
“None of that, dear. Tell me what you want and I’ll be happy to oblige.”
“I… I want—”
Rarity’s horn flared, and Applejack bucked several inches off the ground, letting out a long moan in the process.
“I want you to lick me! Lick my pussy, Rarity, oh gosh please lick me I need it so bad…”
“There’s a good girl. Just lie back and let Rarity help.”
Rarity lowered her head further. She held her mouth an inch or two away at first, soaking in the scent of Applejack’s wetness that permeated the air like a perfume. It was so hot and sweet, just like the mare it was leaking from. Rarity had tasted Applejack before, but this looked to be something special. Even before her tongue was in place, Applejack was spasming, no doubt already on the edge, having been held there all night.
As she closed her eyes, Rarity extended her tongue and touched the tip to the bottom of Applejack’s slit. She slid up her quivering marelips in one slow motion, and Applejack’s arousal coated her tongue like honey.
“Ohhh, gosh, Rare…” Applejack couldn’t keep herself quiet. She bucked upwards the instant Rarity’s tongue touched against her, and quivered. Her hooves searched blindly for a second until they found the back of Rarity’s head, and then tried to push down harder, but Rarity ignored them and kept her slow, leisurely pace. Another lick, this time from top to bottom, ever-so-purposefully avoiding the aching button at the top of Applejack’s slit.
“Nnnh….” Applejack moaned through a bite of her bottom lip, clamping down so hard only a small murmur escaped. Rarity made her second journey upward with her tongue, savouring every shiver of Applejack’s lips, every motion her hips made upwards, begging for more. The way her body buzzed along with the thing inside her made Rarity’s tongue tingle, and she hid a smile as she continued her attentions.
“Rares, please, can you.. my…”
Applejack groaned as Rarity removed her tongue and looked up again.
“I’m sorry, Applejack, what was that? I thought we had just discuss the proper nature of requests…”
“My clit! Gosh, Rarity, please touch my clit, I need ta’ cum, please…”
“My my my, so demanding. Well, only because you’ve been so well behaved this evening…”
True to her word, Rarity gave one last lap of Applejack’s slit before she circled her tongue softly around the swollen button at the top of Applejack’s entrance—and, after a light languishing in the air above it, pressed down.
Applejack’s hoof went to her mouth to muffle her scream. Rarity didn’t need to ask to know that Applejack’s teeth were bearing down as hard as they ever had, perhaps drawing blood no doubt. She smirked to herself again before lapping lightly at the throbbing nubbing that elicited another stifled moan through Applejack’s foreleg.
As much as she wanted to taunt further, Rarity wasn’t overly cruel. She contented herself with licking, softly, and occasionally rubbing right over the bud in circles. Everything she did was met with a furious moan from Applejack, and sometimes a pounding of her free forehoof against the ground. Rarity matched her licks with soft pulses of her horn, equalling the pace of her tongue’s attention with the throb and hum of the vibrator that had been teasing Applejack all night.
It was hard to tell, given the state she was in, whether Applejack was close, but Rarity had a certain sense about it. She’d been with her enough times to feel things out. So, when she was certain her next lick would be the last, Applejack’s whole body already shaking in anticipation of her crescendo—she removed her tongue.
Applejack had just enough time to look down with a desperate reproach before Rarity’s mouth returned—this time with teeth, which bit down just hard enough on Applejack’s clit.
Even through her hoof, Applejack couldn’t keep quiet. Her whole body thrashed, making a clunk each time her hips lowered her back to the floor, only to buck upwards again to meet the gentle sting of Rarity’s teeth holding her by her love-button. While she was no squirter, Applejack practically gushed, drenching Rarity’s mouth and nose in slickness, and her pussy clenched fiercely, squeezing the vibrating egg inside her as though she was trying to crush it. Rarity’s horn glowed brighter too, meaning the buzzing that went through Applejack’s body was impossible to tell apart from her own natural shaking.
Rarity held on, but feared Applejack might not come down. She’d never been teased this much before, and her orgasms showed no signs of stopping—everytime Rarity was certain Applejack was about to come down, she’d lick at the nub of exposed flesh between her teeth, and sent Applejack into another set of spasms, ruffling her dress and dissheveling her mane and cumming hard, screaming and panting into her hoof and coating every inch of herself in a slick sweat.
After a minute or two, Rarity relented her tooth-grip on Applejack’s clit, but couldn’t help but lick a few times up and down Applejack’s marelips as they quivered. She lowered the glow of her horn too, to just a soft buzz, and Applejack went from bucking and thrashing to quiet, spastic twitches, jerking every few seconds without rhyme or reasons. Rarity drank the taste of Applejack’s pussy for a half-minute longer before raising her head, her nose and mouth and most of her face soaked. Still, she smiled, though a drop of Applejack’s girlcum dripped from her nose.
“There. All better now, dear?”
“Hnngsfhts… I’m… that… you… ohhhh gosh…” Applejack’s mouth made some sounds, only a few of which seemed to be words. Though the touch between her legs was gone, her body still twitched, shivering like an electric shock was running up her spine every few seconds.
Rarity’s horn was dull. The buzzing was gone.
“I trust you’ll need a minute to put yourself together?”
Applejack breathed out loudly and nodded. She closed her eyes and let her chin rest against her chest, held up by the poofy, now sweat-covered frill of her dress. “Yeah,” she sighed, and tilted her head back.
“Well, I’ll go tell everypony you need a moment longer. Try not to take too long, alright?”
Applejack nodded again, eyes still closed.
“Oh, and Applejack?”
In the dark of the closet, Applejack opened her eyes. Rarity’s eyes met her, only inches away.
“I love you, dear.”
Before she could answer, Rarity’s lips were on hers, and she could taste herself, sweeter than she’d suspected. Applejack let out a quiet moan and raised a hoof to the back of Rarity’s head, running it along her mane and the back of her neck. Rarity broke the kiss after a few seconds, and smiled.
“I… love you too, Rarity.”
Rarity grinned, and let herself out of the closet, taking care to shut the door quietly.
“Thank you again ever so much for having us for dinner. It was quite a treat—I dare say the sort of food you get in the country is a world different than what we’re used to in Manehatten.” Aunt Orange smiled demurely as she walked along the trail to the edge of the Apple Farm, her husband’s foreleg around her. He nodded to match the sentiment.
“Yes, the meal was delectable, absolutely without parallel. You must tell us some of those recipes…”
“No can do, Uncle Orange. Apple family secret.” Applejack winked, and her aunt and uncle shared a short laugh.
“I’m sorry we couldn’t stay longer, but travel times are rather hectic this time of year,” Aunt Orange said, stepping into the waiting carriage with orange trim. “If only been able to see you when you were feeling better as well.”
“Aw shucks, ain’t no worry. I felt right as rain after I took a few minutes.”
“Indeed. Well, be sure to let us know if you’re ever in Manehatten again; we’d love to have you for a visit.”
“Will do, Aunt Orange.” Applejack wrapped her forelegs around her aunt for a good-old-fashioned family hug, and did the same for her uncle afterwards. As the carriage door shut, she waved it off, waving until the wheels had spun through the dust fifty feet away, the carriage on its way to the station in Ponyville proper.
When the orange trim had vanished over the horizon, Applejack lowered her foreleg and let out a long sigh.
Rarity placed her hoof softly on the small of Applejack’s back, pressing down through her dress. “Well, that wasn’t so bad, was it dear?”
“I guess not. Helped that I wasn’t overthinkin’ things for the most of the night…” Applejack said with a sideways, half-hearted glare.
Rarity smiled back at her. “See? I told you I knew what I was doing, dear.”
Applejack held her glare, but softened into a light smile after a few seconds. “Thanks, Rarity. I dunno what I’d do without you.”
“Didn’t we have this discussion just earlier today?” Rarity smirked and leaned her head towards Applejack. The two nuzzled their noses together and shared a quick kiss before they looked up at each other again.
“So, uh…” Applejack chewed her bottom lip thoughtfully. “I guess we should call it a night then, huh?”
“It is about that time. Although…” Rarity’s horn shone brightly, and as she had at the beginning of the night, Applejack jumped almost a foot in the air. Rarity giggled when she hit the ground.
“Hey!”
“Well, we can go to bed if you want, though I might have other things in mind once we get there.”
With Rarity smiling devilishly and Applejack wearing a frustrated but cheerful grin, the two ponies locked forelegs and walked back towards the farm. Over the hills, the sun’s final ray vanished, plunging the evening into full darkness.
A few minutes later, a small glow shone from the window of Applejack’s bedroom. Though it was low among the chirping of the crickets outside, if somepony had listened, they would have just been able to hear a faint, low buzzing sound.
