Chapter Sixteen: Politics

Applejack threw her saddlebags on the neatly made bed. The apartment had been recently used and was kept clean by a maid that, according to Twilight, came by twice a week and was scheduled to come later today. The entire place was spotless. All they had to do was unpack. At least, that's all SHE had to do. Lyra had not brought anything.

"Looks like there's only one bed. Don't worry, ah'll take tha couch."

"Are you sure? You've already done so much for me. And I'm kinda the reason we're here in the first place." Lyra said, unable to focus her attention on any one thing. She was taking in every aspect of her temporary home.

The apartment was a studio, but much larger than Lyra's old one. The kitchen area had dark marble tiles on the floor and walls. A small counter separated it from the living and sleeping area. The rest of the apartment was carpeted in a tightly woven cream colored fiber. The walls were decorated with large, hand painted portraits, hung in intricately carved frames. A large beige sofa, lined in brass rivets, rested against the opposite wall. In the far corner, there was a king sized bed, much larger than anything Applejack or Lyra had ever slept on, yet perfectly at home in the large, open space of the apartment. The bed was surrounded by a white canopy made of tulle and what looked like satin.

There was a large wooden dresser beside the bed. On top of which stood a photo of the mayor shaking hooves with Twilight Sparkle. On the other side of the bed was a large vanity. The sole upset to the cleanliness of the room was in a small grease smudge in the corner of the vanity mirror.

"Ah'm sure. You gotta go see Bonbon and get yer things right? You're bound ta be plum tuckered after that. But if ya really want, ah'll take tha bed t'morrow. We can take turns." Applejack had begun unpacking her things. She hadn't brought much, her work at the orchard only required a cart and some baskets, all of which were waiting back there for her. And she wasn't one to wear clothes except on special occasions. Her current belongings were little more than her toothbrush, a small satchel of bits, the book she was currently reading and her favorite pillow.

"I don't know if I can even sleep here, the whole place is so fancy. And besides, there is plenty of room on this bed for the two of us. We wouldn't even touch. I'm so used to sleeping in a bed with Bonbon that I could barely sleep last night. It would really help if I knew there was somepony else here." Lyra began to blush, her intentions were innocent, but she was completely aware of how it could sound. Her embarrassment only grew as Applejack began to laugh.

"He~he, Ah understand. Don't tell nopony, but when ah was a little filly, me an' Big Mac used ta share a bed. When ah finally got mah own room ah cried every night fer near a month." Applejack turned back to the bed. It really was big enough that two ponies could sleep without ever touching each other. "Ah s'pose ah could just sleep on top of the blankets. Don't want anypony thinkin' anything unproper."

Lyra rolled her eyes. With a giggle she replied, "Sure, it's EXACTLY like being a filly on her first night alone. You sure have a way of making me feel LESS nervous."

Applejack looked down at her now empty saddlebags. "Do ya need any help gettin' yer things from Bonbon's place?"

"I don't think so, all I need is my toothbrush and comb. That sort of thing." Lyra's eyes narrowed, she knew she was forgetting something. After a short moment she remembered. "Um… I might need your help after all. My textbooks are all there. I have class Monday through Wednesday, I'm gonna need them."

"An' ya need two ponies fer that? Just how many books are there?"

"Too many for us to get in just one trip. I'll just grab the essential ones." Lyra trotted to the kitchen area. She peeked inside the refrigerator. "Wow, it's packed with fresh veggies. Are we allowed to use this?"

"Twi said that everythin' here is complementary for diplomats an' such. Since we're workin' for her while stayin' here it's ours." Applejack glanced at the wall clock, it was almost time to take over for Big Macintosh at the apple stand. "Ah gotta get goin' soon, we'll get yer stuff after ah close the stall this evening."

"Well, in that case, I'll make us a salad."

The bell chimed as Dash and Bonbon entered Golden Oaks Library. They immediately spotted Twilight at the front desk. The library was empty except for the three of them.

"Where's Spike?" Dash asked, looking around for any sign of the tiny dragon.

"I sent him to the mayor's office," Twilight said. "He's delivering a letter about the new Agricultural Department representative. Do you need him for something?"

Bonbon ducked behind Rainbow Dash. She was still uncomfortable talking to a princess, even though she was, until recently, just a regular unicorn acting as the town librarian. Lyra spoke to her regularly, but Bonbon had only fleeting contact at best.

Dash began. "Well, no. We need to talk to you, Twi. I-in private, it's about Fluttershy."

"If it's about her and Applejack, believe me, I know all about it."

"It's not that. I mean, I guess it has to do with that, but…" Dash knew this had to be handled delicately. She was not good at speaking delicately. "Bonbon? Can you help me?"

Bonbon swallowed hard. She turned her back to Dash and the princess. She closed her eyes and tilted her head back. "We think Fluttershy has a drinking problem." She began to shiver. "Dash, can I go sit down? I'm really nervous and my head is all swimmy."

Dash sighed. "I guess so. But I'm probably going to need you to tell her what Fluttershy said this morning."

Bonbon nodded. She trotted over to the circle of cushions laid out in the youth section and laid down.

Turning her attention back to Twilight, Dash continued. "Are we alone in here? I don't want anypony else hearing this."

Twilight looked around, she had just finished her lunch and reopened the library before Dash and Bonbon arrived. Nopony else had visited since the Cutie Mark Crusaders left. "We're all alone here. Spike will be back soon though. But I can probably get him to watch the counter while we talk upstairs. Wouldn't be the first time today."

"Okay, well… We were at Fluttershy's cottage this morning and she locked herself in the bathroom. She was yelling a lot from in there. I don't know when she started drinking, but when she told us to leave she was pretty wasted. She broke a wine bottle on the door."

Twilight frowned. "Rainbow, it sounds like you are getting mixed up. Maybe you should start at the beginning."

"...then she said it was none of our business and…" Rainbow Dash abruptly stopped speaking when she heard the bell chime. Turning around, she was greeted by a scowling, tan earth pony, and a frightened looking baby dragon.

"Your highness, I need to have a word with you." Mayor Mare's voice was always carefully controlled. The voice of a politician. The expression on her face spoke for her.

"Of course Mayor. Just head upstairs, I'll be there in a moment."

Mayor Mare trotted off, disappearing up the stairs. Twilight exhaled a breath she just that moment realized she had been holding. She shot a quizzical gaze to Spike, who just shrugged.

"That seems important. We can finish talking when you're done with the mayor." Dash whispered.

Twilight nodded. She spoke quietly, "I'll make it quick, you two make yourselves at home while I take care of this." Turning to Spike she continued. "You can watch the front for a little while, right?"

Spike nodded, smiling despite his swollen face.

As Twilight ascended the stairs, Bonbon made her way to Rainbow's side. "I'm sorry for making you tell her by yourself. I get really nervous talking to her since, ya know, she's a princess now."

"You do know she's still the same Twilight Sparkle that has lived here for years right? She just has wings now." Dash replied. "Right Spike?"

"Yup, still the same nervous purple egghead she's always been." Spike smiled.

"By the way Spike, what happened to your eye?"

"Oh, it's a long story. I got in a fight with Apple Bloom."

"You hit a girl?" Dash gasped.

"NO! I didn't do anything! I swear!" Spike's face would have gone pale were it not for the swelling.

"I'm just teasing you Spike, I know you're always a gentledrake. But I'm surprised that Apple Bloom would pick a fight, what happened?"

Spike scratched his arm, looking away he said, "I don't think I'm supposed to talk about it. The short version is that she was shouting and got upset when I asked her to leave. I grabbed her hoof to take her outside and she hit me."

"It's not a good idea to grab somepony when they are angry." Bonbon chimed in.

"I know, Twilight already talked to me about it. Apple Bloom still shouldn't have hit me though."

"Well yeah, but grabbing her was just asking for trouble." Dash said.

"I don't really want to talk about it anymore. Besides, I've gotta make an ice pack for my eye." Spike started walking towards the kitchen. "I'll be right back. Let me know if anypony comes in okay?"

Bonbon poked Rainbow in the shoulder and whispered, "Poor guy, lost a fight to a filly. He's probably gonna get teased like crazy."

"That's not nice Bonbon. Spike's a good little guy."

"Sorry." Bonbon flinched. She couldn't tell if Dash was on edge or if she herself was being obnoxious. Lyra was usually there to warn her when she was getting on other ponies nerves. "Say, where do you want to have dinner?"

"I dunno, I only have a few bits so it can't be anywhere fancy." Dash felt a little embarrassed, having just realized that she was all but broke after buying the latest Daring Do book. It was the special first edition collectors box with limited edition signed poster. Nopony could question Rainbow Dash's dedication to her favorite treasure hunting pegasus.

"Well how about we have dinner at my place? I'm a great cook, and it won't cost you anything." Bonbon grinned wide.

"That does sound good. But dinner at your place seems a little personal, ya know?" Dash raised her eyebrow. "Just a friendly dinner, right?"

"Cross my heart." Bonbon drew her hoof in an x across her chest. "You like parsnips? I've been growing them in my garden."

Dash smiled. "Is that those white carrot looking things? Pinkie served those at a party once. They were really good." Her stomach growled loudly.

Bonbon giggled. "Well, I guess we have our answer. Is around seven o'clock good?"

Dash nodded, smiling wide. Her ears pricked up. "Wait… Do you hear that?"

Bonbon grew quiet. Listening intently she could faintly hear the sound of shouting coming from upstairs.

The muffled voices exploded into the air as the bedroom door forcefully swung open.

"Well what was I supposed to do? Turn her out on the street? We needed somepony to fill the position anyway!" Twilight yelled angrily.

"Get her a hotel room or something if you have to! You can't go around giving all your friends official positions!" The mayor's face was flushed red. Her voice cracked as she yelled while struggling to keep her practiced calm tone.

"The Apple family already supplies the vast majority of Ponyville's food. Applejack is an expert in agriculture!"

"It's a conflict of interest! You're a princess, surely you know these things!"

"For Celestia's sake, SHE'S THE ELEMENT OF HONESTY! She CAN'T have a conflict of interest!" Twilight's wings were flared, her eyes narrowed to slits and her face was several shades darker than usual. "How dare you even suggest…"

"I'm not suggesting anything! It is, by definition, a conflict of interest! The press doesn't care about how honest she is, all they will see is you two conspiring to put Applejack in a favorable position!" Mayor Mare, out of the corner of her eye, caught sight of Rainbow Dash and Bonbon. Both staring dumbstruck at her and Twilight. She straightened her stance, took a deep breath, and spoke calmly. "I'm sorry your Highness, but I must insist that you reconsider appointing her to this position. Now, if you don't mind, I'll take my leave."

Twilight seethed as she watched the mayor descend the stairs and exit the library, stopping only briefly to nod acknowledgment at the two ponies standing around the front desk.

Bonbon quietly stuttered, "I-I should p-probably be going. Gotta get everything ready for dinner ya know." She turned towards the exit.

"Wait Bonbon!" Twilight shouted down the stairs. Using her wings to bypass the staircase, she floated down beside the two mares. "You can't tell anypony what you just saw. The mayor was right about one thing, the press would have a field day with this."

Bonbon stumbled backwards. "I won't! I couldn't! I promise!"

Dash absently chimed in. "You didn't have a problem telling the town about AJ and Fluttershy." No sooner had she spoken the words, she caught herself. She covered her mouth with a hoof, blushing profusely she quickly added, "I'm so sorry, I didn't mean that."

Luckily for Rainbow Dash, Bonbon did not seem to hear her. Twilight, however, did. She nodded her head to Dash, looking Bonbon in the eyes she furrowed her brow and spoke. "You are not to tell a soul what you saw here. That is an order. Do you understand?"

"N-no ma'am. I-I MEAN YES! Yes m-ma'am, I won't tell anypony. I SWEAR I WONT!" Bonbon's knees quaked. Her eyes had grown wide while her pupils shrank to mere pinpricks.

"Twilight…" Dash interrupted, "…stop, you're scaring her! She's trembling."

Twilight took a step backward, folding her wings, her gaze shifting from Bonbon to Dash and back. The cream colored earth pony was huddled close to the ground, her face buried in her hooves. She was, indeed, trembling. "I… I'm sorry. I didn't mean…"

"It's okay Twi, I'll take care of her." Dash said, giving Twilight a small pat on the shoulder.

Twilight slowly took another step backwards. Her eyes growing wide, she turned towards the back of the library and shouted, "Spike! You're supposed to be watching the front!" With tears in her eyes she breathed another apology before spreading her wings and flying herself upstairs and through the open bedroom door. With a purple glow, the door gently closed after her.

"Are you okay Bonbon? I've never seen you so scared." Dash said.

"I-I'll be fine, thanks Dash. I owe you one." Bonbon's shaking slowed. Her breathing slowly returned to normal. "I need some fresh air."

"I'll go back later to finish telling her about Fluttershy. You don't have to come if you don't want to." Rainbow Dash said as the two mares walked down the road towards Bonbon's house.

"Thanks Dash. I'm sorry I freaked out." Bonbon kicked at a small pebble in her path.

"Don't worry 'bout it. But I gotta ask, why were you so scared in the first place?"

"Twilight is so intimidating. I heard that Celestia herself said she has never seen a pony with such powerful magic. I even heard that, during the changeling invasion of Canterlot, she killed dozens of changelings with her magic before they could even touch her." A shiver ran down Bonbon's back, her fur was standing on end. "And on top of all that, she's a princess. If I upset her she could vaporise me in an instant, and nopony would be able to do anything about it."

"Wow. When you put it like that she does sound pretty scary. But this is Twilight we're talkin' 'bout, she would never do anything like that." Dash chuckled. "I'll bet you anything that the thought has never even crossed her mind."

"Thanks Dash. I'm glad you're here." Bonbon nuzzled Rainbow's neck. "You're so muscular but your coat is so soft. How do you do that?"

Dash blushed. She wanted to push Bonbon away, to chastise her for the unwanted affection, but something was stopping her. "I dunno, I just take good care of myself. I'm not all prissy like Rarity, but I do care how I look. The foals even have a fan club devoted to me. I can't let them down."

"You like foals?"

"Yeah, I guess I've got a bit of a soft spot."

Bonbon smiled, she brushed Rainbow's ear with her muzzle and whispered, "I'll see you at seven. Don't be late."

Rainbow Dash stopped in her tracks. Her eyes grew wide, her pupils growing till there was almost no color visible. Her cheeks grew hot and turned a bright crimson. As she watched Bonbon trot off towards her house, her voice squeaked a tiny "Okay."