One's Responsibility to Their Family

Rainbow jumped a little as another needle went through the dress and found her sensitive sides. “If you don’t stay still Rainbow, you are going to get pricked.”

“I’d be able to be still if you didn’t keep, Ai!” Rainbow turned to the seamstress with death in her eyes. “One more time Rarity. One more time.”

Rarity rolled her eyes as she continued her work. Since the dress had once been hers, getting it to fit Rainbow’s slim figure was going to be difficult to say the least. Add in the fact that I’m out of practice and Rarity bit into her cheek as she slowly slid the next pin in this becomes almost impossible. “You look marvelous though.”

Rainbow glanced into the full length mirror and sighed. “I look stupid.”

“Nonsense dear. You’re just nervous because you haven’t been on a date in a while.” Rarity couldn’t help but giggle as Rainbow went back to glaring at her.

She couldn’t deny that she was starting to look pretty awesome. Most of them didn’t wear dresses, so it had been a godsend that Rarity had something to match the formality she imagined a date with Nathaniel might require. Rainbow blew at the short hair that now covered her left eye and glanced back into the mirror to look at the form fitting light blue dress that hugged her lack of curves. She was just getting into the idea of Nathaniel seeing her like this when–

Stab

“That is it!” Rainbow Dash spun on her heel and went to chase the retreating woman. However, the main qualm she had had about the dress came true as she found her legs restricted and flailed to the ground. She looked up and scowled at Rarity. “You. Better. Not. Laugh.”

Rarity covered her face with one hand as she dismissed the comment with the wave of the other hand, all while her eyes burned from holding back the laugh. “You know I wouldn’t dare. Your dress should be done being pinned now and I just need to sew it. That means you need to get out of it.”

Rainbow groaned as she got up and her friend shook her head at the brash athlete. “It is your fault for having scheduled it for today. I should have this done in half an hour, maybe an hour. You just stay here, alright?”

Rainbow nodded and slipped the dress off. She sighed as Rarity walked away to another part of the house. Now was when she was supposed to really get ready, make-up and everything. Rarity would get her dress back to her, and maybe there would be another thirty minutes before Nathaniel got there. Something held her back. Something she wanted to bother her, wanted to stop her, but knew couldn’t.

There was a knock on the door before Applejack’s voice came through. “You decent?”

“Yeah, unless you have a problem with underwear.”

“Alright I guess.” Applejack was in her normal jeans and a t-shirt, but Rainbow had been too busy to have noticed the bandages around her hands before now.

“Hit something that you shouldn’t?”

Applejack shook her head. “Nah, I’m happy I hit it, but that doesn’t mean my fists don’t hurt. However, are you happy to be doing this Sugarcube?”

Rainbow walked over to the bathroom in her and Rarity’s room and tried to clear enough of her roommate’s junk so as to give her some counter space for once. “Yeah. Why wouldn’t I be?”

“Well if memory serves me right, a jerk is one hell of a jump from Soarin.”

Rainbow turned to her friend who was standing there with her hands in her pockets. She shook her head as she tried to shove the memories out of the way. “We were only just starting our relationship. It wasn’t like we were engaged or anything. Besides, Nathaniel is far more than just a jerk. He can be stubborn too.” She expected Applejack to laugh, or something. However, she stayed as still as the silence between them. Rainbow swallowed hard. “So how are you doing?”

“I’m fine I guess. Twilight is helping me deal with some stuff still and the job hunt is still proving impossible.” Applejack sighed and sat down next to Rainbow. “Why are you doing this?”

She opened her mouth. She opened it again. Finally, she simply stated, “I don’t know. Maybe there is just some sick part of me who is tired of watching all of this and not being able to help at least one of my friends.”

Applejack nodded and tried to put a hand on her friend’s shoulder. She backed up as Rainbow turned to her with tears in the corners of her eyes. She looked away and said in a quiet voice, “Can you just go AJ, please? I need some time to think.”

Applejack tried saying something, but the memories of her own problems resurfaced, along with the guilt of hiding them. She turned away and walked out, heading straight for Twilight and her’s room. Upon opening the door, she spotted Twilight sitting at her table with the curtains closed. “Twilight?”

She turned to her and rubbed her eyes. “Hey. I’m just trying to figure out another formula, but I think a small break could be of help. What is it?”

“Not much. Do you plan on going and seeing Nathaniel when he gets here?”

Twilight glanced down before Applejack could see the pain on her face. “Maybe, but I’m doubtful. The new combinations are getting tougher to figure out, and I have to give a lot of thought to them. Hence why I have stopped taking my choker off seeing as it hurts to get it back on. No reason to if I’m not gonna cast magic, right?”

Applejack bit into her lip. “I still don’t like that you and Rarity use chokers. Granny would have a fit thinking you had become whores or something.”

Twilight’s blush grew as she touched her her throat. “It really isn’t something to worry about. it is where our magic manifests most, so that was where the inhibitor and enchantment had to be placed. That it went here is just a coincidence.”

Applejack raised an eyebrow while Twilight refused to meet her eyes. “Is there something you’re leaving out sugar cube?”

The bookworm laced her fingers together and shook her head. “Just warring with the part of me that says I shouldn’t be thinking these things, and the part of me that just wants to submit.”

“That sounds a lot like when you–”

“Don’t you dare bring him up!”

Applejack chuckled as Twilight groaned and slumped in her chair. “I’m pathetic, aren’t I?”

“Depends, who are you possibly thinking about?”

Twilight stared at the wall for a few moments before shaking her head. “It doesn’t matter, so you don’t need to worry about it. I have these formulas to work on, and you should probably use any time that Nathaniel has to spend here getting to know him. I bet he could help with all the problems you have been having nowadays. At least job wise.”

Applejack reached out towards Twilight before the traumatic possibility of Twilight being into Nathaniel flashed into her mind. Why else would she bring him up right now? She quickly slammed the moment of paranoia out and retracted her hand. “Maybe. I’ll be heading down now, if not just to give you your space.” She got no response, though she may have seen Twilight shiver.

Celestia glanced up as Applejack slowly came down the stairs. “Hello Applejack. If I know correctly, you haven’t had much of a chance to meet with Nathaniel either, right?” She waited for the farm girl to nod before smiling. “Then I believe you and I are about to get our chance in about three… two… one.”

Right on time there was a polite knocking on the door that Rarity answered with Rainbow’s dress in her arms and pins in her mouth. “Yesh?”

Nathaniel finished straightening his black tie and vest and smiled at Rarity. However, an unsteady voice gave away his utter lack of confidence. “I am here to pick up Rainbow. Is she ready?”

The pins slowly fell out of Rarity’s mouth one by one. Finally, the circuits in Rarity’s mind connected as her eyes became the size of dish plates. She stuck one finger at him before declaring, “You aren’t supposed to be here yet.” She glanced at the dress in her arms and tore through the house as she screamed, “She isn’t done yet!”

Nathaniel blinked a few times before leaning in and spotting Celestia. “Excuse me, but are you Celestia, the one I talked to for the details of my arrival?” He waited for her to nod slightly before asking, “May I please come into your lovely home?”

Celestia smiled, unaware of the woman next to her’s sudden anxiety. “How polite. Of course you may come in.” She examined the young man as he entered and removed a pair of polished black shoes. With a clean pair of black slacks and tidy white dress shirt underneath the vest, he almost looked like a butler. However, a butler wouldn’t have a black eye or discoloration on his neck normally.

“My manners are all I have for success tonight, so it is good to hear they are intact. My name is Nathaniel Cypher, second heir to the Cypher corporate fortune.” He bent over to kiss Celestia’s extended hand, though a brief wince caused him to kiss a little harder than he had meant to. “I have heard much about you from Twilight, and if I am not mistaken by the infamous hat, you must be Applejack.”

She stared at the hand for a few moments before forcing her fears of exposure away. Why would he tell them now instead of after the date? She shook his hand and almost proceeded to attempt to crush it. Nathaniel took in a sharp breath as he came away, but nothing more.

“May I know how you got so injured? Rainbow told me you could get into fights, but this looks a bit more extreme.”

Nathaniel took in a deep breath, remembering the lines he had once said to the mirror. Not a lie, but not the truth. “An assailant with what I can only assume was a grudge against my brother attacked me. In the process of making sure my brother and family were safe, I found myself having to resort to this condition.” He paused. “It hurts, but nothing to dwell over for too long. The worst thing they gave me was a bruised collarbone.”

Celestia raised an eyebrow. “Sounds rather serious.”

“I’ve had worse mam.”

Celestia sat back as Nathaniel took a sip of tea. “That is a shame to hear. How are your studies coming along?”

Nathaniel glanced at the pot and Celestia slowly poured him a cup. He took a sip and let out a content sigh. “I’m not normally a fan, but this is quite good, just as my studies are with Twilight and Rarity.”

Celestia’s lips twitched as she tried not to smile more. The man was still nervous, but he hid it well in a professional air, especially since she knew no one else in the house would even attempt to survive her tea. “Thank you for the compliment. Is there anything you would like to talk about before Rainbow is ready?”

A bang could be heard from upstairs, and it took Nathaniel a few moments to slowly sip the bitter tea again as a segway. “Not really, except for how you could possibly afford such a house. It could not have been cheap.”

Applejack stopped any response with a terse, “We’re fine. We live on a budget but we’ll figure out a way to get by.”

Celestia finally let her eyes drop and put the cup on the table. “Fluttershy gives me quite high regards when it comes to her current job in your manor. Do you consider yourself a good boss?”

Nathaniel curled one of his hands. “I wish I knew. Though I have the title and spend much time with her, she became autonomous long ago. She is nice to talk to, but I have a hard time being in the same area with her. It has been getting better, but I stay in nearby clearings nonetheless. I assume that you are looking for work for yourself?”

Celestia let out a small chuckle, especially when she remembered the few days where Fluttershy has been beat red and mumbling about sculptures. “I don’t think these girls would survive if I did not make it my whole time job to take care of them. As for why I asked, it was for my stubborn and rather rude companion here.”

Applejack straightened as a hidden elbow nuzzled firmly between her ribs. “I’m sorry Celestia. Did I do something wrong?”

The princess spent a moment studying the farmer’s face before eye contact was broken. “No, I suppose not. Why don’t you help Rainbow with her dress though?”

Applejack took the out immediately and found herself moving much faster than she meant to.

Nathaniel attempted another sip of tea, but decided the stench from it may stain his breath at this point and merely acted like he was enjoying the smell before placing it back down. “I’m sorry. We met during the Halloween party, but I believe neither one of us wishes for those memories to come back and forgot the night. I hope this has not sullied your opinion of me at all.”

Celestia bit into her cheek, just small enough not to let anyone casually watching her like the worried man. “It only raises more of the intrigue that I have in you, instead of diminishing it. In fact, annoyingly enough, this whole evening has. However,” She paused as another crash was heard from above, “I believe I am running out of time. Will you indulge me in one more question?”

Nathaniel stood and straightened his pants. “I wish I had more time to answer all of them. You should give Fluttershy a list so that I may reply through mail.”

Celestia glanced at him, detected no sort of trickery, and nodded. “I believe one on one conversations are for the best. It allows one to see what a person truly is like.” She almost lost control of her polite smile when Nathaniel’s shoulders slumped. “My final question is this: What do you plan to do with my girls?”

“I was thinking a nice dinner, a walk through the park.” Nathaniel became silent as Celestia rose a hand. His eyes tilted away before his whole body followed. “I don’t know. They… they’re different from anyone I’ve ever met. They scare me, especially Pinkie. However…” Nathaniel clenched his fists as his mind started to lose itself to the chaos. “Howe–”

“She is ready!” Rarity stepped out of the way to allow the her model to enter the room

Nathaniel felt his breath catch as Rainbow walked out. Her face was slightly tinted red, though I doubt anyone would have the guts to accuse her of blushing at the moment with the fierce scowl she wore. She stomped down the stairs, the dress starting to piss her off as it tried to hug her hips. Finally, she looked up at Nathaniel who had come to her. Part of his face was covered by her short hair, but he saw utter amazement in that stupid face of his. She forced herself to not blush harder and growled, “Can we go already?”

Rarity frowned as she watched Nathaniel nod, the boy staying a shade of red himself. He escorted Rainbow out, giving a polite bow to them as he closed the door. She had watched his eyes stay glued to Rainbow the whole time she put on that dreadful performance. There had been no lust, there had been no distraction, only sheer awe directed only to her.

Rarity swallowed hard and felt her face go flush. However, the worry left quicklyleft as she ducked into her room to allow Applejack pass. However, when Applejack went to open the door to her room, a bright light flashed next to her and a white hand with a red band went over hers. In a pained voice Celestia stated, “We need to talk.”

“About what?”

Celestia beckoned her over while not allowing the gruff tone to get to her. She kept her eyes glued to AJ’s face, sighting the same shame and worry, but added with something more. Regret. Celestia placed a firm hand on her chin and kept the gaze going, Applejack fidgeting more and more by the second.

Finally Applejack broke under the accusing glare. She felt a single tear roll down her face. “He wasn’t supposed to be this kind. He was supposed to be putting up a front, be a monster. Be like every other human we have come into contact with.”

Celestia still didn’t let go, keeping the burning gaze on her young charge. “You know that is not true Applejack. I want to know the truth. Now.”

Applejack opened her mouth and then took a step back as Celestia finally let go. “I beat him. I’m the one who caused those bruises. Please, please don’t let the others know. I’m pretty sure Twilight would hate me, and Rainbow would probably kill me. I don’t know what I’m doing anymore Celestia. I just don’t.”

“Why?”

“Why? I just told you I don’t know what I’m doing, so how am I supposed to tell you why?” Tears were streaming down her face as Applejack struggled to keep her voice down.

The princess laid a hand on her shoulder. “I mean why have you become like this? So fast to assume someone is bad, when back home we have proven that even those we assume are the worst can be reformed. What broke you Applejack, the strongest of my subjects?”

Applejack froze as she stared into the distance. “You’re lying. How could I possibly be the strongest? Isn’t that Twilight?”

Celestia’s arm wrapped around Applejack’s neck in a soft embrace, received by a tiny shudder from the simple farmer. “You bore my problems. You have taken on responsibilities that no one could be asked of, especially when you know that even I doubt our return. The fact that you did not kill the man proves this, because I believe something terrible happened to you. Am I right?”

Applejack shuddered and leaned back into Celestia’s bosom. “Yes, but I will destroy everything we have worked for of I tell you.”

Celestia ran a hand through the young girl’s hair before running the finger down her face and tilting it so that the two faced each other. “I will not press you as long as you promise to two things. One, you tell me the moment you can, so I can share your burden, and two, that you give Nathaniel a chance next time you see him. He has proven himself to your friends, and has a good start with me. The least you can do is give him a clean slate.”

Applejack collapsed and Celestia followed her down. “He won’t give me one. I am nothing to them. You heard him, all I am is an assailant.”

Celestia smiled down at her before hugging her tight. “Do you promise?”

Applejack paused, but eventually nuzzled into Celestia’s bosom. “Yes.”

Twilight would eventually come out and wrap a blanket around the two, happy that Applejack had found another person to confide in. “Now if only I could confide in someone.” Twilight grabbed the blank sheet of paper from her desk before allowing it to simply fall into the trashcan.