The Bubbly Mare

"Perspective"
3, 3

Applejack peered out into the darkness, stars dotting the sky. Leaning back on a comfortable mattress, she took a deep breath and sighed, content to be in such a warm place. She'd taken her hat off... she meant to stay the night.

She looked to her left and was met by two cyan eyes. Rainbow Dash cuddled into her side. Though it was hard to tell, given all that could be seen over the farm pony's barrel were eyes and a rainbow mane, Applejack knew Dash was smiling. She smiled back and the pegasus moved in closer... rubbing the side of her face into the farm pony's chest and neck fluff. Applejack couldn't help letting out a whinny, returning the affection, following it up with a gentle kiss to the cheek.

As Rainbow snuggled in and closed her eyes Applejack peered to her right. Laying there, just as cuddly as Rainbow, was Pinkie Pie. With a playful flick of the farm pony's head, Pinkie pulled herself in and snuggled up, also burying her face deep into the nape of Applejack's neck. In response the farm pony smooched Pinkie's forehead and the pink earth pony giggled, shutting her eyes.

Applejack's gaze drifted upwards as she let out another breath.

Alongside her hat on the dresser she spotted Gummy. He looked down at the three, almost questioningly. She chuckled as he slowly blinked one eye, followed by the other. She never could fully comprehend why Rainbow found him creepy... he always looked so lost to her, which was kind of adorable.

She turned her attention back to the bed, snuggling both mares and pulling them close. She put a hoof to Pinkie's rump. Crinkle. She gave it a gentle pat-pat for reassurance. Crinkle-crinkle! Crinkle!

Beneath her gal pal's pacifier escaped a tiny giggle. The rubber object fell to the side as she kissed the edge of Applejack's face. The farm pony snuggled back and Pinkie happily purred, settling yet again right into the nape of Applejack's neck.

Applejack then turned to her left and planted a hoof on Rainbow's bottom. Crinkle. She reeled her in tight, rubbing the rainbow-maned mare's diapered rump thoroughly. Crunchy-crinkle... CRINKLE! Rainbow at first blushed and looked away, then giggled... kissing the farm pony's neck and lips, snuggling her tightly. As the three ponies kissed and cuddled, Applejack found herself relaxing deeper and deeper into this state of warm bliss.

The farm pony had diapered the mares well before the trio had even watched the sunset. For over a month they had been trying to do this about once a week. They'd eaten a late dinner, Applejack cooked herself per usual, along with some cupcakes Pinkie had made for dessert. Dash had said something about not eating earlier in the day... which, of course, meant another stressful day for the two of them. Applejack was glad to take her away from that, even if for a little bit.

With dinner gone and the night lights by Pinkie's bed glowing dim, there was nothing left to do except sleep, sharing the perfect end to an otherwise hectic day. They were together, feeling each other's warmth and smelling each other's smell. No pony could've asked for anything more. There was only one small problem, though.

Applejack suddenly felt one of the two warm bodies pull away. She turned, feeling the mare on her right throw off the covers and get out of bed. She crinkled loudly in the darkness.

"What gives, Pinkie?" Dash asked, the slight tone of irritation in her voice.

"Um... I forgot to brush!" the pink mare responded, gleefully.

The farm pony felt Rainbow's body tense up.

"So?" the pegasus muttered, burying her face into the pillow. "Neither of us did! You're not going to get a cavity from one night, Pinkie Pie."

"It's okay, Rainbow. "Applejack chuckled, kissing her Special Somepony on the forehead. "Ah know ya wanna sleep now... besides, after what we did earlier before the lights went out yer the one who should be brushing her teeth." She turned back to Pinkie Pie. "It ain't gonna take long. Right Pinkie?"

"Of course not!"

Applejack felt Dash squeeze her barrel. "Then get to it!"

With that the pink mare giggled, then bounced away, leaving the two in silence for a moment. Applejack couldn't help grinning in as the light came on in the other room, then again in the bathroom. She looked at Rainbow, who was squinting.

"Well, at least she ain't gonna take long."

In response Rainbow grumbled, then hugged Applejack tight, hiding her face in the farm pony's chest.

"There, there," Applejack said playfully, as Rainbow headbutted her in the barrel. "Ooof! Think Ah might've deserved that."

"You did," Rainbow Dash said, matter-of-factly.

Applejack chuckled, swatting her Special Somepony's keister, before nuzzling her mane and shutting her eyes, too.

"Let's just sleep, Rainbow Dash... let Pinkie be Pinkie. You and me are just gunna be ourselves."

* * *

Suddenly there was a creak downstairs. Applejack turned to see another light come on, then she heard a familiar, high-pitched voice coming from the floor below:

"Applejack?"

Rainbow's eyes bolted open. A moment of silence passed, and both ponies looked at each other... of all the times for Apple Bloom to show up, this was probably the most awkward.

"Apple Bloom?" Applejack said to be sure, as Rainbow worked quickly to pull the covers on top of herself. "Stay where ya are, a'right?"

Another moment, and it sounded like Apple Bloom was about to take a step... but in actuality she just clicked a hoof against the floor boards.

"Okay," the little voice said.

Somethin's the matter. She ain't normally this shy.

The farm pony sighed.

"Tell me what's going on. I'll be right there."

"Uh..." Both ponies heard Apple Bloom sniff the air. "It kinda smells like a foal's room up there..."

Applejack looked down at Rainbow who, despite being covered up, looked like she wanted to hide under the bed.

"Focus, Apple Bloom." Applejack began stuffing things in her bag. "Why're ya out at this hour, in the middle of town, of all places? You should be in bed."

With everything away and Rainbow Dash mostly presentable, Applejack ran to the stairs. She looked down at her little sister, who had Mrs. Cake right behind her.

"Um..."

The farm pony felt her heart skip a beat.

"Did somethin' happen to Granny Smith?"

The filly took a breath. "No... she sent me to get ya."

A million questions ran through Applejack's mind, but she settled on asking the most open-ended one. "Well, what is it?"

"It's Derpy." Apple Bloom looked up, biting her lip. "She was calling for ya... well, more like hollarin' when we found her. She's like... asleep, but hollarin' one moment, mumblin' the next. Granny says she's drunk. Real drunk."

"Drunk?" Applejack blinked. "Don't be silly, Apple Bloom! Derpy doesn't drink. She practically hates the stuff!"

"Applejack..." Mrs. Cake finally spoke up. "Your sister's just the messenger. If your grandmother says Derpy needs you, enough to send your little sister out after dark to get you, maybe you should think about heading home. Pinkie'll understand. If not, I'll talk to her."

Applejack looked at the two ponies. In the faint light the pair bit their lips. Mrs. Cake had a sympathetic air to her, whereas Apple Bloom actually look upset... maybe even scared. The farm pony lowered her head.

"I'm sorry, Apple Bloom," she said. "Wait in the lobby... I'll be down in a minute. Have some cocoa or a milk shake on me."

Mrs. Cake nodded approvingly, before she and Apple Bloom trotted off.

Applejack looked over at Rainbow, whose eyes looked confused... if not a bit torn.

"Ah gotta go, Rainbow," she said, flatly. "I... probably won't be back, but I'll try. Promise! If ya wanna fool around some more without me that's fine."

Dash took a deep breath. She had that familiar scowl her Special Somepony knew too well... the one that wasn't quite irritated, but still said clearly she wasn't going to take any guff.

"Okay," Rainbow said, removing the covers and slipping out of the diaper like it was a pair of panties. "But if that's the case, then I'm coming with you!"

"Rainbow, Ah really don't know what's goin-"

Dash quickly trotted up to Applejack. The two found themselves muzzle-to-muzzle.

"All the more reason you're gunna want some support." She smiled. "You know I'm not about to take no for an answer, AJ. Right?"

The farm pony nodded.

"Yeah... Ah know."

"Besides, something's going on. Derpy looked sick today, she totally shouldn't be out drinking! I need to get to the bottom of this."

Nodding, Applejack put a hoof to the back of her head, dreading what her Special Somepony was going to say next.

"Sick, huh?" The farm pony took a sudden interest in the floor boards. "Well, just don't go firing her... this is, like, maybe the first job she's had she's actually been able to do."

"Hey... AJ?" The farm pony looked up. "I'm sooo not going to do anything like that. Just ask her what's up, okay?"

Applejack nodded again. "Alright."

Rainbow smirked, letting out a breath through her nose.

"I knew you'd see it my way. Let's get going then!"

Applejack glanced off into the direction she knew Pinkie Pie had gone. If they went downstairs with Pinkie still in her private bathroom... there's a chance she might feel they abandoned her.

"Just a minute, Rainbow. Okay?"

The pegasus turned back to the bed, picking up their things and a few used paper plates.

"Fine. It's going to take me a few minutes anyway."

Looking at Rainbow from behind, Applejack couldn't help but shake her head. On Rainbow's rump was not only the clear outline of diaper elastics, but a good dusting of foal powder.

"Um... okay." She shook her head. "A few minutes might be a good idea."

Rainbow Dash continued, packing and making the bed, completely unaware of what her Special Somepony had just seen. Applejack simply collected her hat, jumping as she heard Gummy's soft hiss. The gator had been along side it well before Pinkie had left. Little did she know she'd startled him first. She quickly walked off, with one goal in mind.

Pinkie's upstairs room may have been a little cozy, but her living area was the size of a small house. That made sense, since she had a lot of contraptions and toys she liked to play with, plus there was a room off to the side big enough for at least ten ponies to have a party. Pinkie was the Cake's ward... they took great care of her, and seeing all this on the way to Pinkie's bathroom made Applejack smile.

She knocked on the door.

"Just a second!" Pinkie chirped. A moment passed and she heard the water die down.

"It's just me, Pinkie," Applejack said. "We gotta go."

"What!?" Pinkie opened the door a hoof's width. "Why? Did something happen?"

Applejack nodded, pulling on her hat.

"Yeah... from what AB's tellin' me, sounds like something happened with Derpy. We might be back, we might not... well, probably not."

"Oh..." Pinkie looked down, nodding her head. "Okay. I understand."

Applejack checked to make sure Pinkie's mane was still curly. It hadn't lost a bit of its frizz.

"You're not sad, are ya?"

Pinkie looked up, softly smiling.

"A lil disappointed, maybe... but these things happen, right?"

"They do." Applejack found herself smiling. "How 'bout we do this next week?"

Pinkie beamed a huge grin.

"Okee-dokie-lokie!"

* * *

Applejack had seen to Rainbow before going downstairs. The marks from the disposable diaper seemed to have already faded, but the powder was still pretty evident. Her back was to the farm pony, just finishing loading up the saddlebag, exactly as Applejack liked them... otherwise, knowing Rainbow, it would have been done in a flash.

"H-hey!" the pegasus's back stiffened, as Applejack gently brushed her bottom clean. "What's the big idea?"

"Trust me, Rainbow," Applejack picked up the bag and slipped it on. "You'll thank me... you had a pretty powdery behind." She motioned with her head towards the stairs as Dash blushed. "Let's go."

Rainbow went first, Applejack looking over her backside... she was fine, of course (she always was), but she was also powder-free. It didn't take long for the two to locate Apple Bloom. She was sitting by the entrance, nursing a strawberry milkshake. Mrs. Cake looked on from behind the counter.

"Let's go," the farm pony said. "I'll walk ya home... Ah want ya brushing yer teeth the moment we get in."

Apple Bloom looked over at Rainbow as she got up and nodded, then turned towards the exit. Dash went with her.

"Put this on ma tab, Mrs. Cake." She smiled uncomfortably, rifling through her bag. "Naw, that ain't right. Don't waste your time for just a bit."

"It's on the house, Applejack," Mrs. Cake stepped out from behind the counter. "Just one thing I'd like to ask you before you leave."

"Yeah?"

The aging baker walked up to the table and removed the glass. She smiled.

"You're not going to hurt Pinkie Pie, are you?"

Applejack gulped, blinking twice.

"Um... W-what'd ya mean?"

"Me and Mr. Cake... well, we respect Pinkie's privacy, but we hear things. We both know what a certain type of spring squeaking means. When you two leave she's suddenly a lot brighter, and, well, I think we can put two and two together. Honestly, it's a bit odd for her to have two mare friends, but it's Pinkie Pie and I'm happy it's you: the Elements of Honesty and Loyalty. Just please be nice to her, okay? She's a grown mare, but she's still like a filly." Applejack took a sudden interest in her hooves. "Applejack, I hope I haven't upset you with what I've had to sa-"

"Mrs. Cake," Applejack interjected, looking into the baker's eyes. "Ah know she what is... I see it. Ah ain't gunna hurt her, and I'd kick anypony's flank from here to Canterlot if'n they ever did. Even Rainbow's. You know me."

Mrs. Cake smiled brightly.

"That's wonderful Applejack. I knew we could always trust you."

"Yeah." Applejack nodded her head and waved. The older mare waved back, then Applejack pushed open the door and left to find Rainbow and Apple Bloom waiting for her. She smiled at the pair as the door closed. "Well, what're we waitin' for?"

"Just you, Applejack," Rainbow Dash said, playfully.

The farm pony sighed. "Let's just go already."

With that the three set off, the near full moon guiding them through town. It would take a bit to get to the Acres, but the three trotted at a brisk pace. They were silent, which seemed strange to Rainbow... but it made sense. Applejack was in a hurry to see Apple Boom off to bed and find out what was going on. So was she, but she was just there mostly for support, should Applejack need anything... she wasn't at all angry or confused that she gave Derpy a couple days off to rest up and it seemed like she was out having a party. That totally wouldn't make any sense.

* * *

The Acres were in sight, Applejack could see that as she crossed above the final hill before the planes that housed her farm. The light of the farmhouse twinkled off in the distance as the other two followed, knowing what they were going to see before it even came into view. Applejack turned back to look at her little sister. The filly yawned.

"You've had a rough couple of hours. Get on up there and brush! Don't worry about Derpy. Everything's under control and will be fine in the morning. Promise."

Apple Bloom smiled as she picked up the pace, passing in front of the rainbow-maned pegasus. She cantered quickly towards the house as the two ponies followed, also picking up speed.

"You're good at that, Applejack," Rainbow Dash commented. "You don't even know what's going on, you told me as much!"

"Shhhh! She don't need to know that, and it don't matter." Applejack watched as her sister continued up to the farmhouse doors, opening them and stepping inside. "She didn't hear ya." The farm pony looked back. "Of course Ah'm worried, but thinking about it Ah'd be even more worried if Ah put this off 'til morning. Ma first guess is maybe she and Thunderlane're fighting."

"That would explain a lot. Believe me, AJ. He can be really hard to get along with. He's so... gosh darn arrogant. It drives me nuts!"

"But... there is something Derpy likes about him. That's all that matters, right? Ya ain't gunna like everypony ya come across, even if ya are the Element of Loyalty."

The pegasus nodded, pondering what she had just been told.

"You know, AJ... I've never really seen them together much. Outside of work, I mean. He helps her sometimes doing stuff... maybe that is a sign he's got a nice side, but I don't know. I thought he was faking today."

The farm pony slowed down a bit, looking back at her Special Somepony. She laughed.

"Rainbow, ya really shouldn't be listening in on those two together. It's kinda perv-"

"Applejack, that's not what I mean." Rainbow sighed. "Look, I'm not supposed to talk about this, but... Thunderlane's supposedly sick. Like, contagious or something. I let Derpy stay home because she looked really bad. So, I guess... hey, maybe they made each other sick or something, and they're really mad about it?"

They were now close enough to the house that Applejack could make out Apple Bloom's silhouette in the bathroom window. She was brushing her teeth, just as she was told.

"Ah don't know, Rainbow. This whole thing is... really weird."

"You can say that again."

They were a few steps from the porch.

"Well, Ah don't hear no shouting, so Ah guess Granny and Big Mac were able to calm her down. Y'all don't have to come in with me if ya don't want."

Rainbow narrowed her eyes.

"I need to talk to her, too. Besides, I'm here for support. Remember?"

Applejack nodded, putting a hoof on the door.

"Fair enough."

The farm pony opened the door and the two stepped inside.

* * *

The farm pony's eyes darted around her living room. It was empty, silent... devoid of any activity except for a small light on in the corner.

"Hello?" she called out as Rainbow Dash came up behind her.

"Applejack," Granny Smith responded, stepping into the room. Big Mac was close behind the older mare, wearing his bathrobe and looking like he'd stepped out of the shower not five minutes before. "Glad yer home."

"Yeah, Granny..." Applejack's eyes drifted between the two ponies. "Everything alright? Apple Bloom said Derpy was here, shoutin' for me... but Ah don't hear her. Or see her, for that matter."

"Ah've put her to bed in the guest room..." Big Mac nodded as she said this. "She was asleep when we found her, and wasn't awake for very long. She was hollarin' fer you, among other things. Reckon she's drunk from her state and the smell. That and the half bottle of Faux-Jacks cider we found next to her."

"Is she alright?" Applejack looked back at Rainbow Dash, who looked back, poised and alert for somepony who less than forty five minutes before was diapered and half asleep.

"She wants you," Granny Smith replied. "She's prolly asleep, though. I'd go to her, since she's made her problems known."

"What'd you mean?"

"She didn't exactly say she and her Special Somepony were kaput, but I'd say the outlook for the two still bein' together ain't so good. Somethin' about two other ponies being there with him at his home..." Granny Smith turned to her Grandson. "What'd she say their names were again?"

The large stallion shrugged as the older mare laughed.

"Can't remember either?"

"Eey-nope."

"Funny, you'd think one of us'd remember... think we were more focused on not startlin' Apple Bloom. It was well after she was gone, too! Was it, oh... somethin' like Spring Trap?"

"Um, were the names maybe Lilac Sky and Spring Step?" Rainbow Dash asked.

All three ponies turned to the pegasus.

"That sounds about right."

"Ee-yup."

"Applejack..." Rainbow Dash's voice a had certain pitch to it, one the farm pony knew as a mixture of confusion and apprehension. She turned to see Dash's eyes confirm this. "I really need to go see what's going on," she said. "I couldn't find those two today, that's pretty much why I didn't have time to eat anything earlier."

Applejack nodded, taking all this in.

"Okay," she said, calmly. "I can understand that... anything Ah can do to help before you're off?"

"Not really."

"Ya can come back afterwards, ya know."

"Yer always welcome here," Granny Smith piped in. "You're like family!"

Rainbow bit her lip, turning towards the door and placing a hoof on the knob.

"I-I might come back," she replied. "Just... let me go talk to Thunderlane first, 'kay? Sounds like I'm more likely to get... answers that make sense out of him."

"Okay."

Rainbow took a sudden interest in her hooves, then opened the door wide.

"I really don't want to go."

"Ah know..." Applejack smiled, nodding. "Duty calls, Ah guess."

"Yeah."

Rainbow stepped through the door, closing it. All was silent for a moment as they heard the pegasus take off.

Granny Smith shook her head as Big Mac passed them by, slowly and stiffly. "Wait a minute, you. Take off that robe, show Applejack what happened to yer back."

He looked at his granny for a moment, biting his lip, then conceded... pulling down the robe a bit, showing close to half a dozen hoof-shaped bruises. They were too small for a stallion's work, but they'd clearly hit as hard as one.

"Like Ah said, Derpy was in and out. We tried carrying her on Big Mac's back... but she woke up. Ended up dropping her more than once. Had to carry her real gentle-like... happy the guest bedroom is on the first-floor, at least."

Applejack's eyes went wide.

"Derpy did all that?" she asked, already knowing the answer.

"Ee-yup." The stallion pulled his robe back up, not looking back. "G'night Applejack, g'night Granny."

As Big Mac entered the hall, Applejack heard the bathroom door swing open and heard the quick cantering of her little sister right by her brother. From the sound the two almost collided.

"It's just us now," Granny Smith said, motioning for Applejack to follow her down the hall as well. "I'll wait up if Derpy's asleep if I gotta."

"Granny, that won't be necessary."

Applejack and Granny Smith approached the hall.

"She's gunna be fine 'til morning, but something tells me she's gunna be a might confused if she wakes up in the middle of the night in a strange bed."

"Ee-yup." Applejack agreed.

They descended the hall towards the end to the door by Big Mac's room. His light was already out and Apple Bloom's was just turning it off across the hallway.

"We're all tired Applejack, but... Derpy's ain't hardly got nobody."

"Ah know that, Granny."

"Amethyst's off half the time in Canterlot, Dinky comes and goes with her. Gettin' tutored out there... it's a might impressive, but that's for her. Derpy is, well... she's Derpy. S'only right she have somebody here." Applejack nodded. "You've got a full life... don't stretch yerself too thin now, but realize when something's important. This feels important, don't it?"

Again, Applejack nodded. "Yeah, Granny. It does."

Granny Smith sighed.

"Ah'm gunna be in the living room... if she's awake, just say hello. If not, I'll be up." She sighed again. "There's something ya gotta know first, though."

Applejack perked an ear, staring at the door.

"What's that?"

"There's a reason Big Mac dropped her twice."

"Reckon she tore into 'em twice. If she's drunk, maybe she doesn't know quite what she's doing. Cider can do that to a pony."

"Not quite this time. She's drunk but she wasn't violent. In and out, and confused is more how Ah'd describe it."

The farm pony looked over at her Grandmother.

"What are you tryin' to tell me, Granny?"

"Applejack, it was the second time Big Mac dropped her that she tore into him, and there was a good reason for it... because he'd dropped her the first time. Apple Bloom wasn't around for either. Derpy... as Big Mac was hoisting her up, she unexpectedly lost control o' her bodily functions right on his back. It happens... he dropped her and she bumped her head. She's fine, though. That's why he took a shower. That and to ease the sting of all the welts on his back from when he tried to pick her up the second time."

"If'in it were any other pony I'd say that's gratitude for ya... but that's not like Derpy at all."

Granny Smith shook her head.

"Ah wish that were all Ah had to tell ya."

Applejack sighed.

"What else is wrong?"

"Nothin' is 'wrong' persay, Applejack... it's more what Ah had to do to make sure everything stays clean."

The farm pony took a breath.

"What'd ya mean, Granny?

"Applejack... Ah don't like to pry, but Ah know you've got some adult-sized whoozie-whatsies. Came across 'em in yer closet last month while cleaning. You know what whoosie-whatzies Ah mean, right? Don't gotta spell it out fer ya."

Applejack nodded.

"Yer business is yer business. You're a full-grown mare, though if there's something medical goin' on Doctor Stable might be able to help." Those words hovered in the air as Granny Smith looked over at her Grandchild, who she could see was blushing and doing everything to keep a straight face. Any other pony would have been convinced Applejack had Equestria's greatest poker face. "Applejack, these particular whoosie-whatzies are a bit more... let's just say 'festive' than the ones Ah found by accident. What I'm trying to say is, Applejack, Ah borrowed the pack and Derpy's wearin' one. She probably doesn't even know it... slept right through the change. Boy, does that sound a bit odd. Though she's young enough to be my grandkid, it felt more than a bit awkward. Ain't like diaperin' a foal one bit."

"Does anypony else know?"

Granny Smith shook her head.

"Big Mac was showerin' and Apple Bloom was out gettin ya."

Applejack heaved a sigh of relief.

"They ain't mine, Granny," she said, flatly. "Or that is to say I don't wear 'em. I'm kinda, like... holdin' em for a friend, really. Don't wanna talk about it."

Granny Smith nodded.

"Okay, Applejack... but if ya are havin' night-time worries, we can-"

"I'm fine, Granny. Really!"

"Okay." Granny Smith turned her back. "Like Ah said, Ah'll be out in the livin' room."

Applejack turned back to the door.

"Okay." She took another deep breath, and sighed. "This has been one real strange day."

The farm pony knocked, placing her ear against the hardwood by the handle. She listened for something, anything to indicate Derpy was awake. She stood there for a moment, waiting. Applejack wanted Derpy to be awake just a little more than she wanted her to be asleep. Part of the farm pony knew it wouldn't be a good idea to let something like this sit all night, especially if something bad did happen and if Derpy was as in as bad shape as Granny Smith had said. There was also another reason she'd rather talk to Derpy first, but she knew it would be better to set her pride aside and focus on her friend, whose state... she would just have to see for herself.

Applejack heard the tiniest of stirs in the room -- a shuffle and the sound of springs squeaking. She sighed. She knew what that probably meant.

"Oh, the things you'll do for a friend."

She turned the knob, slowly. It was quiet, at first. All that would change pretty fast, by her prediction.

* * *

Applejack pressed on the door. It opened slowly, without so much as a creak.

First thing she noticed was the table side light was turned on. She guessed that was to make it easier for Granny Smith, should Derpy start calling out in the middle of the night. It was a three-way bulb on its dimmest setting, shade turned away from the bed. Applejack couldn't help smiling. For a pony her age Granny Smith was certainly on it.

"Um... Hello?" she said, clearly. "Derpy, are you awake?"

Suddenly there was a sound of twisting and turning on the mattress. The farm pony froze. Standing for a moment, she took a breath through her nose as the springs settled... then winced, fighting the urge to cough. In that one wiff she smelled sick, along with a few other things. Foal powder was in the mixture, but it certainly wasn't the most prominent.

Oh, wow.

"Um, hey Applejack," Derpy muttered, softly. "I'm up."

Turning to shut the door the farm pony paused a tick as she noticed a pack of diapers from her own personal stash out by the wardrobe. They sat out in plain sight, with nothing covering them. As the door clicked closed she turned to look at Derpy.

Aside from being wrapped up haphazardly in a brown blanket, resembling something of a cock-eyed mummy, Derpy's eyes were noticeably sunken. She shook a bit, despite laying back. The motion was barely noticeable, almost making little circles, as if dizzy. She still smiled, and Applejack smiled right back... watching the pegasus's body jerk forward as she burped quietly. She would've been too far away to stop any vomit from getting on the bed and blanket had it come that suddenly.

Siding on the air of caution, Applejack put her hooves up and approached the bed slowly... glancing at the waist paper basket by its side. Once close enough she studied Derpy's lips, seeing the remnants of crusty, translucent barf.

"Hey, Derpy?" Applejack grinned, speaking slowly. "Don't take this the wrong way, now... ya really don't look that great."

She could see that little crack had brought a smile to Derpy's face... not that it was really meant as a joke.

That's a good sign.

"Um, I really don't feel that great," Derpy replied, as the farm pony leaned up against the bed. "I'm kinda sick. Rainbow Dash said I would be. I'll be okay in a few days, I'm sure."

Applejack shook her head. She could tell from the way Derpy glanced at the mattress the pegasus could feel it through the bed. Letting out a sigh she stepped back.

"Ya know, Apple Bloom came all the way to Sugar Cube Corner just to find me, so Ah could come back here proper and talk to you. Derpy, I'd wager ya might be a lil sick, but from what we're seein' here and what Granny Smith told me... yer probably jus' drunk. Least as far back as Ah can remember you've never done anything like this. Guessin' something really bad must've happened."

Derpy swallowed, turning to face the other direction. She nodded slowly. "Uh-huh."

Applejack smiled, trying to take the friendliest tone she could. From years with the pegasus she knew what it meant when she couldn't look her in the eye... not that she wasn't being truthful, but that she might be overwhelmed. Keep it light.

"Well, maybe..." She paused for a moment, swallowing. "Now, this is just a guess. You and Thunderlane got into a fight?"

There was a moment of silence. Derpy nodded again, this time a little more slowly, taking a breath. "Yup."

"This would probably be your first fight with him then, huh?"

"Mmm-hm."

We're gettin' somewhere.

"You know..." Applejack chuckled, trying to hide the sigh she was letting out. "You're usually so smiley whenever we talk about him, whenever Ah see ya passing in town. Yer goin' here or there with him, or he's takin' ya out to eat at Ponyville's finest restaurant. My guess is he maybe got angry and said something... Ah don't know, a lil mean or hurtful when he got all worked up?"

Derpy nodded again. "Uh-huh."

Applejack couldn't help smiling. She was sure she knew exactly what to say at this point. This was turning out easy, she could relax. Derpy just lacked experience in these matters.

"Shucks, Derpy, ya ain't got nothin' to worry about! Promise he just needs a lil time, and everything'll be fine. Believe me, Ah've said some real horrible, nasty things to RD when we get hot, but we always make up a day or two later and everything's perfectly dandy-"

The farm pony's eyes were squarely focused on her friend, but she wasn't actually seeing her. Applejack knew what to say, it was already playing out exactly as she thought it would. Derpy's body even seemed to be relaxing some, pressing slowly into the mattress... kind of hard, but then again she was drunk. Applejack wasn't about to admit it, but part of her wanted to be back with Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie. Unwinding in the warm, upstairs of the Cake's house, cuddling... crinkling their padded bottoms, instead of being back here, dealing with this. Part of her was still back there, actually... and it was a little bigger than she was ready to admit. This was her time to relax, after all.

The pegasus turned towards Applejack, and Applejack immediately recoiled seeing the look in her face. Though Derpy seldom got angry, it was a familiar enough of a look... one the farm pony never liked seeing.

"Applejack, he-" Derpy took a breath, tears welling up in her eyes. " I- ... No!"

Derpy lowered her head and held back the vocalizations, but they still came out as whimpers. Applejack heard the bile rising in her gut and could see the tears falling. Accompanying her crying was hard, staccato-like breathing.

The farm pony took one look at this and bit her lip, reaching out with a hoof, only to see Derpy neither look up or react.

"Oh, no..."

Applejack felt tiny for a moment, cold... but then came back strong, turning to sit alongside her friend. Nevermind the creaky mattress or any other distractions. She could tell from the deep, guttural way Derpy cried this wasn't just some ordinary fight blown out of proportion. Something had actually happened, and Derpy walked here, possibly drunk, because she didn't know what to do. Being Derpy's friend Applejack certainly was going to try to help, but... where to even begin? All she could do was take a deep breath and try to be patient. Her relaxation would have to wait... which was fine. She would just listen, or at least try to, and hope for the best. Derpy was her oldest friend, after all.