The bellowing of the train whistle caused Dash’s sleep to be disturbed. “MANEHATTEN!” the conductor yelled.

It’s been almost a full day since she left Ponyville in search of her beloved. “AJ’s got a lot of relatives all over Equestria.” She muttered to herself, “I hope I’m right on this first shot. She might be staying with her aunt and uncle Pear.... no… zucchini?”

Rainbow flew off toward the nearest postal service. “Hey, can I borrow your address directory?”

“Sure.”

Rainbow flipped through the pages looking through alphabetically.

“Aubergines, Bananas, Kumquats…Oh Horse apples! Why does all her family have to be fruit?!” Dash said frustratingly. After flipping through a few more pages she finally remembered, “Oh Orange… ORANGE that’s it!” She quickly noted the address, took directions and afterward zoomed out of the post office.

She flew into the neighbourhood and stopped at a large apartment building. “This looks like the right place…” Dash walked up and pressed the bell.

“Yes. Hello?”

“Um... Hi Aunty Orange. I’m Rainbow Dash, a friend of Applejack.”

“Just a sec please,” then the lock clicked, “do come up dear!”

Dash sheepishly went up to the fifth floor apartment and knocked. Her heart beat a mile a minute and she nervously rubbed her forehooves together. Her mind was a whirlwind of apologetic thoughts and words of sentiment. The clicking of door locks only made her feel more anxious than ever. The door slowly opened revealing a well dressed mare and a hair style that looked like it came from a classic period.

“Hello dear, do come in!” Auntie Orange said gesturing in Dash, “Would you like some tea?”

“No thanks. Sorry to intrude but I won’t be staying long,” Dash said as she took just a few steps in, “Um… is Applejack here by chance?”

“Applejack? Why, no dear! I think the last time I heard from her was about five months ago. Why dear? Is something wrong?” Auntie Orange’s voice turned from one of fluttery sweet to concern.

“No no! Nothing bad happened!” Dash said quickly, “I mean… yes. She’s…run away because of me.”

Auntie Orange just stared at Dash for a few minutes, “I think you could really use a cup of tea. Do have a seat dear.”
With that she trotted into the kitchen, while Dash gingerly made her way to the exquisite flower design sofa and sat down. Dash’s eyes examined the living space. She chuckled to herself as she remembered how Applejack would speak about how she despised living with Aunt and Uncle Orange as a filly. ‘Too froofy’ and ‘too hoity toity’ she would have used to describe living here and Applejack was right. But if she hadn’t come here she would have never figured out that she loved Sweet Apple Acres, loved Ponyville, loved Dash. Dash’s face saddened.

“Here we go dear! A nice cup of herbal orange peel tea. Be careful. It’s hot.” Auntie said back to her fluttery voice.

“Um thanks.” Dash sipped lightly on her tea. She was quite uncomfortable as much as Applejack would have been being in this froo-froo apartment.

“Do you want to talk about it?” Auntie Orange asked sitting down on the other side. Dash looked hesitant, “Oh don’t worry dear, and I won’t judge you or anything. I know how Applejack feels about the time she stayed with us. This is our lifestyle and I know she was uncomfortable with it but I love her dearly. I know you love her dearly too to come all this way looking for her.”

Dash sighed and related the events to Auntie Orange; afterward she broke down into sobs. Auntie Orange kept a straight expression.

“I know how you feel dear.”

“You do?” Dash said with her voice cracking. This time Auntie Orange sighed and looked away from Dash. Her eyes teared up.

“I cheated once.”

“What?! Y-you did?”

“Yes….” She said sadly, “you see we didn’t always live like this. We were poor when we came to live here in the city. Uncle Orange worked hard every day. Which meant he left me alone most of the time.” Auntie explained.
Dash could only listen intently. “I went shopping one day and there was the most charming of stallions sipping tea at the café I stopped at. From Prance he was, Chardonnay. Anyway we stroke up a conversation and I felt wonderful. Not… ignored. Every day we would meet at the café to have tea. Then it turned into something more. He was so debonair. We would meet at the café and go to a hotel afterward. But one day, I learnt he was Uncle Orange’s partner in business. I felt so terrible! I tried to break it off but I was already so deep in. One day he came over to meet Uncle Orange but he hadn’t come home yet. He seduced me once again and Uncle came home at the same time. You can imagine how devastating it was.”

Dash’s mouth was agape in shock, “I know.”

Auntie continued, “Anyway, Chardonnay moved away after that and Uncle became closed up. He wouldn’t speak to me, nor sleep in the same bed, nor eat. I apologised to him so many times, became such a faithful and good wife but that trust he had in me was gone.”

“What happened then? You’re still together.” Dash said.

“Yes, I loved Uncle. And deep down I knew he loved me. He grieved. But I was determined. It took my all but I made a public confession.”

“You did what?!”

“On that day, it was raining. He packed his bags ready to leave but I ran out into the street and I shouted out on the top of my lungs what I did and how sorry I was. I then sang our wedding song…. Uncle broke into tears then. I asked him for a dance right there in the rain and we did. The neighbor had that song on record and she played it for us.”

Dash still had her surprised expression.

“That night we talked and talked like it was our first date again. From then we communicated every day. We told each other everything and slowly we began to trust each other again. We moved out of that apartment to start new here. Applejack was born by then I think.”

“Communication…” Dash repeated.

“If you love her, talk to her. Show her how much she means to you.” Auntie said with a smile. Dash unexpectedly gave Auntie a hug which she returned, “Finish you tea dear and stay the night.”

“Thank you but I’ve got to keep looking.”

“Stay the night dear and you can start fresh tomorrow. You could try our relatives in Fillydelphia.”

Dash couldn’t turn Auntie Orange down. Auntie Orange smiled as she hugged Dash. “Now I’ll get you something to eat.”

Applejack followed Cherry along the dusty roads of the country town. The road that took them to Cherry’s farm was not far but Applejack became confused when Cherry just trotted past it.

“Where’re we goin’ Ms. Jubilee?”

“Oh y’all see!” Cherry said happily. They continued to trot along until they came upon a newly built saloon in the busiest part of Dodge Junction. “Here we are!”

“What is this place?” Applejack asked looking confused.

“Why, this is mah new joint! I call it ‘The Bloody Duchess’!”

“The Bloody Duchess?” Applejack repeated raising an eyebrow.

“I know the name sounds a bit weird… but y’all see why. Come on!” Cherry trotted up the steps and into the saloon with Applejack just behind.
As they entered, Applejack’s eyes opened wide. It wasn’t a regular western saloon as it looked on the outside. It had a very contemporised, dance club style with that western touch. Posters of famous hoofball players, sapphire shores, and other celebrities were tastefully placed along the walls. A huge multicoloured disco ball shone at the centre, moving lights and there were orange neon lights that ran at the side of the ceiling’s moulding. Fog machines were in each corner of the room and the bar had every single drink that were available in Equestria. The DJ booth had the works of surround sound and there were poles that ran vertical from the counter top to the ceiling. A few customers were enjoying their drinks at little individual tables and the lounge seats looked very welcoming.

“Howdy Ms. Jubilee!” a mint green mare with brown hair greeted from behind the bar.

“Howdy Minty! How yer doin’ today?”

“It’s great! Quiet mornin’! Ah guess it’s the usual calm before the storm!”

“Minty this is Applejack. Applejack, Minty.”

“Howdy!” Minty said cheerfully. Applejack returned the greeting.

“Have a seat!” Cherry said inviting applejack up to the bar and walking behind the counter. Applejack slowly made her way up to the bar stool and sat down still looking around.

“Uuuh… nice place!” Applejack complimented.

“Why thank you!” Cherry said while she worked her mixing magic and poured Applejack a cocktail she’d never seen before.

“What’s this?” Applejack asked.

“This is why this place is called the “Bloody Duchess”. It’s one of the new drinks Ah created from my cherries. They’re all red in color. Ah call this one ‘Pop Yer Cherry’.”

Applejack took a sip of the cocktail. The smoothness of the mix felt satisfying and the taste of cherries added a sweet tingly feeling to Applejack’s tongue.

“WOW! This is great!” Applejack said surprised.

“Really? Thanks! The drinks have become really popular here now and mah place is startin’ tuh get crowded each night. Now it’s slow but wait a couple of hours. Minty, would yer mind puttin’ on sumthang that would lighten the mood? Make it fun?”

“Sure thang Ms. Jubliee!” Minty walked over to the DJ Booth and put on one of Sapphire Shores’ hits. Applejack couldn’t help but tap her hoof and rock her head to the beat while sipping her Pop yer Cherry.

“What’re the poles for?!” Applejack asked but had to scream to be heard over the music. Cherry simply whispered to Minty which confused Applejack. Suddenly Minty jumped up on the counter and started dancing. Her moves were quite suggestive but not as much as an exotic dancer. She gyrated her flank and danced quite in rhythm to the beat around the pole and on it.

“Oh.” said Applejack simply while blushing hard. The patrons that were there looked enjoying the show.

“WHOOO! IS IT STARTIN’ ALREADY?” cried one of them. But when the song finished, Minty jumped off.

“Really interestin’ place….” Applejack muttered. She gulped down her drink and walked away from the counter. Cherry trotted up to her.

“You okay dear?” Cherry asked.

“Yeah. yeah… didn’t expect this place to be a strip joint.” Applejack responded.

“It’s not a strip joint.” Cherry said, “Minty isn’t a stripper. She’s a dancin’ barmaid. She doesn’t wear those stockings or anythang nor take money.”

Applejack simply raised her eyebrow. Cherry smiled, “Jus’ stay till the night’. Y’all see.”

***************

Applejack spent the rest of the afternoon touring Dodge Junction and was treated thanks to Cherry. By the time Luna raised the moon, all the lights came on and the music was bellowing thru the town. Applejack remained by the counter and at least a hundred patrons were crammed in the saloon and the bar was busy with Minty and Cherry tending to the patrons’ needs.

“Pretty busy... no, really busy…” Applejack thought. The music and the disco lights livened the place that patrons were really enjoying themselves.

“Mind helpin’ me out here in the back?!” Cherry bellowed to Applejack.

“Huh?”

“Come on back ‘ere!” Cherry waved. Applejack squeezed her way through and at first looked confused. Cherry instructed Applejack on the few simplest cocktails and within thirty minutes Applejack had already gotten the hang of it.

“Pretty good! Yer seem tuh be a natural!” Cherry complimented. Soon the hit songs began to play and then Minty, as if by cue, got up and started to dance, while Applejack and Cherry served. The patrons, mare and stallion alike cheered Minty on. Applejack did noticed it really was unlike an exotic dancing. It was pure entertainment.

“Hey new girl!! Let’s see yer dance!” cried one of the stallion patrons.

“She’s just helpin’ me out, Buckwheat!” Cherry cried.

“Come on! She’s a beautiful mare! What’s yer name?”

“Apple…uh… Jewel” Applejack said.

“Yer drunk!” Cherry retorted.

“Ah’d buy the entire joint beer if Applejewel dances!” the crowd cheered more loudly than ever, “Come On! APPLEJEWEL!! APPLEJEWEL!! APPLEJEWEL!! APPLEJEWEL!!” the crowd joined in on the chant.

“Yer dun have to Applejack.” Cherry whispered to her.

Applejack suddenly thought of Rainbow in bed with the other mare. She gulped down one of the cocktails and hopped up on the counter.

“Y’ALL READY FER THIS?!!” Applejack cried.

“YEAH!!!!”

The DJ put on a new hit song and Applejack began to imitate Minty’s moves. Then she started to add her own variations that made her look even sexier. Her well-toned muscles added an extra spark to the spectacle. The patrons were ogling at Applejack with somewhat of a lust. Her moves went on for two whole songs. By the time the last song finished and Applejack was breathing heavily the crowd gave a heavy outburst of jubilation and restarted the chant of Applejewel’s name. Applejack hopped off the counter and Cherry quickly pulled her to back.

“Yer okay, honey?”

“Yeah!!!” Ah just felt alive!” Applejack said.

“Yer shouldn’t have if yer didn’t want to.” Yer was jus’ helpin’ me out.”

“A-Ah wanted to…” Applejack said.

“Yer sure yer alright?”

“Ah’m fine Ms. Jubilee. Let’s get back out there. The customers’re waitin’.”

“Okay.” Cherry said and patted Applejack. They returned to the bar floor and for that night the profit was doubled.

“Here…” Cherry said and gave Applejack a pouch full of bits.

“Ah can’t take that Ms. Jubilee!”

“Yer helped me out Applejack. It’s yers.” Cherry said seriously. Applejack took the pouch. “Applejack… would you like to work here?”

“Huh?”

“Yer told me yer weren’t ready tuh go back tuh Ponyville. Would yer like to stay here a while an’ work? The pay’s good. Better than the cherry orchard.”

Applejack thought. “I’d like that.”

Author's Note

Woot!

A new long awaited chapter!
I hope you like it.